40 best team building activities and group events in NYC

Invite your team to a relaxing, crafty experience with a terrific – and potentially quite useful – end reward. Candle making is fun and relaxing, and we reckon the myriad variations of fragrance, color, botanicals, and additives will get your creativity flowing. Your team will get to learn a new skill and strengthen bonds while they are gently focused on this simple but really quite compelling process. And you never know, it might even enrich the lives of your team with the beginnings of a new hobby. Just think how much they’ll love you for thinking of this workshop? 

We're not saying you’re going to turn into Michelangelo and carve your own ‘David’, but the art of stone carving can totally unleash your creativity. Or it can just be a lot of fun hitting some rock with a chisel. Enjoy this satisfaction knowing that you might create your very own masterpiece, all the while building a stronger team in the process – quite literally, even. You’ll delve into the nuances of proper tool usage and techniques to bring your visions to life, and hopefully get a newfound appreciation for this timeless craft. Just watch those flying shards. Goggles on, please.

Who doesn’t want their own private garden they can carry around with them? A terrarium is a little pocket of nature that can sit on your desk and thrive with relatively minimal upkeep, boosting your mood and relaxation. In this workshop you’ll step into the captivating world of terrarium crafting, where you'll learn the art of creating and maintaining your very own horticultural masterpiece. You’ll be taught the essentials of terrarium design, from selecting the perfect container to choosing the right plants and creating a balanced environment. You'll gain valuable insights into plant care and soil composition, as well as an understanding of the decorative elements that will bring your terrarium to life. And when you leave? You head off with a beautifully crafted terrarium that's not only a stunning piece of natural art but also a living, self-contained ecosystem.

The art of embroidery is a practice that’s becoming more and more popular these days. Why? Well, not only do you get the joy of seeing a pattern appear beneath the stitch, it's also a very decent path to mindfulness and calm. In this fun and relaxing class, you'll learn the basics of hand embroidery. You’ll then get to hang your masterpiece on your wall or stitch on totes, pillows, or one-of-a-kind tees that will showcase your newfound skills. Your team will learn how to prepare the hoop and fabric and create the six most commonly used embroidery stitches. You don’t need to have previous skills; you’ll receive everything you need to create your project together. 

Get ready for a one-of-a-kind team-building extravaganza with this ‘Drink & Sculpt BYOB’ workshop. Led by an entertaining instructor, you and your team mold lifelike sculptures while enjoying your favorite beverages. You’ll be able to request a male or female model as your muse, and by the end of the session, you'll have a unique piece of art to proudly (or not-so-proudly) display at home. Just give your partner a heads-up before displaying it on the mantelpiece. 

Picture this: your late relative, Clyde Hamilton, struck gold and left behind a hefty fortune hidden in his cabin (we can dream right?). In this escape room challenge, you'll have just 60 minutes to crack into Clyde's cabin and snatch the gold before the news spreads like wildfire in the town. Your team will need to utilize their quick thinking and problem-solving skills, all while building essential teamwork qualities like collaboration, communication, and decision-making. It's the perfect blend of fun and skill-building, and who knows, you might just strike gold in the process.

Unleash your inner child at this "Brick Building Team Challenge" – it's basically like playing with Legos, but for grown-ups. Armed with your personalized kits, you and your team will tackle a series of fun tasks that not only test your building skills but also let your imagination run wild with storytelling. The coolest part? Even though each person gets their own Lego® kit, you’ll have full reign to make final creations that are as unique as you like. Oh, and the winning pieces will be picked by popular vote so your competitive side will definitely be unleashed (whether that’s a good or bad thing, we’ll let you decide).

