Kickass activities for an epic team building and team bonding event!
Looking for awesome team building activities to do in Chicago?
Searching for ways to make the next team building event different and memorable?
Not sure about how to find team activities that aren’t #cringe or just plain boring?
Finding the best ideas to team build in Chicago
Involve them in planning the event as well! Image by Cherrydeck on Unsplash.
Here’s a fact about The Windy City: it’s got an abundance of engaging group activities, including some of the best team building activities in and near the Loop, that will incite your entire team to actively participate, helping them bond with one another and improving team morale, teamwork, and team productivity.
So, which of them are you gonna choose? A random Google search will reveal hundreds of team building ideas in Chicago, each one claiming to be the best.
That’s where we come in.
We’ve gone through dozens of team building options to shortlist the 11 best ones. Additionally, if you're looking to reward your team members, consider exploring voucher and gift card options to further enhance their experience.
These activities will give your team members a welcome change of pace, help them develop empathy and respect for one another, and boost critical team and workplace skills like collaboration, communication, quick thinking and observation.
Have a team outing at Punch Bowl Social Chicago
Sometimes, all that your team needs is a change of scenery. A place away from the office to unwind, relax and catch up (as in chat, not pester for work updates) with one another.
And the 30,000 sq ft large playground for grown-ups that is Punch Bowl Social Chicago is an awesome Chicago venue for team bonding.
From VR lounges to old-school arcade games, from bowling to karaoke, from burgers and waffles to cilantro wings and shrimp polenta…there’s a whole lot of options for your group to try out at Punch Bowl Social!
Pro tip: I know this might sound cheesy, but you really oughta try out their punch!
Website: Visit their website
Location: Check address/Plan route on Google Maps
Enquiry form: Visit their contact page
Phone: (312) 809-9551
Punch Bowl Social is clearly a place adults will enjoy. Here are 31 other attractions for adults in Chicago.
Go on a food tour with Chicago Food Planet
Our Midwestern Metropolis is well-known for having a distinctive and diverse range of cuisines. And going on a food tour is a great activity to include in your next team building event.
Breaking bread together is one of the best ways for colleagues to break down differences among one another and work towards functioning seamlessly together.
From Iconic Foods of Chicago to Chinatown Adventure, they have multiple options for you to choose from. You could be having Italian meatballs with wine one moment and Mexican sandwiches with margaritas the next.
Their tour guides are knowledgeable and will regale you with stories of the city as you proceed from restaurant to restaurant..
Website: Visit their website
Location: Check address/Plan route on Google Maps
Enquiry form: Visit their contact page
Phone: (312) 932-0800
Team building apart, here are the Chicago foods you must try out!
Set out on an adventure at Fox in a Box Escape Room
The perfect escape from tiresome and tiring Zoom calls and to-do lists into deeply held fantasies.
Your teams can choose from adventures like masterminding a prison escape, breaking into a top-secret military bunker and so on.
They’ll have to work together to accomplish their mission before the clock hits 00:00. Every adventure has twists and turns and surprises they just won’t see coming…which will keep every single team member engaged.
So, what makes this an epic Chicago team building activity?
Well, teams will have to rely on each other, cooperate as needed and communicate their findings and problems to one another, if they want to escape within time.
Website: Visit the home page
Location: Check address/Plan route on Google Maps
Email: info@foxinaboxchicago.com
Phone: (312) 878-7899
Just in case you’re wondering, here are 15 reasons why escape rooms are great for team building.
Experience virtual reality at Redline VR
VR experiences, karaoke, comedy and cocktails.
Sounds like a cool team outing?
Then you know where to make the booking!
This should be an especially good fit for tech companies (and also for teenage team-building activities), as coders and other tech company folks would find it fascinating to interact with some of the coolest tech experiences available, outside of work.
Few things inspire trust, observation and communication like working together to survive a vacation gone wrong or to fix a space station before disaster strikes.
Pro tip: Remember to check out their Mai Tais!
Website: Visit their website
Location: Check address/Plan route on Google Maps
Enquiry form: Visit their contact page
Phone: (773) 236-6868
If you’re more a fan of old-school tech, check out our bunker escape room. It’s got a Cold War-era missile launch setup!
Play social darts at Flight Club
Reserve an area and a darts board (or, several darts boards if you’ve got a large group) and take part in darts-based games (yeah, they have various games based on darts). Engaging in such activities can offer insights into why you should take part in team-building activities organized by your workplace.
You could have a games master assigned to your group to keep scores and arrange mini tournaments.
It doesn’t matter whether you’ve never played darts before, or whether you think you’ve had your fair share of darts…you’ll be thrilled to take part in their games.
That, plus beer on tap, cocktails and bar snacks make for a refreshing break from the office grind.
Website: Visit their website
Location: Check address/Plan route on Google Maps
Email: reservations@flightclubdartsusa.com
Phone: (312) 284-2474
Go lumberjack axe throwing with BATL - Backyard Ax Throwing League
Looking for group activities in Chicago for your team to blow off some steam?
