According to science and those motivational posters with eagles on them, working well together doesn't just happen automatically. It needs help. That's what makes team-building activities for work so popular—they're basically Miracle-Gro for human relationships.
Yet team building has a terrible reputation because most of it is awkward, forced, and involves way too much personal vulnerability for a Tuesday afternoon. But the right kind of activity—the kind that's light, low-stakes, and gives people a chance to laugh—can actually make a huge difference.
So, if you're tasked with planning a team-building activity and don't want to be known as the person who forced everyone to build a human pyramid, read on. I'm sharing some easy, non-cringey team-building activities that'll make your team more cohesive, creative, and collaborative.
Table of contents:
Why team-building activities matter
Team-building activities might seem like a waste of precious time that could be spent answering emails or pretending to answer emails, but they're actually super important if you want your employees to feel like an actual team instead of a random collection of people who happen to use the same microwave.
Here's why team building deserves a place in your calendar and budget. The benefits extend far beyond just having fun together:
Improved communication and collaboration: Team building creates a loose environment where people can practice communication without the pressure of deadlines or project outcomes. When the accountant learns that the office manager also enjoys birdwatching, they might start talking about something other than expense reports. This phenomenon, known as "conversation," can lead to revolutionary workplace changes, like clearer emails, more productive meetings, and fewer misunderstandings.
Increased trust and camaraderie: Trust isn't built through org charts or project plans—it develops through shared experiences. When your team solves problems together or shares embarrassing moments during team-building activities, they build mutual respect that carries into their professional relationships. This dynamic fosters far stronger collaboration and results than teams that regard each other with suspicion and mild disgust.
Enhanced problem-solving and creativity: When faced with challenges outside their normal work—like building the tallest tower using only uncooked spaghetti and marshmallows or finding their way out of an escape room—teams discover who's clever, who panics, and who would absolutely be the first to die in a horror movie. This translates back to the workplace, where teams can approach business challenges with fresh perspectives and combined strengths.
Higher employee engagement and retention: People are less likely to quit their jobs when they actually enjoy being around their colleagues—similar to how you're less likely to move if you like your neighbors. And team-building exercises, when thoughtfully implemented, create connections that make people think twice before adding that #OpenToWork frame to their LinkedIn photo.
So while team-building activities might seem like frivolous diversions from "real work," they're actually crucial investments in your company's most expensive resource—the humans who work there.
Team-building activities for in-person teams
When people physically occupy the same space—a concept that became surprisingly novel after 2020—there are many activities you can do together that don't involve staring at screens. These in-person activities help improve communication, build trust, and boost problem-solving skills within a group, much like how spending time with a cat eventually convinces it not to murder you in your sleep.
Creative and skill-based workshops
Creative workshops are activities where teams learn new skills together, which helps foster creativity and provides shared experiences outside of typical work tasks. These workshops are like adult school field trips, except you can't forge your parent's signature to get out of them.
Cooking classes
Cooking classes work because they combine clear objectives with immediate rewards. Teams must collaborate to follow recipes, divide tasks efficiently, and synchronize timing. You'll also find out which colleagues have hidden talents and who should never be allowed near sharp objects. A successful cooking class ends with an edible meal and newfound respect for restaurant workers.
Pro tip: Choose cuisines that are slightly unfamiliar to most team members. Sushi-making, for example, creates a level playing field where even the office Julia Child has to learn something new.
To organize a cooking class:
Find a local culinary school, restaurant, or virtual cooking instructor that offers team-building sessions.
Select a theme (e.g., Italian cuisine, baking desserts).
Consider a competitive element like "best presentation" to add excitement.
Plan for dietary restrictions and allergies.
Painting workshops
Painting workshops involve creating art side by side or collaborating on a shared canvas, often with the guidance of a professional artist who will assure everyone that "there are no mistakes in art," which is a comforting lie.
Art activities reduce stress, encourage self-expression, and show how differently people approach the same challenge—some will meticulously plan each brushstroke while others splatter paint with reckless abandon, much like how they approach project deadlines.
