02 June 2021

14 Enjoyable Unusual Team Building Activities For Employees

If you’re on the hunt for some unusual team building activities, then you’ve landed on the right page! Examples of unusual team building activities are a dragons den, circus classes, camping, office olympics and more! In this article, we’re going to guide you through more unusual team building activities we’ve seen at our conference venue in Milton Keynes. 

Team building activities are often, let’s face it, a little bit cringe-worthy. If executed poorly, you could run the risk of feeling like even less of a team than when you started!  Luckily, you’re now armed with our list of unusual team building activities, guaranteed to increase workplace morale, build trust and create good company culture as well as ensure that everyone has a great time. 

It turns out there really is a limit to how many times you can play Two Truths and a Lie before you: a) completely lose interest, or b) know more about your coworkers than you ever thought necessary! With our ultimate list of recommendations, you’ll be having a great time with the people you work with in no time!

Before we get started on our list of fun team building exercises, we thought you’d like to know some cool and wonderful facts about how team building can help the workplace: 

• Socialising between team members improves communication patterns more than 50%
• Being familiar with your team improves your performance over time
• Team performance is best among teams that communicate informal situations
• When employees feel their opinions count, companies could benefit from a 27% decrease in turnover rate, 40% decrease in safety incidents and 12% increase in productivity

Statistics cited from teambuilding.com. 

With the above facts in mind, you are probably eager to learn the most unusual fun team building exercises your team will be buzzing about.

Top 14 Unusual Team Building Activities You’ll Love

So, here are our top 14 unusual team building activities that the whole team will love!

To make this article a bit easier to browse, we have split our unusual team building activities into three groups:

• Small Fun Activities for Employees
• Outdoor Team Building Activities
• Best Fun Team Building Exercises

This way you can jump straight to the section that best fits your agenda!

Small Fun Activities for Employees

Small Team Building Activities #1: Board Game Tournament

Our first small fun activity for employees is of course, a riveting board game tournament! 

Nothing brings a team closer together than a bit of friendly competition. That’s why this is one of our favourite unusual team building activities. Whether you’re high-brow chess experts, or you put the “mono” in Monopoly, raising the stakes when it comes to board games is a great way to bond with your coworkers… and maybe get them to show their true colours! 

These great office games for team building could even happen in one of your conference rooms, so everyone can take it in turns to play for either 30 minutes or before a set time runs out, before returning to work.

Turn this into an all-day event, splash out on a grand prize and watch your team derive into madness! Don’t forget to create a very public scoreboard for the ultimate contest. 

If you’re wanting to get really personal, consider some lighthearted office trivia to really test how well everyone knows each other!

Small Group Team Building Activities #2:  Dragon’s Den 

Prepare to be creative and inventive with this unusual team-building activity! 

Group into two teams or small groups, and together, create the perfect pitch for your brand new idea. Sure, it might not make you millions of pounds in reality, but persuading those around you to work together to present your idea is guaranteed to bring you a lot of laughs- if nothing else!

Once again, we recommend providing your teams with some sort of incentive: a grand prize, a paid meal out, maybe even a day off of work for every winning team member! Whatever you choose, it’s a surefire way to connect with your team and get your team members thinking efficiently and smartly. 

This small group team building activity not only improves your employee’s communication skills but also takes a lot of energy. And office supplies: make sure to stock up on pens, pieces of paper, and plenty of sticky notes!

Small Team Building Activities #3: Office Olympics

This is one of our favourite small fun activities for employees! If you are an avid The Office US fan, you’ll know exactly what we’re talking about. The Office Olympics episode is an iconic episode that is loved by many!

Get adventurous and creative with a random object in the office. If you need some extra inspiration, then it’s the perfect excuse to rewatch the episode. 

Everyone loves unusual team building activities and if you have a larger team, why not join us at Kents Hill Park for an epic sports day? We have tonnes of space for team building activities such as dodgeball, badminton, tennis and we can even provide you with a sports day package. We have a sports hall available for hire along with a Nuffield Health Leisure Centre.

We can provide you with everything you need for a jam-packed, super-fun office Olympics! Simply get in touch with our team and they’ll help you with a quote and package. 

Small Group Team Building Activities #4: Become Master Chocolatiers For A Day

The art of chocolate making is one to be admired: from the delicate handling of incredibly thin chocolate to the remarkable restraint of the chocolatier to not just gobble up the chocolate from the very start! In real life, it’s a craft that takes years and years of practice to perfect and requires an insane amount of willpower and dedication.

