Outdoor team-building events help large and small teams connect around a common goal and interact in a fun way. An outdoor team-building event can enhance employee engagement and retention. These activities can deepen team bonding and employee well-being while enjoying some fresh air.
Knowing which team-building exercise to use depends on your team size and desired goals. Whether it’s an obstacle course, a community service project, or a sports day, team building outdoors can help address core team needs.
The best outdoor team-building activities are for large or small groups. You can try different outdoor options several times annually to determine which formats and activities work best.
In this post, we’ll provide tips on how to plan an outdoor team event and team-building ideas.
How to Plan an Outdoor Activity for Your Team
Planning a successful outdoor team-building activity takes careful thought and strategy. It’s important to have goals in mind for each activity and assess its impact.
Here are steps to take when creating your outdoor team-building events.
Choose your activities
Be informed about which activities by asking managers and employees alike about what they would like to achieve via team-building activities. Send a brief survey that can help inform the activities you select.
Find the right location
Location matters greatly. You’ll want enough room and the ideal locale for the activity and what may occur before or after. To accommodate large groups, you may have open space at your worksite or use local parks or private spaces.
Choose the right date and time
Different activities lend themselves best to certain times of the day or year. They should be planned when they work best for the people involved and not detract from critical work or deadlines. For team-building activities to support remote teams, see our post on virtual team building.
Remember refreshments
Be sure to plan time for food and drink when planning your team-building event. And be sure there are bathrooms nearby.
Invite your guests
Be sure to give guests as much information and advance notice as possible to prepare them for the activities.
45 Outdoor Team-Building Activities to Consider
1. Cornhole
Number of people: Unlimited
Time needed: 30 minutes to 2 hours
Skills developed: Friendly competition, and teamwork
Directions:
Start by acquiring enough cornhole sets to accommodate your group size. Given the increasing popularity of cornhole, you might be able to meet the need by asking employees to bring their own.
If holding a large event, you’ll need enough space for multiple teams to compete. If you’re going to have multiple rounds, you’ll also need to have enough time to complete multiple games. Cornhole is a fun game that can be played head-to-head or in teams of two to three each.
2. Obstacle course
Number of people: Unlimited
Time needed: 45 minutes
Skills developed: Problem-solving
Directions:
You can easily build an obstacle course with items from around the office. Tables, chairs, trash barrels, and other objects can be used to create a course that participants need to navigate. The first to complete it and make it to the finish line wins.
3. Egg Drop
Number of people: 4-20
Time needed: 20-30 minutes
Skills developed: Team collaboration and creative problem-solving
Directions:
This classic team problem-solving activity requires only a few cartons of eggs. You’ll also need building materials such as string, newspapers, cardboard, tape, or balloons.
Divide your team into small groups, ideally of three to five people. Every group should be given the same amount and kind of materials.
Each team is given 20-30 minutes to build a container that will protect an egg dropped off the roof. In a pinch, you can use a ladder instead.
Number of people: 15-40
4. Scavenger hunt
Time needed: 10 minutes to 2 hours
Skills developed: Teamwork and problem-solving
Directions:
You can limit this activity to the grounds of your office, inside and out, or the surrounding community. You’ll develop a list of items that need to be collected (either physically or in a photo).
You can keep the items obvious or difficult, providing clues for the latter.
5. Tree planting
Number of people: Up to 20
Time needed: 60-120 minutes
Skills developed: Teamwork and community focus
Directions:
You can partner with a local Audubon Society chapter or environmental group to coordinate the activity. Participants should wear casual clothes and be supplied with seedlings, shovels, water, and other necessary tools.
The activity is a great team activity that lets participants give back to their community and support green initiatives.
6. Geocaching
Number of people: Up to 50
Time needed: 60-90 minutes
Skills developed: Team competition, teamwork, and collaboration
Directions:
This activity involves placing waterproof containers that hold a variety of items, from foreign currency to office supplies. Divide the group into small teams.
Teams use a GPS device of a geocaching app and provide clues to hunt down the geocaches. It’s basically a technology-enhanced scavenger hunt that requires teams to work together to find each geocache.
