It’s that time of year again when the warm weather reminds us how great it is to be alive. But between busy personal lives and the eight hours a day, five days a week spent inside the workplace, it can be difficult for employees to actually get outside and enjoy the sunlight.
As spring makes way for summer skies, it’s the perfect time for leaders to step in and help their employees get outside the office to participate in outdoor teamwork activities. Not only does being in nature improve physical and mental wellness, but it can also help “boost creativity and problem-solving abilities,” according to UC Davis Health. Meanwhile, team building events provide a crucial opportunity for members to form lasting bonds that foster a tight-knit work community and facilitate better collaboration and communication skills.
To help companies take advantage of the warmer weather and the great outdoors, we’ve put together a comprehensive list of team building activities. We based each activity on one of the 6 pillars of holistic wellness:
- Physical Wellbeing
- Mental Wellbeing
- Social Wellbeing
- Financial Wellbeing
- Occupational Wellbeing
- Purpose
Without further ado, here are our 36 wellness challenges to help employees recharge and rejuvenate this summer:
Physical Health
1. Find a Workout Buddy
The Workout Buddy challenge is a great place to start for all employees—it involves working out with another person 10 times in a month. Employees can choose a friend, a family member, or an equally motivated co-worker.
The key to success with this challenge is planning: It can be difficult for people to coordinate work out times, let alone 10 different times in a 30-day period. Have each employee work with their partners to plan out the entire month of workouts in advance for this challenge.
They should compare schedules with their “workout buddies” and carve out time in their calendars. As the weather gets nicer, encourage them to get some fresh air with an outdoor activity on nice days.
2. Practice Outdoor Yoga
Outdoor yoga sessions are a fun activity that provides an excellent way for team members to unwind and refocus. Employers can organize yoga classes in a peaceful outdoor space like a local park or garden, with sessions tailored to all levels, from beginners to regular practitioners.
Not only does this promote physical wellness by improving flexibility and core strength, but it also aids in mental relaxation and mindfulness. Incorporating regular outdoor yoga as a team building activity can help reduce workplace stress and boost overall morale.
3. Hike Some Local Trails
Hiking is the perfect outdoor activity to help teams reconnect with nature. It’s a great cardiovascular exercise that can invigorate the body and the mind, giving employees the chance to explore the natural environment around them.
In addition to the physical activity, hiking provides a breath of fresh air and an informal platform for conversations. This can help the team bond on an individual level, while simultaneously improving mood and increasing energy levels.
4. Group Geocaching
Geocaching is another fun way to get team members outside. This activity blends hiking with treasure hunting, using GPS devices to help employees search for geocaches—small, waterproof containers hidden in publicly accessible places.
But the fun doesn’t stop at finding the geocache. Once the team opens it up, they’re often met with a registry of past finders and small items or tokens left behind. They’re encouraged to write their own names and exchange the token for one of their own. This team activity requires problem-solving, navigation and communication skills, making it an exciting challenge and a memorable adventure.
5. Compete in a Relay Race
Looking for something a little more competitive? A relay race is a great way to ignite team spirit and foster friendly competition. Whether it’s a series of fun challenges or a full-on obstacle course, this team building event requires not just speed but coordination, strategy and team collaboration.
Each team member’s performance impacts the collective result, so the relay aspect really emphasizes the importance of teamwork and collective effort. This dynamic encourages effective communication and collaboration, strengthening each employee’s ability to work under pressure.
6. Go for a Bike Ride
Cycling is an excellent aerobic workout that can improve physical health without the consequences of high-impact activities like running. It’s also an eco-friendly activity that’s easy to scale in intensity based on different employees’ fitness levels.
Organizing a group bike ride at a shared pace offers ample opportunities for team bonding over shared experiences and beautiful views. Whether the route follows bike paths through a city or across country roads, cycling is the perfect way to take in the scenery and discover new places.
Mental Health
1. Take a Mindful Nature Walk
Going for a walk in nature can be great for mental health, from the fresh air and sounds of animals and leaves to the vibrant greenery and blue skies of summer. A mindfulness walk takes this to the next level, challenging employees to pay attention to their surroundings.
For this outdoor team activity, choose a scenic trail and have participants go for a walk, paying special attention to unique or interesting aspects of the environment. This might take the form of an “I Spy” game or just quiet moments of appreciation.
