What Are Corporate Team Building Events?

A corporate or company team building event is a planned activity designed to help employees connect and work better together. Unlike a standard meeting or social, corporate team building events are structured to create an engaging space where teams can practice real workplace skills, in a way that feels fun and interactive rather than formal.

Corporate team building events come in many forms. They can be as simple as in-house activities you run yourself, like quick problem-solving challenges, fun icebreakers or an office quiz. Or they can be fully designed experiences with professional facilitators, themed settings and tailored agendas. These events can take place in the office, at a hired venue, outdoors or even online. You can host them as standalone sessions or add them onto meetings, offsites, seasonal parties or company celebrations.

Team building has been around since the mid-20th century, when businesses started looking for ways to boost collaboration outside traditional meetings. But over time, it picked up a reputation for being awkward or forced with cliché trust falls, cringeworthy icebreakers or activities that felt disconnected from real work. That’s why some employees still roll their eyes at the idea.

Done well, though, team building events for corporate groups are enjoyable, inclusive and create genuine connections. At the same time, they tie back to meaningful outcomes like improving communication, handling pressure, managing conflict and celebrating success. In other words, they feel fun and natural, but still serve a clear business purpose.

• Collaboration — During team building activities for corporate events, teams quickly see how much stronger they are when they work together, because the results are right there in front of them. That sense of “we did this together” naturally carries over into the workplace.
• Trust — When people step out of their day-to-day roles, they get to know each other in a more genuine way. Sharing small wins and relying on each other during fun team building activities builds trust on the spot, making it easier to lean on each other back at work.
• Morale— A fun team building experience instantly lifts the mood. People laugh, relax and celebrate together. That energy doesn’t vanish when they return to the office, it boosts everyday morale and motivation.
• Problem-Solving — Corporate events for team building often presents obstacles that need quick thinking. When teams figure it out together, sometimes in surprising ways, it demonstrates they can overcome challenges, which builds confidence for tackling real business problems.
• Innovation — Being in a different environment sparks creativity. Teams often surprise themselves with the ideas they come up with in the moment, and that mindset of “thinking differently” is something they bring back into meetings and projects.
• Soft Skills — Communication, leadership, adaptability and even conflict resolution come up during corporate team building events. Because the stakes are low, people experiment with new ways of interacting, and those skills stay with them when the pressure is real.
• Employee Engagement — At the end of the day, employees feel valued and connected. The positive energy, stronger bonds and sense of belonging don’t just fade, hey carry on into everyday work.

Problem-solving and skill-based events challenge teams to think on their feet, communicate clearly, and use their strengths in creative ways. In Challenge 100, teams take on 100 fast-paced games, moving through zones like Sports, Creative, Sensory, Child’s Play and Brain Busters. Every win earns points on a live scoreboard, so the energy and competition stay high while teams practice problem-solving under pressure. For something with a meaningful twist, Paws for a Cause asks teams to design and build practical items for animal shelters like toys, feeders or agility equipment. It combines teamwork, creativity and hands-on skill-building, while also giving back.

For teams that thrive on energy, challenge and a bit of friendly rivalry, competitive team building events are all about testing determination and strategy while keeping the atmosphere fun. In Under Pressure, teams step into a full-size challenge arena to tackle a series of high-energy tasks. With practice rounds, head-to-head battles and only a limited number of lives, teamwork and quick thinking are essential. For a more playful twist, Master of the Tasks throws teams into a whirlwind of bizarre yet brilliant challenges, guided by a witty host who keeps the laughs coming and the competition alive.

Creative events give teams the chance to think differently, express themselves and create something memorable together. In Masterpiece, teams compete in fun challenges to “earn” their art supplies before working on their own section of a larger image. When all the canvases are joined at the end, they reveal one giant masterpiece, showing what’s possible when everyone contributes. For something a little different, the Terrarium Workshop invites teams to roll up their sleeves and build their own miniature ecosystems. It’s a relaxed, nature-inspired session that sparks conversation and connection, with each person leaving with a unique terrarium to display back at the office or at home.

Food brings people together, and food-based corporate team building events make collaboration both delicious and fun. In Strictly Come Dining, teams go head-to-head in their own cookery zones, working alongside professional chefs to prepare, cook and serve a full meal for their colleagues. For those with a sweet tooth, Bakeathon transforms your venue into a pop-up cookery school, complete with coloured aprons and guidance from a Michelin star-trained pastry chef. Teams bake specialty treats that are judged on creativity, teamwork, presentation and of course, taste.

Indoor corporate team building events bring all the excitement of competition and strategy directly in your office or at a hired venue. In Betrayers, teams race to crack clues and solve riddles, while secretly battling against hidden traitors within their own group. For something more skill-based, the Everest Challenge recreates the experience of climbing the world’s highest peak. Guided by a mountaineering expert, teams tackle tasks that mirror real expedition challenges: packing gear, pitching tents, managing oxygen and tying knots under pressure.

Outdoor and active corporate team building events are perfect for teams who enjoy movement, adventure and a healthy dose of competition. In the GPS Treasure Hunt, teams use high-tech tablets with a custom GPS app to uncover hidden hotspots, crack codes and solve puzzles scattered across a location. For even more adrenaline, the Crystal Team Challenge brings together physical and mental challenges in four themed zones. Teams compete to collect crystals, which translate into precious seconds for the Dome finale, where the final test is a thrilling cash-grabber that decides the winning team.

Charity and CSR-focused events combine teamwork with purpose, giving employees the chance to make a tangible difference while building stronger connections. In Charity Bike Build, teams complete fun challenges to earn bike parts before assembling bicycles for children in need. After the event, the bikes are delivered directly to charity, creating a powerful sense of achievement and giving back. For sustainability-focused events, Bee Hotels and Birdhouses invite teams to design and build shelters for wildlife. It’s hands-on, collaborative and leaves every participant with something meaningful to install at home, in the office green space or in the community.

Conference energisers are designed to wake up a room, shake off the fatigue of long sessions, and create a burst of shared energy that brings everyone together. In The Haka, skilled Māori hosts guide teams through the movements and chants of this world-famous tradition, while also sharing the meaning and spirit behind it. For something more playful, Boomwhackers gets everyone making music together with colourful percussion tubes. Led by an expert conductor, participants quickly get in sync, creating a unique performance that turns a conference crowd into a connected orchestra.