You found our list of fun things to do with coworkers outside work.
Fun things to do with coworkers outside of work are ideas that employees can use to interact outside the job environment. Examples include hiking, craft classes, and tree planting. The purpose of these activities is to encourage workers to bond and help participants identify unique capabilities. The right choice of fun activities outside work will also increase workers’ engagement.
These activities are similar to fun group activities for adults, team bonding activities, or relationship-building activities. This list is an excellent resource for companies looking for employee retention strategies.
This list includes:
- activities to do with coworkers outside of work
- places to hang out with coworkers after hours
- fun things to do with coworkers on weeknights
- fun things to do with coworkers on weekends
- fun things to do with coworkers for holidays
- fun things to do with coworkers during summertime
Here we go!
List of fun things to do with coworkers outside of work
One of the leading causes of disengagement at work is the lack of a team building culture. Organizing and encouraging your team to do fun activities outside the office will nurture team spirit and improve work performance. From horseback riding to beach parties and karaoke, here is a list of the best things employees can enjoy outside work.
1. Las Vegas Scavenger Hunt (Highly Rated)
If you are looking for events to do with coworkers outside of work, then check out the Las Vegas Scavenger Hunt! This experience offers a fresh perspective on the city, making it an exciting addition to your itinerary. Additionally, we host photo scavenger hunts in several other cities across the nation.
Key highlights of this scavenger hunt include:
- a knowledgeable host with interesting stories and facts about the city
- sights from the Flamingo Hotel to the Bellagio Fountains
- challenging trivia, challenges, and puzzles to test teams’ knowledge
- hidden gems and memorable photos
- teams competing to become the ultimate scavenger hunt champions
Scavenger hunts are a great way to foster friendly competition while building relationships with your team. To add a thrilling twist to your next team outing, be sure to include the Vegas Strip Photo Scavenger Hunt in your agenda!
Learn more about the Vegas Strip Photo Scavenger Hunt.
2. Museum Hack Scavenger Hunt (Popular)
You can see museums from a whole new perspective with the Museum Hack Scavenger Hunt! Teams will go on a captivating journey through the museum, where they will take amazing pictures and play fun games.
Key features of this experience include:
- a 90-minute experience led by a knowledgeable host
- fascinating stories that introduce you to the art world
- interactive trivia and photo games that help you connect to the pieces
- activities designed to inspire a deeper appreciation for art and artifacts
To make planning a breeze, the cost of the experience includes entry to the museum. So add this scavenger hunt to your agenda, and get ready to discover a new way to enjoy the museum!
Learn more about the Museum Hack Scavenger Hunt.
3. Craft Classes
Craft classes are some of the best activities to enrich colleagues with new skills and encourage interaction. You could even have workplace gifting sessions where employees give their colleagues personally crafted items.
Examples of craft classes:
- Painting
- Soap making
- Etching
- Wood carving
- Pottery
Craft classes are relaxing ideas that foster creativity and teach problem-solving skills among team members. Workers will also get a sense of satisfaction when they see self-crafted items.
4. Ropes Course
If you are looking for activities to do with coworkers outside of work, you cannot go wrong with visiting a local ropes course. You can use the fun activity to encourage workers to overcome fears like height aversion. However, do not push folks who are not comfortable completing specific challenges. A great option is looking for a venue that offers ropes courses and other activities. For instance, you may opt for locations offering zipline, swings, climbing walls, and low-to-the-ground team challenges. Ropes courses will teach workers the importance of teamwork and push team members to try out fun activities.
Check out more outdoor team building ideas.
5. Go-Kart Racing
Go-kart racing tops the list of fun activities outside work for thrill lovers. The fun activity will get participants’ competitive juices flowing. The fun activity also allows for friendly competition as workers connect amid cheers from their teammates. You can encourage company-wide employee interactions through employee vs. bosses or interdepartmental racing competitions. Be sure to encourage participants to take pictures and videos for memorabilia.
6. Volunteer
If you have a team passionate about specific initiatives or causes, volunteering activities may be a great choice of fun things to do with coworkers for holidays. You can select the type of volunteer activities depending on your budget, time availability, and your team’s interests.
Examples include:
- Cooking for the homeless community
- Cleaning up the community
- Donating non-perishable products
- Teaching life skills in low-income high schools
- Running to fundraise for a worthy cause
- Offering food and gifts to the needy
These philanthropic initiatives will help colleagues bond and also build leadership skills. Volunteer activities are also a great way to boost your brand image.
Check out this list of charity team building ideas for work or this list of group volunteering ideas.
7. Sports Tournaments
Sports tournaments are some of the most accessible outdoor activities you can plan for workers. These competitive sporting events are vital in bringing out every worker’s personality. You may find that you have ultra-competitive athletes or cheerleaders in your workforce.
