We know how hard you try to bring your teams together.
There are only so many times you can do trust-falls in the office space.
We’re here today with a list of curious and unusual activities that bring teams closer together in a fun way.
So, like a dove flying out of the magician’s hat, let’s showcase the best unusual teambuilding activities for you to try today!
What do we mean by “unusual teambuilding activities”?
Well, to put it plainly, here at Surf Office we are in the business of bringing teams together. We have all read articles on office-based activities, but we’re really interested in activities that are a little out of the blue.
Activities that make staff raise their eyebrows when you tell them can kickstart energetic conversations and build new bonds between people. There might be a sparkle of nervousness in the air, but this is good energy that encourages people to try something new!
So our activities are set up to satisfy curious minds and to help bring people together as they have new experiences.
We’re listing unusual but not extreme activities, as the last thing we want is any physical danger for anyone involved. One or two activities that need experienced professionals are mentioned, so as always, safety first!
26 unusual teambuilding activities to try
Here are our best activities to get the most out of your teams:
1. Indoor skydiving
Prepare: Altitude tablets
Experience: Adrenaline, dry mouths
No, we’re not talking about being inside a 12,000-foot building. We mean those wind turbine tunnels with plexiglass barriers made to simulate skydiving. Using expert guides, your teams can experience a day of bonding while free-falling!
This is a fantastic indoor activity that is completely different from everything else. You might be helping people overcome a fear, or feel a sense of adrenaline trying something they perceive as dangerous (though it really isn’t!). Some companies allow children as young as 5 to try! So give this great activity a try!
2. Sand dune quad biking
Prepare: Sand-friendly clothing
Experience: Dunes on the horizon
This activity requires a bit more planning and traveling if you live far from a place with sand dunes. A day out in the dunes riding quad bikes is a stellar activity for bringing your teams together. Just think about the visuals, 4x4 off-road ATVs, picturesque rolling sand, and sunsets.
Your teams will need a bit of safety practice from instructors beforehand, but this experience stands tall in bringing the whole squad closer together. An experience to remember, try out sand dune quad biking for the office crew.
3. James Bond for the day
Prepare: Martinis
Experience: High-intensity espionage
As far as indoor team-building activities go, this one’s really varied. A James Bond day involves lots of unraveling clues, problem-solving tasks, and identifying a potential murderer. Have everyone in the office dress up for the occasion, to ensure they’re shaken, not stirred into action.
As you give them instructions to the spy games they’ll need their best active listening skills. The mixture of spy challenges with a day to dress up makes this an activity to remember! Try “James Bond for the Day” to bring class, sophistication, and laughter to a day of team building!
4.Elephant care
Prepare: Sun hats and waterproofs!
Experience: Hanging out with Nellie
Learn more about the majestic elephant in a team-building experience for the ages. A day out taking care of elephants will stick in the minds of your teams forever. You’ll need to source a local elephant care company (unless your company operates in the middle of a nature reserve!).
A day of elephant care lets teams learn to feed, wash and clean elephants, all while in their natural habitat. Taking care of an animal will likely help them learn to care for each other better, too. Just beware, a day of elephant washing often turns into a water fight!
5. Paintballing
Prepare: To get covered in paint
Experience: One or two light bruises
Entering the real spirit of competition, a day of building with paintballing is a fantastic choice. Those with a deep desire to succeed will love this one. Most places in the world now have outdoor paintballing organizers, ready for your teams to try.
They’ll hide from and aim for one another while working in units for tactical advantage. “Capture the flag” games are for even more hardcore players, so this could be a great chance to really optimize bonds among your teams. Just don’t forget, you’ll be taking a few bullets and getting very messy!
6. Go Karting
Prepare: Your tires
Experience: Thrill-seeking races
Another fantastic day out to bring teams together is with go-karting. Rev up the teamwork with team-based races, or keep each race individual. Go-karting companies can cater for large groups too, and they do a fantastic job of recording a leaderboard, for the competitive folk amongst you.
Most facilities have in-house dining and drinks available too, so everything’s ready. Remember that you can most likely buy a video recording of your tracks if you’re really into it. Try out go-karting for a memorable day with your teams. They’ll thank you for it.
7. Circus skills workshop
Prepare: Warm-up stretches
Experience: A new appreciation
An activity that has been growing in interest is a workshop dedicated to teaching circus skills. More companies than ever offer team-building days out where your teams can get to grips with the basics of acrobatics, trampolining, juggling, tight wire and unicycling. Sounds like fun, right?
No previous skills are required. This unusual activity is sure to brighten everyone’s day and offer a newfound appreciation for circus groups. New skills and a memorable experience await! (Just remember, nobody should run away with the circus!)
8. ARTrageous graffiti
Prepare: Elastomeric respirators (masks), a change of clothes
Experience: Artistic expression
Another increasingly popular teambuilding exercise is a day out learning and creating graffiti. Urban artwork has slowly but surely made its mark on corporate practices. Many leading companies use street art to appeal to different markets, so this could work well for your company.