However, with businesses like MyChocolate and Chocolate Craft, you and your team can become master chocolatiers with just one class! Create your sugary masterpiece, have a bit of a laugh with your team, and (most importantly!) devour your delicious dessert with pride. You’ve definitely earned it!

This is a unique and unusual team building activity that is for the ones with a sweet tooth! 

Small Group Team Building Activities #5: Yoga Classes

Yoga is an unusual team-building activity that delivers both enjoyment and mindfulness. Whether conducted in-person or virtually, it’s a versatile and distinctive approach with numerous benefits. 

Incorporating this team building activity for small groups into the workplace promotes the well-being and health of employees while also strengthening team relationships. It has the potential to lower stress levels and enhance flexibility. Through this activity, team members invest in their physical and mental health collectively, fostering a sense of unity and shared experience that contributes to improved teamwork and camaraderie.

Outdoor Team Building Activities

When on the hunt for unusual team building activities in the warmer seasons, then you’ll love our favourite outdoor team building activities! 

Outdoor Team Building #6: Host A Summer BBQ

Ok, so not necessarily an unusual team building activity BUT, it is unusual for the sun to be shining in the UK, right? A tasty BBQ is something that the whole team will enjoy as an outdoor team building activity and it will promote socialising between employees.

The sun shining in the UK is nothing short of a miracle, so why not seize the day and soak up those rays? “Carpe Diem” and what not! Not only does this allow your team to escape the office for the day, but it’s actually proven that sunlight has plenty of positive effects on the human body both physically and mentally! 

A happier and healthier team makes for increased efficiency and productivity, so take to your local park, flip a few burgers and crack open a couple of beers: Summer is officially here! 

And besides, even if the weather takes a drastic turn, it’ll still make for a hilarious story for years to come. This is fun team building exercise for large groups and really takes team bonding to the next level.

Outdoor Team Building #7: Outdoor Activity Day

On a calm, hot summer day the world is your oyster when it comes to outdoor team building. There are a wealth of outdoor adventure sports to choose from that the whole team will enjoy.

For the daredevils, Go Ape is a treetop experience like no other. High ropes, zip lines and plummets, this is not an activity for the faint hearted. 

Go Ape has locations all over the UK, so you will be able to find one close to the office. As this is a treetop adventure, we advise to avoid this course if heights isn’t your thing. However, they do offer segway experiences for those who would rather opt for a more tame outdoor team building activity. 

Outdoor Team Building Games #8: Water Sports!

It’s time to get wet ‘n’ wild! Water sports are great outdoor team building games that will promote teamwork, whilst giving your employees a fun day out at the same time. 

Wakeboarding, waterskiing, paddleboarding, kayaking. The choices are endless! 

We recommend taking your team to a lake that offers water sports at an affordable price. You’ll be able to hire out all the equipment you need, so no need to worry about having to invest in all the right kits! 

For an outdoor team building activity, we recommend paddleboarding! It is suitable for all athletic levels and you can opt to sit on the board or stand. 

If you are after something a bit more adventurous, then waterskiing and wakeboarding is the best bet for fun games for your group members.

Outdoor Team Building Events #9: Aqua Parks

Becoming ever so popular over the last few years, Aqua Parks are a wonderful and unusual team building activity. 

The largest Aqua Park is based in the New Forest and you won’t be disappointed! Consisting of trampolines, monkey bars, flippers, slides, hurdles, springboard rockers, an overhang climbing wall, swings and rollers, this is something that will definitely get your team moving. 

To make it competitive, why not have races? The winner can get an extra days holiday, meal vouchers or a nice bottle of bubbly! 

Outdoor Team Building Events #10: Camping

Camping is an unusual team-building activity that exposes participants to survival techniques. This experience takes them out of their comfort zones into unfamiliar surroundings, where they must apply practical skills to thrive like finding food, creating shelter, and staying warm.

This unusual team-building activity not only strengthens practical skills but also enhances communication, cooperation, and adaptability within the team, making it a valuable and distinctive tool for team development.

Best Unusual Team Building Activities

We’ve listed a fair few activities to get stuck into, but what are our absolute favourite and the very best unusual team building activities? Here are our 4 best team building activity ideas:

Best Unusual Team Building Activities #11: Do It Like Bear Grylls

This team-building experience might not be for everyone, but for those in the office who like to live life on the wild side, taking part in a survival skills class is guaranteed to get your heart racing! By taking part in a Bear Grylls’ Survival Academy team building event, you can learn all the very best tips and tricks, passed down from the master himself. 

