Team(y) building activities for everyone

ow did your last team building event go? Does thinking about it bring back fun memories or does it make you cringe with embarrassment?

Team buildings are tricky to master. For some employees, they are the stuff of dreams: being away from the office, or at least from their desk, for a few hours is a source of joy and relaxation. For others, the mere invite on the calendar is the harbinger of anxiety.

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When planning for team building events, organisations need to keep a few things in mind:

• Not all people are fans of movement (*points at self*). A lot of team building activities involve some sort of physical activity and employers need to think about those who, for whatever reason, don’t like to participate in it. By providing a simple alternative, like card or board games, the day can be fun for everyone.
• Help teams get organised and plan for the event. Will you be away from the office the whole day? Will food and drink be provided or do they need to bring snacks? Should they pack sporty clothes and sneakers?
• Surprises are great, but in the right time and place. The suspense can be there for a while to keep the flame alive, but trust me when I say people would rather know in advance where they’re going and what they’re doing. I once went to Bounce in jeans and a chunky knit sweater and I missed out on the whole experience.

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Now that we’ve got you sorted with some of our tips on how to plan for your next team building event, we have a few activity suggestions we’re sure will please 99% of your workforce. We aimed at 100% but let’s face it, unless you are a Teckel puppy, you won’t be able to please everyone.

Old Town Tuk Tuk Tour

This tour will take you through the typical neighbourhoods of Alfama and Graça, with a special pitstop at the Senhora do Monte Belvedere which offers one of the best views of the city. Whether you’re a local or an expat, this tour won’t disappoint.

Spy Room and 008: Licence to Escape

What’s not to love about being locked in a room with your boss and Susan from Accounting? All jokes aside, escape rooms are great fun and offer a good opportunity to improve teamwork and cooperation.

Team Surf Lesson

Let’s get physical! If you’re more of a Sporty Spice, this is the team building activity for you. It offers a great chance to spend some hours by the ocean and (most likely) try something new. Water swallowing and getting hit in the head by a surfboard included.

Market and Cooking Workshop

Give your colleagues a fish and you feed them for a day. Teach them how to fish and you feed them for a lifetime (unless they’re vegan). A cooking workshop is a great alternative to an outdoor activity. Your team will get the opportunity to meet a professional chef, go to the market to pick out the best ingredients and learn a few mouthwatering secrets to one day, maybe, try out for MasterChef.

Team Dinner in Bica

Nothing beats a classic, and a good old-fashioned team dinner is always a safe bet. There’s no better way to get people talking and bonding than over good food and wine. Plus, Bica, in the heart of the city, might just be the perfect location.

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