For a successful painting workshop:
Look for a "paint and sip" studio or local art instructor, or use guided online tutorials.
Choose a simple, appealing subject that everyone can manage.
Focus on the process rather than the final product.
Display the finished paintings in your office as a reminder of the experience.
Pottery sessions
Pottery workshops require focus, patience, and a willingness to embrace imperfection—all valuable skills in any workplace. Plus, these sessions let teams literally get their hands dirty while creating something tangible. There's something deeply satisfying about molding a lump of clay into a misshapen mug that will confuse your family members when you proudly display it at home. Just don't recreate that scene from "Ghost" with your manager. HR has enough problems.
Tips for pottery team building:
Find a studio that offers wheel-throwing or hand-building options.
Plan for a follow-up session to glaze and finish the pieces.
Guide beginners through simple projects, like mugs or bowls.
Improv workshops
The words "improv workshop" strike fear into the hearts of introverts everywhere. But a good improv facilitator creates a safe environment where people can take risks without fear of judgment. These workshops teach teams to think on their feet and build on each other's ideas using the "yes, and" technique, which is the opposite of the "no, and let me explain why that won't work" principle that dominates most meetings.
Improv shows people how to support colleagues' ideas instead of immediately shooting them down like the clay pigeons you made in the aforementioned pottery session.
For improv workshops:
Hire an improv instructor or facilitator familiar with workplace teams.
Book an open, comfortable space for movement and interaction.
Start with simple exercises that make everyone comfortable.
Emphasize that failing is part of the process.
Keep activities inclusive, easy, and humorous.
Photography challenges
Photography challenges work because they literally change how people see the world around them. Give each team member a specific theme or subject and let them loose for an hour, then reconvene to share and discuss the results.
What looks like a simple creative exercise is actually a powerful lesson in perspective. When people see how differently their colleagues interpret the same prompt, they gain insight into how those same colleagues might approach workplace challenges.
To run a photography challenge:
Provide a theme or list of items to photograph.
Set a time limit (one to two hours works well).
Allow people to use their phones or personal cameras.
Create a shared album or display of the final images.
Offer prizes or showcase the best photos to encourage friendly competition.
Problem-solving and strategy games
If your team includes people who recoil in fear at the thought of "getting in touch with their creative side," problem-solving activities might be your sweet spot. These exercises encourage strategic thinking and communication under pressure and highlight different team members' strengths.
Escape rooms
Escape rooms lock teams in themed rooms where they must solve puzzles to "escape" within a time limit. These experiences quickly reveal natural leaders, creative thinkers, and those who turn into a stress-monster when deadlines loom. Consider it valuable intelligence for your next crunch time.
For maximum impact:
Choose a difficulty level appropriate for your team.
Consider room themes that might parallel work challenges.
Observe who takes what roles during the activity.
Debrief afterward about what worked and what didn't.
Office-wide scavenger hunts
Office-wide scavenger hunts transform the workplace into an adventure zone, with teams racing to find items, complete challenges, and solve riddles scattered throughout the office or surrounding area.
This activity combines problem-solving with physical movement (an underrated benefit for those of us whose most strenuous daily activity is walking to the coffee machine). Plus, people may discover parts of the office they never knew existed. "Wait, we have a third-floor kitchen?"
To create an effective scavenger hunt:
Include puzzles that require various skills and knowledge.
Mix physical items with information challenges.
Form teams that cross departmental lines.
Set a reasonable time limit (one to two hours).
Offer prizes that celebrate different achievements, like the fastest finishers or the most resourceful team.
Building challenges
Building challenges, like LEGO competitions or erecting structures with limited resources, test teams' planning abilities and resource management.
These activities are a great way to quickly reveal team dynamics. Who emerges as the leader? Who contributes creative solutions? Who focuses on practical execution? And most tellingly, how does the team handle failure when their tower collapses into a sad pile of popsicle sticks and disappointment?
For building challenges:
Provide clear objectives and constraints.
Give a strict time limit (30-60 minutes).
Discuss how teams approached the challenge.
Look for parallels to work projects and processes.
