The value of good-quality, fun team building sessions or away days is something that’s often overlooked. It’s a little like the Christmas party in that a successful team building activity will help to increase the overall happiness, cohesion and productivity of your team.
In this selection we’ve made sure to mix it up as much as possible, offering team building ideas that’ll suit just about any office. So whether you like the sound of a cookery masterclass, track-driving day or even a high-ropes course, we’ve got your back.
Just make sure to get someone on Instagram and Facebook duties to capture all of the best bits!
Cookery masterclasses
There are of course a whole range of cookery courses you can do with team building groups both around London and at up-market country-house hotels around the UK.
They can range from learning how to deliver fine-dining at home to making the very best jam – meaning that all abilities and tastes are catered for.
What’s surprising about making pasta from scratch is that it’s actually quite straightforward, while being a rewarding process.
Your team will have to work together to for it to be a success, so everyone will have to muck in. Once you’re done though, you and your group can sit down and enjoy the fruits of your labour.
Note, this one’s best for smaller groups as space is at a premium. This is Covent Garden after all!
Best for small groups of foodies
Track days
Whizzing round one of the UK’s race tracks is a popular team building exercise for any adrenaline-hungry groups with a need for speed.
Silverstone in Northamptonshire is the famous one, what with it hosting the British Formula One race every year. It’s conference facilities are second-to-none too.
But there are lots of other great tracks to choose, some of which are closer to London. We really like
Goodwood, which hosts competitions, rallies and of course the legendary Goodwood Revival every year.
One you may not have heard of is
Mercedes-Benz World, based at the historic Brooklands racing circuit. The first thing to note is that it’s in Weybridge, Surrey, so getting there from central London isn’t going to be too tricky.
Options range from a one-hour session on the track (with the help of a driving specialist) to 4x4 experiences on an challenging off-road course.
Best for adrenaline junkies and bigger budgets
Cocktail masterclasses
Back in town again and into a bar. Teetotallers aside, we’d venture to say that there aren’t many people who wouldn’t like to know how to turn a tasty cocktail.
We think this sort of group activity works particularly well around Christmas time when people tend to have drinks on their mind a little more!
As far as fun team building ideas for the office go this is one of the least admin-heavy. Book a good-quality bar around town and you’re most of the way there. They’ll have the staff, equipment and, of course, drinks in place to make the whole thing a painless endeavour.
Check out the cocktail masterclasses at up-market
Cinnamon Club in Westminster. Held one Monday every month, the classes start at 6.30pm and participants are greeted with a complimentary cocktail and canapés.
Best for small teambuilding groups and maybe don’t do this one in Dry January!
Fitness classes
Quite the leap from cocktails, we’ll admit, and we know what you’re thinking: ‘Why would anyone want to do a gruelling fitness class as a team building activity?’
But do the right class – one which is fun, inclusive and at a swanky gym – and we guarantee that it’ll make a cracking team building activity.
So, ‘what sort of class’ we here you say? Well, that depends on your group’s preference. If you’re after something pumping, try a HIIT (high intensity interval training) class, which is accessible and something that people can work at their own intensity on.
The place to do that is
1Rebel who have sites across the capital. A 45-minute session is a whirlwind immersive experience that uses lights, music and energetic instruction to get everyone moving.
The ‘extras’ at 1Rebel include express blow drys and men’s cuts, so you and your team building gang can walk out of there looking smart too.
Best for pre-event endorphin highs that will get your group revved up for the night ahead.
High-ropes courses
Back out of town again for this one. Well, actually, you can stay in town by going to somewhere like
Go Ape’s tree-top park in Battersea, but it’s more fun to go on a bit of an adventure, right?
The first thing to mention is that wherever we suggest, it’s going to be 100% safe. So put that worry out of your mind right now! Just because it’s high doesn’t mean it’s dangerous.
It does, however, have the potential to be quite scary. So check to see if you have any vertigo sufferers. Aside from that, a team building away day centred around a high-ropes course is really fun.
This activity scores really highly on the ‘creating camaraderie’ scale. Lots of positive encouragement and a helping hand now and again will really help to produce some team bonding. That then translates into what your colleagues work on together in the office.
So where to do it? Choosing one of the
Center Parcs locations is a safe bet. Their courses are brilliant and they have conferencing facilities if you want to mix a little business into an away day of team building activities. If the weather’s not playing ball you can take things indoors and organise a 10-pin bowling tournament.
Best for a team that deserves a full day out of the office