16 Unique Team Building Activities in Columbus, Ohio

Columbus is full of great choices for meaningful team building.

Whether you’re visiting Clintonville or Franklinton, headquartered in German Village or Olde Towne East, or just feel like exploring Victorian Village or Scioto Mile, we’ve got the top 16 activities to help bring your team together.

1. Make Believe Works

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 stifle social interaction as opposed to encourage 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. 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

No Flannel Required

Dive into a refreshing corporate team-building experience by embracing the thrill of axe throwing. Beyond its novelty, this activity fosters a spirit of camaraderie as colleagues cheer each other on and celebrate shared successes. Through friendly competition, relationships are strengthened, and teamwork flourishes, extending the benefits beyond the event itself and into the workplace. It's a unique way to break away from the ordinary and inject energy and enthusiasm into team dynamics.

You’re Glowing

Glow Putt is a fun choice for companies seeking an interactive and memorable venue for their corporate events. With its vibrant atmosphere and engaging activities, Glow Putt is ideal for team building exercises, fostering communication, collaboration, and friendly competition among colleagues. Mini golf provides a lighthearted yet effective way for employees to bond outside of the office environment, promoting teamwork and boosting morale. Additionally, Glow Putt's spacious party room offers the perfect setting for meetings and employee fun days, ensuring a dynamic and enjoyable experience for all attendees.

Come on down

A game show activity is an excellent choice for corporate team building due to its interactive and engaging nature. By participating in a game show-style event, employees have the opportunity to collaborate, communicate, and problem-solve in a fun and relaxed setting. These activities often include trivia questions, challenges, and puzzles that require teamwork and creativity to solve. Game show formats encourage healthy competition among teams, fostering a sense of camaraderie and unity as colleagues work together towards a common goal. Furthermore, these events promote leadership skills, critical thinking, and strategic decision-making, all of which are essential components of effective teamwork in the workplace. Overall, a game show activity provides a dynamic and entertaining way for employees to bond, build relationships, and strengthen their team dynamics.

5. Cooking Class at The Kitchen

The Season for Seasonings

Cooking requires teamwork, so get creative and turn your meeting into an experience by adding a Participatory Dining element to your event. The hands-on culinary activities at The Kitchen require collaboration, communication, and motivation. Let us help you create an unforgettable team-building experience that strengthens bonds and drives results with one of their Participatory Dining Experiences.

Try Your Hand At Human Foosball

SportsOhio offers a diverse range of team building activities in Columbus, catering to various interests and preferences. From unconventional options like human foosball and foot golf to classic favorites like kickball and dodgeball, there's something for everyone at this expansive 100-acre facility. Engaging in these activities promotes teamwork, communication, and camaraderie among colleagues, fostering a positive and collaborative work environment. Additionally, participants have the opportunity to bond outside the office while enjoying exciting sports like go-karting, mini golf, and batting cages.

Get A Clue

Escape Game Columbus offers an intellectually stimulating team building experience that promotes problem-solving, communication, and collaboration. With themed rooms, participants are challenged to work together to decipher clues and escape within the allotted time frame. Accommodating up to 12 people per room, teams can strategize and utilize each member's strengths to overcome obstacles and achieve success. The immersive nature of escape rooms encourages teamwork and fosters a sense of camaraderie as colleagues bond over shared challenges and victories.

A Zippy Time

Embark on a thrilling team building adventure amidst the stunning landscapes of Ohio with Hocking Hills Canopy Tour. Offering various options, including a three-hour guided zipline tour over the Hocking River and an exhilarating off-road Segway excursion, participants can explore the scenic beauty of Hocking Hills State Park. Additionally, trips to unique geological sites like Rockbridge, boasting a 100-foot-long natural rock bridge, provide unforgettable experiences. Whether traversing by foot, zipline, or Segway, this adventure fosters teamwork, communication, and camaraderie as colleagues navigate challenges together. Just an hour's drive from Columbus, Hocking Hills Canopy Tour offers a refreshing escape from the office and an opportunity to bond in nature's embrace.

Workshops Galore

Immerse your team in an enriching experience at the Center for Science and Industry (COSI), renowned as one of Ohio's premier museums boasting over 300 captivating exhibits suitable for all ages. Choose from diverse options like the Power of Communication challenge, fostering effective communication and collaboration, the Science of Team Building workshop, offering dynamic activities designed to enhance teamwork and problem-solving skills, or the Innovation Mindset workshop, where participants delve into circuits, hand-held robots, and even liquid nitrogen experiments.

