Whether you’re a restaurant owner hosting a cooking class or an artist running a workshop, team-building activities are a great way to reach a wider audience.
But choosing an activity for the event or even the “opening act” is an art in itself, and not always an easy pick. There are endless activities to choose from — some better suited to large events, others more intimate.
What’s important is breaking the ice quickly so that everyone gets the most out of the event.
At Eventbrite, we support creators who host lively training, workshops, and networking events of all sizes. In this article, we’ll share 25 creative team-building activities for in-person and virtual events, with real examples of event creators who’ve used these to bring teams together and kick off an engaging and memorable event.
Without further ado, let’s jump straight in.
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10 games and icebreakers to include in your team-building events
Manage your team-building activities smoothly
10 games and icebreakers to include in your team-building events
Let’s kick off our journey by diving into a handpicked lineup of 10 captivating icebreakers. These gems are expertly crafted to break the ice and foster an unbreakable sense of camaraderie at your event.
1. Survivor
Dive into an imaginary emergency scenario — think being lost at sea or stranded on an island. Your mission: escape! It’s all about teamwork, problem-solving, and unleashing the team’s creative genius.
You can use technology to bring your survival scenario to life. For example, the S.T.E.A.M Survivor + Gamebots Robotics event organized by Snapology involves solving robotics challenges. Every time the participants succeed, they earn Survivor Bucks to purchase supplies or prizes with.
- Number of participants: 6-12
- Length of activity: 2 hours
- When to use it: to create an immersive and collaborative experience for your guests
Pro tip: To make the scenario even more engaging, consider using a well-known movie as Survivor “theme”. For example, “Imagine you’re with Tom Hanks in Castaway.”
2. Pictionary
This great classic is still a super fun game — participants split into two groups and take turns drawing and guessing words or phrases. It’s a lighthearted activity that really brings out people’s creativity and gets everyone thinking on their feet!
With a smaller event, you can have a host doing the drawing and the rest of the attendees guessing. This Drag Pictionary event by Revival Brewing Co. uses this format, with the host showing their drawing on a TV screen while guests guess what it is on an iPad.
- Number of participants: 6-12
- Length of activity: 2 hours
- When to use it: for virtual activities where the guests don’t know each other well (yet!)
Pro tip: To successfully run this event virtually, use an online platform like Miro’s digital whiteboard.
3. Two truths, one lie
In this thrilling game, participants share two truths and one lie about themselves. Then, the rest of the group guesses which one is the sneaky fib! It’s a great way to bond, get to know each other, and start your event with a big smile.
You could also scale this into a game-show event, like Would I Lie To You? hosted by the Improv Collective. In this situation, one person has to try and convince the rest of the group that a particular story is true when it could be false.
- Number of participants: 6-10
- Length of activity: 30 minutes
- When to use it: for smaller events where guests already know each other a little (so they can make an informed guess)
Pro tip: Capture the highlights! Consider having a facilitator or designated person take notes of interesting statements or memorable moments during the activity. This can later be shared with participants as a fun recap or conversation starter during the event or afterward.
4. Coat of arms
The coat of arms activity allows creativity to meet collaboration in a relaxed way. It’s like designing a secret handshake for teams, revealing their collective values and opening their eyes to different points of view.
It’s up to you how you want your attendees to design their coat of arms. For example, in this Coat of Arms Workshop from Boston Manor House, guests use collage, drawing, and a range of materials to create their own 3D personal modern-day family crest.
- Number of participants: 6+
- Length of activity: 2 hours
- When to use it: for events where you want guests to work closely
Pro tip: Give people a variety of mediums to create the coat of arms, including different materials and tools. That way, you’ll inspire different methods of creativity.
5. Your life’s best moments
In this activity, participants think about the best moments of their lives and share which one they’d like to relive again. It could be anything from winning an award to a great moment with family or friends.
This activity allows people to be open and authentic, which helps build true connections between participants. Don’t believe us? Take a look at the Beyond Achievement: Experience Authenticity and Connection by Koherence Brotherhood. Their event explores how being authentic when sharing achievements can build connections.
- Number of participants: 8-16
- Length of activity: 1 hour
- When to use it: to build trust and rapport between members at a smaller event
Pro tip: Consider sharing your own memory to break down barriers and encourage participants to be open and honest with their own best moments.
6. Blindfolded drawing
During the blindfolded drawing activity, guests work in pairs. One person instructs the other (who’s blindfolded) on how to draw a picture of something without telling them what it is. This drawing activity usually yields some hilarious results, which is a great way to break the ice and make people feel comfortable.
For some inspiration on how to run a blindfolded drawing session, take a look at the Blind Continuous Line Drawing with Tanya event hosted by Tanya Chapman – Studio 33.
