If you need to find an activity for your next corporate outing or team building event, Chicago is the place to do it! Reward your sales team with a night out, plan an off-site event for your group attending a convention, or impress visiting clients and executives.
Promoting team bonding and encouraging individuals to get to know each other better can be tricky. Luckily, Chicago is a city that’s full of diverse opportunities to strengthen bonds and have fun together as a team. No matter what your group is interested in, you’ll be able to find things to do that everyone will enjoy with this list of top team building activities in Chicago.
Start your team building adventure at Punch Bowl Social in the bustling Fulton Market District. This 30,000-square-foot entertainment wonderland blends a bit of nostalgia with modern fun. Challenge your colleagues to a variety of games including shuffleboard, ping pong, and bowling. The venue's extensive selection of craft cocktails and gourmet bites adds an extra layer of enjoyment to the experience. The chill vibes wide variety of activities at Punch Bowl Social will help teams of all sizes break the ice.
Chicago Dine-Around specializes in interactive dining experiences for groups and corporate team-building events. During the Restaurant Scavenger Hunt, you'll solve a murder mystery while searching for clues hidden throughout the venue. Try the Escape Room Dining Experience and work as a team to solve puzzles before enjoying your meal. Progressive dining tours will lead you through a series of select Chicago restaurants to sample a variety of delicious food options as you make memories together.
Royal Palms Chicago combines the laid-back charm of a retro shuffleboard club with the energy of a modern bar. Gather your team and try your hand at this surprisingly addictive game. Book a Cabana Party for your group of 10 or more people, or check out the walk-in courts for smaller groups. The venue's rotating selection of food trucks and live DJs help encourage socializing, while the games promote friendly competition.
Speaking of friendly competition, Bad Axe Throwing in the West Loop is sure to get your team's adrenaline pumping. Under the guidance of expert coaches, even complete beginners can learn to throw axes like pros. Customize your visit with various group packages, including tournaments and themed events. You might find that your team enjoys the opportunity to let off a little steam in a safe and controlled environment!
Who said ping-pong couldn’t be stylish? Gather your team around the table for more than just a dinner at AceBounce. Between table tennis matches, teams can enjoy craft cocktails and gourmet bites from the full-service bar and kitchen. Tournaments and team building packages make it easy to structure your visit for maximum engagement and fun.
Strike up some fun at Lucky Strike in Downtown Chicago. This isn't your average bowling alley - it's a full-scale entertainment center that combines bowling with a high-energy bar and lounge. With 18 bowling lanes, 6 ping pong tables, 11 billiard tables, multiple high-def screens, and 130 deluxe arcade games, Lucky Strike has the evening’s entertainment covered. Add some delicious food and a few drinks and turn a few games of bowling into a full evening of team bonding.
Want to promote a culture of wellness for your team? Organize a wellness week or private group class with Chi-Society! The experienced trainers and team members can help your team build connections with each other while building their own health and wellness. Be sure to check out their upcoming events as well as corporate wellness options.
For a truly unique experience, head to WhirlyBall in Bucktown. This one-of-a-kind game is played in bumper cars and is a cross between lacrosse, hockey, and basketball. Teams use handheld scoops to pass a wiffle ball while driving bumper cars, aiming to score points by hitting targets on opposite ends of the court. Players will need to use teamwork and have a good sense of humor, making it perfect for breaking down barriers and fostering camaraderie.
For a more upscale team building experience, check out Pinstripes in River East. This venue offers a sophisticated blend of bowling, bocce ball, and bistro dining. The elegant setting and fun activities make it suitable for both casual outings and more formal corporate events. After a few rounds of friendly competition, teams can enjoy Italian-American cuisine on the outdoor patio overlooking the Chicago River.
Put your team's problem-solving skills to the test at The Escape Game in River North. This hour-long experience places your group in a themed room where you must work together to solve puzzles and riddles to "escape" in time. With scenarios ranging from prison breaks to treasure hunts, there's a challenge to suit every team's interests. Just be prepared to see what happens when you lock your team in a room together for an hour!
For less competitive team building activities in Chicago, consider a tour and tasting at KOVAL Distillery. As Chicago's first distillery to open since the mid-1800s, KOVAL gives visitors a glimpse into the city's spirited history. The tour takes you through the entire distilling process, from grain to bottle. Afterwards, enjoy a guided tasting of their award-winning whiskeys, gins, and liqueurs. For an extra team building element, book a cocktail class where your group can learn to mix drinks using KOVAL spirits.
Aim for a bull's-eye at Flight Club. This stylish venue reimagines darts for the 21st century with state-of-the-art electronic boards and a sleek, modern decor. Book your private playing area in advance and enjoy an evening of darts, drinks, and food as you unwind and socialize together.
