13 unique team outing ideas for building workplace bonds

Not every team enjoys sharing happy hour drinks. Not every win happens in a conference room. Sometimes, the best way to strengthen your team’s bond is to take them out of the office entirely. A well-planned team outing gives people the chance to step into new environments, try something unexpected, and build trust where it counts—in real life, not just on Slack.

While casual team lunches, dinners, and drinks can help spark a connection, they’re not always enough to truly deepen relationships or develop a sense of teamwork that sticks around. That’s why more companies are investing in creative team-building exercises that inspire bonding, curiosity, and maybe even a bit of friendly competition. 

Whether you’re after a quick get-together or a full-day company retreat, the unique team outing ideas in this guide are sure to energize your team members.

Why are team outings important?

A team outing is any activity that brings employees together outside their typical work environment—think offsite adventures, corporate events, or shared challenges that go beyond the daily grind. What makes a team outing more than just a break from routine? It’s the ripple effect on trust and how your team members show up for each other day after day. 

Team-building activities like team outings are shared experiences that strengthen relationships and drive collaboration. Whether it’s a low-key trivia night or a high-energy scavenger hunt, they invite team members to problem-solve, connect, and have a little fun without the pressure of deadlines or back-to-back meetings. 

This kind of interaction matters. When teams work together outside their usual roles, they develop communication skills, grow empathy, and reinforce a shared sense of purpose. Over time, this translates into a stronger company culture, giving a natural boost to employee engagement. 

The bottom line? The right team-building exercises help people get to know each other in ways regular meetings can’t.

13 fun and creative company outing ideas 

Need a fresh way to connect with your crew outside the office? These 13 team-building activities are perfect for inspiring team members and shaking up the usual routine. 

1. Escape room 

Few things spark problem-solving like being “locked” in an escape room with only 60 minutes and a series of cryptic clues. Escape rooms test your team’s ability to work together, stay calm under pressure, and think creatively—everything you want more of in the workplace. Escape rooms also offer a chance to observe different leadership and teamwork styles. 

2. Cooking class

Put on the aprons and turn up the heat for a hands-on cooking class, one of the most delicious team-building exercises out there. This team-building activity encourages collaboration and creativity, and best of all, team members get to enjoy the fruits of their labor together when they’re done. Choose a local, chef-led cooking class, or make it a DIY cooking competition with a themed menu (just don’t forget to ask about allergies before the menu is set). 

3. Museum visit

Visiting a museum lets team members learn something new while getting a dose of culture. Whether you’re exploring art, history, or science exhibits, museums provide a change of pace that’s sure to spark fresh conversations. Some venues offer corporate packages or guided tours to make this team-building activity even more engaging. 

4. City tour

Even locals can learn something new on a guided city tour. Street art walks and foodie routes are just two examples of outings that can get team members out of their comfort zones. This team-building activity is excellent for hybrid and remote work employees because exploring the city where their office is based will help them feel more connected to the area.

5. Incentive travel 

Sometimes, the best way to show appreciation is with a team-building trip. Incentive travel rewards top-performing team members or long-time employees with a getaway focused entirely on rest, relaxation, and fun—without any business meetings hanging over their heads. These trips motivate team members to go the extra mile and reinforce a company culture of recognition and team bonding. Try a weekend at a mountain resort or a few days at a sunny all-inclusive to guarantee your people come back feeling rewarded and refreshed. 

6. Scavenger hunt 

A well-planned scavenger hunt encourages creative thinking, teamwork, and fast decision-making. You can make it themed (think “Amazing Race”) or tech-driven with app-based tracking. Hosting an offsite scavenger hunt as a team outing works well for large and small companies, and it’s a ton of fun. 

7. Trivia night 

Want to test your team’s collective brainpower? Host a trivia night with categories ranging from pop culture to industry fun facts. Divide the group to strengthen cross-functional relationships, letting a little friendly competition bring out everyone’s strengths while people brush up on their brainstorming, teamwork, and communication skills.

