20 Team Building Activities Office Managers Say Actually Work

Estimated reading time: 12–14 minutes

You’ve probably seen it before. Someone announces a team-building activity and the room is immediately filled with eye rolls and long sighs. 

The reaction isn’t entirely unfounded. Nearly half of workers say traditional team building activities feel forced, fake, or uncomfortable, according to Forbes. More often than not, team building activities for small teams are one-off events (more on that later) filled with awkward icebreakers that have little to do with the work people do every day. 

But that doesn’t mean team building can’t work. 

To better understand what makes team building successful, Quill interviewed office managers, HR leaders, and business professionals, and surveyed customers across industries including healthcare, hospitality, manufacturing, and insurance. Organizations ranged from roughly 30 to more than 300 employees, and teams from 9 to 30+. 

No matter the industry or team size, one message came through loud and clear: Successful team building isn’t about expensive retreats or elaborate games. It’s about creating opportunities for employees to build genuine relationships, communicate openly, and connect with colleagues they may not interact with every day. 

In fact, the most effective team-building activities are surprisingly simple and don’t require a large budget or months of planning.  

In this guide, we’ll share 20 team-building activities that office managers say actually work, along with practical tips and real-world insights to help you choose the right activity for your team. 

Why Team Building Matters Even More for Small Teams

When you’re on a small team, every success feels like a big deal. The same can be said for every setback. Consider this: on a team of five people, one disengaged employee represents 20% of the group. Every interaction carries more weight. 

That matters even more today because employee engagement is declining. According to Gallup, global employee engagement has fallen from 23% to 21% in 2024. 

Our customer research reinforced that idea. Office managers and HR leaders said successful team building helped employees communicate more openly, build stronger relationships, and carry those connections into their daily work. 

The takeaway? On a small team, even small investments in stronger relationships can have a big impact. 

Why Some Team Building Activities Fail (And Others Succeed)

Successful team building starts with choosing the right activity. 

Some activities fail because they’re treated as one-time events rather than part of an ongoing effort to build stronger workplace relationships. Others miss the mark because they focus more on entertainment than meaningful interaction. 

In fact, according to team building expert Cheri Torres, one-time events may create a temporary boost, but lasting improvements come from activities that are repeated over time and tied to real team goals. And, it is not necessary to overthink or over-produce those activities. 

One message came up again and again in our interviews: the best team-building activities weren’t the biggest or most expensive. They were the ones that encouraged multiple conversations, brought together people from different departments, and gave everyone a chance to participate. 

One thing to avoid? Activities that leave people on the sidelines. Respondents said physical activities and after-hours events often drew lower participation. Inclusive activities that respect different personalities, schedules, and comfort levels were far more successful. 

Another common mistake is assuming everyone enjoys the same type of activity. A Forbes article on workplace team building found that many employees view traditional “forced fun” exercises as fake or uncomfortable, particularly when they reward the loudest voices in the room. That doesn’t mean employees don’t want to connect. It means they want activities that feel meaningful and inclusive. 

The most successful team building activities have a clear purpose, encourage participation from different personality types, and help people work together in ways that carry over into their actual jobs. When employees understand the goal and see the value of the exercise, team building feels less like an obligation and more like an opportunity.

How to Choose the Right Team Building Activity

Before picking an activity, start with the goal. Are you trying to help a new team get acquainted, improve communication, solve problems, or simply give employees a chance to connect? 

Next, consider your team’s size, how much time you have, and whether employees are working in person, remotely, or in a hybrid environment. The best team building activities match the team’s needs rather than forcing everyone into the same experience. 

Use the chart below to help choose the right activity based on your team’s size, goals, and available time.

Activity Type	Time	Group Size	Goal
Quick Icebreakers	5-10 min	2-10	New teams, kick-offs
Fun Team Activities	15–30 min	5-15	Communication, engagement
Problem-Solving Activities	15–45 min	2–12	Collaboration, critical thinking
Team Bonding Activities	30–120 min	2–15	Relationship building

Before planning a team-building activity, ask employees what they’d actually enjoy. Several office managers recommended surveying the team first rather than assuming everyone wants the same experience. Others suggested rotating activities throughout the year to keep them fresh and encourage participation.

Quick Team Building Activities for Small Teams (5–10 Minutes)

Not every team-building activity needs to take half a day. 

Some of the most effective exercises can be completed in just a few minutes at the beginning of a meeting or during a break. These quick activities help employees discover common interests, start conversations, and create personal connections that strengthen collaboration over time. 

Interestingly, many interviewees said the following exercises had a greater long-term impact than large company outings because employees learned about one another as people not just coworkers. 