7. Field day
Number of people: Unlimited
Time needed: 2-3 hours
Skills developed: Competition, teamwork, and communication skills
Directions:
This popular schoolyard activity gives players the chance to participate in a range of activities. Three-legged races, potato sack races, and hula-hoop contests are among the activities that can be organized for teams of all sizes.
You can treat a Field Day like a team Olympics games and give prizes or ribbons to event winners.
8. Random act of kindness
Number of people: Unlimited
Time needed: 1-3 hours
Skills developed: Teamwork, planning, and employee engagement
Directions:
This team activity helps groups connect to their communities. It’s a good idea to give some teams time to plan ahead and plot out their acts.
Teams are given a predetermined amount of time to fan out into the community and complete random acts of kindness. These activities should make an impact on the community and charitable organizations. Teams will feel great about helping their communities and learn about each other in the process.
9. Corporate Castaways
Number of people: 10-20
Time needed: 3-4 hours
Skills developed: Teamwork, problem-solving, and communications
Directions:
This activity is a version of the long-running reality series Survivor. It involves teams competing various challenges, both physical and problem-solving. Some are silly, others are intense and teams gain points for completing challenges and beating other teams. The team with the most points is declared the winner.
10. Photo challenge
Number of people: Up to 20
Time needed: 60 minutes
Skills developed: Teamwork, leadership, and creativity
Directions:
These photo contests can take on many forms. Divide the group into teams and give them a list of photo tasks that need to be completed.
Each team is given prompts for types of photos that need to be provided. The trick is that teams have to participate in designing and posing in the scenes depicted.
The photo prompts can run the gamut. You can ask teams to recreate a famous painting, a sunset, or criminal mugshots. Other options include awkward family photos, elementary school portraits, or cringe-worthy holiday cards.
Have teams upload the photos to a shared album with other teams.
11. The Human Knot
Number of people: Up to 8
Time needed: 15 minutes
Skills developed: Teamwork and communication
Directions:
Teams gather in a circle and are asked to extend right hands and grab the hand of the person across from each other. They then repeat the process with their left hands, but choosing a different player. Players cannot choose the player to their left or right.
The team that untangles themselves from the knot without unclasping their hands first wins.
12. Team Tic-Tac-Toe
Number of people: 4-16
Time needed: 15-30 minutes
Skills developed: Teamwork, collaboration, decision-making, and team-building
Directions:
You’ll need eight bean bags in two different colors and nine hoops or cones to build the three-by-three course. Divide the teams into two lines.
When the game starts, the first person in each line races towards the course and places their bean bag in one of the cones or hoops. They race back and the next player in line runs out to place their bean bag.
The first team to complete the tic-tac-toe wins.
Number of people: 8-16
13. Miniature golf
Time needed: 60 minutes
Skills developed: Teamwork and relationship-building
Directions:
A game of miniature golf can help release some stress and enjoy the sunshine. You can pair the group into teams and keep score or let players putt around. You shouldn’t have trouble finding a nearby course.
This exercise is designed primarily to give employees time to get to know each other and out of the office.
14. Wild goose chase
Number of people: Unlimited
Time needed: 1-2 hours
Skills developed: Teamwork and problem-solving
Directions:
This activity partners with an app to send teams into the community for a wild goose chase. Teams are given a series of clues that require them to take a photo or video in various locations. The team that completes the most challenges wins the game.
15. Cardboard boat building
Number of people: 6-30
Time needed: 2 hours
Skills developed: Teamwork,
Directions:
You’ll need access to a pool, lake, or the ocean to do this activity. You’ll ask teams to create their own cardboard crafts with nothing more than cardboard and tape. There are several companies that will provide the materials and the necessary guidance.
Teams will need to design, build, and operate the boats. The boat that remains afloat the longest wins the competition.
Number of people: 4-40
16. Rope courses
Time needed: 2 hours
Skills developed: Teamwork, confidence-building, team camaraderie
Directions:
Ropes courses are classic outdoor team-building activities. They are facilitated on location at various providers.