Nothing brings people together quite like sharing a laugh. The Second City, where countless comedy legends got their start, offers improv workshops specifically designed for corporate groups. These sessions use the principles of improvisation to improve communication, foster creativity, and build trust within teams. It's a fun, laughter-filled way to develop skills that translate directly to the workplace.
Absolutely Chicago Segway Tours can take your team rolling through the city with various tours and private experience options for groups. Pick your adventure and get rolling with an informative, entertaining tour guide that will lead you along your chosen route and provide you with interesting, funny, and sometimes just plain weird facts about the Windy City.
Take your team on a culinary tour of Chicago's Chinatown with the Chinatown Adventure Food Tour. Sample authentic Chinese cuisine at five authentic restaurants as you learn about traditional Chinese etiquette and customs. You’ll also hear stories about the history of Chinatown and learn about some of its famous landmarks. This cultural exploration is an excellent way to broaden perspectives and foster appreciation for diversity within your team.
Put together your own custom team building day by organizing a scavenger hunt through Chicago's most iconic neighborhoods. Whether you're exploring the Navy Pier, navigating the Magnificent Mile, or discovering hidden gems in The Loop, a scavenger hunt is a fun way to see the city while fostering teamwork. Team up with Watson Adventures to find the perfect scavenger hunt for your team.
WCF is a corporate team building and entertainment company that can assist you with planning your next team building event. Let WCF create an exceptional and memorable interactive event for your team, with options ranging from Interactive Summer Outings and Amazing Races to Deep Skills corporate team building events. If you’re looking to leave your team building to the experts, contact WCF and enjoy their hassle-free planning.
Culinary team building takes center stage at The Chopping Block. This award-winning cooking school offers hands-on classes where teams work together to prepare a gourmet meal. From pasta making to international cuisine, there's a class to suit every taste. The act of cooking together encourages communication, time management, and creativity. Plus, you get to enjoy the fruits of your labor at the end of the class. It's a delicious way to bond and learn new skills.
At Get a Grip Trapeze, team members will learn the basics of flying trapeze with the guidance of expert coaches. If your team likes to push themselves out of their comfort zones and create a sense of shared accomplishment, they’ll love this challenging and fun activity. Book your group class and see how much you can accomplish together.
Unleash your team's creativity with a Sip and Paint session. No artistic background is necessary – instructors guide the group step-by-step to create their own masterpieces, and all the art supplies you’ll need are included in the class. Just bring your own beverages and your willingness to get creative! Group classes and private parties are available.
Embark on a culinary journey with Chicago Food Tours. These guided experiences take you through some of the city's most delicious neighborhoods, including River North, Wicker Park, and the West Loop. Sample iconic Chicago dishes like deep-dish pizza and Chicago-style hot dogs, along with gourmet treats from up-and-coming eateries. Your team will learn about the city's rich culinary history and diverse food scene.
See the city from a different perspective by kayaking the Chicago River. Urban Kayaks offers guided tours suitable for all skill levels, allowing your team to paddle through the heart of downtown Chicago. As you navigate between skyscrapers and under historic bridges, you'll gain a unique appreciation for the city's architecture and history.
Learn more about an essential piece of Chicago culture with a behind-the-scenes tour of iconic Wrigley Field, home of the Chicago Cubs. Walk on the field, visit the dugouts, and learn about the ballpark's rich history. For an extra special experience, consider booking a game day tour to feel the excitement build before a Cubs game.
End a day of team building on a high note at Pete's Dueling Piano Bar. This high-energy venue features talented pianists performing an array of hit songs, with plenty of audience participation encouraged. It's the perfect place to let loose, sing along, and celebrate your team's successes. Book a private event for an extra exclusive night out that will bring plenty of opportunities for making memories together.
Make your night out a Game Night Out and leave the team-building in the hands of trained hosts! Your team will gather in a spacious, private room for a night of original games, tasty refreshments, and genuine team bonding that ditches awkward icebreaker questions and embraces fun. Our comfortable, living-room style spaces are located in the Lakeview East neighborhood of Chicago.
Celebrate your team's achievements while enjoying one of the best views in Chicago when you schedule a visit to 360 CHICAGO. You’ll ascend the iconic John Hancock Center to look out over the city skyline and Lake Michigan. The TILT experience, which safely tilts visitors out over the city at 1,030 feet up, is sure to be a thrilling adventure for your team. Afterwards, gather at the CloudBar for a drink, take in more of the panoramic views, and swap stories about the exciting day together!
Ready to start planning your Chicago team building adventure? Visit our blog for more insider tips and exciting ideas and make your next team outing in Chicago an unforgettable experience!
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