Team building is an important part of creating a strong and successful company culture. Opting for a fun work outing can allow team members to do something they enjoy with coworkers and create fun memories they associate with the company. Whether you’re leading a team or participating in one, learning about outing options to suggest can be a great way to inspire high levels of work satisfaction.
In this article, we explore 40 fun work outings to try, share how outings benefit employees and companies, and describe how to select the right one for your team.
What are work outings?
Table of Contents
Work outings are
activities that occur outside of the workplace. They can include:
- Trust workshops
- Obstacle courses
- Crafts
These may be full- or half-day events and can be one long activity or a series of short activities. While some corporate team building happens during regular work hours, it can also take place after work or on the weekends.
Related: 6 Ideas for Team Building Activities
10 fun work outings
Here are some fun team-building outing ideas to consider the next time you want to get the team together outside the office:
1. Scavenger hunt
A scavenger hunt can be a fun activity for a team. They often involve groups searching for a series of landmarks or items on a list. Here are some tips to help you create a great scavenger hunt:
- The scavenger hunt location can be a confined area, such as a park, or may expand across several blocks.
- Organizers may ask groups to take a photo at each check-in point before moving on to the next clue. This can be a great way to keep track of points and gives tams an opportunity to form relationships by taking fun pictures together.
- Some recreational facilities, such as local zoos, already have maps for scavenger hunts, so you can print one for your team to complete.
Scavenger hunts promote collaboration and 
, and help develop critical thinking skills.
2. Escape room
Escape rooms have become a popular group outing for many companies. Participants go to a special escape room facility designed for this activity. Your team is then “locked” in and must work together to solve puzzles that eventually unlock the door. An escape room can help teams learn how to problem-solve together.
Escape rooms have many types of themes. You can choose one that reflects the interests of your team members. Here are a few common escape room theme options:
- Mystery
- Science laboratory theme
- Horror
- Heist
- Pirate theme
- Zombie apocalypse theme
3. Cooking class
A cooking class can be a creative and delicious way for teams to learn something new together. Many cooking schools and some supermarkets offer cooking classes where you can master one or two recipes together as a group. This can include:
- Learning a specific skill, such as braising
- Discovering a type of cuisine, such as French cooking
- Learning how to make a type of food, such as macaroons
This type of outing encourages individuals to work together toward a common goal.
4. Karaoke
One way to boost team spirit is to try karaoke. This activity allows team members to bond over music and performing. You can have individuals participate in whichever way they prefer, including:
- Singing solo numbers
- Singing as groups
- Supporting as an audience member
It may also be fun to award prizes to encourage participation, such as awarding the person or team with the best stage presence. The key to this outing is to ensure everyone has a positive attitude. Karaoke is often the most fun when everyone is having a good time.
5. Camping trip
Depending on the team’s interests, an overnight camping trip can be a relaxing and low-cost way to spend a weekend together. Individuals can stay in their own tents or the company can rent comfortable cabins for everyone to share. Fun activities to plan might include:
- Sitting around the campfire
- Hiking on a trail
- Visiting nearby landmarks
- Cooking meals
- Singing camp songs
Camp activities can promote friendship among team members, which can lead to stronger professional relationships in the workplace. Companies can also allow them to bring their families to the event, which would enable more personal interactions.
6. Volunteering
Completing a volunteer project can be a fun way for teams to give back to the community. Many 
make it easy for corporations to have individuals volunteer together as a team-building activity. Examples might include:
- Working on a clothing drive
- Completing a sponsored walk for charity
- Volunteering at a food bank
Consider incorporating volunteer work more frequently into team members’ work lives by encouraging them to complete volunteer work in their free time as well.
Related: Why Volunteering Is Important in a Personal and Professional Capacity
7. Sporting event
Attending a sporting event can be a great way for your office team to relax and bond. Here are a few reasons why:
- Rooting for the home team can bring people together in a shared interest.
- The energetic atmosphere at a sporting event can be a great mood booster.
- Time away from the stress of deadlines and meetings can be an easy way to rejuvenate.
- Outdoor sporting events can also be a pleasant change from sitting inside an office, especially on a sunny day.
8. Museum visit
A team outing to a local museum can provide an easy way for coworkers to relax together outside of the office. Museums often have special exhibits that allow teams to develop a new interest and interactive exhibits that provide a low-stress way for coworkers to enjoy a shared activity. Some museums also offer:
- Film screenings
- Classes
- Workshops
9. Hiking
Depending on the health and fitness level of your team, a daytime hike could be a great way to boost morale and enjoy the outdoors. Here are a few more reasons this can be a rewarding option:
- Hiking can be a low-stress way to get exercise where team members can walk at their own pace.
- Individuals can also participate in the conversation while they walk.
- A simple break from the daily office routine, like taking a walk or a hike, can help everyone come back to work feeling refreshed.
10. Picnic
An outdoor event such as a picnic is a great way to bring your team together and enjoy some fresh air and sunshine. Your outing could involve a variety of schedules:
- It could be flexible, with team members joining for all or part of the day.
- It could include activities, such as soccer and baseball games, to help team members get to know each other outside of an office setting.
- Individuals could bring their families or special family recipes.