Ropes courses days often are paired with retreats or annual meetings. They are an ideal way to strengthen team connections.
Ropes course activities can vary … and not all of them include ropes. Activities may include determining how to fit the whole team into a small space. Other activities include encouraging teammates to cross rope bridges, tightropes, or zip lines.
17. Hole in Many
Number of people: 4-12
Time needed: 45-60 minutes
Skills developed: Cooperation, teamwork, and problem-solving
Directions:
You’ll need to buy a tarp or use an old one. You’ll cut holes in various parts of the tarp.
Teams will grab the corners of the tarp and spread it out. A tennis ball is thrown on the tarp. The purpose is to keep the tennis ball from falling through one of the holes as long as possible. You can make it more difficult by adding more holes or balls.
18. Fearless Factor
Number of people: 5-10
Time needed: 10-30 minutes
Skills developed: Teamwork, creativity, and trust
Directions:
Teams must develop challenges they believe they can accomplish. These can be physical challenges, such as each team member doing 20 jumping jacks. They can also be more disgusting, such as everyone eating ice cream with mustard.
Once teams complete their own challenge, they add it to a shared list and earn a point. Read the completed challenges and invite other teams to attempt them. Any team that does so also scores a point.
When all the challenges have been presented and attempted, the team with the most points wins.
19. Beach day
Number of people: Unlimited
Time needed: Daylong
Skills developed: Teamwork, appreciation, and employee engagement
Directions:
A leisurely day at the beach might be just what your team needs at the end of a big project or a successful year.
Rent a bus, bring some food, and let people enjoy the sun, sand, and surf. You’ll also get to soak up some vitamin D.
20. Bike buildathon
Number of people: Unlimited
Time needed: 2 hours
Skills developed: Teamwork, community service, and communication
Directions:
There are many activities that you can do outdoors that connect employees to the community. One great idea is to have a bike buildathon to create bicycles for children in need. You can partner with a charitable event company that will provide the parts and instructions to make it a special day for all.
21. Brew tour
Number of people: 20-40
Time needed: 2-3 hours
Skills developed: Team-building
Directions:
There are so many local breweries in many locations these days. Rent a bus, bring your employees to two or three locations, and let them sample some local brews. You may even be able to arrange for tours or talks about the brewing process.
22. Build a board game
Number of people: 4-8
Time needed: 60 minutes
Skills developed: Teamwork and problem-solving
Directions:
Lawn games are very popular … and so are board games. Combine the two by asking the team to build their own outdoor version of a classic board game. It can be as simple as checkers or as complex as Monopoly or Chutes and Ladders. Then have them play what they built.
23. Improvised orchestra
Number of people: 6-12
Time needed: 30-60 minutes
Skills developed: Teamwork and creativity
Directions:
Ask teams to build an orchestra of instruments from what they can find outside. Shopping carts, trash cans, lids, buckets, and items in the office and outside are great options.
Give each group a song and a few minutes to find the items and practice. Then they will perform with their orchestra with cheers from their coworker audience.
24. The Team Mall
Number of people: 6-20
Time needed: 45-60 minutes
Skills developed: Creativity
Directions:
Each person is given a large piece of butcher paper, paint, and brushes. Each person is asked to paint a storefront at the mall and fill it with items that represent who they are. When completed, ask participants to share their store and what’s for sale.
25. Team yoga
Number of people: Unlimited
Time needed: 30-45 minutes
Skills developed: Wellness
Directions:
Many businesses today sponsor team wellness activities. Bringing in an instructor for yoga, mindfulness, or meditation can boost mental and physical wellness. These activities are perfectly suited for the outdoors and can continue many, if not all, months of the year.
26. Gliders
Number of people: 4 or more
Time needed: 60 minutes
Skills developed: Creativity, problem-solving
Directions:
Gliders made of balsa and other materials are popular all year by all ages. Invest in a supply of glider kits and have participants choose the model they want to build.
This activity can be done individually or in teams. Give everyone a chance to design, build, and test their planes. In the grand finale, have each plane given a chance to soar.
