If you are trying to plan a corporate Team Building Activity in the Chicagoland area you are reading the right article!
We have compiled a diversified array of incredible Team Building and Team Bonding events and locations all around Chicago and surrounding communities guaranteed to help your team bond, communicate, and most of all, have fun!
A little bit of advice before you start scrolling…
Whether you end up hiring a professional company to create a city-wide scavenger hunt - or you opt for a “do it yourself” activity and simply take your team bowling - just make sure that you pick an activity that breaks you out of your typical silos and allows everyone in your group to get to know each other.
For instance, if you go bowling, MIX IT UP. Put everyone into smaller groups that don’t typically spend time together. Put Jill from Accounting on the same team with Pete from Product Development so they’ll have an opportunity to bond with one another. Otherwise, you’ll just have the same people having the same conversations – in a different setting. Don’t get us wrong, it’s nice to have a different setting – but it’s even nicer when everyone gets to know each other a bit better. Trust us - it’ll be great for your team’s spirit and camaraderie!
We hope you get inspired by reading through our 25 Best Chicago Team Building Activities.
If you don’t have time to read the entire blog and you need to plan an event, or you would really just like a human being to bounce some corporate retreat ideas off of, feel free to reach out to us at info@feetfirstevents.com, or call (888) 392-1636. We can’t wait to help plan your next team event!
25 Best Team Building Activities in the Chicagoland Area
1. Experience your own Amazing Race in a local neighborhood (the Loop, Wrigleyville, North Shore, Magnificent Mile and a bunch of other options…!)
Don’t worry, it isn’t a foot race – and the fastest team isn’t always the winning team. Instead, your teams will strategize how to achieve the most points as you explore a neighborhood.
Teams solve puzzles, crack codes, and film each other doing a range of hilarious activities including dance moves, reenacting scenes from movies, even staging an epic ninja battle!
Beat the other teams while discovering the city in a creative and very memorable way…!
For more information…
https://feetfirstevents.com/collections/in-person/products/amazing-race
2. Share Laughs with the Game Show Extravaganza!
Let’s face it, there are a lot of pub trivia nights or trivia gameshows, and we have tried many of them. This one stands out-- as it is hosted by some highly energetic, hilarious hosts - and the experience is extremely interactive!
Rather than having individual contestants, the Game Show Extravaganza has everyone competing in Teams – which makes it a lot more interactive and FUN! The show includes several games including Jeopardy, Trivia, Family Feud and Minute to Win It!
You can also include customized content with questions about your company, products, even the participants themselves! By adding inside jokes about your group, everyone feels like they are a part of the show. You will have a blast as you compete to be the Game Show Champions!
https://feetfirstevents.com/collections/in-person/products/game-show-extravaganza
3. Take your group to a park and participate in Survivor Games!
Before you get too concerned, in our version of Survivor Games, no one gets voted off the island – and we promise you don’t have to be athletic to be successful in this event. Instead, we have taken our experience as consultants for the Survivor TV show, and we have designed a series of challenges that will give each team an opportunity to test the mental and physical strengths of its members in a highly amusing fashion!
You might be launching Rubber Chicken over 100 feet using three-person slingshots; or using Pedometers to count your steps as you form Human Bobsleds. You might compete in a “Muscle Build” Dance-Off wearing a giant onesie filled with balloons. Or you can test your vocabularies with Giant Words with Friends!
We can also include Company Trivia Bonus Points and Spirit Points – to keep the competition lively at all times! This program usually lasts about two hours, with a super-fun awards ceremony at the end of the challenges.
For more information…
https://feetfirstevents.com/collections/in-person/products/survivor-games
4. Great Charity Challenge – Donate Bicycles, Wheelchairs, School Supplies…
This an amazing opportunity to bond with your coworkers while giving back to a local charity. The event itself is extremely high-energy and interactive, with teams competing in short, fast-paced - and hilarious challenges!
In addition to winning points for each challenge, the teams also win items to create Care Packages or parts to build a variety of items that will ultimately be donated to a local charity.