Two Truths and a Lie

A classic icebreaker for good reason. 

Each person shares three statements about themselves—two true and one false. The rest of the group guesses which statement is the lie. 

While simple, the activity encourages storytelling, laughter, and unexpected discoveries that help teammates see one another beyond their job titles. 

Why it works: Several customers told us that learning personal details about coworkers helped build empathy and strengthened workplace relationships long after the activity ended.

“We discussed our personal lives, children, and partners. It made us—not a family—but closer.”  

— Karen Curry, Insurance Broker at Great American Insurance Group

Question of the Day

Sometimes one thoughtful question is all it takes to spark meaningful conversation. 

Start meetings by asking everyone to answer a fun or reflective question, such as: 

• What’s the best concert you’ve ever attended?  
• If you could instantly master one skill, what would it be?  
• What’s your favorite comfort food? 
• Where would you travel if money weren’t a factor?
• What’s a hobby you’ve always wanted to try?  

The goal isn’t finding the “right” answer—it’s creating opportunities for teammates to learn something new about one another. 

Why it works: Several office managers said employees became noticeably more comfortable collaborating after regularly sharing small pieces of their personal lives during informal conversations.

“When people learn more about each other’s lives, they give one another more grace.”  

— Corey Harris, Human Resources Director at Nysa ILA Fringe Benefits 

Desk Show-and-Tell

Invite each employee to choose one item from their desk and explain why it’s meaningful. 

It might be a family photo, a souvenir from a memorable trip, an award, or even a favorite coffee mug. 

This simple exercise helps employees share parts of their identity that rarely come up during everyday work conversations. 

Why it works: Our interviews showed that understanding coworkers beyond their roles helped build trust, reduce misunderstandings, and create stronger working relationships. 

Team Building Activities That are Actually Fun

Once teammates know one another, the focus can shift from introductions to shared experiences. 

The most successful activities combine friendly competition, creativity, and collaboration while giving employees opportunities to laugh together. 

One surprising takeaway from our customer research was that memorable experiences didn’t need to be expensive. Holiday decorating contests, appreciation events, simple games, and team lunches were mentioned far more often than retreats or costly outings. 

“Team-building doesn’t have to be expensive or elaborate to make a difference.”  

— Marlene McElroy, Payroll Manager at Tubular Services LLC

 Most of the activities below can be completed in 30 minutes or less using common office supplies.

Blind Drawing

Pair employees and have them sit back-to-back. 

One person describes a picture without naming the object while the other attempts to draw it based solely on verbal instructions. 

Once finished, compare the original image with the drawing. 

The exercise often produces plenty of laughter while reinforcing the importance of clear communication and active listening. 

Why it works: Several interviewees said activities requiring employees to communicate and solve problems together improved collaboration back at work because teammates learned to explain ideas more clearly and listen more carefully. 

Office Trivia

Turn workplace knowledge into a fun, low-pressure competition by creating trivia questions about your company, coworkers, or shared experiences.

Questions might include: 

• Who’s worked here the longest?
• Which coworker has visited the most countries?  
• What year was the company founded?  
• Which team recently celebrated a milestone?

For new employees, consider including questions about company history, products, or values to help them feel more connected. 

Why it works: Several customers told us that the strongest team-building activities weren’t necessarily games—they were opportunities to learn something new about coworkers. Office trivia encourages conversation and celebrates employees’ unique experiences. 

Pro Tip: Invite employees to submit trivia questions ahead of time. It increases participation and makes the game feel more personal.

Paper Airplane Challenge

Who says paper airplanes belong only in school? 

Divide employees into small teams and challenge them to design the paper airplane that flies the farthest—or stays in the air the longest. Give everyone the same materials and a time limit before testing each design. 

Afterward, discuss what design choices worked best and how the team collaborated during the challenge. 

Why it works: Our customer interviews showed that friendly competition consistently brought teams together, especially when everyone could participate regardless of experience or skill level. Unlike highly athletic competitions, simple creative challenges help level the playing field and encourage collaboration. 

Pro Tip: Award prizes for categories like Most Creative Design, Best Teamwork, or Funniest Crash.

Compliment Circle

Recognition doesn’t have to wait for annual performance reviews. 

Gather everyone in a circle and invite each person to offer one sincere compliment or expression of appreciation to another teammate before selecting the next participant. 

Keep it light and fun where you can. Try to keep compliments specific and consider having the organizer start things. For example: “Phil makes the best coffee in the office.” 

