Whether your company is in NYC, LA, Chicago, or Houston, selecting the right activity takes more than just picking the first option available. Here's What to look for in an in-person team building activity
 to ensure your team gets the most out of the experience.
1. Alignment with Team Goals
Every team is different, and so are their challenges. If the goal is to improve communication, activities like escape rooms (popular in NYC) can encourage team members to think together under pressure. For creativity-building, painting workshops or trivia sessions in LA can spark innovation and spontaneity. Aligning the activity with your objectives ensures a lasting impact.
2. Group Size CompatibilityÂ
Not all activities work well with every group size. A smaller team might thrive with more intimate experiences, like cooking classes, which are popular in Houston’s culinary scene. Meanwhile, larger teams could benefit from Office Olympics or a White Elephant gift exchange, which are better suited to handle more participants. The right activity should feel inclusive, ensuring everyone is engaged.
Team Building Games
- Live hosts
- Curated experiences
- Hassle free
- Free Gift card for every participant
Thousands of classes & experiences. As featured in Time Out.
3. Engagement and Fun Factor
People are more likely to bond when they are enjoying themselves. Interactive activities—like a craft cocktail class in a speakeasy in NYC or a magic trick workshop in Houston—can lighten the mood and create shared memories. Avoid overly competitive activities if they could create stress; instead, focus on events that encourage cooperation and camaraderie.
4. Local Flavor
An in-person team-building event can reflect the local flavor of the area where your business is located. Whether you choose a pizza-making course in NYC or a chair stretching session in LA, an in-person team-building activity can be designed to celebrate the culture of your city.
5. Budget and Value
Great experiences don't always have to break the bank. Consider the budget and aim for activities that provide the most value. For example, a Chopped-style competition in NYC or an office paint and sip in Chicago can be affordable but impactful. Compare different options, considering factors like food, transportation, and venue rental costs.
6. Safety and Weather Considerations
If planning an outdoor event, factor in the local climate. LA and Houston can get hot, so morning or evening activities might be better during summer. In cities like NYC and Chicago, have a backup plan in case of rain or snow—indoor activities such as an art workshop or escape room can save the day. Safety is also key; make sure the chosen activity is appropriate and safe for all participants.
Conclusion
The right team-building activity strengthens relationships, encourages teamwork, and aligns with company goals. No matter where your team is located, thoughtful planning makes all the difference. With the right mix of fun, accessibility, and alignment with team objectives, your team will walk away with new bonds and fresh motivation to tackle future challenges together.
Most Popular In-Person Team-Building Events
NYC Pottery Wheel Throwing (Hell's Kitchen)
Learn how to throw clay on the potter's wheel in this NYC workshop.
In this pottery class, you will be shown the basics via a short demonstration of how to make a cup or bowl shape on the pottery wheel. Then, you'll be guided along as you try it yourself. You'll be able to try and try again until you get a piece that you love. Class time includes clean-up. This class includes one fired piece per person to be picked up in one week.
NYC: Craft Cocktail Making Class at a Speakeasy
Cocktails are not only delicious but there is an art to drink-making, and now you can learn how to make craft cocktails from an expert bartender in a chic speakeasy in NYC! If you're looking for ways to destress and unwind after a long week, cocktail making will allow you to be creative, interact with good company, and melt away your worries with a boozy beverage. Instead of grabbing drinks with friends for birthday party ideas or after-work drinks with coworkers, try this cocktail-making class. Whether you're hoping to refine your bartending skills or you're looking for fun things to do in NYC, this cocktail-making class is the perfect hands-on activity where you can learn a new skill in an easy-going and immersive environment.
Paint & Sip Party in NYC (Various Locations)
Unwind with friends at our BYOB Paint & Sip event, where creativity meets fun! Guided by a talented instructor, you’ll paint your own masterpiece while enjoying your favorite beverages in a relaxed, social setting. Perfect for private groups, this event provides all the materials you need and is hosted at various NYC locations, including Midtown, Chelsea, Harlem, and Williamsburg, or at your office. Whether it’s a team-building activity or a casual gathering, it’s a night of art, laughter, and lasting memories!
NYC: Chopped! Competition: Risotto (BYOB)
Get ready for a culinary showdown in NYC's Chopped! Competition: Risotto. Meet at Mulberry Market, form teams, and race against time with mystery ingredients to create a gourmet masterpiece. With hors d'oeuvres and side dishes to round off the meal, it's a delicious challenge you won't want to miss!