Board game tournaments
Before you roll your eyes at the suggestion of board games, I'm not talking about six-hour Monopoly sessions that end with passive-aggressive property trading. Modern strategy board games like Settlers of Catan, Ticket to Ride, or Forbidden Desert allow teams to practice resource allocation, negotiation, and long-term planning in a low-stakes environment.
For successful board game tournaments:
Choose games that are easy to learn.
Mix competitive and cooperative games.
Rotate teams for multiple rounds.
Allow enough time for learning and playing (two to three hours).
Team lunch or happy hour with a twist
Eating together is one of humanity's oldest bonding rituals, dating back to when our ancestors gathered around fires to share mammoth steaks and complain about their cave commutes. These days, standard lunches can be boring, so here are ways to add unexpected elements.
Themed potlucks
Themed potlucks invite team members to bring dishes related to a specific theme, like international cuisine or family recipes. This reveals personal histories, cultural backgrounds, and who stops at the prepared foods section of the grocery store on the way in.
The key is requiring brief introductions of each dish: "This is my grandmother's kugel recipe. She used to make it every Saturday." Boom—instant connection point that goes beyond work talk.
To organize a themed potluck:
Announce the theme at least a week in advance.
Create a sign-up sheet to avoid duplicates.
Include space for noting allergens or dietary information.
Set up a display of recipe cards for sharing.
Allow time for people to explain the story behind their dish.
Blind taste tests
Blind taste tests of coffee, chocolate, or other treats add a fun element to team gatherings. Colleagues try to identify foods while blindfolded, which leads to amusing reactions and, occasionally, dramatic spit-takes.
This activity builds trust—you have to really believe in your team to willingly eat something when you can't see it—and levels the playing field between connoisseurs and casual consumers while sparking lively debates.
For blind taste tests:
Choose easily available items with distinct varieties.
Prepare scoring cards with simple criteria.
Reveal the identities after everyone has voted.
Consider prizes for the most accurate guesses.
Keep the atmosphere playful rather than judgmental.
Team trivia during lunch
Trivia during lunch transforms a passive eating experience into an engaging brain workout. Mix up teams to ensure people interact with colleagues from different departments, and include question categories that appeal to various knowledge bases. This activity gives the office know-it-all a constructive outlet for their trivia stockpile.
To run team trivia:
Prepare 15-20 questions of varying difficulty.
Form diverse teams to balance knowledge areas.
Keep rounds short (5 questions each).
Use a mix of written answers and rapid-fire rounds.
Consider themed trivia related to current projects.
After-work happy hour
Most work happy hours are super awkward. You either end up talking to the same people you always talk to or forcing painful small talk with colleagues you barely know. Adding structured activities like "two truths and a lie" or "never have I ever" (the work-appropriate version) helps people share personal stories in a relaxed setting. Just remember that what happens at happy hour rarely stays at happy hour.
For happy hour team building:
Choose games that work in a social setting.
Prepare conversation starters on table cards.
Create a comfortable environment for non-drinkers by offering a variety of non-alcoholic beverages.
Keep activities short and energetic.
End the official activities early enough for natural socializing.
Outdoor adventures and active challenges
Sometimes the best way to build a team is to get the heck away from anything that resembles an office. Outdoor activities inject energy, fresh air, and physical movement into team building—elements sorely lacking in most workplaces.
Off-site scavenger hunts
Taking scavenger hunts beyond the office creates opportunities for teams to navigate new environments together. Urban scavenger hunts in your city's downtown or nature hunts in local parks work equally well. This activity combines problem-solving with physical activity while creating memorable shared experiences.
To organize off-site scavenger hunts:
Scout locations in advance for safety and accessibility.
Create clues that highlight interesting features.
Include photo challenges and creative tasks.
Provide clear boundaries and emergency contacts.
Set a definite end time and meeting point.
Obstacle courses
Nothing reveals team dynamics like facing physical challenges together. Commercial obstacle courses designed for teams require participants to help each other over walls, across gaps, and through barriers.
