Activities for Corporate Events That Actually Bring Teams Together

Planning activities for corporate events should be simple, but somehow it rarely is. You want something that works for every personality in the room, fits into your agenda, stays on brand, meets health and safety requirements and doesn’t make your colleagues feel awkward or forced.

Oh, and ideally you want the team to walk away feeling more connected, more energised and slightly more in love with their jobs.

No pressure at all.

Corporate events have evolved. They are no longer a day of PowerPoint slides followed by a lukewarm buffet. Today’s teams expect experiences. Interaction. A sense of purpose. Something that helps them switch on, not switch off.

This guide walks you through the most effective activities for corporate events, explaining what actually works for real teams and why. Whether you are planning a conference, an offsite, an away day or a simple in-office session, you will find ideas that fit your people and your goals.

Let’s get straight into it.

Why Activities for Corporate Events Matter More Than Ever

Work has changed. Teams are more distributed, more digital and more stretched than ever. Many colleagues barely meet in person, yet are expected to collaborate seamlessly. Add in new starters, reorganisations, leadership changes and hybrid working routines and it is no surprise that connection sometimes slips.

This is why activities for corporate events are no longer optional extras. They set the tone. They lift the room. They rebuild trust after busy periods. They help people remember why theyactually enjoy working together.

Good activities don’t just fill time. They create shared moments that spark conversations long after the event is over. They help teams understand each other’s strengths. They make your message more memorable. They give your day structure and energy.

When chosen well, the right activity can transform the feel of a corporate event in minutes.

What Makes an Activity Worth Including at a Corporate Event

There are plenty of activities for corporate events out there, but the great ones have a few things in common.

1. They are inclusive

No one wants an activity where half the team watches from the sidelines. The best ideas work for every ability and personality type.

2. They have a clear purpose

A great activity supports your agenda. It might help with communication, creativity, problem solving, wellbeing or team connection. You should always know why it is there.

3. They reset the room

After a long morning of presentations or training sessions, energy dips. Activities help people refocus and re-engage.

4. They encourage collaboration

Corporate events are often one of the few chances a whole team or department is together in the same space. Use the moment wisely.

5. They are easy to set up

No one wants complicated staging, heavy equipment or logistical nightmares. The best options fit naturally within your event flow.

Indoor Activities for Corporate Events

Indoor activities for corporate events are perfect for conferences, winter events, meeting rooms and office-based days. They work well when you want structure, pace and creativity without relying on the weather.

Here are some strong indoor categories that work across industries and team sizes.

Problem solving activities

These are ideal if your team thrives on challenge and collaboration. Think puzzles, detective tasks, creative missions or scenario-based challenges that unlock teamwork.

Creative workshops

Short, energising workshops bring people together quickly. These could include storytelling, animation, design activities or food-themed challenges. They tap into imagination and help colleagues step outside their day-to-day mindset.

Game show formats

High energy, fun and always memorable. Game show style activities suit larger audiences and keep everyone involved from the first second to the last.

Soft skills development

If you want something more purposeful, L&D-led sessions such as communication workshops, psychometrics or leadership micro-exercises work beautifully to add depth to your event.

Outdoor Activities for Corporate Events

Outdoor options bring a different kind of energy. They work particularly well for summer events, company celebrations or multi-activity days. Being outdoors gives teams more space to experiment, be playful and enjoy the freedom of open areas.

Adventure challenges

Treasure hunts, city explorers and GPS-based activities encourage movement, teamwork and strategy. They are great for bonding and perfect for mixed groups who like choice and variety.

Team challenges

Outdoor engineering builds, obstacle-light games and collaborative missions bring out creativity and communication. These activities allow teams to see different sides of each other.

Sport-inspired formats

You don’t need athletic ability to enjoy these. Think light competition, fun stations and group challenges that get people moving without feeling too physical.

Charity Activities for Corporate Events

One of the most meaningful ways to bring teams together is through purpose. Charity events create instant connection because the end result helps someone else.

These activities are especially popular with organisations that want CSR impact, emotional engagement and a strong feel-good finish.

They often involve building, crafting or creating something that directly supports a charity. They work best for organisations that value giving back and want their investment to have long lasting community impact.

Activities for Corporate Events Based on Common Goals

Sometimes it helps to choose an activity based on your objective, not the format. Here are some examples:

If your goal is connection

Choose high energy, laughter-filled activities that break the ice and get people talking. Creative challenges and game show formats shine here.

If your goal is collaboration

Choose tasks that require teamwork, discussion and problem solving. Small group missions work brilliantly.

If your goal is strategy

Choose activities with layered challenges, limited resources or tactical puzzles.

If your goal is wellbeing

Choose light, creative or reflective sessions that slow the pace and encourage mindfulness.

If your goal is leadership development

Activities with role rotation, decision making and time pressure help leaders step up naturally.

How to Choose the Right Activity for Your Corporate Event

With so many options available, here are the questions that matter:

1. What is the purpose of the event?
Every activity should reinforce the goal of your day.

2. Who is in the room?
Different personality types respond to different formats. Know your people.

3. What space do you have?
A meeting room requires a different approach to a large outdoor venue.

4. How much time do you have?
Some activities fill a 20-minute energiser slot, others need two hours.

5. Do you want fun, depth or both?
There is no right or wrong, only what fits your team.

6. What experience do you want people to remember?
Think about the memory you want them to take home.

Why Work With a Professional Team Building Company

You can run simple activities yourself, but for smooth delivery, professional facilitation and deeper connection, working with a team building company is worth it.

A specialist provider takes care of:

• Planning
• Timings
• Facilitation
• Equipment
• Delivery
• Adjustments for different personalities
• Making your event look and feel polished

A company like Zing Events brings expertise, energy and structure. They understand how teams behave and know how to get the best out of your people. Whether you need indoor ideas, outdoor sessions or charity options, they build activities that feel fresh, inclusive and memorable.

Reviews Section

If you are choosing activities for corporate events, you want a partner you can trust. Zing Events is relied on by FTSE 500 companies and loved by teams nationwide. With more than 600 five star reviews, clients consistently praise the smooth planning, friendly hosts and activities that genuinely lift team culture.

Before choosing your next activity, take a look at what real clients say on Reviews.io and Zing’s Google Reviews. It is the easiest way to see why so many organisations book their corporate events with confidence.

FAQs: Activities for Corporate Events

What activities work best for corporate events?

Indoor problem solving challenges, creative workshops, game shows, outdoor explorer activities and charity based events all work brilliantly for a wide range of teams.

How long should an activity last?

Most activities run from 30 minutes to two hours depending on your agenda. Short energisers are great for conferences, while longer sessions suit offsites and away days.

What is the best activity for a mixed ability team?

Creative challenges, game shows and inclusive problem solving tasks are ideal because they do not rely on physical ability.

Can activities be run in our office?

Absolutely. Many indoor activities are designed for meeting rooms, breakout spaces or open plan offices.

Are outdoor activities weather dependent?

Most are flexible, but always have a backup plan if your event is during winter or unpredictable seasons.

Can we incorporate charity into our corporate event?

Yes. Charity builds and purpose driven activities are extremely popular and create long lasting connection and impact.

Should we use a professional company?

If you want a smooth, polished experience with expert facilitation, working with a specialist such as Zing Events makes the process far easier and the outcome far stronger.