Contact local artists who work with designated graffiti areas and let your team unleash their creative sparks! Getting to grips with paint canisters while learning the cultural history of graffiti is a fantastic day out. Let your inner artists free, with a designated graffiti wall and beautiful spray paints (stencils are optional).
9. Ice carving
Prepare: Gloves
Experience: Surge in creativity
Here’s an activity that really lets your team chill out while bonding and making something cool! A class for ice carving with a master craftsman is a unique experience that won’t be forgotten any time soon. Your teams will be learning how to carve an ice sculpture with their own design.
You’ll be letting them try something new that is mentally stimulating and gives a great sense of satisfaction at the end. Try this one out for an unusual team-building activity. Remember, it’s a little chilly on the fingertips!
10. Ocean bus
Prepare: Cameras!
Experience: Floating bliss
Ocean buses are becoming more popular across the globe. The first ones were in Sweden and other parts of Europe. An ocean bus is like a day out on a city tour bus, but a watery version! Sightseeing from rivers and lakes is a great chance to build team bonds.
You could even merge it as a transportation to a conference or team dinner. They’re available for private rental, so you can have the whole ship to yourselves. That’s a great chance to add some extra energizers as you travel in style. Try this one today!
11. Immersive Gamebox
Prepare: Extra credits
Experience: Hopefully, a new high score!
One of the newest sensations on our list is the “immersive gamebox,” which is basically an ultra-immersive multiplayer gaming experience.
When visiting, the company gives guests visors with tracking dots that connect with computers to show when you’re in the room. Then high-quality AR projections are used, with touch-screen walls and surround sound.
Sounds immersive? It certainly is. Immersive Gamebox is currently operational in 27 play locations in the UK, USA, Europe and UAE, so get searching! Appeal to the gamers amongst your teams! This will go down a treat.
12. Duck herding
Prepare: A few loaves of bread
Experience: Something out of the ordinary
Here’s one of the wildest experiences on the list. Duck herding is a unique and sedate day out that’s growing in popularity. Teams need to work together to shepherd a gaggle of ducks down a course, down slides, and finally into their pen.
A few companies offer this service for teams out in the countryside, so do a little searching. It’s actually a great way to get into nature while you’re at it. Don’t try it out by yourselves, this is run by conservation specialists and does not harm any ducks. Now, doesn’t that sound like a quacking day out?
13. Raft building
Prepare: Life jackets
Experience: Your colleagues sinking!
A great way to escape being cooped up indoors, raft building combines creativity and problem-solving for teams. Large groups work best, as you really need to get your thinking caps on to create a vessel that floats soundly.
You probably did this once when you were young, so relive those summer holiday memories while bringing your teams closer together. Appreciate the great outdoors,
14. Building for a cause
Prepare: A charitable spirit
Experience: A sense of fulfillment
Charity events have a long history with corporations that aim to improve team building while giving back to the community. They provide a full day’s work and everyone involved feels a sense of completion at the end of the day (though the work goes on…)
Reach out to your nearest charities that help the homeless or those in need, and you’re sure to get a lot of support from your teams. Soup kitchens and home construction companies are crying out for any help they can get, too. Try this one soon.
15. Fishing
Prepare: Fishing tackle
Experience: A relaxing day out
Most of us have tried fishing alone or with a friend. Now why not turn it into a group activity for your teams? Fishing has given us relaxation and recreation for thousands of years, and it’s actually a great way to help teams bond.
One of the best aspects of fishing is the fact it puts you into your slowest gear. This is a great time to combine the day’s events with some teambuilding puzzles and tasks. Take some great food with you, and you’re set for a memorable day with stronger bonds. Cheers to that!
16. Sumo wrestling
Prepare: Your muscles (Mawashi clothes optional)
Experience: A test of strength
Here’s an unusual way to bring your teams together. We’re probably all familiar with ancient sumo wrestling. It’s a Japanese display of honor, virtue, and brute strength. Thankfully, we aren’t recommending doing it without a padded and safe sumo suit for your contestants.
Just get an outdoor area prepared with a circular ring, and some soft sumo suits, and have at it! You’ll be rolling around with laughter (especially those people in suits) as the two fighters try and shove each other out of the ring. Just practice a little health and safety, and you’re all set.
17. Dragon boat racing
Prepare: Strong backs
Experience: Hopefully, no sinking
Bring a taste of the East to a day of team building with a dragon boat race for your teams. Dragon boats are steeped in history, and a race using dragon boats highlights the power of teamwork.
Paddlers work together as a team, racing against the opposing team to cross the finish line first. They have to stroke in unison to get to top speed, so they’ll need to have one another’s backs. Reach out to a dragon boat race organizer for a unique day out in nature.
18. Theme park day out
Prepare: Your heart
Experience: Thrills and excitement
A solid choice for a team day out is a trip to your local theme park. We all loved them when we were kids, so bring that back to life with a day filled with roller coasters, candy floss and pirate ships.
You can add value to the day with a scavenger hunt, having teams search for clues around the park as they go. They’ll be bonding with each other, while the thrill-seekers among them enjoy the white-knuckle rollercoasters. Use a theme park day out to spread some happiness.
