Manager Tips: Create Team Bonds by Thinking Outside the Office

One of the best ways to build trust and cohesion in your team is to get them out of the office to engage in team building activities. Here are a few ways to get your team bonding with each other and nature.

1. Facilitate a scavenger hunt: Have your team pair up and then complete a list of activities. It could be random acts of kindness or a fun and safe photo challenge (e.g., take a photo petting a stranger’s dog with permission or take photos of specific plants and flowers). The team that completes the list first wins a prize.
2. Volunteer together: Invite your team to a beach, river or park cleanup. Remember to recycle the recyclables you collect. You can even have your teams come together to create art or build a structure using the items they’ve gathered. Don’t forget to social distance and follow all coronavirus safety protocols.
3. Go back to science class with an egg drop: Select teams and give each team an uncooked egg. Using what they find in nature and a few office supplies (e.g., scissors and tape), teams then create a protective structure that can survive an eggpocalyse. Give them 20 – 30 minutes to create their protective structure. Once the time is up, safely drop the egg from the second story of a building to select a winner.
4. Work up a sweat: Coordinate a charity walk/run with your team.
5. Be present: Take a 15-minute outdoor meditation break with your team.
6. Let it grow: Plant a tree together at a local park. Make sure to get any approvals or permits that may be required.
7. Take a hike: Go for a hike or a nature walk together.
8. Overcome obstacles: Pair members up and see who can complete an Amazing Race style obstacle course the fastest – puzzles, egg toss, etc. Remember to always put safety first and follow all coronavirus safety protocols.
9. Bond over a meal: Invite your team (and their families) to join you for an outdoor potluck. Take a well-being moment and ask each team member to share why the dish they brought is meaningful to them.
10. Get creative: Go on a nature walk and have each team create art with what they find in nature. Select a winner for who creates the best piece of art.