I mean, the metaphor practically writes itself: "We can get over any obstacle if we work together."
For team obstacle courses:
Design stations that require cooperation.
Include mental challenges alongside physical ones.
Allow teams to strategize before starting.
Emphasize completion over competition.
Celebrate creative approaches to obstacles.
Ax throwing
Ax throwing might sound dangerous for team building (and perhaps it is for certain teams with unresolved conflicts), but supervised sessions at professional venues provide a unique, memorable experience. There's something primally satisfying about hurling sharp objects at wooden targets that regular work just doesn't provide.
For ax throwing team building:
Book at established venues with safety training.
Allow enough time for practice and competition.
Create teams with mixed experience levels.
Keep the focus on improvement, not expertise.
Discuss how skills develop through practice.
Bowling
Bowling remains a classic for a reason: it's accessible to most physical abilities, combines individual performance with team scores, and includes built-in downtime for conversation between turns. It also puts everyone in ridiculous shoes, which is an instant equalizer.
For bowling team building:
Reserve enough lanes for active participation.
Create teams that mix departments or roles.
Consider a handicap system for fairness.
Include food options for a complete experience.
Volunteer and community engagement
Volunteering promotes teamwork for a good cause, builds camaraderie through shared purpose, and enhances company reputation and employee pride. Teams often return from these experiences with a renewed perspective on their daily challenges—spreadsheet errors seem less catastrophic after packing meals for families in need.
Volunteering at a local charity
Spending a day serving meals at a shelter, sorting donations at a food bank, or walking shelter dogs creates powerful shared experiences. Volunteering at a local charity provides tangible outcomes that differ from the sometimes abstract nature of office work.
To organize charitable volunteering:
Contact organizations well in advance.
Understand the skills and time commitment needed.
Prepare the team with any necessary information.
Debrief about what the team learned.
Participating in a community cleanup project
Environmental cleanup projects—from beach sweeps to park beautification—benefit neighborhoods while giving teams the satisfaction of concrete before-and-after results. These projects work well for teams of all sizes and can easily accommodate varying physical abilities. They also create natural opportunities for conversation as people work side by side toward a common goal.
For community cleanup projects:
Partner with local environmental organizations.
Provide necessary equipment and safety gear.
Set clear goals for what you hope to accomplish.
Take before-and-after photos.
Celebrate the visible difference made.
Team-building activities for remote teams
Virtual team-building activities allow remote colleagues to collaborate and have fun through video conferencing platforms. They can be just as engaging as in-person events, promoting communication, creativity, and problem-solving, while eliminating the need for pants (though pants remain strongly recommended).
Virtual games and online challenges
When you can't physically gather, virtual games create shared experiences that build connections across distances. The key is choosing games that are easy to learn but challenging enough to engage diverse teams.
Online escape rooms
Online escape rooms adapt the in-person experience for virtual teams. Groups solve digital puzzles and riddles together through shared screens and collaborative thinking. The advantage: no one gets stuck in an actual room if you fail to solve the mystery in time.
For virtual escape rooms:
Research platforms designed specifically for remote teams.
Test the technology before the event.
Divide large teams into smaller breakout groups (four to six people works best).
Provide clear instructions and time limits.
Virtual murder mystery games
Virtual murder mystery games cast team members as suspects and detectives in elaborate scenarios. They're particularly effective for teams that enjoy role-playing and creative thinking. They also provide valuable insights into which colleagues have suspiciously detailed knowledge about untraceable poisons.
To host a virtual murder mystery:
Purchase ready-made scenarios designed for online play.
Assign characters in advance so people can prepare.
Use breakout rooms for "private conversations."
Stay in character as the host to maintain the atmosphere.
Virtual trivia nights
Virtual trivia nights transform the pub quiz experience into remote-friendly competitions. You can organize it like a game show, where a host (quizmaster) asks questions and teams submit answers, or use an interactive quiz platform where everyone answers multiple-choice questions that appear on their screens. Topics can range from company history and general knowledge to facts about the "Real Housewives" that the one colleague who's watched all 100+ seasons will finally be appreciated for knowing.
