15 Top Team Building Activities in Pittsburgh

If your team is headquartered in the Strip District, visiting Lawrenceville, or just wants to explore the Cultural District, Pittsburgh offers a blend of historical charm and vibrant energy, creating an ideal backdrop for meaningful team interactions. Whether you’re mainly looking for competition or for connection, Pittsburgh has plenty of ways to support your team.

1. Make Believe Works

Creative Fun Helps Teams Bond Better

If you’re looking to bridge divides, build trust, or just celebrate each other, you can’t do better than Make Believe Works. They are unique in the team building landscape, sitting in a niche between lighthearted activities that are fun but fleeting, and competitive activities that stifle social interaction as opposed to encouraging it. Make Believe Works excels in using creative tasks to get people to open up and share who they are beneath their professional roles. Through a unique blend of psychological safety, imagination, and empathy their playfully art-based activities are designed to be fun and exciting in the moment but make a lasting impact on team culture.

Happy clients like Google, Salesforce, and Pixar say Make Believe Works are experts in using low-pressure creativity and joy to help people get vulnerable without feeling threatened, feel seen without feeling judged, and appreciate the richness of the people around them.

“The most inspiring team building ever.” - Spotify Design Director

Cut the tension

Axe throwing is an excellent choice for corporate team building in Pittsburgh due to its engaging and unconventional nature. It offers a thrilling activity that encourages teamwork, communication, and friendly competition. Participants bond as they learn the skill together, fostering trust and camaraderie. Axe throwing venues in Pittsburgh, like Ace Axe Throwing, provide a safe and controlled environment for teams to step out of their comfort zones and build stronger connections. It's a memorable experience that promotes unity and boosts morale among colleagues.

Party Pontoon

Looking for a laid-back group activity in Pittsburgh to unwind with your colleagues? Look no further than Pittsburgh Pedal Boats. Glide along the picturesque downtown rivers with your crew while enjoying a leisurely pedal-powered cruise. Bring your own drinks, snacks, and games for added fun. Engage in card or board games to deepen connections, then continue the camaraderie downtown for more drinks. Revel in the outdoors, strengthen bonds, and soak in the beauty of the 'Burgh—perfect for a memorable day out with your team.

Chop, Wok, Talk!

Chop, WOK, & Talk! presents an exceptional opportunity for collaborative culinary creations with coworkers. Many prominent corporations leverage cooking experiences to enhance team-building skills, offering a range of cuisines including Asian, Spanish Tapas, Italian, and Argentinian. The benefits are manifold: energizing and exciting colleagues, fostering a healthy space for risk-taking, promoting communication and networking, enhancing problem-solving abilities, speed, and work ethics, and cultivating an atmosphere of leadership and collaboration. It's a flavorful way to strengthen bonds and create delicious memories together.

Fast Lane To Team Fun

If you and your colleagues crave some spirited competition over casual conversation, Three Rivers Karting is your go-to spot. Hosting diverse events like birthday celebrations, bachelor parties, and team building, they provide thrilling kart racing experiences. With multiple meeting rooms available, you can strategize in private before hitting the track. For ultimate exclusivity, rent out the entire facility, enjoying unlimited racing opportunities. Engineered for safety and excitement, it's the ideal setting for friendly rivalry among coworkers on the racetrack.

6. VR

Virtually Foolproof Team building

At Pittsburgh VR, corporate team bonding is warmly embraced, recognizing the power of virtual reality to facilitate shared experiences among coworkers. Engage in both socializing and skill-building as you explore the immersive virtual world together. The venue provides ample space for rent, ensuring your company and teams have room to fully immerse themselves in the VR experience. With a wide array of games available, from puzzles to adventure, arcade, educational, horror, and driving simulations, there's something to captivate every member of your team.

Escape the Workday

Challenge your teamwork skills within a strict time frame at an escape room. Ready to test your abilities with your coworkers? Elevate your office mingling by renting out Escape Room Pittsburgh, where quick thinking and trust in your team's instincts are essential. Discover each other's strengths and weaknesses in an entertaining setting. With a variety of themed rooms like Tomb Explore, Subway Escape, Carnegie’s Millions, and Diamond Heist, there's excitement for everyone. For larger companies, split into teams and compete to see who can escape the room the fastest.