- Number of participants: 6-12
- Length of activity: 2 hours
- When to use it: to break the ice with humor and creativity
Pro tip: Consider taking photos of the drawings or recording the activity to capture the fun and memorable moments. You can share these photos or videos with the participants afterward as a memento of the event.
7. Describe the perfect vacation
For this activity, participants get into pairs and describe their ideal vacation to each other. Whether it’s a trip to sunny Barbados or a relaxing yoga retreat by Honest Soul Yoga, they can choose whatever vacation they want.
Then, they must each describe their partner’s trip to the group as best they can. It’s a great way for participants to practice listening and learn more about each other.
- Number of participants: 6-10
- Length of activity: 1 hour
- When to use it: to encourage active listening and communication between participants
Pro tip: Make sure everyone knows that time, money, and any other constraints are not an issue. You want their imagination to flow without barriers!
8. The common factor
The “common factor” encourages participants to discover shared interests or preferences. This could include hobbies, ideal nights in, or favorite movies. The activity concludes when all participants find a single point of common ground.
This activity is quite versatile, meaning it can work for pretty much any size event (in large events, you’ll break the participants into smaller groups).
- Number of participants: 6-10
- Length of activity: 1 hour
- When to use it: for smaller groups (or large groups split into smaller groups) just getting to know each other
Pro tip: Set a timeframe for this activity. Otherwise, you could be waiting a long time for groups to find something they have in common.
9. Describe what you see
The “describe what you see” activity challenges participants to describe an image to their team members who can’t see it. Then, the team members try to recreate the scene based solely on the verbal descriptions.
Try offering different mediums for this activity — they could draw the scene, paint it, sculpt it, etc. Similar to the blindfolded drawing activity, this can generate some eye-watering artwork and create a fun atmosphere at your event.
- Number of participants: 8-14
- Length of activity: 1-2 hours
- When to use it: when you want a fun and creative icebreaker at your event
Pro tip: If you want to take this event even further, consider turning it into a collaborative art competition like Art Battle. The Art Battle International organizers run competitive art tournaments, which can be a fun way to generate some friendly competition at your event.
10. Building a storyline
Building a storyline is a creative way to involve all your event participants in a collaborative activity. One person starts with the opening sentence, and each person in the group adds a new sentence to develop the story.
Take a look at the Story Slam! Event by Grounded32 as an example of how this activity can work. You could also use an open mic night as inspiration, like the Storyteller’s Open Mic Night by The Commons Cafe & Ky Burt.
- Number of participants: 8-20
- Length of activity: 1 hour
- When to use it: to break the ice at larger events
Pro tip: You could also host a version of this event called a “storyslam,” which involves each participant sharing a short story. Everyone votes for their favorite and the winner gets a prize.
Longer in-person activities
OK, now that we’ve covered ice breaker activities, let’s go over some more intricate activities that can be incorporated into larger, longer events. These activities aren’t just fun and interactive, but also the secret sauce for building robust bonds and turbocharging collaboration between your guests.
11. Escape room
An escape room is a super fun game where guests get to work together toward a shared goal. It’s all about awesome teamwork. Players are trapped in a room and must solve puzzles, find clues, and complete tasks within a time limit to “escape.” For instance, solving a mystery, discovering hidden treasure, or escaping a perilous situation.
- Participants: teams of 6-10
- Length of activity: 1-2 hours (depending on the complexity of the escape room)
- When to use it: as an activity at a conference or other large event (you my need to split people into groups to complete each escape room)
Pro tip: When planning an escape room, use a situation that’s topical and relevant to your participants. For example, Laurel’s House of Horror created an Escape the Movies event based on cult classic films. This appeals to their audience (horror movie fans), making it more engaging.
12. Bake-off
A bake-off is like a culinary race against the clock. Contestants present their mouthwatering creations to judges who critique them on taste, appearance, texture, creativity, and overall presentation. It’s a battle of bakers where only the most delicious and dazzling treats win the prize!
The Annual Men’s Bake-Off by the Living By Grace Fellowship is a fantastic example of how this activity works. Bakers share their baked goods at the event, where attendees can donate $1 to vote for their favorite. The winner gets a trophy during an awards ceremony at the end of the event.
It’s a great way for your guests to engage with each other in a creative way, and adds a touch of healthy competition (plus plenty of baking banter). Plus, everyone gets some tasty treats at the end!
- Number of participants: 5+
- Length of activity: 3 hours
- When to use it: the center activity of a networking event
Pro tip: To make your bake-off more collaborative, pair team members together or create small groups for the activity. That way, people can interact with each other while baking.
13. Walking tour
A walking tour is an exciting adventure where participants get to explore a specific area alongside a friendly guide. They’ll share fascinating insights into the area’s history, culture, architecture, and noteworthy landmarks.
