10 Unique Company Away Day Activities and Ideas
Planning the perfect company away day can be a daunting task, but with the right mix of engaging and unique activities, it can transform into a memorable and enjoyable experience for your team.
In this blog, we’ve compiled a list of 10 creative and inspiring activities that can foster better teamwork, boost employee morale, and strengthen your company culture.
From tailored wellbeing workshops to themed trivia competitions, these ideas will help you craft an exceptional company away day that your employees will cherish.
Contents
5 Benefits of Company Away Days
10 Unique Company Away Day Activities and Ideas
What is a Company Away Day?
A company away day is a special event where employees take a break from their regular office routine and engage in team-building activities, workshops, or fun experiences in a different setting.
Typically planned and organised by the company, these events are designed to foster better teamwork, improve communication, and boost morale among employees.
By stepping out of the daily grind, employees have the opportunity to connect with colleagues in a relaxed environment, which often leads to stronger working relationships and higher job satisfaction.
From adventurous outdoor activities to creative workshops, company away days offer a fantastic opportunity to refresh and recharge, while also building a more cohesive and successful team.
5 Benefits of Company Away Days
Enhanced Teamwork
Company away days provide an ideal platform for employees to work together outside of their normal work environment.
This fresh context helps team members discover new strengths and abilities in one another, leading to better collaboration and more effective problem-solving when they return to the office.
Through engaging in a variety of activities, employees learn to trust each other, communicate more openly, and adapt to different working styles.
Ultimately, this improved teamwork contributes to a more efficient and successful organisation.
Boosted Employee Morale
Employee morale plays a significant role in workplace productivity and overall job satisfaction.
Company away days allow employees to relax and unwind from the stresses of everyday work life.
By offering enjoyable and enriching activities, companies demonstrate that they value their employees’ wellbeing and want to invest in their happiness.
These positive experiences, in turn, encourage employees to feel more motivated, dedicated, and loyal to the organisation, leading to higher employee retention and increased job satisfaction.
Improved Communication
Effective communication is essential to the success of any organisation.
Company away days often feature team-building exercises that focus on developing interpersonal communication skills.
These activities encourage employees to listen actively, express their ideas clearly, and practice empathy when engaging with their colleagues.
In an informal setting, employees can overcome communication barriers and learn to appreciate each other’s unique perspectives.
The improved communication that results from these away days can lead to smoother project execution and a more harmonious workplace.
Fostering Creativity and Innovation
By stepping outside the confines of their usual work environment, employees can break free from routine thinking and gain fresh insights.
Company away days often feature activities that promote creative problem-solving and out-of-the-box thinking.
By challenging employees to think differently, these events can spark innovation and inspire new ideas that drive the company forward.
Employees return to the office feeling reinvigorated and ready to tackle challenges with a renewed sense of creativity and resourcefulness.
Strengthening Company Culture
Company away days can play a crucial role in building and maintaining a positive company culture.
These events offer employees a chance to connect with one another on a personal level and foster a sense of camaraderie that extends beyond the office walls.
By promoting shared values and mutual respect, company away days can help create a more cohesive, motivated, and committed workforce.
This strong company culture not only enhances employee satisfaction but also makes the organisation more attractive to potential hires, further contributing to its long-term success.
10 Unique Company Away Day Activities and Ideas
Deliver a Tailored Wellbeing Workshop
Prioritising employee wellbeing is crucial for maintaining a healthy and happy workforce. Hiring a professional wellbeing speaker to deliver a tailored wellbeing workshop can be an excellent addition to your company away day.
These workshops can cover a wide range of topics, such as coping with stress, improving health, beating burnout, and more.
By providing your team with valuable tools and techniques to manage their mental and emotional health, you’re not only fostering personal growth but also contributing to a more productive and engaged work environment.
Furthermore, inviting an expert speaker demonstrates your company’s commitment to employee wellbeing and helps build a supportive and caring company culture.
Adventure and Outdoor Activities
Outdoor activities are a fantastic way to invigorate your team and help them connect with one another in a fun and exciting environment.
From scavenger hunts and orienteering challenges to obstacle courses and team-based games, there are numerous options to get your employees moving and working together.
These activities not only promote physical fitness but also encourage teamwork, communication, and problem-solving skills, all of which are transferable to the workplace.
