Category: Team Building

Remote Team Building: 10 Virtual Games & Activities for Teams
Team Building
February 16, 2021

Remote Team Building: 10 Virtual Games & Activities for Teams

The health guidelines introduced due to the COVID-19 pandemic have forced most companies to embrace the remote work setup. Because gatherings of many people in the same place at the same time are limited, to engage in team events Melbourne companies have created virtual arrangements.

Max Funding's Financial Consultant Shane Perry notes, “Remote team building workshops for corporate groups are crucial to encourage collaboration in a team. Virtual games allow them to improve their strengths, identify weaknesses, and provide continuous learning while having fun. Remote team building is a necessary expense because its positive impact can be felt throughout the organisation.”

1. Virtual Urban Quest

Typically, Urban Quest would be your best bet for remote team building events in Melbourne. It is an interactive race played in the streets of Melbourne’s Central Business District by teams of 4-6. The event lasts for two hours and is filled with riddles and fun challenges.

So as a complement to remote work arrangements, the Urban Quest team have come up with the game's virtual setup. It is known as “Mission Impossible”.

Urban Quest’s “Mission Impossible” is a remote team building challenge! A Virtual Secret Agent Mission where you are challenged to complete a range of increasingly elaborate online problems, virtually navigate to international locations, connect with secret agents in the field and use your wits on the web to propel your team to victory!

In a race against the clock, teams compete against each other to be the fastest to complete their Mission. Using Zoom and the Urban Quest gaming platform, you are challenged to solve a range of online problems. Teamwork will be the key to success.  All tasks are based on problem-solving and logical thinking. Use your knowledge or any internet resource to help your team race to the finish.

To start the game, you only need to book with the Urban Quest team. Let them know your preferred date and time, and after receiving the booking confirmation, you can now invite your team and have fun!

2. Two Truths, One Lie

Nothing is more exciting than knowing the quirky truths about your colleagues. The “Two Truths One Lie” game is a classic favourite in team events in Melbourne. It is known for its simplicity because it doesn’t require any materials. Though this game might need a few deduction skills, and maybe some wild imagination!

To play the game, all the team members should write three statements about themselves - wherein two are facts, and one is a lie. The members of the team take turns in reading and guessing the truths and lies.

The player with the most number of correct guesses wins.

This activity not only allows your team to get to know each other more, but it can also leave people rolling in laughter!

3. Pictionary

Pictionary is a popular activity among remote team building events in Melbourne because it can develop creativity and get the most out of your teammates. Members will draw based on the word provided. No letters, gestures, numbers, or verbal cues should be used in playing this game. Teams only need to guess the word that best corresponds to the picture being drawn by the other player.

A virtual room like Skribbl or just a pen and paper during a conference video call is all you need for this activity. You could even use a random word generator to come up with the next word to draw.

4. Favourite Things

This activity is a great icebreaker for your online team events in Melbourne. The manager or facilitator can decide on a topic, which can either be work-related or personal.

To make this remote team building more fun, tell your teammates to search for a photo that signifies their favourite thing about the chosen topic. Then, the members of the team take turns sharing their favourite things with the group. Since there is no wrong answer, this activity is more relaxing and isn’t anxiety-inducing. Not only will it eliminate prejudices, but it can also teach you a thing or two about each other. When one member learns that the other shares his/her interest in something, they’d be encouraged to converse - and that’s an excellent start!

5. Virtual Coffee Breaks

Working continuously for multiple hours can be quite exhausting for most employees, which is why there is a need for short breaks.

For this remote team building activity, you can schedule 15 minutes for your team to join a video chat while enjoying a cup of coffee. This activity can allow your team to catch up with each other, the same as when they are in the office. If you want it to be more realistic, why not add a water dispenser in the background?

You can do this in between meetings or regular working days, depending on your team’s availability. Make a deal not to talk about work during virtual coffee breaks.

6. Birth Map Game

To start with the game, share a Google Map link with your group. Then, ask your team members to place a sticker on a map indicating the place of their birth. Next, each of the team members shares a fun fact or story about their birthplace. At the end of the activity, the team votes on who shared the fascinating story. You can offer to give the winner a prize, such as a gift card. It’s an effortless game that can be incorporated into remote team building workshops in Melbourne.