Why it works: One of the strongest themes from our customer research was appreciation. Multiple organizations said employee appreciation days, recognition events, holiday celebrations, and simple thank-yous helped strengthen workplace relationships and improve morale. Employees remember how they’re made to feel just as much as the activity itself.

Team Building Activities That Strengthen Problem-Solving Skills

Some of the best team-building activities don’t feel like team building at all. 

Instead, they challenge employees to communicate, think creatively, and solve problems together—the same skills they rely on every day at work. 

Several interviewees shared stories about employees becoming more willing to ask for help, share ideas, and collaborate after participating in problem-solving activities together. Rather than focusing solely on fun, these exercises strengthen habits that naturally carry into the workplace. 

Paper Tower Challenge

Working in pairs or small groups, build the tallest freestanding tower possible using only paper and tape. Keep it within a 10-minute limit, then discuss who took leadership during the challenge. Hint: triangles work best. Or was it cylinders? 

Why it works: Teams quickly discover that success depends less on individual ideas and more on listening, testing, and improving together. Several organizations described stronger collaboration after employees worked together to solve challenges. Team members became more comfortable sharing ideas, asking questions, and relying on one another when faced with workplace problems.

Marshmallow and Spaghetti Tower

A favorite among leadership trainers for good reason. 

Provide each team with: 

• 20 pieces of spaghetti  
• One marshmallow  
• Tape  
• String  

The objective is simple: Build the tallest freestanding structure capable of supporting the marshmallow. 

The catch? 

Marshmallows weight more than you think. 

Successful groups continually test structure ideas, communicate openly, and adapt as new problems emerge. 

Why it works: Our customer research consistently showed that collaboration—not competition—created the greatest long-term impact. Activities requiring employees to experiment, fail, and adjust together mirror the teamwork needed to solve everyday business challenges. 

Throw Your Troubles In

Sometimes the best way to solve workplace challenges is to approach them as a team. 

Ask each employee to anonymously write down a current workplace challenge on a piece of paper. Crumple the papers into a pile, then have each team draw one or two challenges to discuss. Together, brainstorm possible solutions before sharing ideas with the larger group. 

The exercise encourages empathy by allowing employees to see that many workplace frustrations are shared experiences. 

Why it works: Several customers shared that after team-building activities, employees became more willing to ask questions, collaborate across departments, and offer help to one another. This activity reinforces that solving problems is a team effort not an individual burden. 

Pro Tip: Remind employees that the goal isn’t to identify who submitted the challenge. Keeping responses anonymous encourages honest participation.

Office Supply MacGyver Challenge

Creativity often thrives within constraints. 

Divide employees into small teams and give each group the same mystery box filled with common office supplies such as: 

• Sticky notes  
• Binder clips  
• Rubber bands  
• Paper clips  
• Index cards  
• Tape  
• Pens  

Challenge teams to build something useful—or simply something creative—within 20 minutes. 

Once everyone finishes, have each team explain their design process and why they made certain decisions. 

Why it works: Customer interviews repeatedly showed that employees built stronger relationships when they worked alongside coworkers they didn’t normally interact with. Consider intentionally mixing departments or pairing employees who rarely work together. 

Pro Tip: Rather than judging only the finished product, recognize creativity, teamwork, communication, and problem-solving.

Off-Site Team Building Activities That Employees Actually Enjoy

Mention “team building” and some employees may immediately imagine awkward icebreakers or trust falls. 

Mention “leaving the office for a few hours,” and the reaction is often very different. 

A change of scenery gives employees the opportunity to relax, interact more naturally, and strengthen relationships outside the pressures of daily work. 

One of the clearest themes from our customer research was that off-site activities don’t need to be extravagant to be memorable. Just as importantly, several customers recommended scheduling these activities during work hours whenever possible to encourage participation and respect employees’ personal commitments. 

“Providing a quick escape during work hours creates a much healthier work environment.” 

— Nicolas Delgado, Buyer MRO Supply Chain at KDC/One

Volunteer Together

Giving back to the community is one of the most meaningful ways to build stronger teams. 

Consider volunteering at: 

• A local food bank  
• An animal shelter  
• A community garden  
• A park cleanup  
• A nonprofit organization  

Working toward a shared purpose naturally encourages communication, cooperation, and problem-solving while reinforcing company values. 

At Quill, volunteer events have become a popular way for employees to connect outside their normal work routines. 

Why it works: Customers consistently described the strongest team-building experiences as those that gave employees an opportunity to work toward a common goal while interacting outside their normal responsibilities. 

Pro Tip: Let employees vote on which organization they’d like to support. Giving employees a voice often increases enthusiasm and participation.

