How to choose the RIGHT inclusive and fun company outing activities for your team!
Discover the power of inclusive & sustainable activities and how to choose the best ones for your company outing!
In today's fast-paced corporate world, team bonding and employee engagement are more critical than ever for a productive and harmonious work environment. Company outings or retreats have become popular ways to foster teamwork, boost morale, and build lasting connections among team members. However, planning a team outing requires thoughtful consideration, especially when it comes to the activities chosen.
In this article, we will explore the importance of inclusive team outing activities and the consequences of not prioritising inclusivity. Additionally, we will provide some environmentally friendly and sustainable activities that can make your company outing not only enjoyable but also socially responsible!
The Importance of Inclusive Team Outing Activities
Inclusive team outing activities are essential to ensure that all employees feel valued, included, and engaged during the event. If a company fails to bring inclusivity into their culture, it creates a sense of alienation for the team, creating disengagement and eventually decreasing productivity altogether.
However, when employees from diverse backgrounds and with different interests come together in a variety of inclusive activities, it enhances team dynamics, promotes understanding, and fosters a sense of belonging.
Inclusivity ensures that every team member can participate in activities that resonate with their preferences and abilities, creating a positive and supportive atmosphere.
Failure to prioritise inclusivity in team outing activities can have several negative consequences. Researchers Marika Miminoshvili & Matej Černe stated that workplace exclusion causes employees to feel disengaged if the activities cater only to specific groups or interests. This can lead to reduced participation, lower team morale, and even a sense of exclusion. In extreme cases, it may perpetuate existing divisions or cliques within the team, hindering collaboration and overall team cohesion.
Environmentally Friendly and Sustainable Activities
The rise of eco-consciousness among consumers has become one of the biggest current social responsibilities for corporations to work on. As we become more conscious of our impact on the environment, incorporating environmentally friendly and sustainable activities into team outings has become increasingly important. Here are some activities that we at WorkTripp® believe can foster a sense of environmental stewardship:
Nature Clean-up and Restoration
Organising a nature clean-up activity, such as a beach or park clean-up, allows teams to give back to the environment while enjoying the outdoors. Working together to restore natural spaces not only creates a positive impact on the environment but also enhances team bonding and a sense of accomplishment.
Sustainable Outdoor Adventures
Consider eco-friendly outdoor adventures that minimise environmental impact. Activities like hiking, nature walks, or cycling tours allow teams to appreciate nature's beauty while treading lightly on the environment.
Planting and Gardening Projects
Engage in planting and gardening initiatives, such as creating a community garden or planting trees in a designated area. These activities promote green spaces and contribute to environmental sustainability.
Ice-Breaking Games: Building Connections from Scratch
Ice-breaking games are a fantastic way to break down barriers and encourage interaction among team members who may not know each other well.
Human Knot
The "Human Knot" game is a classic icebreaker that promotes teamwork and communication. Participants stand in a circle, reach out, and hold hands with two different people across the circle. The challenge is to untangle the "human knot" by carefully manoeuvring without letting go of hands. This activity fosters a sense of collaboration and camaraderie among team members.
Two Truths and a Lie
This game is a great icebreaker to learn more about each other in a fun and engaging way. Each participant takes turns sharing three statements about themselves - two of which are true, and one is a lie. The rest of the team must guess which statement is the lie, leading to amusing revelations and creating connections through shared experiences.
The Great Egg Drop
The Great Egg Drop is a team game that challenges participants' creativity and problem-solving skills. Teams are provided with limited materials, such as straws, tape, and newspapers, to create a protective package for a raw egg. The packages are then dropped from a height, and the team whose egg remains intact wins the challenge. This activity encourages teamwork, innovation, and the ability to think outside the box.
Creative Workshops: Fostering Innovation and Teamwork
Creative workshops allow employees to explore their artistic side while working collaboratively towards a common goal.
Art and Painting Workshops
According to Forbes, art and painting workshops create space for individuals to unleash their creativity and help foster a sense of belonging. Guided by professional artists, participants can express themselves through art which instils a form of self-expression. Other than individual relief, collaborative art projects can also encourage teamwork and communication among team members, as they combine their artistic talents to create something unique together.
Culinary Classes and Cooking Challenges
In a study regarding intimacy and team bonding via preparing and eating food together, Kevin Kniffin of Cornell University quoted,
“Eating is such a primal behaviour that it can extraordinarily be meaningful.”
Cooking challenges not only serve as a fun and engaging activity but also promote teamwork and innovation. Divide employees into teams and challenge them to cook a specific dish within a set time frame using limited resources. This activity encourages collaboration, problem-solving, and the ability to adapt to new situations, all while enjoying delicious results.