You can also modify this game and make it into your favourite vacation spot, dream destination, etc.

7. Team Movie Night

Movies have always been a source of relaxation because they can be so entertaining they let you forget about all the problems in the world. For team events, movie time can induce relaxation and strengthen levels of camaraderie at work.

You can send a poll to your team to decide what movie to watch, or your team members can take turns choosing the movie genre. To spice up the movie options, you can check the must-see films your team should not miss and then stream it using a conference video call. It can also be watched using Teleparty, formerly known as Netflix Party. Ask everyone to bring popcorn and soda or be in their pyjamas - just like a real movie marathon at home.

After watching, you can take turns in sharing brief reviews about the movie.

8. Photo Challenge

The Photo Challenge is ideal for new teams because it allows each member to get a glimpse at each other through certain photos.

For this activity, the manager creates a challenge at the start of the week. It can be “the cutest pet of the week” or “the quirkiest photo of a child.” The team takes turns in sharing their photo and a brief story about it.

Not only will you know something about your team, but it can also spark their creativity. Moreover, each image can stir positive emotions and offer a chance for the office jokesters to shine. It’s also an opportunity to get to know the more introverted members of your team.

9. Virtual Charades

Charades never go old in team building workshops. When integrated into your team meetings, it can bring a lot of laughter. This game - the same as Pictionary - needs little to no preparation, making it more convenient for teams to play.

To play the game, form two separate teams that will compete with each other. Upon deciding on a theme, each team member acts out an object or a scene. To make it more fun, choose hilarious topics.  A point will be given to the team of the first person who can guess the correct answer.

Each player takes turns acting out until the time limit. Each round can be timed for two or three minutes, and the team with the highest number of correct guesses wins the game. As a rule of the game, players assigned to act out are not allowed any verbal cues. You can use an online random word generator or the online platform Pantoparty with this game.

10. A Peek Into Each Other’s Homes

This activity can be likened to shows like House Hunters and MTV Cribs, where team members are asked to show their houses to their colleagues and is one of the popular team events in Melbourne.

For this activity, ask one member each week to take a video of his home and share their favourite things about it. While it can be a hilarious way for a team to get to know each other’s personalities, this can also blur indifferences between team members.

You can also modify this activity and make it into a peek into each other’s workspace, fridge, or closet.

Conclusion

The options for remote team building events and activities are endless. You can always be creative and modify the games mentioned above to your liking.

The relaxation and sense of camaraderie that corporate team building fosters can translate into increased productivity, fewer absences, and less turnover. So, turn your team into a well-oiled high-performance engine now by signing up at Urban Quest.

Urban Quest is a tested and proven ready-made solution for team events in Melbourne. No matter how big or small your group is, the age, fitness level, or industry you come from, we deliver the maximum engagement level leaving no one behind. Digital technology allows us to track an individual from team performance, generate reports, and provide a one-of-a-kind experience.

Group Activities Melbourne: Spread Fun and Positivity at Work
Team Building
February 11, 2021

Group Activities Melbourne: Spread Fun and Positivity at Work

The past year has been challenging for everyone in your team. Some had to adopt a remote work arrangement, and others had to let go of some beloved tasks. There were no gatherings in the break room, no banter in the hallways, and no after-work hangouts for a while. Some team members inevitably feel a bit detached from others. 

Shane Perry, a small business loans consultant at Max Funding, believes in the importance of group activities. He explains, “Team building activities for groups can help restore the sense of camaraderie, trust, and positivity at work. With these, it will be more comfortable for team members to perform and excel together.”

Here’s your go-to list of fun group activities in Melbourne that are easy to organise, plan and execute:

Urban Quest

After months of quarantine, everybody’s craving for an outdoor experience. Now that restrictions have been eased, your team can participate in an exhilarating outdoor team event - an adventure around the Melbourne CBD! 

Urban Quest is a fierce outdoor competition that involves solving puzzles, cracking codes, and exploring the city of Melbourne - with each challenge it becomes slightly more challenging as the teams get closer to the trophy. It uses technology to ensure that social distancing will still be observed throughout the game. All participants will be connected through their devices, and the event's planning is aligned with the government's health protocols. 