At the end of the day, this activity is focused on having a joke around with your coworkers and (maybe!) learning a thing or two along the way. Even if you don’t learn anything about surviving in the wild, we’re sure you’ll have a great time learning a little bit more about your team. Get ready to feel connected…but also, maybe a little scared! The better performance a team gives, the more their problem-solving skills are bound to improve.

This unique team bonding experience will promote communication, time management and problem-solving skills. 

Unusual Team Building Ideas #12: Circus Classes

Unusual team building activities should be, well, unusual, right? And what is more fun, quirky and unique than a circus class? Aerial, silks, hoop. Whatever tickles your fancy we are sure that this is a team bonding exercise that the whole team will enjoy. 

The great thing about circus classes is that there is such a wide variety of activities for the team to try and it will also promote communication skills which is a bonus! 

Unusual Team Building Ideas #13: Paintballing

Maybe not super unusual, but paintballing will always be a fun activity. This is a perfect way to get your team working together and competing. 

Offer prices to the winning team and try not to get too many bruises! With 100’s of paintballing locations around the UK, you won’t be stuck for destinations. 

Kit up in camouflage, get your paint guns to the ready and go nuts. This is an activity that everyone can get into and will build suspense. 

Depending on where you choose to go, courses offer different themes. On your paintballing journey, you might come across an aeroplane wreck or an abandoned castle! 

Unusual Team Building Ideas #14: Go Karting

Another unusual team building idea that is suited for everyone. Go Karting is a great activity and what’s more, is that there are indoor and outdoor courses available. 

Get your employees to race against each other and have some fun! Go Karting is a great activity and is one of our favourite things to do with team members. 

Book in a day at the tracks with your team. Some Go Karting venus offer packages for corporate events, so you will definitely find an affordable price.

FAQs Unusual Team Building Activities 

What are Some Unusual Team Building Ideas?

Some unusual team building ideas are:

1. Board Game Tournament
2. Dragon’s Den
3. Office Olympics
4. Master Chocolatiers
5. Yoga Classes
6. Host a Summer BBQ
7. Outdoor Activity Day
8. Water Sports!
9. Aqua Parks
10. Camping
11. Do It Like Bear Grylls
12. Circus Classes
13. Paintballing
14. Go Karting

How Do You Plan Unusual Team Building Activities?

To plan unusual team building activities for your upcoming event, use the checklist below.

• Establish the schedule
• Craft a list of tasks
• Involve your team members
• Define your objectives
• Make a list of participants 
• Set a budget
• Choose the event’s date and time

What are the Benefits of Engaging in Unusual Team Building Activities?

There are many benefits to engaging in unusual team building activities, such as improved communication, mental health, productivity, motivation, confidence levels, creativity and morale. Unusual team building activities inject fresh energy into teams, fostering better collaboration and overall team dynamics.

Unusual Team Building Activities Conclusion

What unusual team-building exercise most caught your eye? Do you fancy yourself the next Duncan Valentine when it comes to the world of business? Or would you prefer to kick back, catch some rays, and bask in the sunshine with your team? 

Whatever route you decide to take, we hope our list gives you the inspiration and confidence to ever throw the best team building event!

We hope you have enjoyed this article on unusual and fun team building exercises and are well equipped in planning your next event. 

As a quick recap, we split our unusual team building activities into three sections; Small fun activities for employees, Outdoor team building activities and Best unusual team building activities. 

Here is the full list of our favourite 14 unusual team building activities to play with your employees:

1. Board Game Tournament
2. Dragon’s Den
3. Office Olympics
4. Master Chocolatiers
5. Yoga Classes
6. Host a Summer BBQ
7. Outdoor Activity Day
8. Water Sports!
9. Aqua Parks
10. Camping
11. Do It Like Bear Grylls
12. Circus Classes
13. Paintballing
14. Go Karting

Do you have any other unusual team building activities you’ve tried? If so, leave a comment and let us know.

If you’re looking for somewhere to host your next team building event, conference or training day, then look no further than Kents Hill Park. 

Based in Milton Keynes, Kents Hill Park has a variety of meeting rooms and conference spaces that can be tailored to best suit your individual needs. 

With a free, high-speed internet connection, an array of dining options, and even space for virtual meetings, Kents Hill Park is a fantastic choice for any event. 

You can read more from our blog below: 

• Hybrid events, what is a hybrid event?
• Top 5 creative corporate event ideas
• 5 ‘Cool’ ice breakers for virtual meetings
• Benefits of serviced offices