Activities for team day that strengthen team spirit
Effective team days are an excellent way to strengthen workplace community spirit and improve team performance. Shared experiences create unique bonds between team members that carry far into everyday work life. Diverse activities, such as problem-solving tasks, physical challenges, and creative workshops, offer each team member an opportunity to shine with their own strengths. A well-planned team day takes into account the different needs of participants and builds team spirit in a way that suits everyone.
Why is a team day important in strengthening team spirit?
Team days are of paramount importance because they offer the work community an opportunity to get to know each other outside the workplace and see colleagues in a new light. Shared experiences strengthen the bond between team members, which is positively reflected in the workplace atmosphere and results.
Regular team days help build trust, which is the foundation of a functioning work community. When team members feel they belong together and trust each other, it becomes easier to share ideas, give constructive feedback, and ask for help when needed. A good team day provides a safe environment where everyone can be themselves without the constraints of their work role.
Common challenges and overcoming them create experiences of success that strengthen the sense of belonging. When a team faces and resolves challenges together, shared memories and stories are created that can be revisited later. These shared experiences serve as the foundation for a stronger team identity and help build a positive work atmosphere.
- Improves communication between team members
- Strengthens trust and openness
- Helps identify team members’ strengths
- Increases the sense of belonging
- Reduces conflicts and misunderstandings
Which activities are suitable for different teams?
The needs and preferences of different teams vary greatly, so it’s important to choose activities that are suitable for your specific team. Team size, age structure, and physical capabilities affect which activities work best in building team spirit.
For small teams (2-10 people), intensive activities requiring cooperation, such as escape room games, problem-solving tasks, or shared cooking experiences work well. These enable active participation from everyone and provide an opportunity for deeper interaction. For medium-sized teams (10-30 people), versatile activity packages where participants can flexibly divide into smaller groups are effective.
For large teams (over 30 people), it’s worth planning activities that work flexibly in large groups or enable natural division into smaller groups. For example, various tournaments, team competitions, or workshops where work is done in rotating groups function well.
| Activity Type | Strengths | Suitability |
|---|---|---|
| Physical activities | Energizing, release endorphins, suitable for active teams | Fitness and age range must be considered, alternatives should be offered |
| Creative activities | Low threshold to participate, develop thinking, suitable for everyone | Excellent for diverse teams with different age groups |
| Problem-solving tasks | Develop cooperation skills, strengthen communication | Work especially well for expert teams |
| Entertainment activities | Relaxing, lower hierarchies, suitable for everyone | Excellent for stressed teams |
What indoor activities can be organized on a team day?
Indoor activities are popular programs for team days, especially in Finland’s varying weather conditions. Diverse experience services offer entertaining and team spirit-strengthening experiences regardless of the weather.
Bowling is a classic team day activity suitable for players of all levels. Glow bowling brings new excitement to traditional bowling and is a low-threshold activity that works well for different teams. BowlCircus offers versatile bowling opportunities and private spaces for team days. Food and drinks can be enjoyed alongside bowling, making the experience comprehensive.
Virtual reality experiences are a new way to build team spirit. VR games offer teams the opportunity to dive into exciting virtual worlds together and solve challenges in a novel environment. Olio VR offers diverse VR experiences that are excellent for team day programs. The advantage of virtual reality is that it provides an equal experience for all participants regardless of physical limitations.
Prison Island and similar team adventures are based on problem-solving and cooperation. In these activities, the team solves various tasks together, which strengthens communication and cooperation skills. The tasks require different skills, so each team member gets to utilize their own strengths. Megazone’s laser battles offer more action-packed togetherness and are especially suitable for energetic teams.
- Bowling and glow bowling (BowlCircus)
- Virtual reality games (Olio VR)
- Laser tag (Megazone)
- Team adventures and task courses (Prison Island)
- Glow mini golf (Hohtogolf West Coast)
How to successfully combine relaxation and teamwork?
A successful team day effectively combines active engagement and relaxation. A balanced program takes into account both the need to strengthen cooperation skills and the opportunity to recover and relax together.
Spa visits are an excellent way to combine relaxation and teamwork. Flamingo Spa & Waterpark offers versatile opportunities for organizing a team day. In the adults’ spa, the team can relax in various saunas and pools, creating an open atmosphere for discussion and getting to know each other in an informal environment. A spa visit can be combined with a more active portion first, such as team tasks or a workshop, and then reward the team with joint relaxation afterward.
Sauna gatherings are a traditional Finnish way to strengthen team spirit. Many activity venues have sauna and meeting facilities where you can combine more formal programs with relaxation. Conversations during sauna sessions are often more open and relaxed, which can help resolve tensions that have arisen in the workplace and build trust between team members.
When scheduling a team day, attention should be paid to pacing. It’s good to start with activating tasks that help participants tune into the day’s atmosphere. After more intensive group tasks, it’s worth offering time for relaxation and free conversation. At the end of the day, experiences and lessons learned can be reviewed, but in a relaxed atmosphere.
- Start the day with an energizing activity
- Schedule more intensive team tasks during midday
- Allow time for joint relaxation and free conversation
- End the day with a shared feel-good experience
How to plan a team day that suits everyone?
Planning an inclusive team day requires careful preparation and consideration of all participants’ needs. Preliminary assessment is key to ensuring the day offers enjoyable experiences and a sense of achievement for each participant.
Gather information about participants’ wishes and limitations in advance. Send a survey to the team to identify allergies, mobility limitations, and activity preferences. Note that not everyone may want to participate in physically demanding activities. Offer alternative ways to participate so that no one feels left out. A diverse range of activities ensures that everyone finds a suitable way to participate.
Plan a schedule that includes both guided activities and informal togetherness. Too tight a schedule can cause stress, while too loose a program may lead to boredom. Also consider the importance of breaks – sufficient breaks help participants recover and maintain energy throughout the day. Flexibility in the schedule provides an opportunity to adapt according to the situation.
Choose activities that emphasize cooperation instead of competition. Competitive activities may suit some teams, but cooperation-based tasks generally build team spirit better. If you opt for competitive activities, divide the team into balanced groups and ensure that the atmosphere remains supportive. Remember that the purpose of a team day is to strengthen team spirit, not highlight differences between individuals.
- Map participants’ wishes and limitations in advance
- Plan a diverse program that offers alternatives
- Balance the day appropriately between active engagement and relaxation
- Emphasize cooperation instead of competition
- Allow time for free conversation and getting to know each other
Shopping Center Jumbo offers diverse opportunities for organizing a successful team day. All activities can be found under the same roof, making it easy to arrange the day. You can combine the day with bowling at BowlCircus, an exciting team adventure at Prison Island, or a virtual reality experience at Olio VR. At the end of the day, the team can relax in the warm pools of Flamingo Spa & Waterpark. By combining different activities, you create an unforgettable day for your team that strengthens team spirit and carries far into everyday work life.