Rikki B.
Rikki is a professional painter and therapeutic art coach.
Creative Team Building Ideas in Tacoma & Olympia That People Will Actually Enjoy
Looking for team building ideas in Tacoma or Olympia that people will actually enjoy? You have plenty of options — and they don’t have to involve awkward icebreakers.
Let’s be honest: the words “team building” don’t always inspire excitement.
Nobody wants to spend an afternoon doing an awkward icebreaker with people they already see 40 hours a week. The best team-building activities give everyone something to do together — something that gets people talking, laughing, trying something new, and forgetting about work for a little while.
Fortunately, Tacoma, Olympia, and the surrounding South Sound have plenty of options.
What makes a good team-building activity?
The best team-building activities are inclusive, low-pressure, and give people an easy way to interact outside their normal work roles.
You don’t necessarily need competition, complicated exercises, or a lesson about communication at the end. Sometimes simply giving your team a shared experience is enough.
Look for an activity that:
- Works for different personalities and experience levels
- Gives people something to do while they socialize
- Doesn’t put anyone uncomfortably on the spot
- Fits the size and personality of your group
- Feels different from another day at the office
Here are a few ideas to consider around Tacoma and Olympia.
1. Try a hands-on creative workshop
Creative activities are especially good for groups because everyone has something to focus on while conversations happen naturally.
Painting, pottery, floral arranging, candle making and other hands-on workshops give coworkers a chance to slow down and make something together.
And no, everyone does not have to be artistic.
In fact, watching the person who swore they “can’t even draw a stick figure” become strangely proud of their creation is part of the fun.
2. Get outside
We live in a pretty incredible corner of the country, so take advantage of it.
A walk along the waterfront, a local trail, a picnic, a scavenger hunt or even a casual afternoon at a park can make a great team outing — particularly for groups that spend most of their workday indoors.
Just remember that Washington weather occasionally has its own team-building agenda, so having a backup plan isn’t a bad idea.
3. Volunteer together
For teams that want their gathering to have a little more purpose, consider spending a few hours volunteering with a local organization.
Food banks, community organizations, environmental projects and other nonprofits often have opportunities for groups.
It gives your team a shared goal while putting that time and energy back into the community.
4. Plan a food or drink experience
Sometimes the easiest way to get people together is also the most obvious: feed them.
A brewery afternoon, coffee tasting, cooking class, food tour or group dinner can work especially well for smaller teams.
You can also combine food and drinks with another activity so the event feels like more than simply meeting at a restaurant after work.
5. Give your team a problem to solve
Escape rooms, trivia nights and scavenger hunts are great options for groups that enjoy a little friendly competition.
These experiences naturally encourage communication and problem solving without having to announce that everyone is about to practice their “communication and problem-solving skills.”
Much less suspicious.
6. Host your own private creative event
If coordinating transportation, reservations and schedules for an entire team already sounds exhausting, bring the activity to your group instead.
A private creative event can happen at your office, a rented event space, a favorite local venue or another location that works for your team.
At Artvana, we bring guided painting experiences to groups throughout Tacoma, Olympia, Lacey, Puyallup, Gig Harbor and surrounding Western Washington communities.
We bring the art supplies and guide everyone through the experience step by step, so beginners can relax and enjoy themselves too.
Your team gets to talk, laugh, paint and spend some actual time together — and everyone leaves with something they made.
LEARN MORE ABOUT BOOKING A PRIVATE PAINT PARTY FOR YOUR GROUP
How much time should you plan for a team-building event?
For most teams, two to three hours is a comfortable amount of time for a social team-building activity.
That gives everyone enough time to settle in and enjoy the experience without turning the outing into an all-day commitment.
If you’re adding food, drinks or another activity, give yourself a little extra breathing room before or afterward so the event doesn’t feel rushed.
What about teams with people who aren’t very outgoing?
This is actually where activity-based gatherings can work particularly well.
Instead of expecting everyone to mingle for two hours, the activity gives people a natural conversation starter and something to focus on.
People can participate at their own comfort level without being singled out or forced into the spotlight.
For mixed groups of introverts, extroverts, new employees and longtime coworkers, that can make a big difference.
Team building doesn’t have to feel like team building
Ultimately, you don’t need an elaborate exercise to help people connect.
Give them something interesting to do. Put them somewhere they can relax. Let them laugh together.
That might be the whole point.
If you’re planning a team outing, staff appreciation event, office party or holiday gathering in the Tacoma or Olympia area, Artvana can bring a private creative experience directly to your group.