You can choose from a variety of items for many different charities, including Household Items, Personal Hygiene Items and Non-Perishable Foods for Local Homeless Shelters or Military Families, Wheelchairs for Senior Centers, Bicycles or Backpacks with School Supplies for Boys & Girls Clubs.
Your group will have a great time playing the games during the event – but it will also prove to be a very moving experience for everyone involved when the items are donated to a representative from the charity at the conclusion of the program.
For more information…
5. The Great Escape Room
The Great Escape Room is an incredibly immersive, challenging, and exciting experience in which you must use your wits and problem-solving expertise to unveil the clues and escape before time runs out. Many have tried and few have succeeded in this intense mental adventure. Do you have what it takes?
For more information… www.thegreatescaperoom.com
6. Hit an arcade
Teams can have fun and work together as they challenge classic arcade games and enjoy food and drinks. Chicagoland is home to the world’s largest arcade, The Galloping Ghost in Brookfield, and dozens of dedicated arcade bars where your team can have a blast and connect over classic video games.
For more information… https://www.gallopingghostarcade.com/
7. A Murder Mystery Dinner
America’s largest interactive comedy murder mystery dinner theatre show is now playing in Chicago! Solve a hilarious mystery while you feast on a fantastic dinner. Just beware- The culprit is hiding in plain sight somewhere in the room, and you may find yourself as a Prime Suspect before you know it!
For more information….. www.thedinnerdetective.com
8. The Chopping Block
While we’re on the subject of food, we all know how food brings people together. So let’s get your team bonding inside the kitchen by joining cooking classes at The Chopping Block.
Spanish tapas, festive family baked treats, chicken and dumplings — you have a wide range of mouthwatering food to choose from.
For more info… www.thechoppingblock.com/classes
9. Bowling and Italian Food at Pinstripes
Enjoy bowling and scratch-made Italian food at Pinstripes Chicago, a restaurant and bowling lounge, for your next team building activity in Chicago.
For more info… https://pinstripes.com/chicago/
10. Go shoot things
Northbrook Sports Club provides team building activities at corporate events to build boldness and confidence with all team members. Team building activities include clay pigeon shooting and rifle /pistol shooting at your next corporate event. They can travel to your event and bring everything that is needed for the spirit building at your venue. They can provide guns, clay pigeon machine, clay pigeons, and ammunition. Instruction is available for new shooters.
For more information… www.northbrooksportsclub.org
11. Wine Tasting- so many choices in Chicago!
A wine tasting is a wonderful way for friends, coworkers or organizations to connect, laugh, and learn something new. They also make for magical customer prospecting or customer relationship building events. Bronzeville Winery in Chicago’s historic Bronzeville neighborhood is a wine-snob-free zone. They are serving wine for the people. The wine list curated by Chicago sommelier Derrick Westbrook is thoughtful, approachable, and makes space for African American and women-owned brands. Check out their events calendar for Wine 101 classes and wine dinners or join their Wine Club for access to private wine tastings.
For more information…https://www.choosechicago.com/listing/bronzeville-winery/
12. Take a Chicago Segway Tour
Tour Chicago’s city streets, waterfront views and stunning architecture on a Chicago segway tour with Bike Chicago for your next outdoor team building event in Chicago. Your team will get some fresh air while learning more about their city in this engaging tour.
For more info…. www.bikechicago.com
13. TopGolf
Make your next event unforgettable with our new team building activities! These events are designed to build trust and cooperation, and challenge your team to think strategically. Our all-inclusive packages include game play, food, drinks and a dedicated staff to make sure everything runs smoothly. With several locations all over the Chicagoland area, you can surely find one convenient for your entire team.
For more information… https://topgolf.com/us/chicago/
14. Head out on a Riverboat Architecture Tour
Chicago is known for its architecture — if you’re searching for “team building outings near me” why not take the team on Time Out's riverboat tour of the city’s top architectural sights? Your team will enjoy a few hours on the water while learning about Chicago’s architecture and spending time with one another.
