
Here is our list of the best outdoor team building activities.
Outdoor team building activities are fun and interactive activities that teammates can engage in outside the office. Examples include Treasure Hunt, Acid Walk, and Kickball. The purpose of these activities is to foster camaraderie between employees and promote a more cohesive workforce.
If you are wondering why incorporating team building into your routine is important, then check out this article on why you should care about team building. These outdoor team building activities are similar to team building for short projects, team building tips for remote staff, and tips for building stronger teams.
This list includes:
- quick outdoor team building activities
- outdoor team building activities for students
- outdoor team building activities for employees
- outdoor team building games with no equipment
- fun group outdoor activities for adults
Let’s get started!
List of outdoor team building activities
From Team Picnic to Hiking to Paper Boat Building Challenge, here are examples of the best team building ideas colleagues can try outside.
1. Kite Flying
Kite Flying is an exciting and fun way to create a nostalgic feeling among employees. Teammates will run around an open field with their kites flying high like they did when they were kids.
To organize this activity:
- Provide materials that employees will use to create their kites. Examples include a yardstick, a ball of yarn, masking tape, scissors, a full sheet of newspaper, or half a yard of linen cloth.
- Split the players into smaller groups.
- Set a timer for 30 minutes.
- Players will race against time to make their kites, customizing each piece to their taste. For example, teams can write their initials on their kites or attach ribbons to the string.
- Players will then race against each other to fly their kites as high as possible.
You can make this game even more fun and challenging by awarding prizes for different types of kites. For example, prizes can go to the funniest, biggest, and most creative kites. It is best to fly the kites during strong winds for better stability.
2. Treasure Hunt
Treasure Hunts are fun activities where teammates must follow cryptic clues and prompts to find hidden treasures within a given time. This exercise is one of the best quick outdoor team building activities because it teaches players to pay attention to detail and enhances employees’ problem-solving skills.
To organize this activity:
- Find an open space where you can hide clues in plain sight. A park or beach is well suited for this game.
- Choose a theme for the game. For instance, you may choose a pirate-themed hunt if you are playing by the beachside.
- Choose your treasure. The treasure can be a box of goodies or swag gifts the players can share.
- Arrange your clues. You can set clues that lead to each other to make the game even more challenging and fun.
- Hide the treasure. Put the treasure in a secret location, and ensure the clues will lead to it.
- Split the players into smaller groups or teams.
- Set a timer for 30 minutes to one hour.
- The players will follow the clues and prompts to find the treasure.
- The first team to find the treasure wins the hunt.
To make this activity even more engaging, you can create a map leading to different clues to save the players some time. Creating a map is also a great way to make the hunt feel more realistic and fun.
3. Acid River Walk
Acid River Walk is an exciting and challenging activity where employees must cross obstacles to travel a distance. For example, the players will cross bricks or crates to reach the designated location.
To organize this activity:
- Choose an open space, preferably with grass, to reduce injuries in case of a fall.
- Get crates or bricks equal to the number of players.
- Split the players into pairs.
- Each team has 15 minutes to walk across the obstacles and reach the other end of the field. If any team member touches the ground or falls off the obstacles, then the team must restart the game.
- The first team to reach the other end of the field before the time is up wins.
This game is one of the best outdoor team building activities for employees because it promotes team collaboration and cooperation. This activity is also a great way to encourage fitness in the workplace.
4. Zorbing
Zorbing is a fun-filled game where teammates must fit into a large transparent plastic ball and avoid small obstacles as they race toward the finish line.
To organize this activity:
- Choose a large outdoor space.
- Create a starting and finish line.
- Set up small obstacles in random locations on the field. Examples include bricks, stuffed animals, crates, and sticks.
- Split the players into pairs.
- Set a timer for one minute.
- Players will each fit into the transparent plastic balls and race toward the finish line before time runs out.
- Players who come in contact with or touch any obstacle will get removed from the game.
- The first team to reach the finish line wins.
This activity helps strengthen team communication and boost employee interaction. Employees can also create lovely memories together outside the office.
Learn more about zorbing.
