Outdoor team building activities: 24 ideas for adults at work, each with a weather backup

The best outdoor team building activities are ones everyone can join at walking pace, close to where the team already is, with an indoor version of the same activity booked before the day. Pick by season and group size, then name one person who makes the weather call. Each of the 24 ideas here is written as outdoor team building activities for adults at work, with an access note, an opt-out role and its own weather backup. To go straight to them, jump to the activity cards.

Park rules, permits and costs vary by city, park and venue, so check them before you book. Planning the weather decision itself? Our severe weather plan for outdoor events has the go or no-go decision tree.

How to choose outdoor team building activities for work in four questions

1. What season and climate? Spring and fall suit almost every card. Summer moves games to the morning or late afternoon, with shade and water. Winter needs short outdoor blocks next to a warm indoor base.
2. What group size? The cards use three bands: under 15, 15 to 50, and 50 and up. Large outdoor group activities need stations and rotations rather than one game.
3. How much time? About an hour fits a team afternoon, a half day fits a team day, and a retreat block fits an evening or a morning on retreat grounds.
4. Who can join? Check walking pace, shade, seating, restrooms and a level route with no steps, and make sure every activity has a role for someone who would rather not play.

Outdoor team building activities: the activity cards

Each card pairs the activity with its weather backup, the trigger for switching, and the person who decides. In the cards, "an NWS heat alert" means either of two National Weather Service (NWS) alerts. "A Heat Advisory is issued for dangerous heat conditions that are not expected to reach warning criteria," and "An Extreme Heat Warning is issued when extremely dangerous heat conditions are expected or occurring."

For storms, the NWS says, "There is no safe place outside when thunderstorms are in the area," and "Rain shelters, small sheds, and open vehicles are not safe." So where a card mentions a covered area, it is a backup for rain only. For lightning or heat, the backup is the indoor room you booked with the main space. The NWS also advises, "Have a lightning safety plan, and cancel or postpone activities early if thunderstorms are expected," and "Finally, wait 30 minutes after the last lightning or thunder before going back outside."

Outdoor team games

These outdoor team games run on a lawn or terrace with simple sets. They are team games outside at a gentle pace, with no relays, no running and no contact.