NYC: Brick Building Team Challenge
Build unique structures with Legos® to complete a series of both team and individual challenges. May the best build win! Get ready to click those bricks together and make a series of Lego® masterpieces in our wildly popular brick-building challenge! We'll send participants their own Lego® kits so that everyone is on even footing for a series of challenges that put your architectural skills and creativity to the test. Each round will feature prompts that require teams to collaborate and tell a story with their creations, and the winning builds will be chosen by popular vote. There's no better activity to remind your team that everyone is capable of a completely different style of greatness, even when using identical materials! Embrace diversity of thought and outside-the-box thinking with this event that challenges everyone to be their most creative selves.
Dive into the world of cake decorating with our beginner-friendly private workshop. Perfect for those with a passion for baking and a desire to learn the art of cake decoration, or just looking for something fun to do together in a creative environment. During this two-hour session, our experienced instructor will lead you through the fundamental techniques of cake decorating. From crumb coating to creating smooth buttercream finishes, you'll gain hands-on experience and confidence in working with cakes.
Huddle together with a team and complete creative challenges with props provided by CourseHorse! This event is a series of team-based, fun, hands-on, and generally silly competitions that will get your group laughing as they compete for gold.
What your group will do:
- Our facilitator will welcome the group, go over the rules of the game, and start the event with high energy
- Groups will engage in silly challenges such as:Â
- Type-racing
- Family Feud-style challenges
- Racing to build the tallest marshmallow towers
- Playing harmonicas
- Spoon races
- The event will last 60 minutes
NYC: Bake Your Own French Croissant
The Croissant is a beloved classic and French favorite. Warm out of the oven, this pastry is best when flaky on the outside and soft and buttery on the inside, as it seems to melt in your mouth.Â
During this 3-hour session, your group will learn how to prepare traditional Croissants, Pains au Chocolat (croissant with chocolate inside!) and savory ham & cheese croissants.
NYC: Chocolate Truffles (BYOB)
Indulge your sweet tooth in our Chocolate Truffles class, where you'll dive into the world of chocolate couverture and master the art of tempering. Discover the secrets behind the three tempering methods and learn to identify untempered chocolate like a pro. Get hands-on experience with the seeding method, ensuring your chocolates have that perfect snap. You'll even get to craft a chocolate container using a balloon as a mold! With expert guidance, you'll create two delectable types of chocolate treats and delve into the rich flavors of ganache. Whether you're a baking enthusiast or just looking for a fun culinary adventure, this class is sure to satisfy your cravings for these chocolatey delights!
Get ready to roll up your sleeves and join us for an interactive class where you'll learn the art and science of crafting perfect pizzas from scratch. From mastering the dough to selecting fresh toppings, this hands-on experience will equip you with the skills to create mouthwatering homemade pizzas tailored to your tastes. Whether you crave classic Margheritas or gourmet creations, this class guarantees to elevate your pizza-making game and satisfy your culinary cravings.
Participate in an exciting game of trivia. Topics include music, movies, history, ice cream flavors, pop culture, sports, global cuisine, dog breeds, and many other surprises. Through four varying rounds of play, participants will laugh and compete fiercely with other teams in a format that emulates the bar trivia events we've all come to know and love. In our Private Trivia, we'll divide your group into teams and confront them with a mixed bag of seasonal trivia that requires the breadth of knowledge only a team could summon. Our trivia style changes every round, so your team will need their ears, their eyes, and maybe even their dancing shoes to make it through. Get ready to flex those fun facts and face off in a friendly competition that will engage the most trivial corners of your colleagues' minds!
Incorporating elements of Gyrotonics, yoga, and dance technique, performed seated on a chair or stool, this class will help students mobilize the spine, improve posture, engage the core, and relieve tension throughout the body. This 30-minute low-impact class is safe and suitable for movers of all levels. You'll also learn simple and effective exercises to sprinkle into your workday, keeping your body in tune while counteracting the common "tech neck" and "office slump."
LA: White Elephant Team Gift Experience
Get into the holiday spirit with a lively gift exchange where quirky surprises await! Unwrap and steal gifts in a fun trivia contest, and each participant will leave with a unique gift mailed directly to their doorstep!
Learn and apply simple pottery hand-building techniques to create a planter or candleholder. We use air-dry clay, so participants do not need a kiln. This workshop is perfect for a group that likes to be hands-on and is a great way to learn fascinating skills in an interactive, social, and creative environment. Absolute beginners are welcome!
