A good office away day should give people something better to talk about than the weather, the traffic or who forgot their packed lunch. The best office away day activities get colleagues laughing, moving and working together in ways that do not feel like another meeting with a different backdrop. Done well, they can bring new starters into the fold, reconnect hybrid teams and give everyone a proper shared memory.
The right choice depends on your group. A sales team may enjoy a loud, competitive challenge, while a mixed-age department may prefer something inclusive with plenty of room for different personalities. The trick is not to pick the most extreme activity. It is to choose one that makes it easy for everyone to join in.
What makes an office away day worth organising?
Office away days work best when the activity has a clear purpose without feeling overly corporate. You might be celebrating a strong quarter, welcoming a newly merged team, thanking staff, or simply giving colleagues a break from screens and routines. The activity should support that aim, rather than becoming a logistical headache.
Look for a format with simple rules, professional facilitation and enough variety to keep the whole group involved. Instructor-led events are particularly useful when you are planning for a larger team. Someone else manages the timings, explains the games and keeps the momentum high, leaving the organiser free to enjoy the day too.
Budget, travel time and venue are practical considerations, but energy levels matter just as much. Not every group wants to spend three hours running around a field. A strong away day usually offers a balance of active moments, team strategy and chances to chat between rounds.
12 best office away day activities for teams
1. It’s A Knockout
For teams that are happy to get competitive and a little bit silly, It’s A Knockout is hard to beat. Giant inflatables, foam, relay races and brilliantly over-the-top challenges create instant energy. It works especially well for summer staff events, large departments and teams that want a big shared spectacle.
The trade-off is obvious: this is not a quiet, polished activity. Participants may get wet, and it suits people who are comfortable being a little bit ridiculous. That is precisely why it is so effective at breaking down office formality.
2. Old School Sports Day
Egg-and-spoon races, sack races and tug of war have a way of making even the most reserved colleague unexpectedly determined. Old School Sports Day brings familiar playground games into a well-organised adult event, with plenty of friendly rivalry and easy laughs.
It is a great option for mixed groups because the games are recognisable and do not require specialist skill. Teams can rotate through short challenges, so nobody is left waiting around for long. It also works nicely as part of a wider summer party or family-friendly company event.
3. Bubble Football
Bubble Football turns a standard kickabout into a bouncing, rolling collision of laughter. Players are strapped into large inflatable bubbles, making tackles far less serious and falls far more entertaining. You do not need a squad of football fanatics to enjoy it – the comedy comes from the chaos.
This is best for active groups and teams happy with a physical challenge. Consider offering a lower-impact activity alongside it if you have colleagues who would rather not take part in contact-style games. A rotating format means everyone can still enjoy the atmosphere without being on the pitch throughout.
4. Archery Combat
Archery Combat blends the teamwork of dodgeball with the focus of target shooting. Using foam-tipped arrows and protective equipment, teams can defend bases, hit targets and work out a winning tactic under pressure.
It is a smart choice when you want competition without relying on football skills or brute strength. The best moments often come from communication: who covers the centre, who makes a run for the target, and who has suddenly become the office’s most accurate shot? Clear safety briefings and experienced instructors are essential, particularly for first-time players.
5. Gel Blaster Sessions
Gel Blaster sessions offer fast-paced tactical games with lightweight blasters that fire water-based gel balls. The experience is energetic and immersive, but approachable enough for people who may be nervous about more intense combat activities.
Teams quickly have to communicate, adapt and make decisions together. That makes it ideal for departments that enjoy problem-solving with a little more adrenaline. Indoor or outdoor layouts can be tailored to the space available, although clothing and footwear guidance should be shared well before the day.
6. Nerf Battle
A Nerf Battle is colourful, easy to understand and reliably good fun. Colleagues can take on capture-the-flag games, team missions and target challenges using foam dart blasters. It has all the excitement of a tactical game, with a light-hearted feel that makes it accessible to a broad range of participants.