Urban Quest is a top-rated group activity that kickstarts the players with purposefully designed physical and mental challenges. Just imagine it as a personalised version of The Amazing Race but in the beautiful city of Melbourne!

Urban Quest provides a range of activities for large groups and is experienced in team building group activities in Melbourne.

Group size: 10 and above (subject to social restrictions)

Time: 2-2.5 hours (including pre-event instructional session and post-event awards)

Mode: Provided by Urban Quest

Cost: from $40 per person

The Mind Field

This game can be performed during short breaks or after office hours because it only lasts for 15 to 30 minutes, perfect if you’re after short group activities. Simply find an open space, e.g., a park or an empty parking lot. You can also do this at the beach!

Scatter objects, such as balls and bottles, across space—the more disorganised, the more exciting.

Ask everyone to pair up. If possible, pair people up with members from different departments. One person should blindfold the other, then using verbal instructions only, a person without a blindfold should guide the other from one side of the space to the other. The blindfolded person must avoid the objects and is not allowed to speak.

The Mind Field is a game that focuses on effective communication and trust. 

Time: 15 to 30 minutes

Number of participants: 4 or more (as long as the numbers are even)

Mode: DIY

The Perfect Square

This group activity is competitive but in a less exhausting way. Ask your team members to form a circle while holding a piece of rope. Have them put on a blindfold, set the string on the ground, and walk away from the circle. Then, ask them to come back and form a square using the rope while on blindfolds. To make it more competitive, set a time limit.

Perfect Square improves leadership and communication skills. Team members will learn to trust each other when they rely on one another to navigate in the right direction.

Time: 15 to 30 minutes

Number of participants: 5 to 20 people

Tools needed: Blindfold for each participant and a long piece of rope.

Mode: DIY

Game of Possibilities (Charades)

This 5-minute team building activity is an excellent mental warm-up. Instruct your colleagues to form smaller groups. Give an object to one member of each group. That person should go in front and act out the object given to them. The rest of the members must guess what the object is. The actor is not allowed to speak. Choose wacky objects to inspire a bit more creativity.

Time: 5 to 6 minutes

Number of participants: 6 or more

Mode: DIY

The Egg Drop

This is one of the most engaging team building activities for groups that encourage problem-solving abilities and teamwork. Because this game is more fun when there are more participants, it is suitable for corporate team building events. Just make sure you have extra eggs because you’ll probably break a lot.

Split your workmates into teams of 3 to 5 people, and give each group an uncooked egg. Prepare some items in a pile. These may include newspapers, rubber bands, straws, pencils, etc. Each team must build a contraption from the items from that pile to prevent the uncooked egg from breaking when it drops. Drop an egg down each contraption from 6 feet up. The group with the egg that didn’t break wins!

Time: 1 to 2 hours

Number of participants: 4 and above

Tools needed: uncooked eggs and assorted disposable items.

Mode: DIY

Update (3/4/2024): After reviewing this article, and this activity in particular we, here at Urban Quest, unanimously agreed that we do not support unsustainable activities, which this one is. Use it at your own risk. 😀

Scavenger Hunt

This is one of the classic DIY group activities that guarantees fun no matter the group size. In a scavenger hunt, the team will be broken down into two or more groups. Stray away from typical tasks and make a list of silly ones. These may include taking a selfie with an animal, bringing the biggest shoe, etc.

Give the list to each team and set the deadline. Whichever team completes the most tasks, wins! You may also want to set a point system depending on the task difficulty.

Scavenger Hunt can be a great way to make team members work with colleagues from other departments or social circles. It’s a great, cost-effective and creative option when looking for group activities. 

Time: 1-2 hours

Tools needed: pen and paper

Mode: DIY

Update (3/4/2024): we know that creating a truly engaging experience is not an easy feat. That's why we exist as a business. If you want this activity to be run professionally and leave lasting memories instead of eye-rolls contact us.

Blind Drawing

When looking for group activities or the perfect corporate team building activity, you want to make sure everyone is interacting with each other and using a different part of the brain that they are not used to.

Ask everyone to pair up. Two participants should sit back-to-back. Give one person a picture and the other a pen and paper. One should trace an image of the chosen object on their team member's back while they in turn will try to recreate it on the back of the person in front of them. The person with the pen and paper should draw based only on the verbal description of the other. Choose quirky pictures to make it more fun.