27. Found Art
Number of people: Unlimited
Time needed: 60 minutes
Skills developed: Creativity and problem-solving
Directions:
Art and beauty can be found anywhere. Ask participants to find items outside that they can use to create their own art projects. You can provide some art supplies to help them build their projects.
Ask each participant to reveal their art, the materials used, and their inspiration in creating it.
28. The Emotional Bus
Number of people: 6 or more, in pairs
Time needed: 20-40 minutes
Skills developed: Emotional expression and creativity
Directions:
Write different emotions on slips of papers. Have pairs of participants choose an emotion but not share it with others.
Give each pair a scenario (e.g., waiting for a bus, a parent-teacher conference, or a long checkout line). The participants have three minutes to act out a scene. The others need to guess the emotion expressed.
29. Choose Your Fortune
Number of people: 4 or more
Time needed: 20-30 minutes
Skills developed: Team-building and getting to know each other
Directions:
There are many online recipes for fortune cookies and places to buy blank fortune cookie paper. You can develop your own fortunes using icebreaker questions.
Share the cookies with the team during an outdoor activity or lunch and have them share answers. Questions can include items in a theme or about the team. In true fortune cookie fashion, you could have the questions be future-looking.
30. Take a hike
Number of people: 3-12
Time needed: 4-6 hours
Skills developed: Team building
Directions:
As long as everyone participating is physically able, a team hike is a great way to bond. Enjoy a day in the wilderness by hiking a mountain or a local hiking trail.
Day hikes allow for informal conversations during the course of the hike. Teammates can get to know each other better while enjoying the outdoors.
31. Build a snowman
Number of people: 2-20
Time needed: 30 minutes
Skills developed: Teamwork, collaboration, and communication
Directions:
If there is freshly fallen snow that’s sticky, give the team a spontaneous activity to build snowpeople. Teams can make it a competition to determine the best build and you can conclude the activity by offering hot chocolate for everyone to warm up.
32. Tug of War
Number of people: 8-20
Time needed: 20 minutes
Skills developed: Teamwork and camaraderie
Directions:
This timeless activity lets everyone lend a hand and pull their team to victory. You’ll need a long, heavy duty thick rope. You may want to provide work gloves or recommend players bring their own.
Teams should be evenly split whenever possible and care should be taken that no one is hurt.
33. Kickball
Number of people: 6-18
Time needed: 30 minutes
Skills developed: Teamwork
Directions:
Adult kickball has become increasingly popular with rec leagues emerging nationwide. All you need is a few frisbees or pieces of cardboard to act as bases and a ball. Scope out a local park and organize a game that lets everyone participate.
34. Volleyball
Number of people: 8-14
Time needed: 60 minutes
Skills developed: Teamwork and friendly competition
Directions:
You can buy an inexpensive outdoor volleyball kit at Walmart or on Amazon. Set it up for lunchtime and see if there are impromptu games that emerge or create a team competition.
35. Potluck picnic
Number of people: Unlimited
Time needed: 60-90 minutes
Skills developed: Team-building and camaraderie
Directions:
Ask everyone to bring a dish that can be shared in an outdoor venue. The organizer can build a sign-up list or supply the plates, napkins, cups, and beverages.
A potluck picnic encourages employees to share a piece of themselves in their favorite picnic dish. It also gives people a chance to relax and break bread together, an effective way to build camaraderie.
36. Axe throwing
Number of people: 6-12
Time needed: 90-120 minutes
Skills developed: Team-building and camaraderie
Directions:
Axe-throwing is a trendy way to let loose and release pent-up aggression. It’s a fun way to learn a new skill and test your aim.
There are providers of both indoor and outdoor axe-throwing. Staff will teach participants the basics and the safety guidelines. They will then guide staff through various competitions that test your aim and accuracy.
37. Build a community garden
Number of people: Unlimited
Time needed: A few minutes daily
Skills developed: Teamwork and problem-solving
Directions:
A community garden is a wonderful way to create a group activity that will grow over time. Some cities and towns offer community garden spaces or you can ask your building owner for onsite space.
