There’s something magical about getting the whole team together, away from the humdrum of the office or the pixelated world of video calls. Offsite events are the perfect time to break out of the usual routine, to laugh, learn, and, most importantly, bond in ways that simply aren’t possible during the 9-to-5 grind.
And if you’re going to do it, why not make it unforgettable?
Let’s dive into some offsite team activities that will build teamwork, trust, and just a touch of weirdness to leave everyone talking about it for months.
1. The Trust Fall… But with a Twist
Yes, yes, the trust fall is the most overdone team-building activity ever. But what if we took it up a notch? Instead of the classic backward fall, have your team do a blindfolded maze. Set up an obstacle course with soft, safe barriers (think foam noodles, pillows, or pool floats). Each team member is blindfolded and has to navigate the maze with only verbal instructions from their partner. The catch? The instructor has to communicate in animal noises, and the blindfolded person can only respond with hand gestures.
Not only does this take trust to a whole new level, but it also adds a layer of communication that’s completely out of the ordinary. Watching your colleagues moo like a cow while guiding someone through a pillow fort is something you won’t forget.
2. Survival Cooking Challenge
What happens when you drop a group of professionals into the wilderness with nothing but a campfire, a mystery box of ingredients, and a whole lot of competitive spirit? You get the Survival Cooking Challenge! This activity isn’t just about making food; it’s about working together under pressure, sharing ideas, and learning how each team member approaches a challenge.
Divide your team into smaller groups and give them a random assortment of ingredients (bonus points for including something strange like dragon fruit or seaweed). The goal? Create a gourmet meal using only what’s in the box and the great outdoors. Afterward, everyone shares their culinary masterpieces, and a panel of judges (or the entire team) can vote on the most creative, tastiest, and weirdest dish.
3. The Escape Room in Real Life
Forget the commercial escape rooms—you’re going DIY. Create a life-sized puzzle or mystery that needs to be solved using clues hidden around your offsite location. Whether it’s a spooky haunted house theme or a treasure hunt inspired by Indiana Jones, the key here is collaboration and creative thinking.
Teams will need to divide and conquer to find clues, solve riddles, and unlock the final prize. Maybe the final puzzle requires everyone to work together, combining all the clues they’ve gathered separately. Not only does this encourage teamwork, but it also highlights the strengths of each team member, whether they’re a problem-solver, a leader, or the person who just has a knack for finding the weirdest hiding spots.
4. Role-Switching Day
Want to really shake things up? Have a Role-Switching Day where everyone takes on a different role in the company—except this time, they’re doing it offsite. The CEO becomes the intern, the marketing guru tries their hand at finance, and the IT wizard is now in charge of sales pitches.
But there’s a twist: each new “role” has to come up with a pitch, project, or idea related to their new position, which they then present to the team. Not only does this build empathy and understanding across different departments, but it also encourages everyone to think outside the box. Plus, who wouldn’t want to see their boss try to sell a completely fictitious product they just made up on the spot?
5. Group Art Attack
Art is a fantastic way to build trust and cooperation, especially when it’s a group effort. Set up a giant canvas in a serene outdoor setting and give everyone a brush and some paint. The catch? You can only paint for 5 minutes at a time before passing your brush to the next person, who continues where you left off.
This exercise is all about letting go of control and trusting your teammates to carry on your vision—or to completely change it. The end result? A massive, collaborative masterpiece that you can hang in the office as a reminder of what happens when you work together, embrace the chaos, and trust the process.
Conclusion: Making Offsite Weird and Wonderful
Offsite team-building activities don’t have to be the same old trust falls and icebreakers. By embracing the weird, the creative, and the unexpected, you give your team the chance to connect in new and meaningful ways. So the next time you’re planning an offsite, think outside the box, get a little weird, and watch your team come together like never before.
And hey, if you want figure out how much it costs to bring your unstoppable team together, try Team, Assemble! today to keep your team engaged, connected, and ready to take on the world.