Teamwide Tours

Embark on a unique team-building journey aboard the Pedal Wagon, a pedal-powered pub offering an unforgettable experience for corporate groups. With seating for up to 15 individuals per wagon and the option to rent multiple wagons for larger teams, it accommodates both small and large groups alike. Enjoy the camaraderie as you pedal your way through town, stopping at local bars and restaurants for refreshments. Whether opting for the one-hour Business Lunch or a leisurely weekend brunch outing, Pedal Wagon provides a lively and interactive setting conducive to team bonding and fostering a sense of unity among colleagues.

Team Wellness

Discover the benefits of workplace wellness at the Fitness Loft, where corporate teams can engage in classes tailored to inspire and foster trust among colleagues. These sessions not only offer a refreshing break from the office environment but also impart valuable lessons that can be applied to everyday work life. With a focus on flexibility, mindfulness, and team building, the Fitness Loft provides an opportunity for employees to strengthen bonds and overcome barriers within the corporate setting, ultimately enhancing collaboration and productivity.

Pick a Lane

Bowling remains a classic yet effective option for corporate team building, and at Ten Pin Alley, it's elevated to a whole new level. By offering a variety of games like laser tag and bocce alongside bowling, this venue provides a multifaceted experience that promotes teamwork and camaraderie. With private bowling lanes, meeting spaces, and onsite dining options, Ten Pin Alley offers the perfect setting for off-site retreats or post-work gatherings, allowing teams to bond in a relaxed and enjoyable environment outside of the office.

Team Booooooonding

Embark on a thrilling journey through Columbus' haunted history with your team on a ghost tour, a unique and captivating team building activity. Led by knowledgeable guides, these tours offer a perfect blend of gripping storytelling and historical insight, allowing participants to delve into the city's eerie past while bonding with colleagues. Comfortable shoes are recommended for the walking involved, ensuring everyone can fully enjoy the experience. With options ranging from cemetery tours to explorations of haunted sites at Ohio State University, there's something to intrigue every member of your team. Affordable and suitable for groups of all sizes, this ghost tour offers a fresh perspective on the city and fosters team unity through shared exploration and adventure.

Get Revved Up

Experience the thrill of friendly competition and team bonding with a group go-karting adventure, perfect for your next corporate team retreat. Equipped with all the necessary gear, including helmets and head socks, as well as access to electric-powered karts, participants can indulge in high-speed racing excitement. Many facilities offer private rooms where teams can gather to enjoy refreshments and camaraderie between races, enhancing the overall team-building experience. Whether racing in teams or competing in individual time trials, the adrenaline-pumping activity fosters teamwork, communication, and a sense of achievement. Affordable and suitable for teams of all sizes, go-karting offers an exhilarating and memorable outing that strengthens bonds and promotes a spirit of healthy competition among colleagues.

Take a breath

Elevate your corporate team-building experience with a captivating and distinctive glass-making class, offering a perfect blend of creativity and collaboration. Led by expert instructors, your team will receive comprehensive guidance, from insightful demonstrations to engaging hands-on activities. With a plethora of color options and all necessary supplies provided, participants can unleash their artistic talents and create personalized keepsakes to cherish. After crafting your masterpieces, explore the onsite gift shop to admire the exquisite work of local artisans, further enhancing the cultural experience. While it may be a higher-priced activity, the lasting memories and sense of accomplishment make it a worthwhile investment in team cohesion and morale.

Family Style

Embark on a delectable journey with Columbus Food Adventures, where indulging in culinary delights becomes a unique team-building experience. With a diverse array of meticulously curated food tours, including van-based and walking options, as well as customizable private tours, there's something to satisfy every palate. Led by a seasoned team with extensive expertise, these tours seamlessly blend gastronomic exploration with team bonding. Whether strolling through vibrant neighborhoods or savoring local delicacies, participants forge connections over shared culinary experiences. With unparalleled access to the city's finest gastronomic gems, Columbus Food Adventures ensures an unforgettable outing that fosters camaraderie and appreciation for diverse cuisines.

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.