6 Unusual Team Building Activities for the Workplace

Energise your team and spark collaboration with fun and unexpected activities. Sure, we've all done awkward icebreakers and overshared in two truths and a lie but these techniques are becoming tiresome. Why not try something fresh like a DIY office escape room or something unforgettable like getting outdoors for some Goat Yoga?

What is an Unusual Team-Building Activity?

Team-building activities are designed to bring teams together in different ways, allowing them to develop new skills and strengthen their work relationships. An unusual team-building activity goes beyond the ordinary and is designed to surprise, excite, and encourage different approaches.

Some unique activities will allow both in office and remote workers to participate, meaning no one gets left out. These ideas include both quick and easy ways to bring your teams together and others which involve days that get them out of the office. Most will be more memorable than your traditional team-building, meaning they may have a larger impact on team morale.

Today’s workplace calls for out-of-the-box thinking and team activities that build trust through unexpected, creative experiences, so read on for ideas that do just that.

Team Building Activities for Inside the Office

1. DIY Office Escape Room

Become Sherlock Holmes in this fun, brain-teasing, team-building activity, designed to spark creativity, collaboration and innovative thinking.

How it works:

Split your office into small teams. Each group will get a chance to create and participate in escape rooms filled with clever puzzles and intriguing mysteries.
Teams will design 8-10 puzzles, incorporating a range of skills. From logic and deduction to creativity and storytelling.
Once the rooms are created, teams can rotate so that everyone has a chance to solve a room they didn’t design.
Teams will be given 60 minutes to crack the clues and solve the mystery. The team that escapes the fastest or solves the most clues wins a prize of your choice.

This activity encourages teamwork, communication, and strategic thinking, while also supporting employees who may find it difficult to share ideas. Bonus: it can be easily adapted for small teams or mixed groups across departments to encourage broader collaboration.

2. Desk Safari

Unleash your inner David Attenborough, whether you’re working remotely or in the office, with this quick, fun mood boosting activity. Desk Safari involves creative thinking, clever perspectives and a funny image of an animal.

How it works:

Team members simply need to find a photo of an animal.
Replace the animal’s face with their own.
Have a colleague or personal camera capture the moment.
Share in the office group chat.

This will ensure endless laughs and less clock watching for all the faithful 5pm. This quick activity will increase connectivity and boost productivity, meaning your team is happy and the work gets done, without needing anything more than a web browser and a sense of humour.

3. Silent Disco Hour

Get to know your colleagues' music tastes with this fun and different way to build team spirit and provide a break in the usual routine.

What is a silent disco?

A silent office disco involves employees wearing wireless headphones and choosing from different music channels. Ahead of time, ask employees to share 2-3 of their favourite songs to the customised playlist. For the hour, colleagues can dance, socialise, and share music tastes. It’s a fun conversation starter and can even be done with colleagues working remotely.

This activity can foster communication, collaboration, and create lasting memories and all you need is a decent music taste and a playlist! It can also be changed to do theme playlists, used for a small awards session and more!

Team Building Activities for Outside the Office

4. Goat Yoga

Inhale, exhale, and mind the goat! Take your team outside for this unforgettable experience. Why just do yoga when you can add a furry friend into the mix, too? Goats are innately curious, gentle, and mischievous creatures who just might hop on your back during cat-cow, making for a fun yet therapeutic day away from the office.

What you’ll need:

An outdoor space (or farm venue)
A certified goat yoga instructor
Willing participants and a sense of humour!

The session could end with a group picnic, for post goat yoga conversation. This outdoor experience is great for physical relaxation and mental clarity, which should boost productivity when members are back in the office.

5. Geocaching

How it works:

Team members simply need to find a photo of an animal.
Replace the animal’s face with their own.
Have a colleague or personal camera capture the moment.
Share in the office group chat.

6. Obstacle Trail

Your team will love this energising and unique outdoor activity. Build stronger bonds, sharpen communication, and have some fun in this office approved obstacle course.

How it works:

Several obstacles will be set up in an outdoor area.
Participants are split into pairs, where one is blindfolded.
The other must guide them through the course.

This activity fosters listening, communication and rapport between team members who must put their faith in one another to get around the course as quickly but also as safely as possible.

How Team Building Activities Boost Productivity

A motivated team is essential to productivity, which is why team-building exercises are so important. These activities are not just about fun but also about fostering a positive work environment where teams trust and communicate with one another. It's also important for individuals who are able to act on their strengths and develop areas of weakness.

Team building is ultimately about improving company culture and business outcomes. By investing in regular team bonding activities, whether through office challenges, outdoor experiences, or social events, you’re not just forming friendships; you’re building a more productive, high-performing workplace.

Team Building activities at Make Venues

Why not combine both ideas and take your office elsewhere, with stylish, fully equipped meeting spaces in London, Bristol, and Leamington Spa, Make Venues is the perfect choice for your next off-site adventure.