Are you planning a team building activity for your staff?

It should be a day of old fashioned fun and games that gets your team away from their desks, right? But have you considered whether the ‘T-word’ might spread fear among some of your workers?

They might be dreading questions like, “Race you to the top of Scafell Pike?” Or, “Sack races across the carpark, anyone?” Yikes.

Of course, activities like these can be great fun for some. And you know your team best. But these activities can also be incredibly daunting to others, especially those who are physically inactive or challenged. It may be sensible, therefore, to choose something that’s more inclusive for your whole workforce.

To help alleviate their fears even more, why not communicate your team building plans well ahead of time? That way, there’s no terrifying ‘surprise’ run up for those most concerned.

Here are three alternative team building ideas that will help your dissipate the dread and ensure you avoid forced fun:

1. Cocktail making

How about pushing the boat out and hire out a local bar for your staff to put their best Tom Cruise ‘Cocktail’ moves into action? Or, if budget is a bit tighter, a communal space in your office will do. Whichever you choose, it’s fun to create an exclusive bar-like experience with props, lighting and music.

You could hire an independent mixologist, local bar staff, (or even ask a talented staff member!) to start the day off with a cocktail demo, followed by a masterclass in the art of mixing drinks.

Want to tie it back to your business? Help your staff create ‘guest’ cocktails based on factors like your business values, your products and services, or any relevant theme of your choice. You could even hire a guest judge or ask a local personality to attend the event. To keep it inclusive, don’t forget to include non-alcoholic versions, too.

2. Masterchef at work

There are a number of team building events companies in the UK that can provide businesses with a professional chef. Or, for a more local touch, perhaps you could speak to a nearby Restaurateur directly. Ask if they’d be happy to run a professional chef demo for your event — it’s good PR for their business, too!

Your teams can then work together to recreate the collection of dishes your chef demos. Each team should be judged on their creativity, taste, and levels of presentation (and of course their teamwork). Ask each team to present a tasting plate of the food they cooked together.

The best bit? Sitting down to enjoy the fruits of their labour with a company-provided glass of wine or bubbles.

Quick tip: try to keep this foody afternoon inclusive of different dietary requirements.

3. Immersive escape room

Get your workers to flex their brains rather than their biceps with a premium escape room.

To avoid forced fun and still treat your teams to a thrilling team building day, look into the best escape rooms near your office. You want a fully-immersive experience that is challenging enough to put all your staff through their mental paces and ensures everyone contributes to the final outcome.

There are plenty of cryptic clues and mind-bending challenges at the 5 star-rated escape rooms at Escape Hunt, for example, but better still there’s a chance to relax and celebrate in the corporate lounge with drinks. It’s the perfect way to get your workforce thinking ‘outside the box’, working collaboratively and communicating effectively.