Team building should be fun, engaging, and memorable. But let’s be honest—traditional activities often feel forced and boring. If we want to bring our team closer in a way that actually works, play-based team building is the answer.
Many workplaces rely on outdated team-building exercises like trust falls or dull icebreakers. These activities often feel awkward and don’t create real connections between team members.
Common issues include:
- Boring and repetitive. Employees see them as time-wasters.
- Short-lived effects. They don’t create lasting bonds.
- Lack of engagement. We participate because we have to, not because we want to.
Forbes shared that companies with strong team connections see 21% higher profits and can outperform competitors by 147%.
Key takeaways:
- Engaged teams perform better.
- Play-based activities make team building fun and impactful.
- Choosing the right activity involves considering several important factors.
Let’s explore the best activities for our next team building. Burlington & Oakville companies can enjoy unique and fun exercises here at FUNdamentals of Play.
Take team building outside with fun, interactive challenges that encourage collaboration.
The Impact of Ineffective Team Building
Ineffective team building can cause real problems in the workplace. These include:
- Poor communication. Teams struggle to collaborate effectively.
- Low morale. Employees don’t feel connected or motivated.
- Increased turnover. A lack of teamwork leads to job dissatisfaction.
- Lower productivity. When teams don’t work well together, projects take longer.
A McKinsey report found that strong team collaboration boosts efficiency by 25%. As business owners or managers, we can’t afford to ignore this issue.
The Rise of Fun Team Building Activities in Burlington & Oakville
FUNdamentals of Play offers a variety of fun and engaging team-building experiences that get people excited to participate. These activities focus on creativity, problem-solving, and teamwork.
Activities we love:
- Teamwork PLAYshop. Engage in interactive games that enhance collaboration and communication.
- Resiliency PLAYshop. Learn to adapt and thrive through challenges with fun, experiential activities.
- Innovation PLAYshop. Stimulate creativity and out-of-the-box thinking with playful exercises.
- Storytelling PLAYshop. Develop compelling narratives to strengthen team connections and presentation skills.
- Empathy PLAYshop. Foster understanding and compassion among team members through guided activities.
- Emotional Intelligence PLAYshop. Enhance self-awareness and interpersonal skills in a supportive setting.
- Psychological Safety PLAYshop. Create a trusting environment where everyone feels safe to express ideas.
- Recess ‘Game Show’ PLAYshop. Rediscover the joy of play with games that boost team energy, connection and morale.
- Authentic Networking PLAYshop. Build genuine relationships through structured yet fun networking activities.
- WOW Factory PLAYshop. Collaborate on projects that inspire awe and innovation for your customers!
These activities are designed to keep us engaged, motivated, and connected while having so much fun.
How to Choose an Effective Right Team Building Activity
Picking the right activity for our next corporate event depends on our team’s goals and preferences. Here are some key factors to consider:
- Team size. Some activities work better for small teams, while others are ideal for larger groups.
- Objectives. Do we want to improve communication, boost leadership skills, or build resilience? Choose an activity that aligns with our goals.
- Interests. Consider what our team enjoys. Would they prefer something creative, strategic, or physical?
- Budget. Some activities require more resources than others. Pick one that fits within our budget.
- Time available. Whether we plan to have a great time for a full day or just a few hours, there’s an activity that can fit our schedule.
By choosing the right activity, we can maximize engagement. We'll get the best results from our future team-building events.
The FUNdamentals of Play Advantage
FUNdamentals of Play is a Toronto-based organization. We specialize in experiential corporate team-building workshops that harness the power of play to help our amazing clients learn, connect, and grow. Our workshops focus on essential skills such as teamwork, innovation, storytelling, resiliency, and emotional intelligence.
Why experiential learning?
1. Active participation leads to better retention
We remember 75% of what they do compared to just 10% of what they read and 20% of what they hear. When we actively engage in an experience, we internalize concepts more effectively than through passive learning.
2. Real-world application builds practical skills
Theoretical knowledge is essential. However, it’s often incomplete without hands-on practice. Experiential learning allows us to apply what we learn in real-world scenarios. This helps us develop skills that theory alone cannot fully teach.
3. Emotional engagement enhances learning
Experiential learning often involves collaboration, storytelling, and personal experiences, which trigger emotional connections. Emotions help us recall and apply learned concepts more easily.
4. Immediate feedback leads to faster improvement
In hands-on learning environments, we receive instant feedback. This allows us to adjust our approach and improve more quickly.
In contrast, traditional theoretical learning often delays feedback. This makes it harder to correct mistakes and reinforce learning.
5. Increased motivation and engagement
We are naturally more engaged when we participate in interactive and dynamic learning experiences. Unlike traditional lectures, experiential learning fosters curiosity, creativity, and intrinsic motivation. It makes learning more enjoyable and effective.
While we are based in Toronto, we offer virtual PLAYshops. This makes our services accessible to teams regardless of location. These virtual sessions are designed to be fun, awesome, and impactful. We help teams unlock new value and enhance creativity.
Schedule a PLAYshop Discovery Call now.
