How to Plan Team Building Your Team Won't Dread

What comes to mind when you think about "team building"? Do you think about fun ways to bond with your teammates? Or do you think about silly exercises that waste everyone's time?

If you're in the second camp, you're definitely not alone. We know that so many employees groan when their boss sends out an email about the "next team outing." 

At Breakout Games, we specialize in facilitating team building that's actually fun. Here are our best tips for planning team building events that your team will look forward to.

We know, we know. It’s hard to sacrifice time that your team could be productive, but nothing is a worse mood killer to your team than having to go to work outside usual hours. 

Having a unified and connected team goes a long way to increase productivity anyways, so let them have fun during work hours for team building! Instead of hosting a weekend picnic, consider planning an event during office hours and showing your team that you value them enough to give them a break.

We all remember the teacher who made lessons exciting and engaging. Turns out, fun is such an important part of productivity and building community! Be sure you are incorporating some fun into any professional development activities. You can strengthen the team and learn to work together while creating memories and connections amongst your staff!

If your team building involves lots of group work or seminars, be sure to incorporate a relaxing lunch, a quick outing for dessert, or another fun activity with the rest of the program. Teambuilding.com has some great ideas and resources for balancing productivity and fun.

Don’t ask your team to do something that you aren’t doing alongside them. You are an important part of your company, and your leadership means having a connection with your team.

 Pro tip: if you are dreading team building, your team probably is too! Plan something that you will enjoy all together, and you will find yourself in the right mindset when planning a team building outing!

It’s hard to find something that everyone will love, but it can make all the difference. A ropes course might be great for the athletic team members, but it might make some other team members feel uninvolved. Similarly, a trivia outing might be a blast for your brainiacs on your staff, but others might be totally bored. It’s best to find an activity that has something for everyone! Don’t be afraid to ask your team what they would enjoy or give them a few choices to vote on.

From the millions of players we've seen come through our doors over the years, we've learned that fun isn't frivolous. Fun is a key ingredient in healthy, happy teams. Plan team building that's actually fun, and you'll see the difference in how your team functions!

Want to book a teambuilding experience with us? Start here!