Did somebody say “team-building event”? Oh no. Run, run for the hills!
In the corporate world, a team-building event tends to get a bad rap. That’s probably because they usually feel forced and awkward, with one enthusiastic organiser doing their best to get people pumped, and a whole bunch of, erm, less-enthusiastic employees who would much rather be somewhere else.
But you know, it really doesn’t have to be this way. At Live 9, we are team-team building all the way. Because not only can they actually help teams to work more effectively, but they can also be a ton of fun!
Especially if you get these products involved.
Tug of War
Let’s start with a true team-building classic: the Tug of War. It remains as popular as ever, which is in no small part thanks to its simplicity.
Two teams (usually of 5-10) go against each other and HEAVE! HEAVE! HEAVE! - until one team manages to pull the other over the centre line. And that’s that!
While brute strength is often favoured in this game, it is not the only factor that will ensure victory. As we learned in S1E3 of the Netflix hit show Squid Games, a good strategy is just as important as weight and muscle. A weaker team can still win if they work together and play smarter than their opponents.
Regardless of who wins and loses, Tug of War is a brilliant game that never fails to get people fired up. It goes down a storm at team-building events!
Tug of War
Hungry Hippos / Dash n’ Grab
Though it’s not necessarily a team game, our life-size Hungry Hippos bonanza puts a hilarious spin on healthy competition and is just generally a hoot-and-a-half.
Sometimes, the best way to build a team is not to team them up, but to pit them against each other. Why? It’s hard to say, but the best explanation we can come up with is that humans are pretty weird.
This particular game helps to build camaraderie through the bizarre act of grabbing a bunch of balls and returning them to your net. Grab more balls than your opponents to win. Simples.
Having said that, this can be made into a team game. Either by doing 2v2, or by having teams of four have a go at a time. Whichever team manages to clear all the balls the quickest wins. Either way, there’s hours of fun to be had with the Hungry Hippos!
Hungry Hippos
Crazy Golf
When work gets crazy, play some Crazy Golf. It’s fun and silly, making it the perfect distraction from the daily grind. But at the same time, it has a competitive element, so will have your team engaged as they go toe-to-toe with the obstacles and each other!
Crazy Golf is just one of those activities that is really great for bonding. Everyone can join in, and everyone is on an even playing field (which is ironic, because it is decidedly uneven) - your team can be unified by the satisfying difficulty of all 9 of the holes.
As an added bonus, this Crazy Golf activity can be set up in your office, if you’ve got the space for it. The holes are modular, so can be worked around your office furniture. Office crazy golf - wouldn’t that be cool!
9 Hole Crazy Golf
Gladiator Duel
In a similar vein to the Hungry Hippos activity, the Gladiator Duel encourages team building by pitting your team members directly against each other. Again, humans are weird.
What makes this activity so great is that it is the perfect way to settle scores. Any dirty laundry between employees can be aired here, under the guise of harmless fun. It is harmless; no-one will get hurt. But if you can land a few satisfying blows against the guy who keeps leaving the milk out of the fridge? That’ll feel pretty darn good.
Admittedly, that’s a rather cynical way to look at things. Chances are there aren’t any tensions in your team, and they’re just looking to have some high-octane, spectacular fun. The Gladiator Duel will provide that in spades.
Gladiator Duel
Big Red Balls
There’s lots we could say about the Big Red Balls, but I mean, just look at them. They speak for themselves.
Truth be told, the Big Red Balls challenge is really bloomin’ difficult. And even though it’s a solo affair, they are really amazing for team building. The Big Red Balls are unity through conflict, personified.
Adult Sumo Suits
Think about it: teams work best when the individual team members bounce off each other. And that’s exactly what they’ll be doing when they put on the Sumo Suits.
That was… a very average and contrived joke, at best. Nonetheless, this activity is a great way to have your employees in fits of laughter as they push, pull or throw each other around in these ridiculous sumo suits.
Adult Sumo Suits
Sack Racing
Before giving someone the sack, you should let them redeem themselves by giving them the sack.
Honestly, we may have just included sack racing in this list so we could write that (admittedly terrible) joke.
So feel free to sack this one off.
Sack Racing
100ft Assault Course
Where do you go from sack racing? How do you top that? Ah yes, the 100ft Assault Course.
This one is an absolute beast. It’s 100ft of pure madness, full of crazy obstacles that will have participants running and leaping and diving in an adrenaline-fueled frenzy. As a bonus, the sides are fully netted so it’s great for spectators.
If you’re running an ‘It’s a knockout’ event, then this activity is an absolute must. Once you’re in the clutch of the assault course, nothing else matters; it’s just you, your opponent, and some crazy-ass inflatable things. Glory awaits the victor.
100ft Assault Course
Get in touch!
A team that plays together is a team that stays together. Ain’t that the truth!
Anyway, if you like the sound of any of these products, and you’re looking to put on an absolute whopper of a team-building day, then do get in touch. We’ll make sure your guests never fear the words “team building” again!