There is nothing like a little friendly competition to get your team members invested in a group exercise. In a team building game show, you’ll have the chance to play one or more different games modeled after well-known formats, such as Feud Frenzy, Name that Price or Pictionary. These games are rapid fire, exciting experiences that will have your team members thoroughly engaged as they compete to establish who are the true game show masters,

Huddle up and enjoy a series of team-based, hands-on, and generally silly competitions that will have your group laughing as they compete for gold. In this high-energy, low-stakes romp, you’ll engage in wacky challenges like type-racing, Family Feud-style showdowns, racing to build the tallest marshmallow towers, creating balloon animals, playing harmonicas, and even partaking in spoon races. The list goes on. Form your team, whip out your best pep talk, and tackle these creative challenges with all props provided. Just don’t get too feisty; we don’t want HR to be involved.

Have your team members pump each other up and shout “good answer,” in this fun and exciting team building event based on the classic game show format. A professional host will handle all of the behind-the-scenes work, so you just need your team members to show up and be ready to start playing. Teams can shift as multiple rounds are played and there are lightning rounds that will make the fast-paced game even more exhilarating.

Christmas and gingerbread houses – a festive duo that's pretty hard to resist. Now, picture your whole office getting in on the fun with an in-person gingerbread house-making party. You'll have a host at your office guiding the festivities as you craft these delightful treats with icing, assorted candies, candy canes, and sprinkles – all conveniently shipped directly to you. Once your masterpieces are complete, the host will lead a show-and-tell segment, giving everyone the chance to proudly display their delicious creations. Oh, and, you’ll have a pretty delicious post-work snack.

If gingerbread isn't your thing (those dietary restrictions can be a pain in the arse), a wreath-making event offers a great alternative for your team to get creative during the holiday season. In this private 90-minute session, a professional artist will guide you through the process of crafting a custom wreath that's just perfect for jazzing up your doors, mantles, or even your Zoom backdrop (because why not?). Just like the gingerbread event, all the materials will be shipped to your location, including a 10-inch grapevine wreath, up to three kinds of assorted greenery, pinecones, and sprigs of pepper berries. Talk about decking the halls.

This holiday cookie decorating class is the festive bonding activity you didn’t know you needed (but trust us, you do). During this event, you’ll be joined by a pro chef to learn how to turn plain sugar cookies into holiday masterpieces that are more like edible ornaments. The host will spill the beans on icing tricks, flooding, and even writing on your cookie canvas. 

Looking to take your team building game to the next level? Book onto a group food tour in the Big Apple. Led by an expert guide, you’ll experience the distinct flavors that put this city's food scene on the global map – from bagels to hot dogs. So whether you're on a mission for the perfect pizza slice, craving some sweet treats with a chocolate tasting, or in the mood for a boozy adventure, these tours have a little something for everyone. It's all about good vibes, great food, and bonding over the best bites NYC has to offer.

While it’s tempting to skip down to your local coffee spot when you’re in want of that doughy, buttery, goodness laminated to perfection by the pastry gods, nothing hits quite like a freshly home-baked croissant. Trust us. If you’re up for the challenge, this three-hour master class in East Village is your golden ticket to flakey success. Led by a pro baker, you and fellow novices will learn the ropes of prepping a traditional croissant, pain au chocolat, and what’s soon to be your new go-to snack: the ham and cheese croissant. Once all your hard work is over, you’ll get to take home a whole batch of baked goods to enjoy.

Treat your team members to a sweet and sugary cooking event in this hands-on cookie making course. In this event, everyone on your team will have the chance to prepare their own plate of cookies, be they macadamia and matcha-infused nut cookies or traditional (and simple) chocolate chip cookies. Everyone will leave the event with their own cookies to share and enjoy (and make again in their kitchens, if they so choose). Plus, the event is BYOB, so everyone can bring a favorite wine or beer to share (and a wine package is available for the event, if you want the hosts to handle that part of the process).

From Indian matar paneer to Persian lentil stew, learn how to throw down in the kitchen with this SoHo-based masterclass in cooking some of the most delicious and aromatic vegetarian dishes across the globe. You know the deal by now, it’s another three-hour group session of hands-on cooking led by a pro who will guide you through each step from prep to bowl. Yum.