Build a beautiful terrarium with your group and learn about feng shui! The terrarium can be displayed on a shelf or table, or even made into a creative hanging display. Our Terrarium Workshop is a fun and peaceful way for your team to connect and add some greenery to their spaces. We'll supply everything each team member needs to create a peaceful glass-encased terrarium that can be easily displayed by hanging or placing it on a shelf, table, or near their workspace! Our instructor will guide your team members through the assembly of their terraria based on the principles of feng shui, a Chinese practice of arrangement and organization that creates balance and harmony with nature to bring good luck, prosperity, and health. We'll seek those values through the arrangement of succulents, moss, rocks, and soil, leaving each participant with a personal oasis.
Make 3 different drinks while learning about the fundamental elements that make cocktails great! You'll first learn a bit of mixology history, bar tools (and substitutions), and key skills. Then you'll move on to how to master three craft cocktails:Â
- Good Afternoon—Spirit of Choice, Seasonal Syrup, Citrus, Dehydrated Lemon
- Awesome Sauce—Spirit of Choice, Seasonal Syrup, Citrus, Orange Liqueur, Dehydrated Lemon, Dried Flowers
- Huzzah!—Spirit of Choice, Seasonal Syrup, Citrus, Ginger Beer, Dehydrated Lemon, Umbrella, Glitter, Glow Stick
Mocktail options available on request.
LA: Terrarium Making at Your Office
Join our Terrarium Workshop to build beautiful glass-encased terrariums based on Feng Shui principles. This unique team building experience will add greenery to your spaces and create a peaceful and harmonious atmosphere to bring good luck, prosperity, and health to your office.
Unwind and unleash your creativity with our Office Paint & Sip event in LA! Enjoy a relaxing evening of painting guided by a professional artist while sipping on wine and bonding with your teammates. Choose a beautiful image to create from our catalogue or share your own, and leave with a stunning piece of art to commemorate the fun!
Join us for a refreshing Terrarium & Sip Party, where you'll craft beautiful terrariums while sipping on your favorite beverages! Guided by our engaging instructor, you'll learn about feng shui as you assemble your glass-encased creations using succulents, moss, and decorative rocks, all while enjoying a fun and relaxing atmosphere. Connect with your team and leave with a personal oasis that adds greenery and harmony to your space!
Indulge in the art of chocolate with our LA: Truffle Making event! In just one hour, your team will learn to create velvety ganache, roll hand-crafted truffles, and top them with an assortment of delicious flavors. Led by a professional chef, this interactive experience will leave you with gourmet treats that are too tempting to last!
Experience a 30-minute, low-impact class combining gyrotonics, yoga, and dance techniques to help you relieve tension, improve posture, and engage your core—all while seated. Safe for all levels, this session offers easy-to-follow exercises to beat "tech neck" and "office slump" throughout your workday!
Chicago: White Elephant Team Gift Experience
Get ready to celebrate the holidays with a gift-giving game that will bring your team together. Unwrap quirky gifts, engage in a fun holiday trivia contest, and leave the event with a gift for each participant.
Get your hands dirty and unleash your creativity in this Chicago clay hand-building workshop! Learn simple pottery techniques to craft a unique planter or candleholder using eco-friendly air-dry clay—no kiln needed. Perfect for absolute beginners and hands-on groups, you'll enjoy a fun, social, and artistic experience led by a professional artist.
Connect with your team through the tranquil art of terrarium building and feng shui principles. Create a harmonious oasis together with succulents, moss, and crystals, fostering team unity and balance.
Make 3 different drinks while learning about the fundamental elements that make cocktails great! You'll first learn a bit of mixology history, bar tools (and substitutions), and key skills. Then you'll move on to how to master three craft cocktails:Â
- Good Afternoon—Spirit of Choice, Seasonal Syrup, Citrus, Dehydrated Lemon
- Awesome Sauce—Spirit of Choice, Seasonal Syrup, Citrus, Orange Liqueur, Dehydrated Lemon, Dried Flowers
- Huzzah!—Spirit of Choice, Seasonal Syrup, Citrus, Ginger Beer, Dehydrated Lemon, Umbrella, Glitter, Glow Stick
Mocktail options available on request.
Relax and create together with our classic Paint & Sip event! Everyone will receive wine and an acrylic painting kit, learn the techniques to paint a beautiful image of your choosing, and then toast to a fun and relaxing event! It's easy, fun, and totally stress-free. This activity is designed for beginners and has something for all skill levels.
Chicago: Terrarium & Sip Party
Join us for a relaxing Terrarium & Sip Party, where you and your team will create beautiful terrariums while exploring the principles of feng shui! Guided by an engaging instructor, you'll assemble your personal glass-encased oasis using succulents, moss, and decorative rocks, all while enjoying a fun and peaceful atmosphere. Leave with a stunning piece of greenery that adds harmony and good vibes to any space!