• Lawn games tournament. Teams rotate through bocce, cornhole and giant lawn games on a simple bracket, with short rounds so everyone plays. Season: Spring, summer, fall · Group size: Under 15, 15 to 50, 50 and up · Time: About an hour to a half day · Who runs it: A colleague, with time set aside ahead to set up the bracket and the sets, or hosted for a large group · Access: Played at a slow pace on a flat lawn, standing or seated · Opt-out role: The bracket keeper, seated in the shade · Weather backup: The same bracket in a large indoor room, since cornhole and target games play on carpet; a covered area works for rain only · Switch if: An NWS heat alert for the day, thunderstorms expected, or steady rain · Decision owner: the weather lead you name in advance, per the severe weather plan.
• Walking-pace field day. Teams move between stations on a whistle, such as beanbag toss, ring toss, a giant puzzle and a target throw, with no relays, no running and no contact. Season: Spring, summer, fall · Group size: 15 to 50, 50 and up · Time: Half day · Who runs it: A colleague, with a station plan and a lead at each station, or hosted · Access: Every station works standing or seated, on level ground · Opt-out role: The station judge, who keeps score at one table · Weather backup: The same stations reset in a ballroom or large hall booked with the lawn · Switch if: An NWS heat alert, thunderstorms expected, or a lawn closed after rain · Decision owner: the weather lead you name in advance, per the severe weather plan.
• Disc golf putting challenge. Teams putt soft discs into portable target baskets set out on a lawn, and add up a team score over a short course. Season: Spring, summer, fall · Group size: Under 15, 15 to 50 · Time: About an hour · Who runs it: A colleague, with borrowed or rented baskets, or hosted · Access: Short distances, with a closer throwing line for anyone who wants it · Opt-out role: The course marshal, who records each team's throws · Weather backup: The same baskets in a large indoor room with a high ceiling · Switch if: An NWS heat alert, thunderstorms expected, or strong wind · Decision owner: the weather lead you name in advance, per the severe weather plan.
• Outdoor team trivia. A colleague or a host reads rounds of general and work-safe questions, and teams answer on sheets from chairs or blankets in the shade. Season: Spring, summer, fall · Group size: Under 15, 15 to 50, 50 and up · Time: About an hour · Who runs it: A colleague, with prepared rounds, or hosted with sound for a large group · Access: Seated throughout, with printed rounds for anyone who prefers to read · Opt-out role: The scorer, who marks the sheets · Weather backup: The same rounds in a meeting room or venue room · Switch if: An NWS heat alert, thunderstorms expected, or steady rain · Decision owner: the weather lead you name in advance, per the severe weather plan.
• Giant chess and dominoes circuit. Giant chess, giant four-in-a-row and giant dominoes are set out on a lawn or terrace, and teams rotate between them. Season: Spring, summer, fall · Group size: Under 15, 15 to 50 · Time: About an hour · Who runs it: Hosted or rented sets, with a colleague keeping the rotation · Access: Pieces are light and the games run at a slow pace · Opt-out role: The rules referee at each game · Weather backup: The same sets on the floor of a large indoor room; a covered terrace works for rain only · Switch if: An NWS heat alert, thunderstorms expected, or steady rain · Decision owner: the weather lead you name in advance, per the severe weather plan.
• Kubb tournament. Teams take turns throwing wooden batons underhand to knock over the other side's blocks, in short matches on a flat lawn. Season: Spring, summer, fall · Group size: Under 15, 15 to 50 · Time: About an hour · Who runs it: A colleague, with a set and the rules printed, or hosted · Access: Underhand throws only, with a closer line for anyone who wants it · Opt-out role: The block setter and match scorer · Weather backup: A soft indoor set in a large room, or a move to the indoor giant games circuit · Switch if: An NWS heat alert, thunderstorms expected, or a wet lawn · Decision owner: the weather lead you name in advance, per the severe weather plan.
• Croquet round. Doubles teams play a short round of croquet on a flat lawn, with mallets, hoops and simplified rules. Season: Spring, summer, fall · Group size: Under 15, 15 to 50 · Time: About an hour · Who runs it: A colleague, with the venue's set, or hosted · Access: Slow pace on a flat lawn, with chairs beside each hoop · Opt-out role: The umpire, who settles each hoop · Weather backup: A carpet croquet set in a large indoor room · Switch if: An NWS heat alert, thunderstorms expected, or a wet lawn · Decision owner: the weather lead you name in advance, per the severe weather plan.
• Paper airplane contest. Teams fold planes to a design brief, then fly them for distance and for landing on a target sheet, and every plane is picked up at the end. Season: Spring, summer, fall · Group size: Under 15, 15 to 50, 50 and up · Time: About an hour · Who runs it: A colleague, with paper and a printed brief · Access: Folding is seated, and flights go from a line anyone can reach · Opt-out role: The measurer, who marks each landing · Weather backup: The same contest in a large hall, which also takes the wind out of it · Switch if: An NWS heat alert, thunderstorms expected, steady rain or strong wind · Decision owner: the weather lead you name in advance, per the severe weather plan.

Challenges and hosted sessions

These need a host, a guide or a bit more preparation, and they give the group something to make or find together.

