With the advent of remote and hybrid work, employees are more disconnected than ever. Only about 36% of employees feel engaged in the workplace, which can bleed into lackluster team camaraderie, burnout, and poor cohesion.
Though employee engagement embodies several aspects, interpersonal relationships between team members are crucial to success in the workplace. But how do you get people to come together outside of work?
The answer lies in a team outing. An outing allows individuals to mingle, engage in team-building activities or friendly competition, and build relationships. It’s an enjoyable experience that breaks away from the office and will enable people to discuss non-work-related topics and interests.
If you’re searching for solutions to boost morale, improve company culture, and jump-start employee engagement, pore over these company outing ideas and stir up some excitement.
The benefits of a company outing may seem evident to some, but companies with limited budgets or those who have never had an outing may find the idea unnecessary. To some degree, that idea resonates. Why spend extra money on activities that don’t enrich a worker’s knowledge or talents?
However, employee engagement and company outings are inherently tied together. Engaged employees are more than 20% more productive than disengaged counterparts — a percentage that can put your company over the top on the next project, problem-solving session, or brainstorming.
Company outings also provide noticeable improvements in several facets, including:
You don’t necessarily need multi-day excursions for an effective company outing. Even a day off or an after-hours event can reap benefits with little impact on your budget or time. For the novice planner or organizer, these company outing ideas should get your creative mojo working.
Perfect for both remote and virtual teams, scavenger hunts are just as intriguing now as they were when you were younger. This team-building event requires your staff to find objects on a list; the first team to find them wins. It’s lighthearted excitement that simultaneously promotes competition and teamwork.
You don’t have to be Dale Earnhardt Jr. to enjoy some friendly laps around the course. Perfect as an icebreaker for large corporate teams or even small groups, go-kart racing is adrenaline-filled excitement for people of all driving skill levels.
Your workers probably aren’t regularly roasting a turkey or cooking up an egg benedict. Americans eat out or get take-out eight days a month on average. From a financial perspective, that’s a ton of wasted money when you consider that basic isn’t all that difficult — if you get the basics.
A cooking class teaches a skill that’s useful for a lifetime while quashing the urge for unnecessary spending. It’s a win-win for employees, making it one of the most popular company outing ideas.
You don’t need a killer voice to enjoy a night of singing your heart out. All you need is a frenetic crowd and the words to the song on a screen. Granted, this team-building exercise doesn’t directly improve a worker’s skill set. But it allows them to bond and show off their pipes.
One of the nostalgic company outing ideas revisits the days of old. Laser tag isn’t as popular as it once was, but it’s definitely a winner in employees’ hearts. With staff members split into teams, employees learn how to work together to solve a problem — in this case, blasting lasers and fear into the hearts of their opponents. No other activity provides that.
Game night has been a classic among friends and families for decades, spreading knowledge- and skill-based excitement among the masses. For remote and in-person teams, the enthusiasm and exhilaration carry over.
Board game tournaments, murder mysteries, video game battle royales, trivia nights, and even escape rooms encourage teamwork, broaden knowledge, and give teams chances to connect outside the office—even in a virtual capacity.
Axe throwing has become a popular first-date activity, but it’s every bit as compelling to boost camaraderie in the office. There’s something about grabbing an axe and throwing it tomahawk style into a board that gives your team an added spark to the conversation.
Whether your favorite movie is “Goodfellas” or “The Notebook,” everyone loves a good movie night. Popular for digital teams and onsite staff, movie nights enable opportunities for open discussion about interests and themes and the art of cinema and storytelling.
Paired with drinks and grub via a Hoppier gift card, this is a company outing idea that is sure to provide top-notch entertainment.
Mini golf is the great equalizer. You don’t need to be a skilled linksman, and even the most mediocre of putting prowess on the right day can have you hoisting the championship trophy. Ideal for inspiring competition, mini golf is the friendly competition that your company needs to propel it to greatness.
You may have lived in your city for some time, but how often do you get out and explore or learn about its history?
City tours help you do just that. Tour companies in your city usually offer several types, including history, architecture, ghosts, food, and more. You’ll learn more about the city that allows your business to thrive, where to get the best meals, and places to watch out for hauntings — all important things for a city-dweller to know.
For some organizations, an event that lasts a few hours may suffice. But others may want to make a lasting impression over one or several days. If you're going to promote an annual event or say thanks to your staff after a project, a more extended team outing may be the right course of action. Feel the excitement build with one of these one- or multi-day company outing ideas.
Ziplining can undoubtedly be done in a few hours, but chances are your company isn’t all that close to the remote areas related to ziplining. Ziplining in the wilderness is always a welcome idea to get the best scenery and the most out of your outing. Your entire team gets a jolt of adrenaline and light-hearted fun while you get the opportunity to analyze your greatest risk-takers.
For less adventurous team members, search for a ziplining venue that also has ropes courses. That way, everyone can participate.
Perfect for small groups, a wine country trip can help your entire team unwind. Wineries offer a unique mix of scenery, happy hour, and delicious food. With more wineries popping up across the country, a winery trip is just what your team needs to enjoy a day out of the office.
Annual barbecues were once a staple of many companies, but following COVID, they’re few and far between. Revive this exciting, delectable company outing idea by throwing a BBQ bash of your own.
Though you can cater the event, allowing your team to grill their own meats is always an eclectic mix of flavors and tastes. You can also hold team-building games that are ubiquitous with barbecues, such as washers, bags, horseshoes, or volleyball.
Company retreats are entire- or multi-day corporate events that combine team-building, fun, and practical skills in an exciting forum. Though they’re at the higher end of the budget, these retreats are integral to building a solid company culture.
However, you don’t necessarily have to deplete your budget. Campgrounds, hotels, and corporate retreats provide several price points, all catered to your budget, tastes, and needs. Employees will get a chance to relax while also working on their soft and hard skills — something you wouldn’t necessarily get at a shorter event.
You can also center this company outing idea around your employees' interests. From hiking and kayaking to rock climbing and obstacle courses, company retreats offer something for everyone when you’re away from traditional team-building activities.
Not every outing comes with extras. You may need to purchase supplies or food on the side. Thankfully, Hoppier gift cards can do the work for you.
Give each employee a gift card with a set amount, choose the expiration, and let your employees cater your company outing with food and supplies that fit their tastes. Any leftover money goes back into your account after the expiry, so you don’t have to worry about waste.
Whether you have an onsite or virtual team, Hoppier provides a simple, straightforward method for bringing your company outing ideas to life — without any oversight.
Ready to 2x your global engagement at your next event, with Ox stress?
Make Hoppier your unfair advantage today, schedule a demo
Ready to 2x your global engagement at your next event, with Ox stress?
Make Hoppier your unfair advantage today, schedule a demo
Ready to 2x your global engagement at your next event, with Ox stress?
Make Hoppier your unfair advantage today, schedule a demo
Ready to 2x your global engagement at your next event, with Ox stress?
Make Hoppier your unfair advantage today, schedule a demo
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