Take a look at San Francisco Neon’s Walking Tour for some inspiration.
During the tour, participants visited vintage neon signs illuminating old-school bars and eateries around the city. It’s a great way for everyone to explore the area and get to know each other in a relaxed environment.
- Number of participants: 6-14
- Length of activity: 4 hours
- When to use it: to break up a long conference and get people outside the venue
Pro tip: Elevate your walking tour by adding cool pit stops along the way. For example, somewhere to grab coffee, play a game of pool, or anything else that’ll help break the ice and make everyone feel more relaxed.
14. Beekeeping experience
Embark on a buzzing beekeeping adventure, where participants discover the secrets of bee care and their crucial role in our environment. From hive inspections to sweet honey extraction, it’s a journey filled with sweet rewards.
For example, Wild Willow Farm & Education Center organizes the Beekeeping 101: Intro to Beekeeping experience, covering honey bee society, types of hives, hive parts, hive tools, and beehive etiquette.
- Number of participants: 6-12
- Length of activity: 4-6 hours
- When to use it: for a full-day team-building activity out in the open
Pro tip: Make sure everyone is comfortable with being around bees, and check for allergies before organizing this activity.
15. Scavenger hunt
A scavenger hunt is a super fun game where participants team up to solve clues, discover hidden items or locations, and take on exciting tasks or challenges. It’s all about working together, building camaraderie, and enjoying some friendly competition along the way.
Take a look at the scavenger hunts from Questo – City Exploration Games as an example. They live in different cities around the world, providing participants with a fun way to find out more about the city they’re in and to meet new people in the process.
- Number of participants: 10-30
- Length of activity: 2 hours +
- When to use it: you can adapt this for larger events with access to a spacious indoor or outdoor location and smaller scale events, too
Pro tip: Planning and managing a large event can be tricky. To make it easier, use a platform like Eventbrite to manage the organizing team. You can assign each member a different role and have each person work on a different aspect of the event.
16. Jigsaw puzzle race
In a fun jigsaw puzzle race, participants split into teams and race to complete a puzzle. The first group to finish wins the game. Check out the SEQ Jigsaw Puzzle Race by Kate Beeby to find out more about how it works.
This activity is entertaining and promotes teamwork. Participants learn to work together under pressure and divide tasks effectively, which builds team spirit and makes everyone feel more relaxed together.
- Number of participants: 10-20
- Length of activity: 30 minutes to 2 hours
- When to use it: For an engaging break at small-medium events (for a large event, you’ll need a lot of puzzles!)
Pro tip: Use an image of something related to the event for your puzzle. That way, participants will start to recognize what the image is as they’re putting the puzzle together.
17. Country dance party
At a country dance party, participants learn country dance routines together. It’s fun, engaging, and gets everyone in the right headspace for a good time.
Have a look at MadLife Stage & Studios’ Country Dance Night. Before the live music begins, the organizers give a country dance lesson so everyone knows what to do when the music starts.
- Number of participants: 8-16
- Length of activity: 2 hours +
- When to use it: to end an event or a post conference networking mixer
Pro tip: Some people are shy about dancing in front of others, or may have other reasons not to dance. For those team members who’d prefer not to dance, include them in other aspects of the event e.g. the organization committee. Hosting a meal after the dance party will also ensure everyone can join in.
18. Painting lesson
Let creativity flow freely with a guided painting session. With a skilled art instructor, discover the team’s inner artists and provide expert tips, valuable advice, and a nurturing environment.
However, you don’t have to have a professional instructor to run the event. The Wine & Watercolors event by Shop Made in DC illustrates (pun intended) how this activity can be self-guided. Their guests have two prints to paint, access to shared supplies, and maker designs for inspiration.
- Number of participants: 6–14
- Length of activity: 2 hours
- When to use it: to encourage creativity at smaller, in-person events
Pro tip: Encourage people to work in small groups around a table and communicate with each other during the painting session. They can share ideas, offer assistance, and provide feedback to one another. This promotes teamwork and creates a positive and supportive environment.
19. Cooking class
In a group cooking class, participants master new cooking techniques, creating a feast, and savoring the delicious results. It’s a flavorful fusion of teamwork, communication, creativity, and culinary prowess — the perfect recipe for breaking the ice at any event.
To see a cooking class in action, take a look at the Italian American Fare – Cooking Class by The Cooking Studio.
- Number of participants: 6–12
- Length of activity: 4 hours
- When to use it: at the beginning of a full-day event to break the ice and set the tone for the rest of the day
Pro tip: Make the class open-ended to encourage teams to add their own creative touches or variations to the recipe and showcase their individuality. This fosters creativity and encourages people to be more open with their preferences and ideas.