5. Kickball
Kickball is a fun game where players kick a ball around until a team scores. This game teaches employees to collaborate and communicate to achieve a common goal.
To organize this activity:
- Find an empty field or local baseball diamond for this game.
- Split the workers into two teams of six to eight players.
- Select a referee to ensure the game is fair.
- Set a timer for 40 to 60 minutes.
- Kickball rules are similar to baseball. Pitchers roll the ball to kickers, who attempt to kick it as far as possible.
- If the outfielders catch the ball, then the kicker is out.
- Also, outfielders can throw the ball to the baseman. If the baseman catches the ball before the kicker reaches the base, then the kicker is out.
- Outfielders can also attempt to throw the ball at the kicker while they run to a base. Again, if the kicker is tagged, then they are out.
- If the kicker makes it to a base before the pitcher gets the ball back, then the kicker is safe.
- Teams earn points by crossing the home plate.
- When one team gets three outs, the teams swap sides.
- The team with the high score at the end of the game wins.
This game is a great way to get your teammates to stay active, have fun, and burn some calories.
6. The Shoe Game
The Shoe Game is a simple outdoor game that challenges players to pay great attention to detail. This game is great for unwinding after team outings, picnics, or get-togethers. For businesses looking for outdoor team building games with no equipment, this is a top pick.
To organize this activity:
- Find an open space or field.
- Participants will remove their shoes.
- Colleagues will close their eyes as a coordinator arranges the shoes into a pile.
- Set a two- three-minute timer for players to locate their shoes.
- The first player to find their shoes in the pile within the allocated time wins the game.
You can make this game even more challenging by stacking each pair of the players’ shoes into two piles on opposite ends of the field. This way, teammates must find one shoe in one pile and race to find the other before the timer runs out.
7. Paper Boat Building Challenge
Paper Boat Building Challenge is a fun game where employees compete to create cardboard boats. Then, players must sail the ship across a pool without sinking it.
To organize this activity:
- Split players into teams of two to three.
- Give each team materials like paper, glue, tape, and scissors.
- Give teammates five to ten minutes to create their boats with the given materials.
- Fill a large basin or inflatable pool with water.
- Teammates will attempt to get their boats to sail from one end of the pool to the other without sinking them.
- The first team to get their boats to the other side wins.
If none of the teams can get their boats across the pool, then you may choose a winner by selecting the boat that covers the farthest distance.
8. Team Picnic
Team Picnic is an exciting activity that helps employees unwind and ease stress. In this activity, employees will simply relax in a park, play games, share meals, and chat.
To organize this activity:
- Choose a nice open field for this activity, preferably a park or beach.
- Make arrangements for food, drinks, and music.
- Organize games like tag, ring toss, or touch football.
- Share drinks and play music while employees play.
To make this event more fun, you can make the games competitive and award prizes to the winners. These activities are great opportunities for employees to unwind after big projects or team achievements.
9. Blindfold Hunt
Blindfold Hunt is an exciting game where teammates get blindfolded to search for random items on an open field. This game is one of the best outdoor team building activities for students because it boosts communication and helps pupils build trust in each other.
To organize this activity:
- Split players into teams of two to three.
- Scatter items across an empty field.
- Each team will select a player to blindfold.
- Set a timer for two to three minutes.
- Teammates will yell instructions to guide the blindfolded player to find items on the field.
- Players can use their legs or arms to feel for items before picking them up.
- The first team whose player gathers the required items before the timer runs out wins.
Instructing the blindfolded players to avoid running or walking fast is important to prevent injuries. Players must also walk with extended arms to ensure they do not walk into each other.
10. Hiking
Hiking is a great recreational activity that boosts emotional and mental well-being. In addition, this activity allows employees to connect and build physical strength.
To organize this activity:
- Find a great hiking location within a reasonable distance of all the employees, and choose a route.
- Check the weather forecast, and choose a day when the weather seems pleasant. Encourage interested participants to dress accordingly.
- Provide workers with maps and safety equipment like first-aid kits and GPS systems. Also, encourage employees to come along with their hiking gear, including sunscreen, snacks, water, and bug spray.