For virtual trivia:
Use platforms with built-in scoring systems.
Create diverse question categories.
Include visual elements like photos or videos.
Keep rounds short.
Consider small prizes for winners.
Virtual coffee breaks and social hours
Remote work often eliminates those spontaneous breakroom conversations where people discover shared interests or commiserate about the perpetually empty coffee pot. Virtual social sessions aim to replicate these informal but important interactions.
Virtual coffee breaks
Scheduled virtual coffee breaks with casual conversation prompts bring people together for non-work discussions. Simple questions like "What show are you currently watching?" or "What's the weirdest thing you've ever stolen?" can spark conversations that reveal personalities beyond professional personas.
For effective virtual coffee breaks:
Keep groups small (three to five people).
Provide optional conversation starters.
Set a clear timeframe (15-30 minutes works well).
Make attendance optional but encouraged.
Vary the timing to accommodate different schedules.
Online "show and tell"
Brief "show and tell" sessions invite team members to share personal items, collections, or skills in brief presentations. These glimpses into colleagues' lives—from handmade crafts to beloved pets to vintage taxidermy collections—humanize remote team members and reveal shared interests that might never emerge in work discussions.
For virtual show and tell:
Provide clear guidelines about what to share.
Set time limits for each person.
Create a sharing schedule so people can prepare.
Ask follow-up questions to deepen engagement.
Virtual book club discussions
Book clubs create intellectual connections and ongoing conversation. Just ask Reese Witherspoon. Rotate the reading selections between team members' choices to ensure diverse perspectives and genres. Virtual book clubs work particularly well for teams that value continuous learning.
To establish a virtual book club:
Choose accessible books of reasonable length.
Rotate genres to appeal to different interests.
Create a reading schedule with clear milestones.
Prepare discussion questions in advance.
Consider audiobook options for busy team members.
Virtual movie nights
Virtual movie nights using synchronized streaming services or a platform like Teleparty let teams watch films together while chatting in real time. Whether analyzing the latest documentary or heckling a truly awful B movie à la "Mystery Science Theater 3000," shared viewing experiences create common references and reveal personalities through viewing preferences and commentary styles.
For virtual movie nights:
Vote on movie selections to ensure interest.
Test the viewing platform in advance.
Schedule for after work hours.
Keep the total time under 2.5 hours.
Create a chat space for reactions during viewing.
Skill-sharing webinars
Everyone has expertise worth sharing, work-related or not. Create regular sessions where team members teach skills to interested colleagues—coding tips, marketing strategies, time management techniques, or even hobbies like photography or cooking.
Make it a virtual "lunch and learn" session by combining informal mealtime with educational content. The casual setting makes learning more approachable, and watching someone eat on camera creates a bonding experience through shared awkwardness.
For skill-sharing webinars:
Create a skills inventory to identify teaching opportunities.
Keep sessions focused (30-45 minutes).
Record sessions for team members who can't attend live.
Provide teaching guidelines for first-time presenters.
Follow up with resources for continued learning.
"Remote first" adaptations of in-person activities
Adapting traditional team-building activities for a remote environment offers familiar activity types in a virtual format.
Just because your team is scattered across different time zones, trapped in various ergonomic chairs, doesn't mean you have to abandon all those classic team-building activities. Plenty of in-person concepts can be adapted for a remote setting.
Virtual scavenger hunts
Home-based scavenger hunts can be hosted over Zoom, where the host calls out items ("find something older than you" or "show us something that makes you happy") and team members race to find them in their homes. Bonus points if someone brings back a childhood stuffed animal with visible signs of emotional wear and tear.
These hunts work because they get people away from their desks, create lighthearted competition, and often reveal glimpses of home environments that build personal connections.
For virtual scavenger hunts:
Create lists with items most people would have access to.
Include creative challenges like "find something that represents your work style."
Set time limits for each item.
Award points for speed, creativity, and storytelling.
Virtual yoga/workout session
If there's one thing everyone likes, it's corporate-mandated relaxation. Hosting a virtual yoga or workout session is a great way to build camaraderie while also watching your coworkers struggle to touch their toes.