May I suggest some axe throwing?
Workplace debates and disagreements can lead to tension building up among team members. A physical activity like swinging an axe through the air is an effective way of releasing pent-up frustrations and help the team bond again.
No experience? No problem?
There’ll be a coach on hand to teach you how to do it safely and you can practice before starting on intra-team tournaments.
Website: Visit their website
Location: Check address/Plan route on Google Maps
Enquiry form: Visit their contact page
Phone: (773) 245-4151
Apart from teambuilding, axe throwing can be a great activity to enjoy with teens. Here are 9 more Chicago activities to enjoy with teens.
Investigate murders at Art Room Events
Art Rooms Events have various kinds of group activities for you to choose from, but I find their murder mystery games the best for serious team building.
Engaging and thrilling team events that will put their creative thinking and logical deduction skills to the test.
While larger corporations often invest in team-building, the benefits and considerations for small businesses going for team-building activities can be quite distinct.
And, let’s be honest, there’s nobody on earth that hasn’t dreamt of landing in the middle of their own whodunnit, racing against time to find the killer.
But that’s not their only offering
If you’re looking for more of a relaxing experience, check out their massage sessions…and for more carefree and bonding activities, choose from their group lessons (everything from mixology to painting) and charter cruises.
Website: Visit their website
Location: Check address/Plan route on Google Maps
Enquiry form: Visit their contact page
Phone: (872) 808-0278
Explore our city with Absolutely Chicago Segway Tours
A segway ride is an exciting and fun way of exploring Chicago. It’s a whole different ball game to the traditional walking tour, as you can cover more territory in less time.
That in turn gives you more chances of taking breaks along the way, to grab food and drink and regroup.
And there’s a lot to explore in Chicago - the lakefront, the museums, the stadiums, the various neighborhoods, firework displays, haunted houses and so much more.
If you're curious about organizing such events, learn how you can organize an effective team building event.
Never ridden a segway before? Don’t worry, they’ll give you a crash course before you set off on your tour!
Website: Visit their website
Location: Check address/Plan route on Google Maps
Enquiry form: Visit their contact page
Phone: (312) 552-5100
Take part in various games at WhirlyBall Chicago
A combination of lacrosse, hockey, basketball and bumper cars, Whirlyball is a great way to spark friendly competition in the team.
Up to 10 folks can play at a time on the WhirlyBugs, brandishing scoops and wiffle balls. And for those seeking a unique twist on corporate events, the transforming appeal of escape rooms offers a fresh perspective.
Got a larger group?
Those awaiting their turn can try out their luck at bowling, laser tag and pingpong.
And it’s not really a group activity without a fab meal is it? Book their rooftop patio and choose from various kinds of pizzas, burgers, craft beer, cocktails and a whole lot more!
A great way for the entire group to connect with one another.
Website: Visit their website
Location: Check address/Plan route on Google Maps
Enquiry form: Visit our contact page
Phone: (773) 486-7777
Learn the ropes at the Retreat and Ecology Campus at Loyola University
It’s like going back to college, not for credits but for fun. Loyola have created an entire obstacle course of cables and ropes that you need to climb, slide and swing your way through.
While outdoor activities like these are a hit, there are also indoor events that can be equally engaging. For instance, understanding why event planners should partner with Fox in a Box can provide a fresh perspective on team-building.
Cheer for one another as you try to make it across.
The further you proceed, the more challenging it gets…inspiring your team to push themselves and set better and higher goals.
One of the best outdoor group activities in Chicago.
Website: Visit their website
Location: Check address/Plan route on Google Maps
Email: lurec@luc.edu
Phone: (815) 338-1032
Create your own Happy Hour at Brew & Grow
Add a sparkle to the “grab a beer after work” tradition by learning how to brew your own Chicago beer.
Few activities bring team members together like learning how to brew your own beer along with the history of Chicago beer and the basics of beer tasting.
Alongside understanding the art of brewing, it's essential to grasp why team building matters for your company and how such activities, combined with the history of Chicago beer and the basics of beer tasting, can foster a stronger team spirit.
Website: Visit their homebrew classes webpage
Location: Check address/Plan route on Google Maps
Phone: (773) 463-7430
Top team building activities in Chicago - key takeaways
Get the team ready for an amazing event! Image by Antenna on Unsplash.
To summarize, Chicago has loads of group activities that can do wonders at helping office teams catch a break of scenery, develop team and work skills like cooperation, communication and logical thinking, and bond with one another.
We’ve selected the top 11 ones for you, and that should also illustrate the ups and downs of a team event.
While you’re selecting which of these to include in the coming team building event, remember to consider what kind of experience the team is looking forward to (an exciting one like an escape room, an enjoyable one like a city tour, a relaxing one like a massage and so on).
Hope you put together an event the entire team relishes and remembers!
Featured image by Jason Goodman on Unsplash.
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