Time: 10 to 15 minutes

Number of participants: 2 or more people

Tools needed: Pen, paper and pictures.

Mode: DIY

This is Better Than That

Choose four or more different objects or similar objects that look different from each other. Split the team into even numbers. Create a scenario where all the participants must use only the chosen objects to solve the problem. For example, “You’re stranded on an island in the middle of nowhere.” or “An alien species is invading Earth.” Ask each team to rank the objects based on their usefulness in the scenario and explain their reasoning.

This is a light team building game that inspires analysis and creativity. Just remember to make the scenarios challenging enough so that the participants can be truly challenged.

Time: 15 to 20 minutes

Number of participants: 2 or more

Tools needed: Four objects or more

Mode: DIY

Truth and Lies

Sometimes when looking for the perfect group activities, you need to look no further than the classics. Some schoolyard games or corporate icebreakers can be ideal activities for large groups in Melbourne.

Have everyone sit down in a circle. Each participant must share three things about them: two are facts, and one is a lie - in random order. Others have to guess which are the facts. A tip: encourage the participants to tell a lie in the most realistic way possible.

This is a good choice for group activities for small to medium-sized groups. It is recommended for new teams because it eliminates snap judgments about each other. It also gives members who are less sociable a chance to share facts about themselves and learn more about others.Time: 10 - 15 minutes

Number of Participants: four people or more

Mode: DIY

Truth or Dare

Truth or Dare is one of the all-favourite team building group activities. In this game, everyone should form a circle with an empty bottle in the middle. One person will spin the bottle and when it stops, the person seated where the tip of the bottle points should choose between truth or dare.

If they choose the truth, the person who spun the bottle should ask a question. If they choose to dare, the person who turned the bottle will ask them to do something. The person choosing will be the next one to spin the bottle.

Before the game, it’s essential to set the limitations for truth or consequence. For example, all questions can be personal but shouldn’t include relationships, financial status, or any other sensitive information. The tasks may be limited to singing or dancing.

This is an effortless team building group game that can easily become hilarious if your team is up for it.

Time: 15 to 30 minutes

Number of participants:  5 or more

Tools: an empty bottle

Mode: DIY

Bottom line:

Team building is one of the most important investments you can make for your people. It may not be instantly apparent, but this activity can have significant benefits to your entire organisation. Group activities, in Melbourne or anywhere, are vital to keeping employees happy and engaged.

First, it loosens up everyone. The bloopers, the quirky challenges, and the physical work get rid of stress.

Second, it eliminates prejudices. The more your members get to know each other, the more comfortable they become working together in the same organisation - which can translate to increased productivity.

Third, it conveys a message that you’re determined to foster healthy relationships in the office. This can result in fewer absences, fewer conflicts, and less turnover.

If you’re unsure how to organise regular team building activities, contact Urban Quest. 

We offer emotionally charged team building group activities organised professionally.

Team Building Activities: Expense or Investment?
Team Building
November 25, 2020

Team Building Activities: Expense or Investment?

Is team building simply a costly expense or an investment that would be essential to any business relying on human capital?

While some may view team building activities with scepticism, dismissing them as mere frivolities, the reality is quite different. When executed effectively, team building is one of the most crucial investments any organisation can make for its people.

Picture this: employees reluctantly don matching t-shirts and brace themselves for yet another mundane team building activity organised by their supervisor. It's a scenario that's all too familiar and often met with groans and eye rolls. However, beneath this uninspiring facade lies the potential for significant benefits that can positively impact an organisation's bottom line.

Contrary to popular belief, team building activities are not just about fostering camaraderie or boosting morale. They play a pivotal role in building trust, enhancing communication, fostering collaboration, and mitigating conflict within teams. Here's why team building activities are essential investments for corporate professionals:

1. Building the Best Team

In today's competitive landscape, success isn't solely determined by individual talent but by cohesive teamwork. Regardless of individual capabilities, a team's dynamics often dictate its performance. Investing in team building ensures that employees can work together effectively, maximising their chances for success.