- Hike and enjoy exploring new locations.
It is important to encourage participants to wear hiking boots to prevent injuries. Also, be sure to bring cameras so you can snap memorable photos!
11. Group Outdoor Social Work
Group Outdoor Social work is great for employees to perform charitable activities in their community. For example, teammates can help pick up trash or recycle bottles.
To organize this activity:
- Split the participants into teams of three to four members.
- Give employees branded swag items like T-shirts or baseball caps to wear. These items make it easy for folks to identify members of your team.
- Choose a designated location that each team must clean up.
- Teammates will pick up the trash and plastic items for recycling.
- Teammates can even create a campaign and post flyers to discourage folks from littering and encourage recycling.
This activity is a great way for employees to feel more connected with each other and their community.
12. Landscape Challenge
Landscape Challenge is a fun activity that allows employees to explore their artistic skills. Teammates will compete against each other to recreate a landscape piece before the timer runs out.
To organize this activity:
- Provide painting materials like paintbrushes, paint, and a landscape canvas.
- Set up individual painting stations with the provided materials, a stool, and an easel outdoors.
- Encourage teammates to engage their senses, stare at their environment for a few minutes, and then paint the landscape.
- Set a timer for 30 minutes to one hour for employees to paint what they see.
- Pinters take turns showing off their art pieces when the timer is up.
- Optionally, the team can vote for their favorite painting, and you can award that artist with a prize.
You can play slow and calming songs as employees paint to make this activity even more enjoyable and relaxing. This therapeutic activity is an excellent way for employees to ease stress and relax.
13. Team Sports Tournament
Team Sports Tournaments are fun activities where employees compete in a series of games to win medals and prizes. In this activity, teammates must learn discipline, effective communication, and teamwork to win.
To organize this activity:
- Find a large field.
- Split players into teams of four to six.
- Choose activities like tug-of-war, volleyball, handball, and relay races for teammates to engage in.
- The teams will compete against each other in these activities to win prizes and rewards.
- The team that wins the most games wins the tournament.
To make this game even more realistic, you can create branded jerseys in different colors for colleagues to wear during the games. Also, ensure you choose one or two sports that less competitive employees can participate in. Examples include aerobics, cycling, and swimming. You may also share refreshments and food after the games to energize the players.
14. Catapult Making and Launching Contest
Catapult Making and Launching Contest is a fun and creative activity for teammates during outdoor escapades.
To organize this activity:
- Split the players into teams of four to six.
- Provide materials like rubber bands, glue, bottle caps, and popsicle sticks.
- Give employees a guide on creating a catapult, or have players watch a tutorial before they start.
- Set a timer for 30 minutes.
- Teams must attempt to complete their catapults before the timer runs out.
- Teams that complete their catapults within the allocated time will qualify for the launch.
- Participants who do not complete their catapults in time will stand by and cheer the other participants on.
- Set plastic bottle targets within reasonable reach of the players.
- Teammates will take turns launching stones at the bottles using their catapults.
- Players get one point for each target they can hit.
- The team with the most points wins the game.
To launch the catapults, employees will use the bottle caps as their slingshot targets to aim at their targets. To make the game fair for all participants, you can offer consolation prizes to players who did not make it to the launch.
15. Kart Racing
Kart Racing is one of the best fun group outdoor activities for adults because it promotes laughter and mental well-being among employees. This activity is also an effective way to help employees bond and build better work relationships.
To organize this activity:
- Find a local kart racing center.
- Split the players into teams, or the workers may play individually, depending on the number of participants.
- Set a timer for the race.
- The first employee to set a record wins the game.
This activity is a fun and simple way to boost employees’ moods and promote mental and emotional well-being.
Conclusion
Outdoor team building activities are exciting games and events that colleagues can engage in outside the office. These games help employees unwind, interact with each other, and have fun. These activities include games, sports activities, and gatherings where employees can compete for prizes or rewards.
These games help strengthen employee relationships, which can translate into workplace efficiency.
For more team building inspo, check out these articles on free team building activities, team building ice breakers, and team building techniques.