Want to switch up your usual outing with the gang? Swap the bar scene for something a little more intimate like this Wine Tasting 101 in Hell’s Kitchen. Sip and savor the evening with friends and a selection of six delicious wines including, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Rosé, Pinot Noir, Merlot and a mystery red carefully picked out by an expert sommelier. In two hours or under you’ll become an expert in flavor profiling, wine regions, pinning down the characteristics of different grapes, and more. By the end, you’ll be well on your way to becoming an aficionado. If that’s not adulting in style, then we don’t know what is…

You know, popping one in your mouth is only half the pleasure. Making macarons from scratch gives you double the satisfaction. So why not make it a group effort and gather your work fam to assemble – and indeed eat – these wonderfully intricate delicacies in this fun, team building workshop? Since they require a bit of technique, you’ll have an expert in the field to guide you along. The icing on top, or indeed in the middle is admiring (and eating) your handiwork at the end.

Oreo Old Fashioned anyone? Get the team building underway with a little boozy sweet treat. Yep – nothing breaks the ice like this temptingly good ice-cream cocktail-making workshop in Brooklyn. Take your pick from flavor combos like whisky and salted caramel, a cake batter Vodka Martini, and non-alcoholic options too, like peanut butter cup. Whatever your scoop, this all-round fun team builder is sure to bring out a sweet tooth in every member of your team.

Help your team perform at their peak at the wave of a wand, with this professional magician 90-minute workshop. You’ll get the inside spiel from a real magician when it comes to close-up magic, so you can turn your next team-debrief into a spectacle. We’re talking the pen through bill and $1 to $100 kind. Hey – If you play your cards right, that second one is sure to keep finance off your case.

Learn the joys of knitting and rope your co-workers in too for some good old bonding with this fun knitting workshop hosted at your office. During the class, you’ll discover all the basic techniques you need to get started, like creating a slip knot, casting on, the knit stitch, and the purl stitch. Once you’ve got that down, you’ll be ready to make your very own coasters which you can keep or gift as the perfect stocking filler. 

Create your very own resin art piece in this in-office Resin workshop led by an expert instructor. From mixing and pouring to creating cool patterns and textures using pigments and florals, you’ll be well on your way to your very own abstract, sticky masterpiece. With all the tools thrown in, this workshop is a great canvas for convos, a creative release, and an all-round good time. Just a heads up though, resin and epoxy stains will quickly become the bane of your life, so it’s best to leave the white shirt at home. 

If you are located in NYC, but your team members aren’t (or you’d just prefer to let everyone participate from home), you can consider signing up for a virtual team building event. These events are an excellent way for remote teams, hybrid teams (some in-person, some remote), or teams that work in office sometimes to come together and enjoy a fun evening together. With options ranging from virtual escape rooms and trivia nights to at-home versions of cooking and art classes, as well as a range of options for Holiday parties, you’ll be sure to find the right event to bring your team together (even if only virtually).

Nothing is sure to add a spark to your team building events like a bit of competitive fun as your team members vie for the right to call themselves the best amongst their colleagues. These games, which can range from trivia to pictionary to something like a competitive virtual escape room (in which teams compete to finish the escape as quickly as possible), are fun and accessible ways for your team members to get to know one another better and enjoy an evening in one another’s company.

If you're in the market for a unique team building activity that virtually everyone can enjoy, consider this sneaker painting program. A skilled art instructor will bring all of the necessary supplies to your office and they’ll guide everyone through the process of making customized, personalized slip-on sneakers that your team members will be able to take home with them once the event is done. All of the supplies your team members will need, including properly sized sneakers, are provided and brought right to your team.

Another unique and exciting artistic team building event, this terrarium building workshop will see your team members creating living works of art while enjoying the company of their team members (and a few drinks if they so choose). Everything you need, including the actual terrariums and collection of varied mosses and succulents will be brought directly to your office for your team members to utilize during the event and you can even add on a wine package so that everyone can enjoy the sipping component of the terrarium & sip party.

