Fun and original team-building activities to boost cohesion at work

Good teamwork doesn’t happen by magic. It requires trust, communication and fun experiences that are enjoyed beyond the four walls of your office. The following team-building proposals incorporate games, challenges and learning opportunities to help your team strengthen ties and return to the workplace overflowing with good energy and positive vibes.

What are the benefits of organising team-building events for your staff?

Team-building days are an effective way to:

• Improve internal communication: collaborative tasks and challenges require participants to listen to others and put forward their own ideas.
• Increase motivation: by sharing achievements outside of the workplace, your staff will develop a renewed sense of belonging to your company and foster personal connections with their teammates.
• Identify hidden skills: creativity, leadership and problem-solving abilities naturally come to the fore in team-building activities, which could prove beneficial in a professional context.
• Reduce stress: breaking up the day-to-day routine with fun team-building activities is a tried and tested way to improve the work environment and team-wide performance.

Original ideas for unforgettable team-building events

 Some original team-building activities that your staff are sure to love include:

• Beach Olympics: relay races, volleyball tournaments and water-based challenges incorporating sporting prowess and strategic thinking are three examples of fantastic outdoor team-building activities that your staff will love!
• Office Kahoot!: host a friendly quiz combining questions on company-related matters with other fun and random topics to improve internal relationships.
• Company MasterChef: split the team into small sub-groups and assign each one a dish to prepare ahead of the main event: the team-building dinner. Group 1 could work on the starters, Group 2 could prepare the mains and Group 3 could knock up the desserts—all by the established deadline! Once done, you can enjoy the dinner as a group and follow it up with a party!
• Percussion instrument workshop: get the group to create their own anthem in a music workshop led by a qualified instructor—a fantastic way for your team to hit the right notes!
• Theme park: take your team on a day out to a theme park. There’s no better way to make connections, release stress and enjoy a break from the monotony of office life.

PortAventura World: the perfect team-building destination

Are you looking for a venue that will get your team’s adrenaline racing, set their taste buds tingling and provide a priceless opportunity for them to strike up synergies? PortAventura World has everything required for a top team-building destination. Some of the reasons that make it such a good team-building venue  include:

• An amazing theme park: PortAventura Park can be exclusively opened so your team can enjoy the park’s incredible rides and attractions, ideal for all tastes and preferences
• Modular rooms and auditoriums: perfect for those speeches and exhibitions requiring technical support.
• Boutique experiences: PortAventura World’s specialised events team is on-hand to design team-building activities that incorporate opportunities for learning and enjoyment.
• Food and accommodation: seize the opportunity to stay in the resort’s best hotels and dine in its unique themed restaurants.

How to choose the perfect team-building activity for your team

When choosing your next team-building activity, you’ll need to consider the following aspects:

1. Objective: decide if you’re looking to improve internal communication, promote team work, celebrate a milestone or integrate new team members —or perhaps all of the above!

1. Group profile: take the age, physical fitness and recreational preferences of the group into account.
2. Duration and logistics: decide if you want to host a half- or full-day event, and if the event will be held indoors or outdoors.
3. Budget: consider the costs of hiring third-party providers to lead the activities, purchasing materials for the event and any transport and catering fees.
4. Outcome analysis: set indicators and conduct surveys before and after the team-building event to ascertain its impact on the team dynamics.

Top tips for organising a successful team-building activity

• Plan in advance: book the activities and venues well in advance and let your team know as early as possible so that they can confirm their attendance.
• Involve the team: narrow the team-building event down to 2 or 3 possible activities and ask them to vote on their preferred plan.
• Keep it relevant: combine fun, dynamic activities with others that are relevant to your line of work.
• Communicate clear objectives: before you begin the activity, explain why you are doing it and what the expected outcome is. This will ensure that the team doesn’t lose sight of why they’re doing it.
• Make the necessary adjustments: the activity should be sufficiently stimulating, while remaining accessible for everyone. Everyone should feel included at all times!

FAQs on team-building activities

In a team-building activity, how many people should be in each sub-group?

Well, this depends on the activity in question. As a general rule, 6-10 people is considered the sweet spot.

How long should a team-building day last?

This depends on the size of the company and the number of attendees. For large companies with more than 100 employees, the activities will naturally take longer to complete. In this case, it might take a whole working day (or longer) to ensure that everyone has the chance to participate. For smaller companies, the same team-building activity could be completed in a single morning or afternoon.

Does PortAventura organise personalised team-building activities for companies?

Absolutely! PortAventura Business & Events designs made-to-measure programmes with each company in mind. This includes aspects such as challenges within PortAventura Park, indoor workshops and presentations, themed dinners and much more! Simply tell them what you’re looking to achieve and they’ll draw up a boutique team-building activity plan with your company’s needs in mind.

Is it possible to combine training, leisure and accommodation at PortAventura World?

You bet! Not only does PortAventura World offer a range of amazing rides and attractions, but it also boasts several workshop spaces and on-site accommodation options. If you require off-site accommodation, we recommend taking a look at our article on where to stay close to the park.

With proper planning and the right venue, the best team-building activities will have a significant impact on your company’s productivity.