2. Journal Outside
Employees who are taking advantage of health coaching services or working with a mental health counselor may already keep a gratitude journal or have some way of writing down their thoughts. If not, summer is a great time to start.
Encourage employees to keep a journal for 20 days. For inspiration, tell them to head outside to write for a quick break during the day or make it part of their morning ritual. Either way, this is their time to reflect on their feelings so they can approach each new day with empathy and a sense of purpose.
3. Outdoor Art Therapy
Harness the healing power of nature and creative expression with outdoor art therapy sessions. Employers can set up stations in a calm, inspiring outdoor space, where employees can engage in painting, sculpting, or drawing.
Using art as a way to reflect on personal or professional goals, challenges or successes not only fosters creativity, but it also allows for emotional self-expression through non-verbal means. This can be particularly beneficial for those who find it difficult to articulate their feelings through words.
4. Join or Start a Community Garden
Community gardens provide a fantastic opportunity for team building while promoting sustainability and environmental responsibility. While there are plenty of pre-existing gardens that companies can join, they can also start their own closer to work.
Employers can split teams into smaller groups to divide the responsibilities of designing, planning and maintaining different sections of the garden. Employees can watch their plants grow over time and harvest the fruits, vegetables and herbs for a group meal and/or contribute to a local food bank.
5. Try a Silent Hike
We talked about how hiking can be a fun way to foster informal conversations, but it can also be a great opportunity for quiet reflection and mindful listening. A silent hike discourages talking, focusing instead on the experience of being fully immersed in nature.
On a silent hike, participants are encouraged to clear their minds and listen to the sounds around them, from birds chirping to the leaves rustling in the breeze. This is a great outdoor activity to reduce stress and deepen our connection with the natural world.
6. Company Camping Trip
A company camping trip can serve as an extended outdoor team building event. Whether at a retreat or on a campground, this activity deepens team bonds and develops skills.
Employees can engage in outdoor activities like setting up tents, cooking meals over a fire, hiking during the day, and stargazing at night. Camping trips also allow employees to open up and share personal stories or experiences, fostering a greater sense of community and connection to nature.
Social Wellness
1. Outdoor Grill-Off
What better way is there to spark some friendly competition and conversation than with an outdoor grill-off? This activity encourages creativity and teamwork while serving a delicious excuse to bond with team members.
Judges can be appointed to taste and score dishes or leave it up to a democratic vote. The goal is to enjoy the beautiful weather and give employees a chance to show off their cooking skills. Plus, food is a surefire way to boost employee engagement.
2. Potluck Picnic
Speaking of food, potlucks are a party favorite. Each department or team member can bring a dish, encouraging cultural exchange and culinary diversity, as employees can bring dishes that represent their heritage or personal favorites.
Besides enjoying a variety of foods, this outdoor event fosters community spirit and relaxation. Employees can even set up games and other activities to engage in after or between eating.
3. What About Wine or Beer Tasting?
If employees need something to wash down all that delicious food, a wine or beer tasting could be the perfect way to socialize outside of the office. Collaborate with local wineries or breweries to provide a selection of drinks, and perhaps invite a sommelier or brewmaster to discuss the nuances of each beverage.
This sophisticated activity can be an educational experience for employees, but it’s also all about the informal interactions and discussions among team members.
4. Outdoor Game Night
Take the traditional game night to the great outdoors with this refreshing twist. Employers can set up various stations with board games, card games, and physical activities like giant Jenga or a bean bag toss.
As employees rotate through stations, they might spark a friendly competition or discussion. This is a great way to break the ice for new team members and deepen existing bonds among all employees.
5. Try a Survival Challenge
For something a bit more involved, employers can try setting up a survival challenge that requires teams to use their problem-solving skills and creativity to complete tasks such as building a shelter or starting a fire.
These physically and mentally demanding activities are designed to push teams out of their comfort zones, building effective communication, leadership, and teamwork skills along the way. Given the nature of these challenges, employers could incorporate these activities into a group camping trip.
6. Host a Scavenger Hunt
To make the most of the outdoors, employers can create an elaborate scavenger hunt that takes teams across different areas of a local park or other outdoor area. Splitting teams into smaller groups is a great way to add an element of friendly competition.
As they solve problems and discover objects based on clues, employees will be building important skills and lasting bonds with each other.