Georgia O’Keeffe is one of America’s most famous and renowned painters and her style is instantly recognizable even to those who aren’t particularly deep into the world of art. In this course, everyone will receive the paint and supplies they need to start creating their own recreations of some of the most famous landscape and still-life paintings in O’Keeffes’s catalog. A skilled instructor will guide your team members through the painting process and will ensure that everyone has a chance to bring a painting home with them to put on display.

Embroidery is a popular hobby that has gained a large following in recent years, in part because it is fun and creative and in part because it is relatively low investment and a good way to keep yourself busy while doing other tasks. In an embroidery workshop, your team members will get all of the supplies and guidance they need to start working on personal embroidery projects ranging from artistic designs to clothing alteration.

If you are looking to host a team event at your office, you can’t go wrong with an arts & crafts event, since there are so many to choose from and they are all enjoyable, hands-on activities. These classes can range from simple activities like drawing, painting or even hand-sculpting (which are perfect to pair with some wine for a fun art and sip event) to unique options like sneaker painting, terrarium making or candle making. No matter what kind of class you choose, it will be run by an experienced instructor and all of the materials your team members need will be brought to your office, ensuring that everyone who wants to participate can do so.

A team building event is a wonderful way for coworkers to strengthen their bonds, improve communication, and boost morale in the workplace. Since there are plenty of options available for teams in New York City, it helps to spend some time reflecting on your team’s unique goals and interests before deciding on a specific activity for everyone to participate in. Teams that need a relaxing break from a stressful season might benefit from a more meditative activity, like arts and crafts or candle making, while teams looking to laugh and get to know each other better would enjoy a more lively activity like an escape room or a trivia game. You’ll also want to consider more practical and logistical factors, like location, cost, and length of the activity. Ultimately, the best team building event encourages participation from all team members and helps bring your group closer together.

Types of team building activities

A cooking or baking class is an excellent way to encourage collaboration amongst team members, especially if you’re all making an item that most people have never made before, like the Bake Your Own French Croissant workshop. Getting messy and creative in the kitchen breeds a lot of laughter and conversation. It allows people to work together as they figure out the best method for anything from dicing vegetables to folding cake batter. Events like Spanish Tapas or Sushi and Dumplings also provide opportunities to learn more about other cultures, encouraging more diversity and acceptance in the workplace.

There are also mixology classes and wine tasting events that would be a unique and relaxing team building event as long as everyone in your group is over 21. To make these activities more inclusive for those who don’t drink alcohol, you can inquire about customizing the event to include mocktails. If you’d prefer to do a wine tasting, perhaps an event that offers additional activities besides drinking wine, like Mozzarella Making & Wine with Murray’s Cheese, would be a good fit and ensure everyone can learn and enjoy the activity even if they choose not to drink.

Similar to a cooking class, an arts and crafts event also provides a relaxing environment for teams needing to unwind and take a break from the daily grind of the workplace. Activities like creating your own terrarium or shaping clay on a pottery wheel are meditative and allow each team member to connect with their creativity. These events can also help team members build confidence, which can translate into confidence in the workplace. As they watch their work take shape before their eyes, they have a tangible item to be proud of and show off to others.

A more competitive activity is another fun option to help strengthen the relationships between teammates. Things like Office Olympics or an escape room require a lot of different skills to be successful, allowing ample opportunities for every employee to shine and show off their unique skills. These events also encourage everyone to practice collaborative communication, which can lead to improved teamwork in the office. There are also virtual escape rooms if your team is more spread out, but you still want to give everyone the chance to participate.