DIY Craft Sessions
DIY craft sessions offer a wide range of creative activities that cater to different interests and skill levels. From making personalized mementoes to crafting decorative items, employees can bond over shared interests and create lasting memories. These sessions provide an opportunity for relaxation, self-expression, and a break from the usual work routine.
Scavenger Hunt: Teamwork with a Twist
The idea of scavenger hunts has become a popular method to connect teammates through a thrilling story with exciting goals. By asking your teammates to work in split teams and reach a certain goal, it injects an element of thrill and excitement into the outing, fostering teamwork and problem-solving skills.
Indoor Treasure Hunt
For outings in indoor venues, organise a treasure hunt that takes participants on an exciting journey through various rooms and locations within the venue. Create clues that challenge the teams to work together to decipher and solve, leading them to the next clue until they find the hidden treasure.
Outdoor Adventure Hunt
Outdoor scavenger hunts are perfect for outings in parks, nature reserves, or any vast outdoor space. Design clues that encourage exploration and navigation through the area. This activity not only promotes teamwork but also allows participants to appreciate and enjoy the beauty of nature.
Themed Scavenger Hunt
Add a fun twist to the scavenger hunt by incorporating a specific theme. It could be based on a popular movie, historical era, or any shared interest among the participants. The theme adds an element of excitement and creativity, making the hunt even more enjoyable.
Design-Thinking Competition: Unleashing Creativity
Design-thinking competitions can inspire employees to think innovatively and collaboratively to solve real-world challenges.
Problem-Solving Challenges
Present teams with industry-related problems or hypothetical scenarios, and challenge them to come up with innovative solutions. This activity encourages critical thinking, brainstorming, and resourcefulness.
Prototyping and Presentations
Once teams have ideated their solutions, they can work on creating prototypes or mock-ups to demonstrate their ideas. Following the prototyping phase, each team presents their solution to a panel of judges or the entire group, honing their presentation skills and receiving valuable feedback.
Judging and Rewards
To further incentivize participation and creativity, recognize and reward the most innovative solutions. Prizes and acknowledgement for the winning team encourage healthy competition and motivation for future activities.
Volunteer or Community Service: Giving Back to Society
Engaging in volunteer or community service activities allows employees to make a positive impact on society, fostering a sense of fulfilment.
Environmental Cleanup
Organise an environmental cleanup activity to contribute to the community's well-being and promote environmental awareness. Employees can come together to clean up local parks, beaches, or other public spaces, helping to protect the environment.
Social Welfare Activities
Partner with local charities or organisations to support social welfare initiatives. Activities such as spending time with the elderly, visiting orphanages, or organising events for underprivileged children can create a sense of purpose and fulfilment among the team members.
Charity Events and Fundraisers
Plan charity events or fundraisers to support causes close to the hearts of employees. Fundraising activities can include bake sales, fun runs, or auctions, and the proceeds can be donated to charities or organisations making a positive impact in the community.
Conclusion
Organising a company outing with inclusive and fun activities is a valuable investment in employee engagement and teamwork. By prioritising inclusivity, you create an environment where all team members feel valued and included, leading to stronger connections and improved teamwork.
Moreover, incorporating environmentally friendly and sustainable activities adds a layer of social responsibility to your outing, making it a meaningful and rewarding experience for all involved.
Have a hard time choosing the right activities for your team outing? Create an account on WorkTripp® today and start planning with us, so that all of your team mates feel engaged and included!
TL;DR
How many activities should I include in the company outing?
It's best to include a mix of activities to cater to different interests. Aim for a well-rounded program with at least 3-5 diverse activities to keep everyone engaged.
What if some team members have physical limitations?
When planning activities, ensure that they are accessible and can be adapted to accommodate individuals with physical limitations. Prioritize inclusivity to ensure everyone can participate.
How can I encourage shy employees to participate in team activities?
Create a comfortable and non-threatening environment by incorporating ice-breaking games and team exercises. Encourage team members to pair up or form small groups to make participation less intimidating.
Can we combine inclusive activities with educational elements?
Absolutely! Many team activities can be educational while remaining fun and inclusive. For example, workshops and challenges can incorporate learning opportunities that enhance employees' skills.
How can we ensure employees enjoy the outing to the fullest?
Take into account the preferences and interests of your team when planning the outing. Involve employees in the decision-making process and offer a variety of activities to ensure there's something for everyone.
Now that you have the tools and insights to plan a fantastic company outing, it's time to get started! Remember, a well-organized and inclusive team outing can have a profound impact on team dynamics and foster a sense of camaraderie that translates into a more productive and motivated workforce.