2. Socialising Time

Informal interactions among team members during team building activities can significantly enhance overall team performance. Research indicates that up to 50% of positive changes in team communication patterns result from seemingly casual conversations. Improved communication leads to better sharing of information and decisions, ultimately enhancing team performance.

3. Boosting Engagement

A staggering 70% of Australian workers are disengaged in their jobs, resulting in significant productivity losses for companies. Team building activities help combat this disengagement by reducing boredom, sick days, and slacking off, thereby increasing overall productivity.

4. Creating Psychological Safety

Psychological safety, as highlighted in Google's research on team performance, is a critical predictor of success. When employees feel safe to take risks and express themselves within a team, they become more creative and innovative, leading to better outcomes.

5. Strengthening Relationships

Team building activities provide an opportunity for employees to understand the impact of their work on their lives, customers, and the broader community. This shared understanding strengthens their motivation and fosters positive relationships with their work.

6. Fostering a Shared Identity

Humans are inherently social beings, wired to bond with others. Team building activities stimulate the brain's centres associated with belonging to a tribe, fostering a sense of unity and support among team members.

There Is More To Team Building Activities

Moreover, team building activities offer a unique opportunity for employees to develop essential skills such as leadership, communication, problem-solving, and adaptability in a low-stakes environment. These activities serve as a practical training ground where employees can hone their abilities and learn to collaborate effectively with diverse team members.

Furthermore, the benefits of team building extend beyond the workplace. Employees who participate in meaningful team building activities often report higher job satisfaction, increased loyalty to their organisation, and improved overall well-being. This positive impact on employee morale and engagement translates into tangible business outcomes, including higher retention rates, improved customer satisfaction, and increased profitability.

In conclusion

In today's fast-paced and competitive business landscape, investing in team building activities isn't just a luxury; it's a strategic imperative. By prioritising the development of strong, cohesive teams, organisations can position themselves for long-term success and sustainability.

So, whether you're planning an outdoor adventure, a virtual team building workshop, or an interactive problem-solving challenge, Urban Quest has the expertise and creativity to design customised experiences that will inspire, engage, and unite your team.

Contact us today to explore our range of team building activities and take the first step towards unlocking your team's full potential!

Team Building vs. Team Outing: Is There A Difference?
Team Building
June 25, 2020

Team Building vs. Team Outing: Is There A Difference?

With restrictions having been lifted in Melbourne, we can finally gather the co-workers for an out-of-office social activity. But what do you do for such an occasion?

Pubs and restaurants are back in full swing, but is now really the time for the same old boring workplace dinner and drinks? What are the benefits of a team building event in comparison to a team outing?

Impact of Team Building: Insights from Research and Real-life Experiences

There have been many studies into the level of productivity brought into a company by team building activities. In a 2009 article called ‘Does Team Building Work?’ the authors determined that “team building has a positive… effect across all team outcomes” and “that team building was most strongly related to affective and process outcomes”.

In the book Team Building: Proven Strategies for Improving Team Performance the author stresses that “team building activities… made a significant difference in the organisation’s performance.” While there is a vast amount of well-researched studies on the benefits of team building activities, the best proof is the evidence you see first-hand with your co-workers.

It can be difficult to discern if your event should be classified as a team building activity or a team outing – both can be fun, both can involve alcohol and both will require a budget no matter how big or small.

However, we believe a simple team outing can only be elevated to a team building event with the following key factors:

1. At the centre, there is a clear problem-solving element

A singular challenge or task the team must work together to overcome.

2. There’s a focus on skill development

The task requires teammates to use and develop abilities that they may or may not have been aware of.

3. Often under pressure

Whether there is a time limit, a number to score or another team to chase, this is a healthy added pressure to test your staff and prepare them when the going gets tough.

4. All workers are split into small teams

What better way to improve your team working skills than by letting you work directly with others? Find out who’s the natural leader and who’s the workhorse in small cooperative groups

5. BONUS: Teams are picked strategically for better results

Do you want the marketing team to associate better with the IT team or want the up-and-coming person from accounts to see how they mesh with the people from business development? All are encouraged within team building activities.

6. Overall duration shouldn't be too long or too short

Standard work drinks can drag on all night, and some other activities can be over in 15 minutes.