If you’re looking to celebrate the holidays with a team building activity, there are several to choose from in this category as well. Combining a holiday party with a team building event could be a practical way to save money since you don’t have to schedule multiple events throughout the year. Holiday events like a White Elephant Gift Exchange or Cookie Decorating are inclusive since they aren’t unique to any specific faith or culture. These events also allow you to create an annual tradition for employees to look forward to and plan for throughout the year.

Choosing the team building activity

Now that you’re familiar with the main categories of available options, there are several steps to take to identify the type of event that would work best for your team and their goals. You can start by conducting an informal and anonymous poll to assess for preferences and potential barriers to inclusivity. A cooking event might be tricky for those with unique dietary restrictions or religious observations, and folks with limited mobility would struggle with something like an escape room. Keeping these communications private is essential to getting everyone to share their views and planning an event that will cater to the whole group.

You can also use your understanding of team dynamics to guide you toward a choice that most people would enjoy. For example, if your group is new to working together, something more lowkey, like a wine tasting or painting class, could help break the ice and promote bonding over shared memories. Teams who have worked together longer might get more out of a trivia event to blow off some steam and enjoy a little light competition. Different events also cater to different objectives. A painting class would be excellent for a team that needs to destress, while a problem-solving activity like a Brick Building Challenge would be valuable for a team that needs to boost their communication and collaboration skills.

Budget is an understandably crucial element in planning any workplace event, so the average cost of different events is helpful to know before making your final decision. A cooking or baking class runs anywhere from $99 per person to $175 per person, but these include all materials, making for a more seamless experience; all you need to do is show up and get ready to cook! A BYOB paint and sip party costs $55 per person, while one that includes wine costs $70 per person. The cost of other art workshops varies more widely due to the cost of materials, but most of them range from $75 per person to $175 per person.

The cost of a trivia game varies depending on the size of your group. It also includes a list of different themes to choose from, allowing you to customize your event depending on your group's interests. Some of the themes include movies, music, history, and sports. Where the event will take place can also influence the budget. Some of these activities require your group to meet at a specific location. In contrast, others can be brought to your office, saving money by eliminating the need to rent an additional space.

Before finalizing your decision, you’ll also want to research some of the reviews and testimonials available for the activities you’re interested in. This information is crucial when selecting a team building event because it will help you understand the overall format and quality of the event. Reviews are also helpful in identifying any common themes, both positive and negative. Some negative reviews are simply a fluke, but if multiple reviews mention a similar concern, like the instructor not being very engaging or the location being inaccessible to those with disabilities, you’ll be able to make a more informed decision when the time comes.

Why plan a team building event?

There are several reasons why planning a team building event can positively impact a group of employees. Team challenges like escape rooms or Office Olympics can help improve communication and problem-solving skills by encouraging people to work together in a more relaxed environment where the stakes aren’t as high. They can also help employees identify each other's strengths and preferences, making solving problems in the workplace easier in the future. For example, people’s natural abilities tend to come forward in an escape room. You may notice that some people are natural leaders and prefer to delegate and keep the group moving toward a common objective, while others prefer to focus on a single, more detail-oriented task.

A collaborative team building activity can also help teammates learn to trust each other and be more inclusive in the office. These events aim to encourage participation from everyone in the group and help teammates learn more about each other’s perspectives. For instance, a cooking activity would likely promote conversation about everyone’s cultural background or favorite food memories from childhood. Learning more about each other’s personal lives can lead to more empathy and trust in the workplace. It can also help people connect on a level they weren’t previously able to, identifying commonalities that lead to stronger and more lasting relationships.

There are also benefits for the entire organization when colleagues participate in a team building activity. To start, planning fun and engaging events for teams boosts morale and can lead to more motivation in the workplace. Employees who feel valued by their employers are more likely to work harder and persevere through stressful seasons. Feeling appreciated in the workplace also leads to reduced burnout and less turnover. Additionally, if your event includes people at multiple levels of your organization, it allows managers and supervisors to see how teams work together and to identify the strengths and communication styles of certain staff members that they might not otherwise have an opportunity to work with.