Team Lunch with a Twist

If one activity consistently emerged from our interviews and customer surveys, it was this: 

Don’t underestimate the power of lunch. 

Across organizations of different sizes and industries, team lunches were repeatedly described as one of the most successful and most appreciated team-building activities. 

But there’s one small twist. 

Instead of ordering lunch into the conference room, encourage employees to try something new. 

Ideas include: 

• Rotating restaurants each month  
• Letting a different employee choose the location  
• Trying a cuisine no one has experienced before  
• Hosting themed potlucks  
• Mixing seating assignments so employees interact with different coworkers  

One customer shared that roundtable lunches created better conversations than large public outings because everyone had an opportunity to contribute. Others said employees became noticeably closer after discussing hobbies, families, and life outside work. 

Why it works: Lunches feel less like team building and more like… lunch. That relaxed setting often leads to conversations that simply don’t happen back at the office. It gives coworkers a chance to get to know one another outside the context of meetings and deadlines. 

“Communication is key. Everyone should have an opportunity to voice their opinions and expectations.”  

— Karen Curry, Insurance Broker at Great American Insurance Group 

Wellness Outing

Sometimes the best way to strengthen a team is to help everyone slow down. 

Consider planning a wellness-focused outing such as a group pedicure, yoga class, chair massage session, spa visit, or meditation workshop. Unlike highly competitive activities, wellness experiences encourage employees to relax, recharge, and connect in a low-pressure environment. 

One business leader we interviewed shared that a team pedicure became one of their most memorable team-building activities because it gave employees uninterrupted time to talk, laugh, and build stronger relationships outside the office. 

These outings may not be the right fit for every team, but they highlight an important lesson from our customer research: the most successful activities are the ones employees genuinely enjoy. 

Why it works: Wellness-focused activities demonstrate that you value employees as people, not just coworkers. Investing in their well-being can help employees feel appreciated while providing a welcome break from daily routines. 

Pro Tip: Survey employees before planning a wellness outing. Choosing an activity based on their interests is more likely to encourage participation and make the experience meaningful. 

Walking Meeting or Group Walk

Sometimes the best meeting room has no walls. 

Rather than gathering around a conference table, invite employees to take their next meeting outside. 

Research from Stanford University found that walking can increase creative thinking, making it a simple way to generate fresh ideas while encouraging conversation. 

For larger groups, divide employees into pairs before regrouping to share key takeaways. 

Why it works: Walk and talks work. They remove many of the formal barriers found in traditional meetings and feel more relaxed, making it easier for quieter employees to contribute.

Office Snack Showdown

Who knew snacks could spark so much conversation? 

Gather six to ten snacks the team has never tried before—international treats, regional favorites, or unusual flavor combinations and host a blind taste test. 

Ask everyone to score each snack on: 

• Flavor  
• Creativity  
• Most surprising  
• Would you buy it again?  

At the end, crown a winner and consider adding it to the office snack rotation. 

The activity is inexpensive, requires very little planning, and naturally encourages conversation. 

Why it works:  Everyone has an opinion about snacks, making this an easy, low-pressure way to get people talking.  

Pro Tip: Keep the atmosphere lighthearted. The goal isn’t to find the “best” snack—it’s to create an opportunity for employees to connect.

Virtual and Hybrid Team Building Activities

Not every team shares the same office. 

Remote and hybrid teams require a little more planning, but the goal is the same: helping employees build stronger working relationships. 

Our interviews echoed what we’ve seen throughout this article: the best virtual activities focus on helping people connect, not recreating the office online. 

Virtual Coffee Roulette

Sometimes the most valuable conversations happen outside scheduled meetings. 

Randomly pair employees for 20-minute virtual coffee chats each week or month. Encourage participants to talk about anything except work for at least the first half of the conversation. 

Helpful prompts might include: 

• What’s something you’ve learned recently?  
• What’s your favorite place you’ve ever visited?  
• What’s one hobby you’d recommend everyone try?  

These conversations help employees build relationships that often improve collaboration later. 

Why it works: Multiple customers emphasized that learning about coworkers beyond their job responsibilities strengthened trust and improved teamwork. Virtual coffee chats recreate those informal conversations that naturally happen in an office.

Online Trivia Tournament

Platforms like Kahoot!, QuizBreaker, and Water Cooler Trivia make it easy to host friendly competitions regardless of where employees work. 

Mix categories such as: 

• Company history  
• Pop culture  
• Sports  
• Travel  
• Employee fun facts  

Invite employees to submit future trivia questions to increase participation. 

Why it works: Friendly competition encourages participation while allowing employees to contribute in different ways. Unlike activities that reward only the loudest voices, trivia gives everyone an opportunity to participate. 

