Summer is just around the corner, and hopefully the sun will put his hat on for more than just a week. Unfortunately, most people don’t get long summer holidays and often miss out on the warmth while being stuck in the office, working behind a till or out and about on the road.
Fortunately, there is a way to get your employees and teams in the great British outdoors during the summer season, and that’s with team building activities and games. Outdoor team building activities come in shapes and sizes, and we’re going to delve into the top 10 most popular that inject some fun, laughter and a hint of competitiveness into your teams.
1. GPS Treasure Hunt
Our first outdoor team building idea involves small groups of co-workers working together and traversing their local city to uncover secrets, solve challenges and race against the clock to win the most points.
Teams will be given a GPS device or smartphone app with key locations to complete challenges, which span riddles, photo missions and interactive games. Perfect for teams in the city, it’s an opportunity for people to explore and discover new spots, boroughs and locations, all while developing teamwork and critical thinking.
2. Sports Day
Teams can be taken back to their P.E. and school sports days, tackling the tug of war, navigating obstacles and seeing who’s the next Usain Bolt in the 100m sprint. For a few hours, adults can feel like kids again with a completely custom outdoor sports day and even put a spin on it by wearing funky costumes and outfits.
It will test your team members’ physical strength, athleticism and hand-eye coordination as well as promote camaraderie and teamwork. Who will win the egg and spoon race? Which dynamic duo will trip up on the three-legged race? Get down to a lush green field, embrace the challenges and find out!
3. Gladiator Challenge
There will probably be one person quoting Russell Crowe’s famous speech from Gladiator by the end of this outdoor activity. The gladiator outdoor activity day is less like Ancient Rome and more like the spectacle we see on the hit TV show. Giant inflatable obstacle courses will be set up for teams to navigate and compete in, testing both physicality and mental strength. This outdoor summer activity is all about communication, with teams working together on certain challenges to beat the opposition.
You’ll be given all the safety equipment as well as a host to explain all the different games. This is a perfect event for a summer’s day that fosters communication, builds on friendships and instils determination – all great qualities that can be transferred back into the workplace.
4. Country Outings
Perfect for those tired of the bustling city, get everyone out in the countryside to take part in traditional country pursuits. There’s a range of activities teams can take part in, including archery and clay pigeon shooting, axe throwing and even falconry. This is less about teams getting competitive and more a chance to simply have a fun day in serene surroundings. The corporate world can be very mechanical and enclosed, so reward your team with fun-filled activities that they, perhaps, wouldn’t normally be able to get involved in.
5. Soap Box Derby
Teams can channel their inner Lewis Hamilton and race in their own hand-made soap box racers. Working together to craft a soap box cart that’s durable, aerodynamic and visually pleasing gets your employees thinking fast, showcasing sportsmanship and having exhilarating fun. Before the final race, teams can test out their ride and make modifications. This outdoor team building activity will also test time management skills, not just for getting the racer ready in time but also during certain challenges throughout the day
6. Segway
Remember the Segway? The two-wheeled, self-balancing personal transporter that hit the market back in 2001 hasn’t gone anywhere. A fun and engaging way to test different skills, a Segway experience gets teams off-road and competing in a variety of courses and challenges. Before traversing more challenging routes, training and time are given for people to build their confidence. Most Segway experiences will provide the X2 model for each participant, a versatile model that can traverse all types of terrain. It’s a perfect blend of outdoor fun and invigorating challenges, sure to please all who take part.
7. Crystal Challenge
Inspired by the 90s TV show The Crystal Maze, this team building activity is ideal for the summertime. Teams will take part in various mental and physical challenges inspired by the show, such as The Cypher, Pyramid Challenge and the final – The Dome.
It takes thinking outside the box to win points and take home the prize. What’s more, it will be like stepping onto the set of the hit show, with inflatable courses, activity zones and props that spark intrigue and problem solving, all in the name of fun!
8. Corporate Festival
Forget the games, the competitiveness and all the heightened tensions that come with them; a corporate festival is the ideal opportunity to reward your team and build bonds between them. Through the power of music, live performance and art, employees can enjoy an engaging day in the outdoors and build connections on shared interests and passions. We recommend finding somewhere that sets up tipis as this will provide you with customisable spaces, from bar areas and tables of food to circus acts and live performances. If you’re looking for that iconic festival experience or just want a chilled summer party, we guarantee your corporate employees will leave with smiles on their faces and lasting memories.
9. Paintballing
A highly popular team building activity, teams can take aim and fire round after round of paintballs at their enemies. It takes tactical precision, communication and the ability to think quickly on your feet to flank, dodge and take victory. If you’ve noticed your employees feeling burnt out and needing to release some steam, splattering each other with paint is a perfect solution to relieve tensions and have fun. Many paintballing parks have diverse game zones that require different approaches to claim victory, from capturing the flag to an all-out team deathmatch.
10. Multi-activity Days
Our last outdoor team building idea involves a combination of games and activities teams can participate in. Some of these can include what we’ve listed and can be completely customised. It gives people the chance to have a fun day trying out new endeavours all in the span of one day, including motorised events like rage buggies and hovercrafts, duck herding, archery, circus tricks and more. Teams can get a hit of adrenaline, learn new skills, test their teamwork and have exhilarating fun.