Financial Wellness
1. Budgeting Bootcamp
Host a “Budgeting Bootcamp” to empower team members with financial skills that extend beyond the workplace. This hands-on workshop can be held in a relaxed outdoor setting, where teams can learn about creating effective personal and household budgets. To further test these skills, they can also create mock budgets based on hypothetical scenarios.
Introduce practical tips, tools and apps that can help with tracking expenses and planning savings. Group discussions can also highlight different budgeting techniques, reducing financial stress and improving overall wellbeing.
2. Good Plan
The rise of the digital world has been a double-edged sword.
The good news is that even remote workplaces can host engaging virtual team building activities. The not-so-good news is that we all do a lot more online shopping and wholesale opting in on subscription “deals.” And the buyers’/subscribers’ remorse is real.
The Good Plan challenge helps employees tighten their purse strings and make sure they’re spending money wisely. That includes reviewing utility bills, online subscriptions, and services they may not need. They may discover hundreds of dollars in savings every year—or more.
3. Investment Strategy Game
To further transform financial education into a fun activity, employers can set up an “Investment Strategy Game.” This outdoor game consists of stations representing different investment options, such as stocks, bonds, real estate, and mutual funds.
Teams can move from station to station making investment decisions based on given scenarios while managing a hypothetical portfolio. Along the way, they’ll encounter market changes and economic news updates affecting their investments. This kind of game teaches the fundamentals of investing, the importance of diversification, and the impact of market dynamics—all in a low-risk, interactive environment.
4. Offer Debt Education
Similarly, employers can create an outdoor workshop focusing on debt management education. This could be another series of stations, each addressing different types of debt, from credit cards and student loans to mortgages and more.
Incorporating role-playing activities where employees make decisions on managing and prioritizing debt reduction can drive home the lessons. However, there’s always room for discussions on strategies to avoid or reduce debt, including negotiating with creditors, refinancing options, and consolidating debt.
5. Retirement Planning Workshop
A retirement planning workshop would bring in financial experts to discuss topics such as retirement savings accounts, the benefits of early investments, and how to plan for different retirement goals.
Using interactive activities like retirement scenario planning games can allow participants to make financial decisions and understand the potential long-term outcomes. The goal is to motivate employees to proactively plan for their retirement, ensuring they are financially secure and well-prepared for the future.
6. Solve the Insurance Policy Puzzle
Insurance policies can often be confusing, which is why this is such a crucial area of financial education for employees. A workshop on understanding various insurance policies—from health and auto to life and home insurance—can help employees determine the best choices based on various life scenarios.
Using real-life examples and challenging teams to find the most cost-effective and comprehensive coverage solutions demystifies insurance options, encouraging informed decision-making about personal and family financial protection.
Occupational Wellness
1. Take a Break—Grab a Coffee
Encourage or schedule break times for employees to step outside during the day for a quick coffee break. They can disperse into smaller groups to walk and talk on their way to a nearby cafe. This activity offers a refreshing change of pace and scenery throughout the day, plus employees can get their favorite coffee to push past any drowsiness.
These breaks are perfect for promoting casual conversations that aren’t about work, fostering relationships, and reducing stress. Employers can also provide discussion prompts on topics like wellness or personal development to further enrich these breaks.
2. Mail Hold
For those who work from home, the office is always open. That perpetual accessibility to work, combined with a constantly escalating news feed has left employees overwhelmed and burned out.
For this challenge, have employees set a cutoff time for checking emails. They can replace those evenings of email-reading with social get-togethers, physical exercise, or just being outside. Their success should be based on how well they stick to it. It’s spring after all!
Make sure management is on board, so employees aren’t penalized for not being responsive 24/7. (The managers themselves would likely benefit from setting some email boundaries as well.)
3. Walkie-Talkie Meetings
Transform routine meetings by taking them outside. The walkie-talkie meeting is perfect for a small team to walk and talk through scenic paths or local parks, either in person or using their mobile phones. Not only do walkie-talkie meetings promote physical activity, but they also add an element of fun to what might otherwise be a mundane meeting.
The change of scenery can also inspire creativity and new ideas, and the physical movement is great for mental clarity. Walking meetings prove especially effective for brainstorming sessions or tackling complex problems.