The garden can be used to grow flowers or vegetables, either for the benefit of the participants or for a local food bank. You can build a schedule that lets people take turns watering, weeding, and picking.
38. Outdoor cooking class
Number of people: 6-10
Time needed: 60 minutes
Skills developed: Teamwork, skill sharing, and camaraderie
Directions:
If you have access to outside grills or a campfire location, an outdoor cooking class is a great way to build team connections. You can ask if there are any avid campers who are eager to share their favorite skills and recipes. You could also contact a local scouting troop to see if they would share their talents.
39. Blindfold Game
Number of people: Unlimited in teams of two or three
Time needed: 30 minutes
Skills developed: Teamwork, problem-solving, trust, and communication
Directions:
This is an excellent activity to build trust and problem-solving skills among teams. Be sure there’s a time limit on each round and enough time for each player to fill both roles.
Teams of two or three decide who will be blindfolded and who will be the guides. The guides must use instructions to guide the blindfolded player towards an object, but cannot name the object itself. You can time each team and after all have done each role, the team with the lowest total time wins.
40. Minute to Win It
Number of people: Unlimited
Time needed: 1 minute
Skills developed: Creativity and teamwork
Directions:
Each of these activities is designed to be completed in just 60 seconds. The objective can be explained quickly and the activities can be done individually or in teams.
When played outdoors, these games have an added unpredictability as wind can wreak havoc on the results. Here are a few options for games to play:
- Blow up a balloon and us the air to knock down paper cups
- Use chopsticks to transfer beads to a container
- Use a straw to pick up and move ping pong balls from one container to another
41. Pipeline
Number of people: Unlimited
Time needed: 20-30 minutes
Skills developed: Teamwork, collaboration, and problem-solving
Directions:
This classic team-building activity works in outdoor and indoor settings. It’s easy to set up and can be completed quickly.
You’ll need to furnish each participant with a section of PVC pipe of 1.5-2.5 feet in length. You’ll also need two buckets and an assortment of round objects such as golf balls and marbles.
Place the pipe sections and the round objects in a start area. The instructions are to build a contraption using only the pipe segments to ‘deliver’ the objects successfully to the bucket.
42. Walking tour
Number of people: 12-30
Time needed: 60-90 minutes
Skills developed: Team camaraderie and connections
Directions:
Many communities offer walking tours that show off historical sites, notable buildings, and landmarks. Some walking tours have themes such as ghosts, coffee, beer, food, or street art. Experienced guides will lead the tour and answer questions while discussing what is seen.
A walking tour can give teammates a chance to chat while walking and learn a bit about the community where they work.
43. Therapy dogs
Number of people: 12-20
Time needed: 60 minutes
Skills developed: Stress relief and employee wellness
Directions:
Every team faces high-pressure deadlines, projects, or deliverables. Leaders can help alleviate the stress of these activities by providing for a visit by therapy dogs. This activity is popular on college campuses right before finals.
A provider will deliver several dogs who are trained to cuddle, lick, and wag their tails while providing a welcome respite to the strain of the looming task.
44. Tie dye
Number of people: Unlimited
Time needed: 45-60 minutes
Skills developed: Creativity
Directions:
A great outdoor activity, teams can build their own tie-dye creations using rubber bands and dyes. While t-shirts are the traditional tie-dye activity, you can actually tie-dye on bandanas, tote bags, or other apparel.
45. Chalk creations
Number of people: Unlimited
Time needed: 30-45 minutes
Skills developed: Creativity and team bonding
Directions:
Whether participants are artistic or not, it’s a great and easy activity to organize, as long as you have permission to draw on the asphalt. Give everyone a set period of time to draw and then conduct a walking tour of the masterpieces.
Building ties among team members is a powerful way to create connections and bonds among coworkers. Outdoor team-building games and activities open up more unique opportunities not available in indoor spaces.
Gusto helps organizations build stronger teams and retain employees via comprehensive HR, benefits, and talent management solutions. Learn more about how Gusto can help strengthen your teams by contacting us today.
