16 Unique Team Building Activities in New York City
Whether you’re meeting in the Meatpacking District or packed into a Times Square office, New York's vibrant and diverse offerings make it easy to find the right team building fit for your team.
Here are the 16 most unique and impactful activities to help your team thrive like never before.
Creative Fun to Help Teams Bond Better
Make Believe Works is unique in the team building landscape. They sit in a niche between lighthearted activities that are fun but fleeting, and competitive activities that are exciting but pit people against each other. 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. If you’re looking to bridge divides, build trust, or just celebrate each other, you can’t do better than Make Believe Works.
“The most inspiring team building ever.” - Spotify Design Director
Smash Therapy
Amidst the chaos of New York, we can all use a little stress relief. While a serene Central Park visit may soothe, sometimes, we need an adrenaline boost to shake off city stress. Enter rage rooms – the perfect avenue to unleash your frustrations by smashing everyday objects like plates and appliances in a controlled and safe environment. This unconventional activity promises a cathartic release and serves as an exciting alternative for a night out with friends. Gather your team for a memorable bonding session that combines fun, stress relief, and a touch of exhilaration in the heart of the city.
High Pressure Togetherness
Escape the Room NYC is an immersive team-building activity where participants are placed in a themed room and must work together to solve puzzles and find clues to "escape" within a set time limit. The challenges vary from room to room, testing participants' problem-solving, communication, and teamwork skills. The benefits of this activity are multifaceted. It encourages collaboration and fosters a sense of shared achievement as team members conquer challenges together. The time pressure adds an element of stress, simulating real-world work scenarios where quick decision-making is crucial. Additionally, the experience promotes critical thinking and creativity, as participants must think outside the box to solve complex puzzles.
It’s the pits…and that’s great!
The Great Guac Off offers lively team-building activities in NYC centered around a guacamole-making competition. Kick off your event with fun mini-games like Punacado and avocado-themed trivia, leading up to the exciting competition. The package includes all guac ingredients and chips, making it an ideal choice for events involving food. The Guac Off stands out for its location flexibility—hold the event at your office or any NYC space at no extra cost, or choose from their various citywide locations. Fun for small and large groups, it delivers a playful and memorable team-building experience.
Improve through Improv
The Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre offers customized improv workshops to enhance team communication, creativity, and adaptability. Participants engage in interactive exercises that encourage quick thinking and collaboration under pressure. The benefits extend beyond the immediate team-building context, as improv skills can improve communication and presentation abilities in the workplace. The supportive and positive environment fosters team cohesion by building trust and encouraging team members to step out of their comfort zones. This activity is particularly effective in promoting a culture of openness and innovation within a team.
High Flying Fun
The Trapeze School of New York offers a thrilling team-building experience through aerial activities. Participants engage in trust-building exercises and learn trapeze techniques, fostering teamwork and overcoming fears in a supportive and exhilarating setting. This unique and physically challenging activity encourages participants to step out of their comfort zones, promoting collaboration and building a strong sense of unity among team members. The benefits extend to improved team cohesion, enhanced trust among team members, and the development of a positive team culture that values support and shared achievements.
Delicious Team Work
Home Cooking NY offers hands-on cooking classes led by professional chefs, providing teams with a unique culinary team-building experience. Participants collaborate to prepare a meal, emphasizing communication, coordination, and leadership skills. The shared culinary achievement enhances camaraderie and creates lasting memories. The interactive nature of the activity fosters effective communication and teamwork, as participants must coordinate their efforts to create a delicious dish. Moreover, the cooking class provides an enjoyable break from traditional team-building activities, promoting a relaxed and positive atmosphere that contributes to team cohesion.
The Team that Sprays Together…
Graff Tours' graffiti workshops provide teams with a hands-on and artistic team-building experience. Participants learn the art of graffiti and collaborate on creating a mural. This creative activity fosters communication, teamwork, and a sense of shared accomplishment in a vibrant and unconventional setting, allowing teams to express their creativity in the heart of NYC's urban culture. The benefits extend to improved teamwork, creative problem-solving skills, and the promotion of a positive team culture that values individual expression and collaboration.