4. Host an Outdoor Leadership Course
Why not get company leaders involved in an outdoor team activity? Set up a leadership course with various stations, each designed to tackle different leadership challenges, such as decision-making, trust exercises, and strategic planning. Facilitators can guide participants through different scenarios that require quick thinking and effective communication, mimicking real-world challenges leaders face.
This immersive experience not only strengthens leadership abilities but also helps build resilience and adaptability in a dynamic, hands-on environment.
5. Try a Skill Swap Day
A “Skill Swap Day” offers employees the chance to teach each other the skills they use regularly. Each participant can prepare a short session on something they’re skilled at, whether it’s a professional competency, a personal hobby, or a practical skill. This could range from digital workflow tips to yoga or photography.
Holding these sessions outdoors in a casual setting can make learning more enjoyable and engaging. Skill Swaps also encourage knowledge sharing and team bonding, while giving everyone a chance to shine in their area of expertise or passion.
6. Get Away From It All (on a Professional Development Retreat)
Looking to truly get away from the hustle and bustle of the workplace? Book a professional development retreat in a remote, tranquil location. Over a weekend or a few days, these retreats combine professional workshops with outdoor activities, such as hiking, meditation, or canoeing.
The focus should be on both skill development and mental health, featuring sessions on time management, work-life balance, and career growth. These retreats are perfect for deep reflection, redefining goals, and fostering a strong sense of community and shared purpose among employees—all while enjoying a refreshing change of scenery.
Purpose
1. Create a Priority Plan
As the sun comes out and the weather gets warmer, this is a perfect time to channel summer energy and set some personal goals.
Encourage employees to discover the why behind their wellness journey and determine the areas they want to focus on during this time. The company can even benefit by understanding what its wellness program should look like in the years to come.
2. Group Volunteer Day
Take advantage of the warmer weather with an outdoor group volunteer day. Choose a local non-profit or community project where teams can contribute their time and effort to meaningful causes—whether it’s building homes, cleaning up a local park, or assisting at food banks.
This kind of outdoor activity is meant to foster a sense of purpose and community involvement among employees, strengthening team bonds through shared goals and the satisfaction of giving back. It’s an enriching experience that boosts morale, encourages empathy, and reinforces the company’s commitment to social responsibility.
3. Walk for a Cause
A Walk for a Cause is a fantastic way to combine physical exercise with purpose-driven activities. Have the team decide on an important cause and organize a sponsored walk where participants can raise funds through pledges per mile walked.
This type of outdoor event can be held on a scenic nature trail or through a park, allowing employees to soak in the sunshine and the beauty of the great outdoors. With each step forward, employees will feel a sense of accomplishment as they advance in their shared mission.
4. Go Out for a Conversation Day
Of course, there would be no enjoying nature without the tireless efforts of environmentalists. Dedicate a day for team members to contribute to environmental conservation efforts. This might involve activities such as participating in wildlife habitat restoration, river cleanups, or even invasive species removal.
Not only does conservation offer a hands-on way to help preserve our natural landscapes, but it also educates teams on environmental issues and the importance of sustainability. Plus, engaging in conservation work can instill a deep sense of connection, purpose, and responsibility, fostering a team spirit geared toward ecological stewardship.
5. Plant a Tree
In the same vein as conservation, a tree-planting event can be a great way for employees to contribute to environmental health with lasting benefits for the community. Dividing teams into smaller groups—each responsible for planting a certain number of trees—can turn this fun activity into a competitive game.
The more trees employees plant, the more carbon dioxide gets absorbed back into the environment. They also provide essential habitats for wildlife. Employees will leave with a renewed sense of purpose, nurturing a culture of care and resilience.
6. Educational Outreach
To help employees get further involved with the community, employers can develop educational outreach programs. Here, employees can engage with local schools or community centers to teach valuable skills, present career opportunities, or facilitate workshops on practical subjects they’ve learned, such as finance or health and wellness.
This initiative allows employees to use their expertise to benefit others. This instills a great sense of pride and purpose in their work, and it’s a great opportunity to strengthen community ties.
Want More Wellness Ideas?
Looking for more ways to customize your wellbeing program to your workforce’s needs? We’ve got you covered. Check out our free toolkit and checklist, “Designing the Perfect-Fit Corporate Wellbeing Program.”
Find out how WellRight can help you develop a personalized wellness program for your workplace.