Plus, the fresh air and natural surroundings can provide a much-needed break from the office and leave your team feeling refreshed and reenergised.
Creative Art and Craft Workshops
Encourage your team’s creativity and self-expression with an engaging art or craft workshop.
Whether it’s painting, pottery, or even building custom terrariums, these workshops offer a therapeutic and enjoyable experience for your employees.
Participating in creative activities can help reduce stress, stimulate innovative thinking, and foster a greater sense of camaraderie among colleagues.
Plus, the finished products can serve as unique keepsakes to remind your team of the fun they had during the away day.
Escape Room Experience
Escape rooms are a popular and exciting way to test your team’s collaboration, critical thinking, and communication skills.
Dividing your employees into smaller groups and challenging them to work together to solve puzzles and decipher clues within a set time limit is a thrilling and immersive experience.
Escape rooms provide an opportunity for team members to demonstrate leadership, share their unique talents, and learn to trust and rely on one another to achieve a common goal.
These skills are highly transferable to the workplace, making escape rooms an excellent choice for your company away day.
Culinary Team-Building Activities
Cooking and baking activities are not only enjoyable but also excellent team-building exercises.
Consider organising a group cooking class, a bake-off challenge, or a team-based cook-off where employees need to work together to create delicious dishes.
These activities encourage communication, collaboration, and creative problem-solving, all while having a great time in the kitchen.
Moreover, sharing a meal together at the end of the activity is a fantastic way for colleagues to bond and enjoy the fruits of their labour.
Community Service and Volunteer Projects
Incorporating a community service or volunteer project into your company away day is a powerful way to make a positive impact while promoting team unity.
Choose a cause that aligns with your company values and encourages your employees to work together to make a difference.
This could include cleaning up a local park, volunteering at a food bank, or assisting with a neighbourhood improvement project.
Participating in a charitable activity fosters a sense of pride and accomplishment, strengthens company culture, and builds goodwill in the community.
Interactive Theatre or Murder Mystery Experience
An interactive theatre or murder mystery experience can add a touch of intrigue and excitement to your company away day.
These immersive events require employees to work together to solve a fictional crime or unravel a mysterious plot.
Team members need to communicate effectively, collaborate, and use their critical thinking skills to decipher clues and uncover the truth.
This fun and engaging activity can create lasting memories and improve team dynamics, making it a popular choice for a unique away day experience.
Group Meditation and Yoga Sessions
Offering group meditation and yoga sessions during your company away day can provide employees with an opportunity to relax, rejuvenate, and enhance their overall wellbeing.
Meditation and yoga have been shown to reduce stress, improve focus, and increase mental clarity, all of which can benefit your team’s performance in the workplace.
By including these mindful activities in your away day schedule, you demonstrate your commitment to employee wellness and provide tools to help your team better manage their daily work challenges.
Themed Trivia and Quiz Competitions
Organising a themed trivia or quiz competition is an entertaining and intellectually stimulating way to bring your team together during a company away day.
This activity encourages friendly competition, fosters camaraderie, and allows employees to showcase their knowledge in various subjects.
Trivia and quiz competitions can also be customised to reflect company values, industry-specific topics, or even fun pop culture themes.
These contests create a lively atmosphere and offer a chance for employees to bond over shared interests.
Public Speaking and Communication Workshops
Public speaking and communication workshops can be a valuable addition to your company away day agenda.
Led by experienced trainers or coaches, these workshops focus on enhancing presentation skills, confidence, and interpersonal communication.
Employees will benefit from practical exercises, constructive feedback, and actionable tips to improve their public speaking abilities.
By offering this professional development opportunity, you invest in your team’s personal growth and help to cultivate strong communicators who can represent your company effectively in various situations.
A well-planned company away day can have lasting positive effects on your team’s morale, productivity, and overall job satisfaction.
Why not check out our blog on “Planning a Successful Company Away Day“
By incorporating a variety of unique and engaging activities, you not only foster better teamwork and communication, but also demonstrate your commitment to employee wellbeing and personal growth.
Use the ideas and activities in this blog post as a starting point to create an unforgettable experience that will bring your team closer together, reinvigorate their passion for their work, and ultimately contribute to the long-term success of your organisation.
Author
Tyler Lowe – Health & Wellbeing Speaker
BSc Sport & Exercise Rehabilitation