The ideal team building activity will run between 1-2 hours. Enough time to learn a new skill, form memories with teammates or accomplish a task without the event feeling like it’s dragging.

7. And finally, there are results

A team building event, unlike a social outing, should be able to give participants a complete idea of how they went, what they did well and what they can do better.

This gives you and your co-workers a great idea of their strengths and how to best utilise them within the company. A clear set of results also gives participants a clear goal to strive for at the next team building event and a clearer idea of how to accomplish it.

The Power of Team Building: Moving Beyond Social Outings Monotony

The effect of social outings on workplace unity has not been as thoroughly researched or studied. Anyone can understand the benefits of letting your hair down and trying to relax – but when does a social outing with your co-workers start to feel… pointless?

When no community goals are driving the team forward, a social out-of-work gathering can feel like the same monotonous cycle of pleasantries traded over the coffee station in the morning. 

A company-wide get-together certainly has its place and depending on the size of the tab, can be a cost-effective evening out with the team. However with the drastic life changes brought on by COVID-19, office morale is at an all-time low.

Hear some insights on the subject from Chris, one of the team events experts here at Urban Quest:

https://youtu.be/uGp8Ny0WjIY?si=YwJXzqwdDRa8d_6b

So to genuinely bring everyone back into the office and remind the team of how productive they’ve been in the past, look no further than a properly designed and organised team building event to bring the team back in style.

If you’re looking for the perfect team activity to bring the best out of your workers when they come out from behind the computer screens, look no further than Urban Quest.

Urban Quest’s fully interactive city-wide Amazing Race is the most fun and high-tech challenge-based team building activity in Melbourne.

For workplaces large and small, there’s no Melbourne team event better at encouraging unity and productivity in your team than an amazing race with Urban Quest.

The winning team at Urban Quest Team Building Melbourne

Resources:http://jyd.pitt.edu/ojs/jyd/article/view/300https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/1046496408328821

Top 13 Post-COVID Team Building Activities in Melbourne
Team Building
June 2, 2020

Top 13 Post-COVID Team Building Activities in Melbourne

Things in Australia are slowly going back to normal. Pubs are re-opening, people are catching up again and people are starting to go back into the office. Team morale at the workplace is at an all-time low. Productivity and teamwork have taken a massive hit, making now the perfect time to focus on team building activities and bring the squad back together with a bang.

This begs the question – what do team building activities look like in a post-COVID Australia? Here are our 13 recommendations for the best socially distancing post-COVID Team Building Activities in Melbourne.

1) Urban Quest

Urban Quest Team Building Activities Melbourne

What better way to bring the team together when restrictions ease than an amazing outdoor adventure around the city?

Watch your employees battle in the fierce competition in a race around the city reading maps, solving puzzles and cracking clues as they get closer and closer to glory. Imagine your version of the Amazing Race personalised to the Melbourne hidden lanes.

Urban Quest is outdoors and utilises technology we all have in our own pockets so social distancing won’t affect the fun. Everyone on the team is connected to their device and the tasks are designed in line with current government guidelines.

Kickstart your team with the perfect mental and physical challenge all while staying safe.

Make sure to check out the different quests on offer.

Best group size: for groups of 10 to 500 (subject to current social gathering restrictions)

Investment: from $45 per person

Type: outdoors, CBD, park or on-site

2) Paintball

Effective Teamwork Paintball

Test what your team is made of and put them out in the warzone with nothing but their wits and their nerve to pull them through.

Paintball is a classic team building activity that is a great way to create memories with your team that you’ll never forget. Make sure to pay attention to provider and government recommendations when it comes to what is safe to do and when.

But remember paintball isn’t just a physical challenge but a mental game of chess as well. Effective teamwork is most critical when in the battle environment so what better way to discover the secret warzone mastermind in your team?

Best group size: for groups of 10 to 100 (subject to current government restrictions)

Investment: from $100 per person

Type: outdoors

3) Board Games

Small Groups Team Building Activities Melbourne

Want to keep the party indoors? Why not try to pump a dose of nostalgia into the office and have everyone bring in their favourite board game, set up some tables and have yourself a whole office round-robin?