19. Blindfolded cooking competition
Prepare: Your senses
Experience: Culinary adventurousness
Okay, we’ve all heard of cooking class competitions. We know it sounds a little wild, but did you know there are blindfolded cooking competitions that companies are organizing? Don’t worry, you don’t need to imagine burned hands or fingers on knives…
The blindfolding happens in the safe phases of cooking and preparing. It’s a great way to encourage a deeper appreciation of the smells and textures of the ingredients you’re using. There’s lots of fun involved as master chefs explain to the blindfolded person the steps they need to remember. Try this one out now!
20. Office acting day
Prepare: Your game-face
Experience: A day of improvisations
Why not keep things in-office for unusual teambuilding fun? Dedicate a day to acting and all things Hollywood! Use our improv games for motivation, and get your teams really thinking outside the box.
Acting is a great way to bring people together with laughter and sincerity. You never know among your teams who has a hidden skill for performing arts. Why not take the opportunity to team build while acting and trying out some new artistic expression? Your teams might really thank you for the new opportunity.
21. Zip lining
Prepare: Your nerves
Experience: The outdoors, from a height!
Lots of big parks and nature reserves have sky bridges and zipline facilities, so we think it’d be a great idea to try out a teambuilding day here. Zip lining in particular gets the heart pumping as you swing above treetops to safety.
You can make the most out of this day with some great picnic food and intersperse it with outdoor trust-building exercises. On top of that, you’re getting to take in natural surroundings, what’s not to love? Try this one out as soon as you can.
22. Bubble football
Prepare: Your team formations
Experience: Chaos on a grassy field
You might have seen Zorbing before. That’s when you’re inside a giant padded ball, rolling down a hill. This is quite similar, but on a flat pitch, in teams, with a football in the middle. Yes, it’s as fun as it sounds.
Each player is inside a giant padded ball, so no harm can be done. In teams, everyone has a game of football, complete with goalkeepers and wingers. Get involved in the action yourself, or just become the (neutral) referee! This is a really fun way to bring teams together.
23. Dinner in the sky
Prepare: To be shocked
Experience: A dinner from above
We hope you’ve seen the phenomenal dinner in the sky experience. This would be a fantastically unusual treat for your team members who aren’t afraid of heights. Dinner in the Sky is organized by a company that lets diners sit in secure chairs on a table literally above buildings.
It’s going to take a lot of bravery to try this one, but what a fantastic way to build bonds over an evening. We hope the heights don’t upset anyone’s stomachs! Try out Dinner in the Sky for a standout experience, and just be very careful with your belongings!
24. Office typing race
Prepare: Your fingertips
Experience: A frantic race on company keyboards
Keeping things a bit simpler, this in-house activity involves everyone in the office racing against each other to type as quickly as possible. This is a lot calmer than some of our other activities, but it’s a convenient workplace competition that any company can perform.
You never know who has those lightning-fast fingertips. It could be Doris, the quiet HR lady who hardly speaks a word, but is a whirlwind on the keyboard! Try this simple activity out for your teams in the office today.
25.Aerial yoga
Prepare: Your whole body
Experience: Relaxation through flexibility
Yoga is something we are all at least aware of, but did you know there’s an aerial version too? Aerial yoga uses suspended support cloths to help people reach yoga positions that encourage complete flexibility. If you have members in your teams who are already familiar with basic yoga, they’ll enjoy this one.
Promote physical wellbeing and try something a little curious, aerial yoga could be a great chance to bring teams together through physicality. It’s much harder than it looks, too! Give this one a shot if your teams are physically capable.
26. Crazy golf
Prepare: Your swinging arm
Experience: Golf, in a crazy way
We know that some places call it “putt putt golf,” but the Brits call it “crazy golf” and we think that’s a great name. Crazy golf is like normal golf, but scaled-down onto tiny courses that are filled with fun obstacles and challenges. It’s a really unique way to bring a team together.
Most courses are done individually, but some facilities can have team play, with players taking turns to putt for their team. Most courses are indoors and are lit in a really cool way. Refreshments are available for all players, so don’t overlook this unusual way to bring your teams together!
Are you in the business of fun teambuilding? Try out a team retreat with us!
If you’re interested in new and unique ways to bring your teams together, we implore you to recognize the power of a team-building retreat. A twice-annual retreat solidifies bonds stronger than the weldings of a tank!
Here at Surf Office, organizing team retreats is what we do best.
Here’s what we offer:
- Stress-free transfers? We got you! ✅
- Quality-assured accommodations? Check! ✅
- Engaging team-building activities? Our speciality ✅
- Restaurant reservations? That's on us! ✅
- Expert retreat planning assistance? Of course, we have this covered! ✅
- Onsite support, tailored to your needs? Absolutely ✅
Not only this but we also have access to 160+ locations around Europe, APAC, the US, Latin America, and now Africa, meaning the sky is your limit when it comes to choosing the right location for you and your team.
Let your teams know how much you care for boosting team bonds, and bring them all on a teambuilding retreat. You can even organize a remote team retreat to bring hybrid and remote workers too!
Let us sort out the tricky logistics for you. Spaces are very limited, so get in touch now!
