The Best Team Building Activities

It’s no secret that team building events have a reputation problem- these days, the phrase alone is enough to make people shift in their seats. Almost everyone has sat through at least one event that felt pointless, or worse, actively uncomfortable. A morning of trust falls or a competitive exercise that left half the room cold tends to do more harm than good.

If done well, though, it's one of the most useful investments you can make in a team. This guide covers what team building events actually achieve, how to pick the right format for your group, and what the options look like across different budgets and activity styles.

The Benefits of Team Building

Team building is not primarily about having an enjoyable afternoon- though that certainly helps. It's about building trust and openness between your people. Teams that trust each other communicate more openly, handle disagreements better and cover for each other when it matters. It’s hard to build that rapport solely in a professional environment, which is where the casual and fun atmosphere of team building becomes a benefit.

Most organisations treat team building as a one-off. One big annual event might be fun on the day, but it rarely changes how a team actually works together. The groups that get the most out of team building tend to do something smaller and more regular: a quarterly activity, a shared lunch, anything that keeps the connection ticking rather than trying to build it all in a single afternoon.

How to Choose the Right Team Building Activity

Before you start looking at venues, think about your group:

• How many people are coming?
• What's the budget per head?
• Does everyone need to be able to take part physically, or are there accessibility requirements?
• Are outdoor options viable or do you need something weather-proof?
• How much time do you actually have on the day?

Your team's makeup matters as much as the activity itself. A highly competitive format works well with a group that already has a rapport, but it can feel uncomfortable for a mixed cross-functional team meeting properly for the first time. If people need some warming up to each other, choose something with social breathing room built in.

One practical tip: wherever possible, pick a venue that handles food and drink in-house. It keeps everyone together, removes a separate booking from your planning and gives people something to do between rounds.

HOW MUCH DOES TEAM BUILDING COST IN THE UK?

Team building day costs can vary considerably depending on what you go for. In-office activities like quiz nights and games run from nothing to around £15 per person. Mid-range day activities such as escape rooms, cocktail making and sports simulators typically fall between £30 and £80 per head. Premium off-site events with hired venues, travel and catering usually land at £100 or more once everything is added up.

The per-head figure for the activity alone doesn't tell the full story. Transport, venue hire, food & drink and anything else not covered by the booking price can add up quickly, so get a complete breakdown of all costs involved before committing. Bear in mind that a team that regularly does something small together tends to stay more connected than one that has a single expensive event each year.

Indoor Team Building Activities

Indoor activities are usually the most practical option in the UK, where the varying weather makes outdoor planning uncertain.

The main categories are experience-led formats like escape rooms and activity bars, creative sessions like pottery and cookery classes, and social options like quiz nights and shared meals. Most work across a wide range of fitness and ability levels, which makes them a reliable default when you're catering to a mixed group.

Capacity is worth checking before you book. Some indoor venues cap at 12 to 15 people and create an intimate dynamic, while others are built to handle 60 or more. The right answer depends on whether you want something that feels close-knit or something that brings the whole company into the same room.

Outdoor Team Building Activities

When conditions cooperate, outdoor activities can be a literal breath of fresh air for your team. Physical challenges like sports days and obstacle courses, exploration-based formats like city treasure hunts, and countryside experiences like clay shooting or raft building all offer something different to a standard venue hire.

Weather is the obvious risk, and in the UK a contingency plan is essential rather than optional. Of course, physical activities can inadvertently exclude people. Make sure to check how accommodating the activity is before booking, particularly if anyone in your group has specific accessibility requirements.

When scheduling the day, budget for more coordination and travel time than you think you'll need. Outdoor events often involve travel between locations and tend to run longer than the itinerary suggests.

Virtual and Hybrid Team Building

For remote or hybrid teams, the format has to change as it may be difficult or impossible to get everyone into one room. The aim is to give people something to do together, not just another reason to be on a video call.

Online quiz nights, virtual cooking or cocktail classes and party games tend to work well. If your team is spread across different time zones or working hours, try some shorter asynchrononous challenges that don't require everyone to be available at the same time.

Virtual team building works best when it's consistent and low-effort rather than rare and high-production. A 45-minute session once a month does more for connection over time than a once-a-year marathon call.

Team Building at Sixes Cricket

If you're still deciding on a fun team building activity for your team, Sixes Social Cricket is worth a look. It's a party experience built around a virtual cricket simulator, with no cricket knowledge or ability needed whatsoever. The format is competitive enough to keep the energy up but relaxed enough that nobody feels put on the spot, and food and drinks are part of the package to make the planning process simple.

Sixes has private hire available for team events across its UK venues. If that sounds like the right fit for your group, book your event now or get in touch with our events team.