Pro Tip: Several respondents recommended keeping activities fresh by introducing new trivia themes and rotating formats throughout the year. Variety helps maintain enthusiasm and prevents team-building events from feeling repetitive.

Desk Reveal

Ask everyone to photograph their workspace before a meeting. 

During the call, display each photo and invite teammates to guess whose desk belongs to whom. 

It’s a simple activity that often sparks conversations about hobbies, travel, family photos, books, collectibles, and personal interests. 

Why it works: A workspace often reveals interests, hobbies, and personality, giving teammates an easy way to get to know one another.

Show-and-Tell Slideshow

Give each teammate one slide and two minutes to share something important to them, whether it’s a hobby, favorite travel destination, side project, family tradition, pet, etc. The activity helps build the kind of personal context that makes day-to-day collaboration feel more human. 

Why it works: Storytelling builds empathy. When teammates better understand one another’s interests and experiences, everyday communication often becomes more natural and collaborative.

Tips for Planning a Team Building Activity That Actually Works

After interviewing office managers, HR leaders, and business professionals across multiple industries, one thing became clear: 

Successful team building isn’t defined by the activity—it’s defined by how thoughtfully it’s planned.

“A team-building activity only works as well as the person leading it.” — Corey Harris, Human Resources Director at Nysa ILA Fringe Benefits 

 Whether you’re organizing a five-minute icebreaker or a company-wide appreciation event, these best practices consistently surfaced throughout our customer interviews. 

• Start with a goal. Decide whether you’re trying to build trust, improve communication, welcome new employees, or solve a specific challenge. 
• Choose activities that fit your team. Consider personalities, team size, and whether employees are in person, remote, or hybrid. 
• Explain the purpose. People are more likely to participate when they understand why they’re doing the activity. 
• Keep it time-boxed. Most activities are more effective when they have a clear start and finish. 
• Make participation comfortable. Keep activities optional to avoid putting employees on the spot or rewarding only the most outgoing personalities. 
• Prepare materials in advance. Gather supplies, test technology, and remove unnecessary obstacles. 
• Leave time for discussion. The conversation afterward is often where the biggest insights happen. 
• Give employees choice. Rotate who picks the activity for each round of team building.
• Pay attention to what works. Ask for feedback and use it to plan future activities.

What We Learned From 10 Customer Conversations 

After interviewing and surveying customers across organizations ranging from 30 employees to over 300, five themes consistently emerged: 

1. Relationships matter more than the activity itself.  
2. Simple activities often outperform expensive outings.
3. Team lunches were the most frequently recommended activity.  
4. Activities during work hours receive better participation.  
5. Leadership involvement and employee input are key to long-term success. 

Looking for more ways to boost morale and create a better workplace experience? Check out our ideas for employee appreciation on a budget. 

FAQs About Team Building Activities for Small Business

1. What size counts as a small team?
   While definitions vary, small teams generally include between two and 15 employees. Many of the customers Quill interviewed managed teams within this range, although the strategies in this guide also proved effective for much larger organizations.
   
2. How often should teams do team-building activities?
   Consistency matters more than frequency. 
   Several customers told us they schedule activities monthly or quarterly, while others naturally incorporate team lunches, appreciation events, or informal conversations throughout the year. Rather than planning one large annual event, consider scheduling smaller activities on a regular basis. 
   
3. What are the 5 C’s of team building?
   The five C’s commonly include:   
   • Communication
   • Collaboration   
   • Commitment  
   • Confidence  
   • Camaraderie
     
4. What are some fun virtual team-building activities?
   Virtual coffee chats, online trivia, desk reveals, and show-and-tell presentations all help remote employees connect without requiring complicated planning. 
   The most successful virtual activities encourage conversation rather than focusing solely on competition.
   
5. How do I make team building inclusive for introverts and remote teammates?
   Offer a variety of activities that allow employees to participate in different ways.
   Our customer research consistently showed that simple conversation-based activities often generated higher participation than highly competitive or physically demanding events. Giving employees choices—and avoiding activities that put people on the spot—helps everyone feel more comfortable participating.
   
6. What’s a realistic budget for a team-building activity?
   Many activities are free. For larger events, budgets often range from $10 to $50 per person. 
   
7. How can I run team building if employees don’t like team building?
   That’s actually one of the biggest misconceptions we heard during our research. 
   Employees generally don’t dislike team building—they dislike activities that feel forced or disconnected from their work. 
   Choose activities with a clear purpose, keep them inclusive, involve employees in the planning process, and make participation feel natural rather than mandatory.