• Orienteering course at walking pace. A host sets checkpoints in a park or on retreat grounds, and teams find them with a map and a compass at walking pace. Season: Spring, fall · Group size: Under 15, 15 to 50 · Time: About an hour to a half day · Who runs it: Hosted, with a course set ahead · Access: Short and long course options on marked paths · Opt-out role: The control desk at the start, which tracks every team on the master map · Weather backup: An indoor map-reading challenge on a floor plan of the venue, with checkpoints in its rooms · Switch if: An NWS heat alert, thunderstorms expected, or steady rain · Decision owner: the weather lead you name in advance, per the severe weather plan.
• Guided architecture walk. A local guide leads a short route through a historic district or along a waterfront, with stops at buildings and places to sit. Season: Spring, summer, fall, winter-possible · Group size: Under 15, 15 to 50 · Time: About an hour · Who runs it: Hosted, by a local guide · Access: A level route at walking pace, with seated stops · Opt-out role: Take the shorter loop, or meet the group at the final stop · Weather backup: The guide gives the same talk indoors with images; a covered arcade works for rain only · Switch if: An NWS heat alert, thunderstorms expected, steady rain or icy sidewalks · Decision owner: the weather lead you name in advance, per the severe weather plan.
• Park stewardship morning. The group plants, weeds, mulches or picks up litter through a park's or a nonprofit's own volunteer program. Season: Spring, fall · Group size: Under 15, 15 to 50, or 50 and up if the program can take that many · Time: Half day · Who runs it: Hosted, by the program's coordinator · Access: Tasks range from standing to seated work, and the coordinator assigns them · Opt-out role: Seated sorting, signing in volunteers, or handing out tools · Weather backup: An indoor seed-sorting or seedling-potting task if the program can run one; otherwise a new date agreed with the program when you book · Switch if: An NWS heat alert, thunderstorms expected, or steady rain · Decision owner: the weather lead you name in advance, per the severe weather plan.
• Outdoor grilling lesson. A chef teaches the group to grill one meal at a venue with a grill area, and everyone eats together. Season: Spring, summer, fall · Group size: Under 15, or 15 to 50 with more grill stations · Time: Half day · Who runs it: Hosted, by a chef · Access: Prep and tasting stations at seated height, and dietary needs collected ahead · Opt-out role: Plating and table setting, with no alcohol by default · Weather backup: The chef moves to an indoor demo station, or to the venue's kitchen if the venue allows it; a covered grill area works for rain only · Switch if: An NWS heat alert, thunderstorms expected, or steady rain · Decision owner: the weather lead you name in advance, per the severe weather plan.
• Hosted challenge circuit. A host runs a rotation of team challenges, such as puzzles, building tasks and target games, at stations for a larger group. Season: Spring, summer, fall · Group size: 15 to 50, 50 and up · Time: Half day · Who runs it: Hosted · Access: Every station has a seated version, and the host keeps the pace gentle · Opt-out role: The station scorer, at a seated table · Weather backup: The same stations in a ballroom or large hall, booked with the outdoor space · Switch if: An NWS heat alert, thunderstorms expected, or steady rain · Decision owner: the weather lead you name in advance, per the severe weather plan.
• Bamboo tower challenge. Teams build the tallest self-supporting tower they can from bamboo canes, string and tape, and it has to stand up to the breeze. Season: Spring, summer, fall · Group size: Under 15, 15 to 50, 50 and up · Time: About an hour · Who runs it: A colleague, with a materials kit and printed rules, or hosted · Access: Building happens at table height or on the ground, as each team prefers · Opt-out role: The engineer, who reads the rules and measures the tower · Weather backup: The same build in a large indoor room · Switch if: An NWS heat alert, thunderstorms expected, or steady rain · Decision owner: the weather lead you name in advance, per the severe weather plan.
• Kite making and flying. A host brings kits, teams build and decorate a kite, then fly it on an open lawn away from trees and power lines. Season: Spring, fall · Group size: Under 15, 15 to 50 · Time: About an hour to a half day · Who runs it: Hosted · Access: Building is seated, and flying is optional · Opt-out role: The spotter, who helps each pilot, or the decorator, seated at the build table · Weather backup: The build moves indoors and the finished kites go on display · Switch if: An NWS heat alert, thunderstorms expected, or steady rain · Decision owner: the weather lead you name in advance, per the severe weather plan.
• Birdhouse woodworking session. A woodworker brings pre-cut kits, and pairs assemble and finish a birdhouse with hand tools at outdoor tables. Season: Spring, summer, fall · Group size: Under 15, 15 to 50 · Time: About an hour to a half day · Who runs it: Hosted, by a woodworker · Access: Seated at tables, with no power tools · Opt-out role: Painting and finishing the assembled birdhouses · Weather backup: The same tables in an indoor room with the floor covered; a covered area works for rain only · Switch if: An NWS heat alert, thunderstorms expected, or steady rain · Decision owner: the weather lead you name in advance, per the severe weather plan.