20. Yoga and wellbeing day
Treat guests to a blissful yoga session to foster an environment of relaxation, self-care, and team bonding at your event. Followed by other incredible wellness activities (such as meditation and mindful eating), you’ll ensure participants depart feeling refreshed and connected.
You can also run these sessions indoors or outdoors, like the Outdoor Yoga series hosted by Baker House 1650. Guests can reset and listen to the relaxing sounds of nature during their outdoor yoga.
- Number of participants: 6–30
- Length of activity: 2–4 hours
- When to use it: for medium to large events where you want to encourage mindfulness
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Pro tip: If you host your sessions outside, make sure the weather is in your favor (a rainy yoga session might not be the best way to help your guests relax).
Longer online activities
Looking to create connections and increase engagement in virtual events? Check out these five fun exercises designed to boost morale, encourage people to get involved, and create a positive atmosphere for your online events.
21. Virtual game show
A virtual game show is a fun way to get your online event off the ground. It involves participants answering questions, solving puzzles, and competing against each other during a video chat.
The Denver Virtual Game Night by Let’s Roam Scavenger Hunt Adventures does this by having participants join the video chat before tackling five rounds of fun games, including charades, virtual Pictionary, and more.
- Number of participants: 8-30
- Length of activity: 1-2 hours
- When to use it: any sized groups (you can split it into teams) to reconnect and create a fun atmosphere during your virtual event
Pro tip: Align your game show questions and challenges with the industry, culture, or specific goals relating to your event. Like the jigsaw puzzle race or the scavenger hunt, these references make it more relevant and engaging for your audience.
22. Online trivia
Host an online trivia game to promote friendly competition and teamwork amongst your guests.
Have a look at the Twisted Trivia – Fun Online Trivia Night! by Social Events for some inspiration. Their trivia night covers a lot of different topics with different difficulty levels, so there’s something for everyone.
- Number of participants: 8-30
- Length of activity: 1 hour
- When to use it: ideal to break up a large event as everyone can participate virtually
Pro tip: Use Eventbrite’s custom questionnaire form to create your trivia. If you’re using Eventbrite to manage your event, this will help you keep all your event management information in the same location.
23. Online cooking class
Like an in-person cooking class, an online class involves being taught how to cook and prepare a meal via video chat. It’s a great way for your participants to do something fun together, even when they’re not in the same room. Afterwards, everyone can sit down and enjoy their dishes together.
There are plenty of online cooking classes you can use as inspiration for your own. For example, the Fresh Take Cooking Classes – Virtual by the CU Anschutz Health and Wellness Center, which covers cooking techniques and seasonal recipes.
- Number of participants: 8-30
- Length of activity: 2-4 hours
- When to use it: to round off your event with a fun and engaging activity
Pro tip: Encourage participants to share their experiences, lessons learned, and any new skills they acquired. This will help them bond over the shared cooking experience and connect on a more personal level.
24. World tour presentation
The world tour presentation is all about your guests coming together to create awesome virtual presentations that showcase different countries from around the world. Each team gets assigned a specific country to dive into, research, and then present to the rest of the group.
You can decide what elements the presentation should include. For instance, you might ask groups to identify music representing their country, like the WORLD TOUR FRIDAYS event by @iAm_RyanJ & @NoConductCrew does — their events use music to represent different destinations.
- Number of participants: 8-30
- Length of activity: 2 hours
- When to use it: at the beginning of a corporate or networking event to encourage people to work together
Pro tip: Set a timeframe for the prep and delivery of the presentations. This will ensure teams don’t spend too much time researching and delivering their presentations, which could prevent you from moving on with the rest of the event schedule.
25. Brainstorming
During a brainstorming session, you suggest a topic for discussion and participants share their thoughts, ideas, and suggestions about that topic. It’s a creative and interactive process that encourages open communication, innovation, and teamwork.
You can choose any topic for your brainstorming session. Or, you can leave it up to your guests to choose, like the Paint and Sip for Entrepreneurs: Fun Brainstorming Session by Sherman Phoenix. Guests meet with other entrepreneurs and let the conversation naturally flow to discuss new ideas.
- Number of participants: 6-12
- Length of activity: 1 hour
- When to use it: to open communication and collaboration in smaller events
Pro tip: If there are introverts in your event, consider brainwriting instead. This gives everyone a chance to have their say without being overshadowed by the more communicative members of the group.
Manage your team-building activities smoothly
There are endless team-building activities to choose from. We’ve tried to provide you with fun, realistic activities to help you find something that’ll actually break the ice and offer your guests a fun and engaging experience at your next event.
To help you plan your team-building event, consider using the Eventbrite event management platform. Our platform is a helpful tool for managing, planning, and executing team events of all shapes and sizes.
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