Climbing To Success
Brooklyn Boulders provides an adventurous team-building experience with indoor rock climbing. Participants engage in physical challenges that promote trust, communication, and teamwork. Climbing walls together requires mutual support and coordination, fostering a sense of shared achievement. The activity enhances problem-solving skills as participants strategize their ascent. The physical nature of rock climbing also contributes to team bonding, as team members overcome challenges together, fostering resilience and a positive team spirit.
Team Building with a Zip
Terrapin Adventures offers high-energy team-building experiences, specializing in outdoor adventures such as ziplining, high ropes courses, and climbing activities. Located near New York City, their programs promote trust, communication, and overcoming challenges together. Terrapin Adventures' immersive activities are designed to push individuals out of their comfort zones, fostering a sense of accomplishment and team bonding.
11. Bike New York
Get your team in gear
Bike New York offers unconventional team-building experiences centered around cycling. Their programs include guided bike tours and team-building challenges, promoting communication, collaboration, and physical activity. Bike New York's unique approach not only enhances teamwork but also encourages a healthy and active lifestyle among team members.
Public Speaking Workshop
Speak with Impact offers tailored public speaking workshops designed to enhance team communication skills. Through interactive exercises, participants develop confidence, clarity, and effective communication techniques, promoting stronger teamwork and leadership capabilities within the fast-paced professional landscape of NYC. The workshop empowers team members to express their ideas more confidently and persuasively, enhancing overall communication effectiveness within the workplace. The benefits extend to improved presentation skills, increased self-confidence, and the ability to articulate ideas more persuasively, contributing to a positive team dynamic.
Smooth Sailing Ahead
Hornblower Cruises offers a unique team-building experience aboard a yacht, combining scenic views with collaborative activities. Teams enjoy a nautical adventure, fostering communication, teamwork, and relaxation amidst the iconic NYC skyline. This experience not only provides a different perspective of the city but also encourages team members to connect in a more relaxed and social setting. The tranquil setting of the cruise creates an opportunity for team members to build relationships and bond in a unique and memorable environment. The benefits extend to improved team camaraderie, enhanced communication skills, and a positive team culture fostered in a serene and enjoyable setting.
Perks of a Park
A Central Park Adventure Day combines outdoor activities like kayaking, biking, and team challenges in the heart of NYC. Teams bond over physical challenges, promoting teamwork, strategic thinking, and adaptability in a scenic and dynamic environment. This outdoor experience provides a refreshing break from the bustling cityscape and encourages team members to collaborate and problem-solve in a natural setting. The outdoor setting promotes relaxation and rejuvenation, contributing to improved team morale.
15. The Ride NYC
Build some momentum
The Ride NYC is an interactive bus tour that combines sightseeing with live entertainment and team challenges. Teams engage in dynamic activities, promoting teamwork, communication, and quick thinking while exploring the city's iconic landmarks. This entertaining and immersive experience creates lasting memories and strengthens the bonds among team members in a lively and engaging setting. The benefits extend to improved team morale, enhanced communication skills, and a positive team culture fostered through shared enjoyment and entertainment.
Buoyant Bonding
A team-building day of kayaking on the Hudson River with the Manhattan Community Boathouse offers a refreshing outdoor experience. Teams navigate the waters together, promoting teamwork, communication, and a sense of accomplishment. This activity combines physical activity with scenic views of the city, providing a unique and memorable setting for team members to connect and collaborate in a relaxed and natural environment. The benefits extend to improved team morale, enhanced communication skills, and a positive team culture fostered through shared enjoyment and outdoor adventure. The serene setting of the Hudson River creates an opportunity for teams to rejuvenate and build stronger relationships.
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.