This is one of the strongest choices for mixed-confidence groups. Nobody needs prior experience, and the playful kit helps remove the pressure to perform. For an office away day with a wide age range or plenty of new faces, that matters.
7. Team Challenge Games
A varied team challenge event can combine puzzles, physical tasks, communication games and quick-fire problem-solving. Rather than rewarding only the loudest or fittest people, it gives different members of the team a chance to shine.
This makes it particularly useful for managers who want the day to feel genuinely inclusive. The analytical colleague may spot the answer to a brainteaser, while another person leads a relay or keeps morale high. Ask your event provider whether challenges can be adjusted for mobility needs, group size and your preferred balance of physical versus mental games.
8. Inflatable Games
Inflatable games are not just for children’s parties. Adult-friendly assault courses, bungee runs and giant challenges bring a festival-style feel to a corporate event. They are visible, lively and ideal for creating photos that the team will actually want to share afterwards.
They are best suited to outdoor venues with enough space and a fairly relaxed company culture. If your team includes people who are less keen on climbing or racing, pair the inflatables with lawn games, refreshments or a separate social area so the whole day still feels welcoming.
9. Crystal Maze-Style Challenges
A Crystal Maze-style event brings timed tasks, themed zones and plenty of team discussion into one format. Groups work through a mixture of mental, physical and skill-based games, gathering points as they go.
The format is excellent for teams who want more than a single activity. It keeps the pace moving without demanding that everyone is sporty, and it gives natural opportunities for different leadership styles to emerge. Competitive teams will love the scoreboards; more relaxed groups can enjoy the variety without taking it too seriously.
10. Treasure Hunts and City Challenges
If your office away day is taking place in a town or city, a treasure hunt can turn the location into part of the experience. Small teams navigate clues, complete photo tasks and discover local landmarks along the way.
This option is especially practical for groups already meeting in a city centre, as it avoids the need to travel to a separate activity site. It is less high-energy than a sports event, but it is social, flexible and easy to follow with lunch or drinks afterwards. Weather is the biggest variable, so have a wet-weather plan.
11. Mini Olympics
Mini Olympics is a flexible format that can include everything from relay races to giant games and unusual sporting challenges. The focus is less on elite ability and more on team spirit, costumes and cheering each other on.
It works well when several departments are coming together because teams can be deliberately mixed. That stops people clustering with their usual colleagues and encourages conversations that would not happen in the office. Keep the competition friendly and make sure the prizes match the tone – silly medals can be more memorable than serious trophies.
12. A Combined Activity Day
Sometimes the best answer is not one activity at all. Combining two or three shorter experiences gives guests choice and keeps the programme fresh. For example, one group could take on Archery Combat while another tries Bubble Football, before everyone comes together for an inflatable finale.
This approach is particularly effective for larger teams or all-day events. It does require more careful scheduling, but a specialist provider can manage rotations, equipment and instructors so the day feels organised rather than fragmented.
How to choose the right activity for your people
Start with the people who may be least eager to attend. That does not mean building the entire day around the quietest person in the room, but it does mean avoiding an activity that leaves a sizeable part of the group feeling sidelined. Choice, short rounds and clear non-playing roles can make a big difference.
Then think about the outcome you want. If the aim is pure celebration, go bigger and more playful with It’s A Knockout or Bubble Football. If you want colleagues to communicate across departments, team challenges, city hunts and Crystal Maze-style games usually offer more natural collaboration. For a summer social, a mixture of Old School Sports Day and inflatables brings the right level of festival fun.
Finally, make the practical details easy. Confirm group numbers, accessibility, venue requirements, clothing advice, timings and what happens if the weather turns. Excel Activity Group delivers instructor-led events nationwide, helping organisers choose activities that suit their team and keeping the day running smoothly from the first briefing to the final photo.
The best away day leaves colleagues with an inside joke, a story about an unexpected victory and a reason to see each other as more than names in a Teams call. Choose the activity that gives your people permission to join in, and the connection will do the rest.