Calm and low-mobility formats

These run seated or at a slow walk, and they suit mixed groups, hot afternoons and retreat evenings.

• Shaded lawn working session. A planning discussion or short workshop moves outside to a shaded lawn, with chairs, tables and a portable flip chart. Season: Spring, summer, fall · Group size: Under 15, 15 to 50 · Time: About an hour to a half day · Who runs it: A colleague, with the room and the shade checked ahead · Access: Seated throughout, close to restrooms · Opt-out role: Join from the indoor room nearby, with notes shared · Weather backup: The meeting room you held for the same slot · Switch if: An NWS heat alert, thunderstorms expected, or steady rain · Decision owner: the weather lead you name in advance, per the severe weather plan.
• Outdoor sketching hour. A local artist gives a short lesson, and people sketch a view from chairs with simple kit. Season: Spring, summer, fall · Group size: Under 15, 15 to 50 · Time: About an hour · Who runs it: Hosted, by a local artist · Access: Seated throughout, and nothing is shown unless the person wants · Opt-out role: Write notes on the view instead of drawing · Weather backup: Sketch a still life or the view from a window in an indoor room · Switch if: An NWS heat alert, thunderstorms expected, or steady rain · Decision owner: the weather lead you name in advance, per the severe weather plan.
• Phone photography lesson. A photographer teaches a few phone camera techniques, then people practice on a short level loop close to the base. Season: Spring, summer, fall, winter-possible · Group size: Under 15, 15 to 50 · Time: About an hour · Who runs it: Hosted, by a local photographer · Access: A short loop with seats, and nobody has to be in a photo · Opt-out role: Shoot details from a seat at the base · Weather backup: The same lesson indoors, with still life and window light · Switch if: An NWS heat alert, thunderstorms expected, steady rain or icy paths · Decision owner: the weather lead you name in advance, per the severe weather plan.
• Tai chi session with a seated option. An instructor leads slow, simple movement on a lawn, with a chair version of every move. Season: Spring, summer, fall · Group size: Under 15, 15 to 50, 50 and up · Time: About an hour · Who runs it: Hosted, by an instructor · Access: Every move works seated, and nobody is corrected by touch · Opt-out role: Follow along seated, or simply sit out in the shade · Weather backup: The same session in an indoor room with chairs · Switch if: An NWS heat alert, thunderstorms expected, or steady rain · Decision owner: the weather lead you name in advance, per the severe weather plan.
• Outdoor tasting table. A local producer hosts a seated tasting of foods such as olive oil, bread and seasonal fruit, with no alcohol by default. Season: Spring, summer, fall · Group size: Under 15, 15 to 50 · Time: About an hour · Who runs it: Hosted, by a producer · Access: Seated, with dietary needs collected ahead · Opt-out role: The note keeper, who records the group's favorites · Weather backup: The same table indoors; a covered area works for rain only · Switch if: An NWS heat alert, thunderstorms expected, or steady rain · Decision owner: the weather lead you name in advance, per the severe weather plan.
• Fire pit evening. On retreat grounds, the group talks around a fire pit with hot drinks, where the venue allows fires and no burn ban is in place. Season: Fall, winter-possible, spring · Group size: Under 15, or 15 to 50 where the venue can seat that many around its fire pits · Time: Retreat block · Who runs it: The venue, at its own fire pit and under its own fire rules · Access: Seats at a safe distance, a lit path and blankets · Opt-out role: Head in early, or sit back from the fire · Weather backup: The venue's lounge or fireplace room · Switch if: Thunderstorms expected, a burn ban, strong wind or steady rain · Decision owner: the weather lead you name in advance, per the severe weather plan.
• Stargazing session with a local astronomer. An astronomer sets up telescopes on a dark lawn at a retreat and points out what is visible that night. Season: Fall, winter-possible, spring · Group size: Under 15, or 15 to 50 with enough telescopes for small groups · Time: Retreat block · Who runs it: Hosted, by a local astronomer · Access: A lit, level path to the lawn, chairs at each telescope · Opt-out role: Listen from a chair or from the terrace door · Weather backup: An indoor sky talk with images in the venue's lounge · Switch if: Cloud cover, thunderstorms expected, or steady rain · Decision owner: the weather lead you name in advance, per the severe weather plan.
• Potting table session. Everyone pots a small plant or herb at shaded tables and takes it home. Season: Spring, summer, fall · Group size: Under 15, 15 to 50, 50 and up · Time: About an hour · Who runs it: Hosted, by a local grower, or a colleague with supplies · Access: Seated at tables, with nothing heavy to lift · Opt-out role: The labeler, who writes the plant cards · Weather backup: The same tables indoors with the floor covered; a covered area works for rain only · Switch if: An NWS heat alert, thunderstorms expected, or steady rain · Decision owner: the weather lead you name in advance, per the severe weather plan.

