The Best Team-Building Activities for your Next Corporate Away Day

Successful companies are built on collaboration, teamwork, and a positive culture. Corporate away days are more than just an opportunity to enjoy some time away from the office, they’re a tool to help build the qualities and team dynamics required to make your company truly successful. Here, we take a look at some of the best team-building activities to offer a little inspiration for your next corporate away day. These experiences are intended to offer your team a well-deserved break from work while also improving communication and promoting a positive culture.

Outdoor Adventures & Challenges

Go Ape

Located in various stunning forest locations across the the UK, Go Ape is an exhilarating treetop adventure that offers a range of thrilling activities such as zip lines, high ropes courses, and tree-to-tree crossings. These adrenaline-pumping challenges require teamwork, communication, and trust. By conquering their fears together, team members build mutual support and camaraderie. Engaging in outdoor adventures like Go Ape helps companies foster a culture of risk-taking, collaboration, and resilience.

The Bear Grylls Adventure

Situated in Birmingham, The Bear Grylls Adventure offers a variety of exhilarating activities designed to push participants out of their comfort zones. From indoor skydiving and rock climbing to obstacle courses and survival challenges, this venue tests mental and physical abilities. These experiences promote problem-solving, decision-making, and adaptability. Participating in such activities fosters a culture of courage, determination, and the willingness to embrace challenges.

Go Karting

With numerous locations across the UK, Go Karting provides an exciting racing experience that promotes healthy competition and teamwork. Teams can go head-to-head on multi-level tracks, honing their driving skills and strategising for victory. This activity encourages effective communication, decision-making under pressure, and fostering a sense of friendly rivalry. Go Karting helps companies nurture a culture of teamwork, competitiveness, and the pursuit of excellence.

Creativity & Team Collaboration

Paintballing

Paintball offers an exciting team-building activity that combines strategy, communication, and teamwork. Divided into teams, participants engage in tactical battles, navigating through obstacle-filled arenas and working together to achieve objectives. Paintballing promotes effective communication, leadership skills, and the ability to adapt to changing circumstances. This activity encourages a culture of collaboration, trust, and strategic thinking within the company.

Cooking Workshops

Located in London, The Jamie Oliver Cookery School offers hands-on cooking workshops where teams work together to prepare a delicious meal under the guidance of professional chefs. This activity enhances communication, problem-solving, and time management skills. By encouraging teams to work harmoniously in the kitchen, cooking workshops foster a culture of cooperation, innovation, and appreciation for diverse talents within the company. Cooking workshops from other companies can be found all round the UK for those not based in the capital.

Art Jamming

Art Jamming studios can be found in most major cities and towns, providing a creative and collaborative team-building activity. Participants unleash their artistic skills and work together to create unique artworks. Art Jamming encourages communication, creativity, and the ability to embrace individual and collective expression. This activity fosters a culture of open-mindedness, collaboration, and celebrating diverse perspectives within the company.

Escape Rooms

Escape rooms are popular team building activities, offering immersive and mentally stimulating experiences where teams solve puzzles and unravel mysteries to "escape" within a given time limit. Each location has multiple themed rooms with unique challenges and storylines. Teams must work together, leveraging their problem-solving skills, communication, and teamwork to succeed. Participating in escape rooms promotes critical thinking, creativity, and effective collaboration, fostering a culture of innovation, adaptability, and cohesive problem-solving within the company.

Physical Activities & Bonding

Outdoor Activity Centres

Outdoor activity centres offer a wide range of physical challenges and team-building exercises. From high ropes courses and zip lines to archery and raft-building, these centres provide opportunities for team members to push their limits, build trust, and overcome obstacles together. Participating in these activities promotes resilience, communication, and fostering a sense of camaraderie. Outdoor activity centres are ideal for companies seeking to strengthen bonds, encourage physical fitness, and build a culture of teamwork and support.

Boat Racing

Boat racing events are organised in various locations across the UK, such as Southampton, Bristol and more. Teams paddle together in synchrony, racing against other boats to the finish line. Boat racing requires coordination, communication, and teamwork to achieve optimal performance. This activity builds trust, promotes unity, and cultivates a culture of collaboration, perseverance, and celebrating collective achievements within the company.

Surfing Lessons

Along the beautiful coastal areas of Cornwall, Newquay, and Bournemouth, surfing lessons provide a thrilling team-building activity that combines physical fitness with water-based adventure. Teams learn to ride the waves together, improving balance, coordination, and communication. Surfing lessons help to build resilience, adaptability, and supporting each other through challenges. Engaging in this activity allows team members to bond, let loose, and embrace nature. Can’t make it to the South Coast for surfing, check your local area, there are plenty of indoor surfing experiences across the country too.

Guided Hiking

Head to the countryside for boundless breathtaking landscapes and guided hiking adventures. Teams can explore picturesque trails, overcome natural obstacles, and reach scenic viewpoints together. Guided hiking not only promotes physical fitness but also encourages communication, cooperation, and a shared sense of achievement. This activity helps companies foster a culture of exploration, collaboration, and appreciating the beauty of nature.

IMPROVING Communication and Interpersonal Skills

Improv Workshops

Improv workshops can be found in most major cities and towns, providing an interactive and entertaining team-building experience. Through improv exercises, teams develop spontaneity, active listening, and effective communication skills. Participants learn to think on their feet, support each other's ideas, and embrace creativity. Improv workshops promote a culture of open communication, adaptability, and fostering an inclusive and supportive work environment.

Communication Workships

Communication workshops, offered by professional coaches, focus on enhancing interpersonal skills and fostering effective communication within teams. These workshops include interactive exercises, role-playing scenarios, and discussions that address common communication challenges in the workplace. Through these workshops, teams develop active listening, empathy, and constructive feedback skills. Participating in communication workshops helps to create an open dialogue, understanding, and effective collaboration within the company.

Environmental Conservation and Team Building

Beach Cleanups

Coastal regions offer opportunities for beach cleanups, combining team building with environmental conservation. Teams work together to clean the area, collecting and sorting litter. This activity promotes teamwork, environmental awareness, and a sense of contributing to a greater cause. Participating in beach cleanups nurtures a culture of social responsibility, collaboration, and sustainable practices within the company.

Tree Planting

Several organisations and forestry projects in the UK provide tree planting experiences. Teams come together to plant trees, contributing to reforestation efforts and mitigating climate change. Tree planting requires cooperation, teamwork, and a shared sense of purpose. Engaging in this activity fosters a culture of environmental stewardship, collective action, and making a positive impact on the planet.

Corporate Away Days Without the Stress

Corporate away days can be difficult to book and require a significant amount of prior planning. Take the hassle out of getting to your destination when you book with Horseferry. We can support you with a variety of packages tailor made to your event. Our experienced drivers will arrive on-time and with a smile, so you can sit back an enjoy the day. If you have any special requests, please reach out to us and we’ll do our best to help you in any way we can.