A corporate away day can lose momentum quickly when half the group is standing on the sidelines, checking phones or politely waiting for the next activity. The best corporate away day games change that. They give people a reason to laugh together, communicate differently and get involved without making anyone feel put on the spot.
The right choice depends on your group. A sales team that thrives on healthy competition may want fast-paced inflatable challenges, while a mixed department with new starters may prefer games that ease people in. The sweet spot is an activity with clear rules, plenty of shared laughs and enough variety for every personality in the room.
What Makes a Great Corporate Away Day Game?
A good away day game should be easy to understand, professionally run and built for participation rather than spectators. Nobody wants a lengthy briefing followed by a complicated scoring system. The strongest activities get teams moving within minutes and give everyone a role, whether they are the loudest competitor or the colleague who usually hangs back.
It also pays to think beyond fitness levels. High-energy games are brilliant, but an all-action schedule can leave some people feeling excluded. Combining active challenges with creative, tactical or puzzle-based rounds usually creates a more balanced event. Weather, venue space, group size and the time available will shape the final choice too.
12 Best Corporate Away Day Games
1. It’s A Knockout
For big laughs, bright inflatables and full-team chaos, It’s A Knockout is hard to beat. Teams tackle oversized obstacles, water-based games and gloriously silly challenges while racing for points. It works especially well for summer parties, company fun days and larger groups where you want a real festival atmosphere.
This is not the quiet option, and that is exactly the appeal. It gives colleagues instant talking points and creates the sort of photos people will still be sharing in the group chat on Monday. If your team is less keen on getting wet, ask for a dry format or choose a mixed activity day instead.
2. Archery Combat
Archery Combat brings the excitement of a tactical game without the hard edges. Players use foam-tipped arrows, bows and inflatable cover as they work together to hit targets and outsmart the opposition. It is active, competitive and surprisingly accessible after a clear safety briefing.
The best teams do not simply rely on speed. They communicate, plan their positions and adapt when a strategy is not working. That makes it a strong choice for businesses looking for team building with genuine collaboration built in, rather than a standard icebreaker.
3. Bubble Football
Bubble Football is the corporate classic for groups that do not take themselves too seriously. Players are safely enclosed in inflatable bubbles, then attempt to score goals while bouncing, rolling and occasionally being sent gently off course by a colleague.
Football ability is not the point. In fact, the people who insist they have not played since school often have the most fun. It is best suited to groups happy to be active and laugh at themselves, with enough space for a proper pitch setup.
4. Old School Sports Day
There is something wonderfully levelling about a sack race. Old School Sports Day brings together familiar favourites such as egg and spoon races, three-legged races and relay challenges in a format that is simple, nostalgic and brilliantly competitive.
It is one of the best corporate away day games for mixed groups because the rules need no explanation and the energy builds naturally. Teams can cheer each other on without needing specialist skills, while the lighter physical demands make it more approachable than some full-contact activities.
5. Nerf Battle
A Nerf Battle turns a meeting room, sports hall or outdoor space into a colourful team mission. With blasters, safety equipment, inflatable barricades and instructor-led game modes, colleagues can play capture the flag, defend a base or complete tactical challenges.
This is a useful option when you want action without committing to a sport. Players can contribute through movement, cover, communication or objective-focused thinking. It also scales well for departments that want several short, varied rounds rather than one long tournament.
6. Gel Blaster Sessions
Gel Blaster games offer fast-paced tactical fun with water-based gel balls that burst on impact. The format feels energetic and immersive, particularly for teams who enjoy competition, strategy and a little friendly rivalry.
As with any combat-style activity, the quality of the event delivery matters. Clear rules, trained instructors and well-managed game rotations keep the experience fun for everyone, including those who have never played anything similar before. It is a particularly strong fit for younger, high-energy teams or an after-work social with a difference.
7. Human Table Football
Human Table Football gives the office five-a-side a much funnier twist. Players are attached to horizontal bars and can only move side to side, just like the figures in a table football game. The result is plenty of shouting, teamwork and spectacularly uncoordinated moments.
Because movement is restricted, success comes from timing and communication rather than one standout player taking over. It is ideal as part of a multi-activity event, where short rounds keep the pace high and give every team a chance to reset.
8. Team Challenge Games
A well-designed team challenge day can combine physical tasks, brainteasers, creative rounds and timed missions. One team might be building something under pressure, while another is solving clues or completing an inflatable relay. The variety keeps the day inclusive and stops one type of personality dominating.
This is often the smartest route for businesses with a broad age range, mixed confidence levels or employees who have not met before. Rather than asking everyone to enjoy the same thing, it creates different chances to shine. The planner can also tailor the balance towards competition, collaboration or pure entertainment.
9. Giant Inflatable Games
Giant inflatables instantly make an event feel bigger. Obstacle courses, bungee runs, gladiator-style challenges and inflatable races work well as headline activities or as a drop-in zone during a company fun day.
They are visual, high-energy and easy for people to understand from the sidelines, which helps build anticipation. For a more inclusive format, pair the physical races with scoring challenges or team relay rules so nobody is left out of the action.
10. Themed Challenge Days
A theme gives an away day a stronger sense of occasion. Think game-show-style rounds, school sports nostalgia, survival challenges or mission-based team competitions. A shared theme makes invitations more exciting, gives teams an easy way to get into character and helps the day feel more memorable than a collection of separate games.
The trade-off is that themed events need thoughtful coordination. The best formats keep the dressing-up optional, make the brief clear and avoid jokes that depend on people feeling comfortable performing. The activity should remain the main event.
11. Sports Tournament With a Twist
A short tournament can work brilliantly when your colleagues already enjoy sport, but it needs a twist to keep it welcoming. Use rotating positions, bonus-point challenges, mixed-skill teams or unusual formats such as dodgeball, quick cricket or relay football.
Avoid turning the day into a serious league table. If the same confident players are involved in every key moment, the event can become less social than intended. Quick games, regular team changes and a playful host keep the atmosphere friendly.
12. Multi-Activity Away Days
When you cannot agree on one activity, do not force it. A multi-activity away day lets teams rotate through several games, such as Bubble Football, Archery Combat, Nerf Battle and inflatable challenges. It keeps the day moving and gives people more than one way to join in.
This format is particularly practical for larger organisations and company-wide events. It spreads the crowd, reduces waiting time and makes it easier to cater for different comfort levels. With experienced instructors managing each station, organisers can enjoy the day too rather than spending it chasing score sheets and sorting equipment.
How to Choose Games for Your Team
Start with the people, not the activity. Consider how many guests you have, whether they know one another, how active they are likely to be and whether the event is indoors or outdoors. A group of 20 can enjoy a focused tournament, while 100 guests will usually need rotating stations or a broader challenge format.
Be honest about the atmosphere you want. For a reward day, choose games that feel playful and low-pressure. For a team-building objective, include challenges that require communication and shared decisions. For a summer celebration, go bigger with inflatables, water games and lively competition.
It is also worth choosing a provider that runs the event directly, with trained staff and a clear plan for equipment, safety and timings. That is where the difference lies between an activity that sounds good on paper and one that genuinely runs smoothly on the day. Excel Activity Group delivers instructor-led experiences nationwide, helping organisers create high-energy events without adding a pile of logistics to their to-do list.
The best away day is not the one with the most complicated schedule. It is the one where colleagues leave with an in-joke, a few brilliant photos and the feeling that they were genuinely part of it. Pick games that invite people in, let the friendly competition flow and give your team a proper reason to look forward to the next one.