Chicago: Secret Santa Gift Exchange
Join our exciting Secret Santa Gift Exchange, the perfect way to spread holiday cheer and foster camaraderie within your team or group! Participants will be randomly assigned a gift recipient and given opportunities to personalize their presents. You'll exchange gifts, share reactions, and learn new things about each other along the way. Ideal for corporate team building or private gatherings, this interactive experience ensures fun and connection, no matter where you are. With professional facilitation, our event promises seamless organization and memorable moments. Don't miss out on this delightful opportunity to bond and celebrate together!
Chicago: Brick Building Team Challenge
Build unique structures with Legos® to complete a series of both team and individual challenges. May the best build win! Get ready to click those bricks together and make a series of Lego® masterpieces in our wildly popular brick-building challenge! We'll send participants their own Lego® kits so that everyone is on even footing for a series of challenges that put your architectural skills and creativity to the test. Each round will feature prompts that require teams to collaborate and tell a story with their creations, and the winning builds will be chosen by popular vote. There's no better activity to remind your team that everyone is capable of a completely different style of greatness, even when using identical materials! Embrace diversity of thought and outside-the-box thinking with this event that challenges everyone to be their most creative selves.
Chicago: Gingerbread House Holiday Party
Celebrate the holiday season with a fun and festive gingerbread house-building party in Chicago! Each participant will receive a gingerbread kit and, with classic holiday tunes in the background, you’ll craft your own sweet architectural masterpiece. Join in the holiday cheer with team games and a show-and-tell of your gingerbread creations, all led by a lively event host!
Join us for a 30-minute, low-impact class that blends gyrotonics, yoga, and dance techniques to help you mobilize your spine, improve posture, and release tension—all while seated. Perfect for all levels, this session offers easy exercises to combat "tech neck" and "office slump" throughout your day!
Houston: White Elephant Team Gift Experience
Get ready to spread some holiday cheer! Join our lively facilitator for a festive gift exchange filled with quirky surprises, where you’ll unwrap and steal gifts through a fun holiday trivia challenge. By the end of the event, each participant will walk away with a delightful gift mailed directly to their doorstep, making it the perfect way to celebrate the season together!
Join us in Houston for a fun and creative Clay Hand Building workshop! You'll learn simple pottery techniques to craft your own planter or candleholder using eco-friendly air-dry clay—no kiln needed. Perfect for beginners, this interactive session is led by a professional artist and offers a relaxed, social environment.
Master the craft of cocktail-making in this mixology workshop, where you'll create three unique drinks while learning essential skills and the history behind mixology. With your spirit of choice and seasonal ingredients, you’ll shake up creative cocktails complete with fun garnishes like glitter and glow sticks. By the end, you’ll be the star of your own home bar!
Join us in Houston for an engaging Terrarium Making workshop, where you’ll create stunning glass-encased gardens while learning the art of feng shui! Guided by our expert instructor, you and your team will assemble your unique terrariums using succulents, moss, and decorative rocks, fostering creativity and connection. Leave with your own personal oasis, perfect for brightening any space!
Houston: Terrarium & Sip Party
Join us for the Houston: Terrarium & Sip Party, where you’ll craft your own stunning terrarium while sipping drinks and learning the art of feng shui to create a harmonious and balanced space! Connect with your team in this peaceful workshop as you design a beautiful glass-encased oasis filled with succulents, moss, and more, perfect for brightening up any shelf or table!
Unwind and get creative with our Office Paint & Sip event in Houston! Enjoy a fun-filled evening of painting while sipping on wine, as a professional artist guides you through creating a beautiful masterpiece of your choice. Perfect for all skill levels, it’s a stress-free way to bond with colleagues and leave with a piece of art that captures the moment!
Unlock the secrets of close-up magic and amaze your friends and family with your newfound skills. Join our private workshop led by a professional magician and learn tricks like pen through bill, $1 to $100 transformation, mind reading, and more for an unforgettable team building experience.
Houston: Brick Building Team Challenge
Rediscover the joy of teamwork as your group dives into hands-on Lego®-building challenges, competing to construct innovative structures. Participants will not only strengthen their teamwork skills but also engage in friendly competition, presenting their creations for judgment and voting in this professionally facilitated, interactive event.
Engage your team in a sixty-minute extravaganza covering diverse topics from music and movies to global cuisine and dog breeds. Divided into teams, participants will navigate four rounds of dynamic trivia, testing their knowledge in a fun and spirited competition that promises laughter and camaraderie.