These sessions are most effective when adapted for various fitness levels and kept to 20 minutes or less to respect busy schedules. Even simple stretching sessions between meetings can build team cohesion.
For virtual workouts:
Choose activities accessible to different fitness levels.
Hire professional instructors for proper guidance.
Keep sessions short.
Create a judgment-free atmosphere.
Consider recording sessions for flexible participation.
Online Pictionary
Online Pictionary using virtual whiteboards or sites like Skribbl.io transforms the classic drawing game for remote teams. The online format often makes drawings even worse than they would be in person, leading to more laughter and creative interpretation.
Pictionary works with teams of all sizes and requires zero preparation beyond a word list. It's perfect for injecting energy into team meetings or as a standalone activity when the group needs a morale boost.
For online Pictionary:
Test the drawing tools before playing.
Create word lists related to your industry or current projects.
Set clear time limits for each round.
Consider team play rather than individual competition.
Virtual volunteer opportunities
Virtual volunteer opportunities, like online mentoring or transcribing for nonprofits, allow remote teams to give back together without physical presence. Teams can contribute specialized skills through platforms like Catchafire or Taproot that match professionals with nonprofits needing expertise.
Not only does it make you feel useful, but it's also a great excuse to turn off Slack notifications for a few hours and tell everyone, "Sorry, I can't. I'm making the world a better place."
For virtual volunteering:
Research opportunities that match team skills.
Choose projects with flexible time commitments.
Create shared tracking of contributions.
Share stories about the impact.
Quick team-building activities
Sometimes, you don't have a full day or even an hour for team building. You can sneak these quick-hit exercises into regular meetings or use them as energizers when team focus wanes.
Icebreaker questions and "would you rather" prompts
Icebreakers have a bad reputation because we've all suffered through "If you were a vegetable, which one would you be?" (I'm a potato because I'm versatile and universally loved.) But when done right, a quick icebreaker can warm people up and get the conversation flowing.
Try starting a meeting with a fun, low-pressure question like:
"What's the worst job you've ever had?"
"Would you rather be able to tell your past self one thing or ask your future self one question?"
"What's one weird talent you have?"
These quick conversation starters help team members learn about each other while warming up their speaking skills before diving into meeting agendas. They're particularly valuable for including quieter team members who might not speak up during regular business discussions but will happily defend their choice between teleportation and mind-reading.
For effective icebreakers:
Keep questions appropriate for work contexts.
Vary between lighthearted and more thoughtful questions.
Answer first as the leader to set the tone.
Keep responses brief (30 seconds or less).
Connect responses to meeting themes when possible.
One-word check-ins and mood boards
Quick emotional temperature checks help teams gauge collective energy and address concerns before they affect work.
At the start of a meeting, ask everyone to sum up how they're feeling in one word: "tired," "hopeful," "hungry," "why." It's a fast way to gauge the vibe without a whole therapy session.
Take it up a notch with a virtual mood board—a shared space where people can post GIFs, memes, or images that reflect their current mood. If half the board is filled with pictures of burning dumpsters, maybe it's time to reconsider that Friday afternoon deadline.
For one-word check-ins:
Create a judgment-free space for honest responses.
Consider using visual tools like word clouds.
Notice patterns over time.
Share your own authentic response first.
For mood boards:
Provide simple instructions.
Set a time limit (five to 10 minutes).
Discuss themes and patterns.
Save boards to track changes over time.
"Two truths and a lie" (virtual or in-person)
In this classic activity, each person channels their inner George Costanza by sharing three "facts" about themselves—two true and one absolute lie—and the team has to guess which one is fake.
The challenge lies in crafting a believable lie mixed with unusual truths, revealing creativity and perhaps a talent for deception that might be concerning in other contexts but makes for an entertaining game.
For best results:
Give people time to prepare their statements.
Start with volunteers rather than forcing participation.
Set a quick pace for guessing (30-60 seconds per person).
Notice which types of "facts" fool people the most.