How to read the cards. Start with the season and the group size, then check the time and who runs it. Read the access note and the opt-out role before you choose, and confirm the indoor backup when you book the outdoor space. In a hot climate, move any game to the morning or late afternoon; in a cold climate, keep outdoor blocks short and close to the indoor room. Sizes and times are planning bands, and park and venue rules vary, so check them before you book.

Every card passes the same opt-out check: no physical contact, no fitness bar, no alcohol by default and no personal disclosure, or it names its adaptation. For the wider approach to optional sessions, see inclusive retreat planning for People Ops, and for any space outside the office, use our venue accessibility checklist. The Americans with Disabilities Act "is a federal civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in everyday activities," so treat access as part of the plan; this is planning guidance, not legal advice. The NWS also notes, "Everyone can be vulnerable to heat, but some more so than others."

For a clue-and-route format run in the office, around the neighborhood or on venue grounds, see our guide to a team building scavenger hunt.

Book the backup space in the same step

Book the indoor backup at the same time as the outdoor space, not later. Size it for the whole group seated, and keep it at the same venue or a short walk away. A public park has no indoor backup of its own, so hold a nearby room instead, such as a venue room, a restaurant's private room or the office.

A held backup room may carry a fee or a food and drink minimum even if you never use it. Ask whether the hold is refundable and when the release deadline falls, so the room is still yours at the time of the weather call. Switching also moves equipment, food and transport, so confirm that each vendor can follow the switch. Name the decision owner and the decision time when you book; the severe weather plan covers how to set both.

Outdoor team building by season

Winter depends heavily on the climate: in a mild region, the spring cards may still run, and in a cold one, keep outdoor time short and close to the warm room. No snow activity is planned on these cards.

Large groups outside

For 50 and up, run stations and rotations rather than one game, with a lead at each station and a printed rotation plan. Check the sound: amplified sound can need its own permit, as in Austin, where "Any amplified sound, including small speakers, requires a Sound Permit," so ask your city's parks office. Plan for shade, seating, restrooms close to the activity and transport to and from the site. Our guide to team building for large groups covers the format in more depth, and for a full day away, see company offsites.

Permits, parks and venues

Park rules depend on the city and the park. Four examples, each from the city's own page:

• New York City: the city's parks event permit site says, "We require a permit for any event with more than 20 attendees," and asks, "Please make sure you apply at least 21 days before the event takes place."
• Austin: the city's page lists one kind of park gathering that needs no permit, a gathering of friends or family without public advertisement, and says, "A permit is required for all other types of gathering or park uses." A work outing is not in that exception, so check with the city about a permit before you book an Austin park.
• Denver: "Permits are required for exclusive use of park space, for gatherings larger than 25 people, and for certain permit types (such as athletic fields and public events) and park uses."
• Chicago: the Chicago Park District lists "50 or more people" as one feature that requires a Special Event Permit, and a "Walk/Run/Bike or Parade Route" as another, so check with the Park District about a permit for a route through a Chicago park, even with a small group.