8. Improv

Arcade Comedy Theater

Improv classes offer an excellent platform for corporate team building by fostering key skills such as communication, collaboration, creativity, and adaptability. Participants engage in fun and interactive exercises that encourage thinking on their feet and working together towards common goals. Through improvisation, colleagues learn to trust one another, break down barriers, and enhance their ability to handle unexpected situations with confidence. The supportive environment of improv classes promotes bonding and camaraderie, ultimately strengthening the team's cohesion and morale.

Pittsburgh Heat Dance Company

A dance workshop at Pittsburgh Heat Dance Company offers a dynamic blend of physical activity, creativity, and collaboration. Through rhythmic movement and coordinated routines, participants learn to synchronize their actions, fostering teamwork and unity. The workshop encourages individuals to step out of their comfort zones, building trust and communication skills in a supportive environment. As colleagues work together to master choreography, they develop a deeper sense of camaraderie and mutual respect.

10. Paintball

Paintball is an excellent choice for corporate team building as it promotes teamwork, strategy, and communication in a thrilling and dynamic environment. Participants engage in adrenaline-pumping scenarios where quick decision-making and collaboration are paramount for success. By strategizing, coordinating movements, and covering each other's backs on the field, colleagues develop trust and camaraderie. Paintball also encourages healthy competition, boosting morale and fostering a sense of accomplishment when objectives are achieved together.

A glass-making workshop offers a unique and hands-on experience that fosters creativity, collaboration, and camaraderie among colleagues. Participants engage in a fascinating process, learning techniques such as glass blowing or glass fusion under expert guidance. Working together to create beautiful glass pieces encourages teamwork, communication, and problem-solving skills. The workshop environment encourages individuals to express their creativity and support one another's ideas, leading to a sense of accomplishment and pride in the collective achievement. It's a memorable and rewarding experience that strengthens bonds and boosts morale within the team.

Embark on a team-building adventure at Kennywood, one of America's oldest amusement parks, tracing its roots back to 1898. With its first rollercoaster installed in 1902, Kennywood boasts rides that utilize the distinctive hilly terrain for unparalleled thrills. Enhance camaraderie through scavenger hunts or exclusive behind-the-scenes tours. Conclude the day with a catered meal at the on-site picnic pavilion. As a National Historic Landmark, Kennywood offers a quintessential Pittsburgh experience, blending fun, history, and team bonding in an unforgettable outing.

13. Mini Golf

Mini golf offers an ideal setting for team building, combining fun and friendly competition with opportunities for collaboration and communication. Colleagues can strategize together, navigate obstacles, and celebrate successes, fostering teamwork and camaraderie. The lighthearted nature of mini golf encourages bonding and relationship-building in a relaxed atmosphere. It provides a platform for individuals to showcase their strengths, support one another, and work towards common goals. Mini golf's interactive and engaging format makes it a memorable and effective choice for strengthening team dynamics and morale.

14. Baking Class

A macaron baking class presents a delightful opportunity for team building, combining precision with creativity in a delicious endeavor. Colleagues collaborate closely as they master the intricate techniques of macaron making, from mixing the perfect batter to piping delicate shells. This intricate process encourages communication, problem-solving, and teamwork, fostering camaraderie and mutual support. As they work together to create these exquisite treats, team members bond over shared achievements and the satisfaction of mastering a new skill, creating lasting memories in the process.

15. Brewery Tour

A brewery tour offers a fantastic choice for team building, blending education, relaxation, and socialization in a dynamic setting. Colleagues embark on an immersive journey through the brewing process, learning about ingredients, techniques, and the history of beer. This interactive experience fosters camaraderie as team members bond over shared discoveries and tastings. The laid-back atmosphere of a brewery encourages open communication and networking, creating opportunities for meaningful connections outside the office. It's a refreshing and enjoyable way to strengthen team dynamics and morale.

These activities provide a range of experiences, from problem-solving challenges to creative expression, to suit different team dynamics and goals.

Before selecting an activity, consider your team's preferences, the desired outcomes, and any specific goals you have for the team-building experience.