For more info… https://www.timeout.com/chicago/things-to-do/chicago-architecture-cruises
15. Take on the Loyola University Challenge Course
Head out to Illinois’ verdant countryside to the Loyola University Challenge Course. In this outdoor team building in Chicago, team members will complete a series of ropes courses designed to challenge their problem-solving skills and promote self-reflection.
For more info… https://www.luc.edu/retreatcampus/challengecourse/
16. Trampoline Park
When you think of the whole office spending a day at a Trampoline Park to do some team-building, it’s all too easy to roll your eyes and dismiss the idea as something out of zany TV sitcom, but you’d be oh so mistaken. There are serious benefits to group play that can create profound changes in your team dynamics, the kinds of changes that can help a struggling team find it’s stride, raise morale, and even create positive effects on mental health.
For more information… https://altitudechicago.com/
17. Lincoln Park Zoo
When you want an event to make an impression, you can’t beat the natural ambiance of the Lincoln Park Zoo. With lush trails and unique venues ranging from intimate to enormous, the Zoo is the perfect backdrop for birthday parties, socials, bar/bat mitzvahs, quinceañeras, weddings, corporate gatherings, holiday events and fundraisers.
For more information… www.lincolnparkzoo.org
18. Punch Bowl Social
At Punch Bowl Social Chicago, games make for the perfect ice breaker. Rent a VR lounge, bowling lanes, or a karaoke room. Or challenge your attendees to a game of ping-pong or pool. There’s also plenty of old-school arcade and video games. Arrange a buffet with comfort food like homemade chicken and waffles, or pass shareable plates such as roasted chicken quesadillas and hummus.
For more information… https://punchbowlsocial.com/location/chicago/
19. Paintball, Airsoft, Laser Tag, Capture the Flag!
For those who seek the thrill of playing outdoor action sports, Legacy Adventure Park offers Paintball, Airsoft, Outdoor Laser Tag, and Archery Tag. They truly specialize in Private Parties and can customize an exhilarating day of getting after it!
For more information… www.legacyadventurepark.com
20. Go Karting
Bring your team to K1 Speed Chicago for their team building activities! The experience is a unique program that is not found anywhere else. With excitement both on and off the kart track, participants work together to score maximum points for their team and claim the top step on the podium. And without thinking about it, they’ll also gain some valuable team building benefits while having fun.
For more information…
21. See a game at Wrigley Field
Take the team out to the ball game for an unforgettable team building activity in Chicago. Hot dogs, drinks and a good old-fashioned baseball game are just the ingredients you need for a fun team building activity in the city.
For more info… https://www.mlb.com/cubs/ballpark
22. Throw a Casino Party
Large and small businesses alike often choose to reward employees with a fun and engaging office party or corporate event. Not only do these events show appreciation to employees for their hard work, but they can also motivate workers to continue in their diligent effort. Additionally, management teams find that a well-planned event can promote team spirit and camaraderie among employees. Many businesses find that an office casino party is just the thing to give employees a much needed break and to provide ongoing motivation.
For more info… https://www.gshcasinoparties.com/
23. Improv Classes
Stagecoach Improv’s facilitators, coaches, and actors deliver a unique brand of customized corporate improv training, improv team building, and collaborative storytelling. Applied improv leadership coaching and business comedy throughout Chicago, IL.
For more info… www.stagecoachimprov.com
24. Mixology Classes
Cocktail making activities are taught at downtown venues by some of Chicago's leading mixologists. Experience team bonding at it's best whilst having a great time. Team building and cocktails are a match made in heaven, so they take mobile bartending classes to your location as well. The perfect way to end a day of work, a fun mixology class will kick off your team building activities with a bang.
For more information… https://www.funmixologyclass.com/
25. Axe Throwing
For your next group party in Chicago, host an axe-throwing party with Bad Axe Throwing. Your team members will build friendships and make memories as they learn how to hurl an axe at a target while enjoying great food and fun drinks.
For more information….www.badaxethrowing.com