Virtual "show and tell" (quick version)
Ask team members to quickly share something from their workspace:
A favorite item on their desk
A view from their window
Their pet
These small revelations—a collection of succulents, a childhood trophy kept as inspiration, or a chaotic view of a construction site—provide conversation starters and proof of life beyond work.
For quick show and tell:
Give 24-hour notice so people can prepare.
Limit sharing to 30-60 seconds per person.
Start with volunteers to set the tone.
Consider themes like "something that inspires you" or "something with a story."
Team "minute to win it" challenges
Inject some chaos into the workday with a quick challenge. The goal: complete a ridiculous task in under a minute. Based on the TV game show concept, these challenges use common office supplies or household items for timed competitions. Examples include stacking office supplies into the tallest tower, transferring M&M's with chopsticks, or balancing a spoon on your nose.
These micro-competitions inject energy and laughter into workflows. They're perfect for breaking up long meetings or as scheduled brain breaks during intense work periods. The brevity—60 seconds per challenge—means they don't derail productivity, and they adapt well to both in-person and virtual settings.
For minute challenges:
Prepare a list of simple challenges using everyday items.
Demonstrate each challenge before starting.
Create a scoring system for ongoing competition.
Mix physical and mental challenges.
Keep a leaderboard for continued engagement.
Virtual background contest
If you're already living on Zoom, why not make it fun? Challenge your team to come to the next meeting with the most creative virtual background.
Team members can design or select backgrounds related to themes like:
Favorite vacation spot
Alternate career
Celebrity cameo
Screenshot from a Nicolas Cage movie
It's low effort but high reward—especially when someone shows up with a green screen effect that makes them look like they're dialing in from Middle-earth. Plus, it gives you an excuse to not tidy up your real background.
For background contests:
Announce themes in advance.
Allow time for people to create or find backgrounds.
Vote on different categories (most creative, funniest, etc).
Create a gallery of favorites for future use.
Choosing the right team-building exercises for your team
When team members understand why they're participating and how the activity connects to their work together, engagement increases and eye-rolling decreases—a metric of success that, while difficult to quantify, is immediately visible in any conference room.
Consider the following before selecting appropriate activities:
Team needs and goals: Before planning activities, identify what you're hoping to achieve. Do you need to boost morale after a difficult quarter? Are you trying to improve communication between departments that currently interact with the warmth and openness of the Montagues and Capulets? Different goals require different approaches.
Team size and dynamics: Small, close-knit teams might benefit from deep-dive activities that build on existing relationships, while larger groups or teams with newer members might need icebreakers and getting-to-know-you games. Consider existing relationships—a team with unresolved conflicts shouldn't start with competitive activities that might escalate tensions from "professional disagreement" to "office supply weaponization."
Budget and time constraints: Effective team building doesn't require expensive retreats or full-day commitments. Quick activities integrated into existing meetings often yield better results than infrequent, elaborate events. Be realistic about what your organization can sustain—consistency matters more than grandeur.
Team preferences and interests: Involve your team in the selection process through anonymous surveys or direct conversation. Understanding their comfort levels and interests prevents the well-intentioned disaster of forcing introverts into highly performative activities or indoorsy folks into outdoor adventures. The best activities challenge teams slightly beyond their comfort zones without triggering outright anxiety.
Company culture and values: Align team building with your desired workplace environment and company ethos. If your company values innovation, incorporate creative problem-solving. If community impact is central to your mission, prioritize volunteer activities. Team building that contradicts stated values creates cognitive dissonance rather than cohesion—a company that preaches work-life balance shouldn't plan mandatory weekend retreats, for instance.
Free up time for team building with automation
Team-building activities often fall to the bottom of the priority list when workloads get heavy—exactly when teams need connection most. The solution isn't working longer hours to squeeze in team activities—it's working smarter through automation.
Tools like Zapier create breathing room in packed schedules by eliminating repetitive tasks that drain time and energy. When routine processes run themselves, teams reclaim hours previously lost to administrative burdens—hours that can be reinvested in relationship-building activities.
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