Tina from finance is the Queen of Monopoly, Trevor from sales just got knocked back to the start of Snakes and Ladders and you don’t want to miss Michelle from HR set off Mouse Trap - all part of a fun night of team building activities.

We know the best place to get your next board game in Melbourne.

Best group size: small groups of 3-5

Investment: from $10 per person

Type: indoors

4) Tough Mudder-type Obstacle Courses

Team Challenge Obstacle Course

Board games are not your speed?

Then it's time to turn it up with a battle of the fittest. Tough Mudder and other fitness challenges will test your team’s strength, agility and most importantly – their loyalty. ‘You’re only as strong as your weakest’ is a sentiment that’s true in business, life and Tough Mudder.

When a team knows they can count on each other, they’re at their strongest.

Check out the next event near Melbourne.

Best group size: groups of 5 to 100 (subject to current government restrictions)

Investment: from $105 per person

Type: outdoors

5) Volunteering

Volunteering Team Building Activities

It’s important to remember that while many of us are fortunate enough to get back into the swing of in-person work, some people have been hit harder by COVID-19 and need help more than ever. There’s strength in numbers.

Starting a charity drive or volunteering to help the less fortunate can be a great way to not only bring the team closer together but also help out those who need it. There are currently many charities throughout Melbourne looking for volunteers a helpful list can be found here.

Best group size: groups of 5 to 100 (subject to current government restrictions)

Investment: free

Type: outdoors, indoors

6) Sip and Paint

Painting Team Building

Let’s get creative. Grab a canvas and paint for everyone, get a couple of drinks and have a big group painting session.

You can have a leader in front to take everyone through step by step, chuck Bob Ross on TV and follow along or just let everyone do their own thing at their own pace. Some beer and wine are a nice touch to let the creativity flow and ensure nobody gets too nervous about showing off their work.

Best group size: small to medium groups of 5 to 50 (subject to current government restrictions)

Investment: from $70 per person

Type: indoors

7) Camping

Camping Teamwork

As the office rebuilds and gets back into the swing of things, what better time to get out of the city and embrace the great outdoors?

Pack the tents and the air mattresses and head out to the country to bond your team for the foreseeable future. Fun sports and activities all day, then roasting marshmallows and campfire stories by night.

Outer Melbourne is known for some incredible camping spots from the Dandenongs to the Macedon ranges, so check them out for some socially distant, fun team building activities.

Best group size: groups of 10 to 100 (subject to current government restrictions)

Investment: from $100 per person

Type: outdoors

8) Escape Room

Escape Room Team Building

An oldie but a goodie. How does your team hold up under pressure? How do they operate as a team? What better way to find out than sticking them in a room together and seeing who can get out first?

After their first hour of trying to get out of a locked room, your co-workers might even find work relaxing.

We heard there are some great escape rooms in Melbourne.

Best group size: small groups of 5 to 10

Investment: from $40 per person

Type: indoors

9) Quest in a Box

Quest in a Box Team Building

Want the riddles and puzzles but don’t want to spend too much time outside?

Bring the adventure to you, with new ideas like ‘Quest in a Box’.

Place your order and receive a box that will walk you through everything you need to do to win. You won’t believe the number of tasks, riddles and puzzles that can fit in one little box. Like an escape room on the go, a Quest in a box is a terrific way to test your team in the safest way possible.

Best group size: small groups of 3 to 5

Investment: from $10 per person

Type: indoors

10) Team Building Workshops & Conferences

Want to spend time with the team but have no time to relax?

Then maybe it’s time to upskill your team together. Have a look at programs focused on team building activities in Melbourne, maybe have a vote among co-workers or pick a course that you know will give employees the skills to take the business to the next level.

Best group size: groups of 5 to 100 (subject to current government restrictions)

Investment: from $100 per person

Type: indoors

11) Disc Golf

Want the social outdoor nature of golf without the expensive clubs and weird rules? Disc Golf is the perfect option for team building activities in Melbourne.

With three locations around Melbourne, disc golf is ideal for the experienced pro or for those just picking it up for the first time. Who knows, you might have a hidden talent and be on your way to the world championship in no time.

Disc golf has similar rules to golf while replacing balls and clubs with frisbees. Feel free to add your own rules as you ride the highs and lows of this fun outdoor activity,  that’s perfect for all ages and fitness levels around the office.