Sporting ideas:
- Football
- Hockey
- Baseball
- Potato sack races
- Tug-of-war
- Swimming
Depending on the number of workers and the type of event, you could even host these activities inside your workplace, preferably in an outdoor area. You can also look for parks nearby and get access to some sporting facilities. Pair the sporting activity with bites and drinks and let your team relieve the day’s memories for years to come. A tournament is a fun activity that will boost workers’ morale and strengthen relations among coworkers.
Here is a list of office Olympics ideas.
8. Barbeques and Picnics
Barbeques and picnics top the list of fun things to do with coworkers during summertime. Rather than store-bought snacks, your team may enjoy their outing better with a barbeque-themed picnic. You could start by selecting a park nearby that will accommodate all team members. Then, take food and drink recommendations from all participants. You can even incorporate other fun team bonding activities such as trivia, scavenger hunts, or marshmallow challenges. Another fun activity that goes well with a barbeque picnic is a cook-off competition.
Check out this list of company picnic ideas, games, and activities.
9. The Amazing Race
Drawing inspiration from The Amazing Race reality TV show, the activity offers colleagues an avenue to show off their capabilities outside the office. Workers will participate in a running competition while also engaging in mental, cultural, physical, or eating challenges.
Fun race ideas:
- Scavenger hunts- These activities can help participants learn more about their city during the run.
- Obstacle racing- Participants will overcome various physical challenges that require both physical and mental effort. For instance, team members may need to crawl under mesh wire, climb over low walls, or do mud runs. The type of obstacles will depend on your team’s capabilities.
- Jigsaw puzzle- Players will assemble interlocking pieces to form one complete structure.
- Water-cup challenge- Participants will carry a cup of water from the start to the finish line. Another version of the water-cup challenge is the egg spoon race.
You could plan a company-wide race in your region or travel with your workers to a new destination for the challenge. While The Amazing Race is ideal for large workforces, you can engage small teams in the fun activity.
Here is a list of Amazing Race ideas for work.
10. Tree Planting
A tree-planting team outing is a fantastic idea that will enable your team to participate in conservation directly. You could seek guidance from reforestation organizations in your region. Then, schedule the tree planting activity and set a target for each team member. If you want to have an independent tree planting session, then be sure to check with your local city office regarding tree planting regulations. Regular tree planting activities will positively affect climate crises, deforestation, loss of animal habitats, and the natural water cycle.
11. Horseback Riding
Horseback riding is an enjoyable outdoor activity that workers may enjoy. The seemingly simple activity requires participants’ determination, strength, and balance. You could start by looking for companies offering beginner horseback riding classes. Then, let the team explore off-roads such as forests or ride along sandy beaches. Horseback riding is a wonderful experience that team members can pick as a new hobby.
12. Beach Party
Beach parties top the list of fun things to do with coworkers during summertime. Your team will enjoy the sun amid fun beach activities and games. You can make your team’s beach parties as elaborate or simple as possible based on your budget or workers’ interests.
Activity ideas for a beach party:
- Scavenger hunts
- Happy hours
- Movie nights
- Sand sculpting competitions
- Volleyball
- Barbeque
A beach party offers workers a relaxed environment to interact and have fun.
Check out this list of beach party ideas for work and team building.
13. Water Sports
Water sports are fun and thrilling activities that colleagues may enjoy. Colleagues can encourage each other to try some experiences on their bucket lists.
Examples of fun water sports:
- White water rafting
- Canoeing
- Kayaking
- Water skiing
- Paddleboarding
- Snorkeling
- Water aerobics
- Scuba diving
Water sports will encourage colleagues to step out of their comfort zone and try out new experiences. However, be sure to seek professional services for participants’ safety.
14. Hiking
Hiking is one of the best outdoor fun things to do with coworkers on weekends. First, you can pick an easy or challenging local trail based on the physical capabilities of other workers. Then, gather the team together at the starting point. Be sure to select team members who will lead at the front and a sweeper at the rear to ensure all participants stay together. If you have a small workforce, then it would be ideal to join other hiking groups, especially on unfamiliar trails.
15. Archery Tag
Featuring a hybrid mix of archery, paintball, and dodgeball, archery tag is a fantastic choice of fun things to do with coworkers outside of work. For the combat game, two or more teams will fight each other with bows and arrows. In the beginning, each player will have two arrows to shoot. Participants can also pick extra arrows from a designated area, provided they get cover when out of the safe zone. Players earn points by catching a competitor’s arrow mid-flight or by shooting an opponent. Archery tag is a great competitive activity that can teach the importance of teamwork in a fun way.