8. Board games and puzzles at a cafe

An afternoon of team-building games and puzzles at a cozy local cafe is the perfect outing for smaller groups (especially if you have introverts on the team). This activity fosters low-pressure interaction while tapping into problem-solving skills, low-stakes competition, logic, and nostalgia. It’s a relaxed setting where coworkers can get to know each other without the pressure of deadlines—a great way to break the ice. 

9. Karaoke 

Karaoke is a favorite group activity for a reason. This team outing is vulnerable, funny, and often unforgettable for the team members brave enough to sing (and those watching). Your group can do karaoke in person at a local establishment or as a virtual team-building activity. It’s an excellent icebreaker that encourages everyone to let loose.

10. Improv class

If you want to push team members’ boundaries in a safe, structured way, try an improv class. It may seem silly, but this team-building activity is also a fast track to building trust, improving communication, and flexing creativity under pressure. Improv also helps teams work on their collaboration and brainstorming skills, which they can put into practice back at the office. 

11. Hiking 

Team energy changes immediately when you swap Slack for a nature trail. Hiking as a team-building activity is a breath of fresh air because you can plan an outing that fits your group, whether it’s a scenic stroll or a summit challenge. It’s also a low-cost way to boost team bonding, promote wellness, and improve communication skills.

12. Comedy show 

Laughter isn’t just the best medicine—it’s also a great way to bond. Heading to a local comedy club as a group is a lighthearted way to unwind, and this team-building activity is easy to find in most cities if you’re traveling. You can also try a comedy workshop for a more hands-on experience. 

13. Beach day 

Not every team outing has to be hyper-structured. A casual beach day with snacks, games, and optional swimming gives team members space to unwind and get to know each other more naturally. Pack a few volleyballs, frisbees, a portable speaker, and beach umbrellas to keep things laid-back and interactive. 

Tips for planning fun team events 

Planning successful offsite team-building activities isn’t just about picking a fun idea—it’s about getting the details right so everyone can show up, participate, and enjoy the team bonding. From travel logistics to venue reservations, here are some tips to make your next team-building event run smoothly:

• Book accommodations early: If your team members are traveling, lock in lodging well in advance. Hotels near popular venues often fill up quickly, especially during peak seasons. With Engine, you can find and book cost-effective hotels for your entire team in just a few clicks without coordinating across multiple platforms.
• Coordinate flights and transfers: Staggered arrival times can throw off your schedule. Align travel bookings, rideshares, or rentals so everyone lands at roughly the same time—this is easier with Engine, which helps you manage flights, hotels, and rental cars all in one place. 
• Reserve your venue in advance: Venues tend to go fast, whether you’re planning an offsite escape room, outdoor scavenger hunt, or interactive cooking class at that new local restaurant. Reserve early to save time and hassle for yourself and your team. 
• Build a balanced itinerary: Mix structured team-building activities with casual downtime. Team members need space to bond, reflect, and just breathe between events, and this balance helps avoid burnout while giving people space to make genuine connections. 
• Plan for flexibility: Even the best-laid team outings need wiggle room. Include time cushions between activities, and come up with a backup plan in case bad weather, traffic, or other surprises pop up. 
• Use the right tools: Engine streamlines team-building activity planning by keeping everything together and easily accessible. This means fewer spreadsheets, fewer emails, and more time for what matters: Helping your team work together and recharge. 

Organize team-building outings with Engine

Planning the perfect team outing isn’t always as simple as picking a fun activity, especially when your employees are visiting from different cities. Flights, hotel stays, ground transportation, and expense tracking add up quickly. And without the right tools, managing the details can take up as much time as the bonding event itself. 

Engine is an all-in-one platform built for business travel. We help companies simplify the entire process, from group accommodations to coordinating flights and managing travel expenses. Whether you’re organizing a local offsite or a company-wide retreat, Engine makes sure your team members land, stay, and connect—and makes sure the one planning the outing has time to enjoy themselves, too.