Best group size: small groups of 3 to 5

Investment: free (with a valid library card) for small groups or varied rates for larger groups

Type: outdoors

And don't forget about online team building activities…

12) Zoom Quiz

Just because restrictions are relaxing doesn’t mean everyone feels comfortable to go out and socialise just yet. One of the biggest company hits through isolation has been a Zoom Quiz. You can hire a host from a trivia company or have someone in the company write a general knowledge quiz or even trivia about the company, divide everyone into teams and the highest score wins!

13) Urban Quest Virtual Online Team Building Games

Most people have been overexposed to online team building games and are keen for something different. If so, look no further than Urban Quest’s brand new Mission Impossible Digital Team Building activities Melbourne!

If you’re not up to running around the real world you’ll be tasked to explore every corner of the internet, searching for clues and using your experience on the web to save the day. The perfect replication of the real-life Urban Quest experience. The Amazing Raceat your fingertips.

Second to none team building activities online in Melbourne. It is an ideal team building activity for conference calls too!

Urban Quest Virtual Team Building Activities Melbourne

Bring everyone back to work with an exciting start, to remind them of what they’ve been missing at home.

While we encourage having a fun time with these team building activities Melbourne, what’s most important is staying safe and only coming back to work when advised by the government that it is safe to do so.

The Best Team Building Activities… While Everyone’s Working From Home
Team Building
March 24, 2020

The Best Team Building Activities… While Everyone’s Working From Home

It’s Business as Unusual.

Companies around the world have been flipped upside down. Team building has been pushed aside as a priority as more people are working from home than ever before and employee morale has plummeted. Team building activities are desperately needed in the workplace... but nobody is in the workplace.

While you can never substitute the benefits of in-person experiential team building activities, it’s important people don’t forget they’re part of a team. Through Urban Quest’s experience of team building activities, we’ve compiled some of our favourite NON-CRINGEY team building activities to keep the team spirit up while everyone’s working from home.

1. Guess the Artist

Let’s start with a simple one that never fails. Before a meeting, you ask everyone to anonymously pick and send in a picture (this could be a picture online of something that resonates with them, a picture of a pet, their desk or something they drew themselves). Everyone goes around and guesses who they think chose each picture. You go around again as everyone reveals what picture they chose and why. Whoever picked the most right wins! A great way to understand your co-workers better, which should make this game easier and easier the more often you play.

2. Kahoot 

Kahoot.com is an awesome DIY trivia game that lets anyone create their quiz and play with whoever they want! Take it in turns writing a quiz each week as the host picks their topic (or something company-related) and quizzes their co-workers. Games can run for as long or as short as you like and are a great way to add a pinch of competition into the office.

3. Iron Chef Lunch

Once a week the manager picks a secret ingredient (e.g. carrots, rice, basil, etc) and cooks at home or ordered in, everyone’s lunches must contain that ingredient. Jump on your video conferencing software of choice and talk through what everyone’s eating and how they incorporated the ingredients - points for creativity. Food brings people together and a weekly Iron Chef lunch is a great way to forget about work for a while and get to know your co-workers.

4. gif Battles

Sometimes it’s good to test out the other side of your brain, let loose and have a laugh. Using this Trello template (which will talk you through the rules) you can square your workers off in a good old fashion .gif battle. See who has the quick wit and who has the most wicked sense of humor.

5. Collaborative Playlists

Wanting to maintain the fun without the competition? See what makes people tick and create a collaborative playlist on Spotify. Everyone can listen along and add their songs. You can go for a theme, or a particular mood or just see what everyone else’s favourites are. This is a great way to create a sense of community and space even when divided across the city, country or even the world.

It’s safe to assume that once the dust has settled a portion of employers will discover that they can save on a range of costs by allowing their employees to work from home going forward. This will come with many benefits for both the employer and employee while increasing the importance of corporate team building events, to ensure people are still working and growing together as a team.

Team building and in-person events are the glue that not only keeps a team together but keeps them thriving. It is essential to keep employees challenged and entertained if you want to get the most out of them, and the best way to do that is with an engaging team building event. But with the world caught in the middle of an international pandemic, we’ll have to make do with alternatives.

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