16. Theme Parks
If you want to bring out your team’s inner child, then an outing to a theme park is a fantastic option. Weather permitting, participants can choose various fun activities. For instance, some attendees can enjoy waterslides on a hot day as other participants take thrilling rides. For a full-day adventure, be sure to visit theme parks with a wide variety of amenities and eateries. Some theme parks even have picnic areas or movie theatres where attendees can relax.
17. Outdoor Concerts
An outdoor concert offers workers the opportunity to have similar experiences at the same time. Teams can enjoy good music amid laughter, drinks, and bites. You could even go a notch higher and purchase matching event t-shirts for all participants. Also, do not forget to encourage the team to document as many highlights as possible.
18. Karaoke
If you are looking for fun things to do with coworkers on weeknights, then you cannot go wrong with karaoke sessions. The classic activity will help coworkers snap out of the office environment. You could start by looking for a karaoke lounge near your location. Then, ensure that all participants have their drink of choice. Let your team’s talent shine as the entire workforce cheers their counterparts. You could even encourage workers to pair up and perform a duet.
19. Game Night
If you do not want team leaders to go through the hassle of planning for team outings, then you can opt for a team game night. Just search for entertainment joints that offer games like ping pong, foosball, or pool. You could even find a space that has different board games. Be sure to encourage folks to sign up for friendly competitions and cheer their peers as they face off against other groups.
20. Team Cruise
A team cruise is a great choice of fun things to do with coworkers for holidays that will offer your team the utmost relaxation. Employees will love the new environment and even get a chance to partake in other fun team building activities aboard a cruise. Examples of fun activities to engage your team on a cruise include scavenger hunts, dance competitions, pool parties, or water volleyball. If you do not have a sizable budget, then do not be shy to opt for cruises within your budget. For instance, you can opt for a few days’ cruises and look for ship lines with good discounts for large teams. You can also research more affordable destinations.
21. Brunch
Brunch, a late or early lunch, is a perfect idea to bring teams together. Bruch is also an excellent fun idea to do with coworkers, especially for employees who are not looking for high-intensive activities. Rather than a typical team lunch or dinner, you could plan brunch at the team’s restaurant of choice during a working day. You can create a company-wide brunch culture with a weekly or monthly routine.
22. Bowling
Bowling is a fantastic fun activity that workers will live to remember. You could get the entire team to head out to a nearby bowling alley monthly or even semi-monthly. Participants can engage in friendly bowling competitions and grab lunch and drinks on the company’s account. You can maximize your team’s attendance by holding the contest on a Friday afternoon or during slump times like the end of a busy season.
23. Brewery or Winery Tour
A brewery or winery tour is a clever twist to a happy hour. Workers can learn the mechanics of making different drinks as they sip on their beverage of choice. While you can plan an entire day for these activities, breweries and wineries are also excellent choices of places to hang out with coworkers after hours. However, get a brewery or winery around your local area and make your reservation early. Depending on your time and available facilities, you could plan a picnic or take strolls in the vineyards.
24. Hitting the Gym
If you have workers with a common interest in fitness and health goals, then you can encourage the participants to become workout buddies. Workers can go to the gym together or hold regular runs and walks. To encourage other participants to join the fitness movement, you can pay a gym subscription for the gym buddies. Then, pay subscriptions for other workers who start fitness activities.
Check out these group fitness ideas for work.
25. Kids’ Playdates
Kids’ playdates may be a great option for parents looking for fun things to do with their colleagues. You can encourage workers with a common interest to host playdates with other parents in locations of choice. For instance, parents can visit theme parks or animal parks nearby with their children. The kids will get to socialize as parents bond over adult conversations. While these playdates can be monumental in forming new relations between colleagues, be sure not to seem forceful when implementing the activity.
26. Food or Wine Festivals
Attending food or wine festivals with colleagues will encourage team bonding and also teach the importance of diversity in the workplace. You could start by looking for food or wine festivals near your region. Then, get tickets for the entire team. Encourage team members to experiment with different food and drinks as possible. You could even have a fun exercise after the food and wine festival when participants name five foods and beverages they enjoyed or disliked from different cultures.
Conclusion
Fostering teamwork can be a challenge for most workers. When there is a disconnect between team members, you may notice more workplace strife and employee unproductivity. Hence, we encourage companies to focus on regular activities that workers will enjoy outside the office. Rather than selecting one activity that not all workers will love, you may take recommendations from the employees. Encouraging your workforce to participate in fun activities outside the office will strengthen workers’ relations and promote job satisfaction.
For more ideas, check out this article on unusual team building activities for work or field day activities and games for adults.
Grace He