Everywhere else, check with your city's parks office before you book a lawn or a route. A private venue sets its own rules for its grounds, so ask which areas are open, what happens to the booking in bad weather, and whether other groups share the space. Some venues may offer exclusive use; confirm it in writing.

When a local planner helps

A Vantly local planner can choose the site, book the host, line up the indoor backup space in the same booking, and handle transport, food and access needs. Everything goes into one priced proposal, the plan is tailor-made, and our intent is one vendor, one PO for the event.

You can see sample events as examples a local planner tailors, not fixed packages. To see who works in one city, browse local planners in New York. For a retreat with outdoor blocks, see corporate retreats and our company retreat ideas. For a half day away from the office, see our company outing ideas, and to build a whole day around an activity, see our guide to a team building day. Before you compare proposals, read what to ask in a custom event quote, and to save a round of emails, see how to brief a local planner.

Send a brief with the season, the group size, the time slot and any access needs. Vantly matches that brief with a local planner, who produces a turnkey event proposal with prices. We send it within 48 hours, at no cost. Any price still waiting on a vendor's confirmation is marked as an estimate.

Get a custom quote

Frequently asked questions

What are some fun outdoor games to play with a group?

For a work group, try a lawn games tournament, a walking-pace field day, a disc golf putting challenge, outdoor team trivia or a giant chess and dominoes circuit. These fun outdoor team building activities run at a gentle pace with no contact, and each has an opt-out role and an indoor backup. See the outdoor team games.

What are 20 fun outdoor games for adults?

The cards hold eight outdoor games, not twenty, plus 16 challenge, hosted and calm formats, for 24 ideas in all. Five games that suit adults at work are the lawn games tournament, kubb, croquet, the giant chess and dominoes circuit and the paper airplane contest. Each card lists its season, group size, opt-out role and indoor backup.

What are 10 examples of outdoor activities?

Ten from the cards, in no ranked order: a lawn games tournament (spring to fall, any size), a walking-pace field day (15 and up), outdoor team trivia (any size), an orienteering course (spring or fall, up to 50), a guided architecture walk (up to 50), a park stewardship morning (any size the program can take), a bamboo tower challenge (any size), outdoor sketching (up to 50), a tai chi session (any size) and a fire pit evening (fall to spring, up to 50 where the venue can seat that many).

What are some quick fun team building activities?

Quick formats that fit inside a meeting or a short break are in our guide to team building activities for work.

What is a good plan B for an outdoor team event?

The best plan B is the same activity moved indoors, in a room booked at the same time as the outdoor space and sized for the whole group seated. Name the decision owner and the decision time in advance. A covered area works for rain only, never for lightning. Our severe weather plan covers the call.

What outdoor team building works in winter?

Short outdoor blocks next to a warm indoor base: a guided architecture walk, a phone photography lesson, a fire pit evening or a stargazing session on retreat grounds. Finish outdoor time well before sunset, check paths for ice, and keep the indoor room ready. How much runs outside depends on the climate where you are.

Do you need a permit to hold a team event in a park?

It depends on the city. NYC Parks requires a permit for any event with more than 20 attendees, Denver for gatherings larger than 25 people, and the Chicago Park District for 50 or more people. In Austin, a work outing is not in the friends-and-family exception, so check with the city about a permit. Elsewhere, check with your city's parks office.

How do you include people with limited mobility?

Choose activities that run at walking pace or seated, with shade, chairs and a level route with no steps. Every card names an opt-out role, such as the scorer or the station judge. Ask about access needs privately, and use our venue accessibility checklist for the space.

Related guides

• Severe weather plan for outdoor events
• Team building activities for small groups
• Company outing ideas
• Company retreat ideas
• Team building activities for work
• Corporate retreats planned by a local planner

Sources

• National Weather Service, Heat watches, warnings and advisories
• National Weather Service, Heat safety
• National Weather Service, Lightning safety
• National Weather Service, Lightning safety overview
• ADA.gov, Introduction to the Americans with Disabilities Act
• NYC Parks event permits, Parks event permits home
• Austin Parks and Recreation, Reserve park space
• Denver Parks and Recreation, Park rules and policies
• Chicago Park District, Permits and rentals