If you’re reading this, you probably are on the hunt for event ideas to surprise and delight your team. You want something that is engaging yet also relaxing. Team members should be able to learn something, but also chat and get to know each other.
Unless you are a superhuman (or a masochist) you probably have limited time to allocate to planning this event, and would rather not have to wait for days to hear from multiple vendors. Most problematic, you have no idea what’s cool anymore these days.
That is, until you found this curation. Here are 25 authentic, easy to book, New York City-based workshop and event ideas for teams of 5 to 100 people. I’m Laurent, Frenchie living in New York and cofounder of Spaciously - an event planning platform that features local makers.
Tufting Workshop: A Unique Team Building Experience in NYC
Learn tufting, which is a form of knitting that lets you create decorative rugs. In this 3-hour workshop, your team will learn how to use a mechanical gun to knit yarn into a small piece. Each participant will leave with their own creation that they can hang at home or, if their spouse vetoes that, on their desk.
Tufting Workshop led by instructor Hannah 🏷️ Starting at $160 per person
👪 Capacity: up to 8 participants
👩 Instructor : Hannah, owner of LIC brand Hannah via Art and New York's coolest tufter.
➡️️ See more details & book here !
Explore Coffee Perfection: Roastery Tour for Groups in New York
Do you ever wish you knew more about what went into your cup? Or are you too caffeinated to even think about something so nebulous? In this 2 hour workshop, your team will tour a coffee roastery in Astoria (Queens), guided by the owner. You will then sit down and taste coffee from different beans.
Group Coffee Tasting & Roastery Tour 🏷️ Starting at $70 per person
👪 Capacity: up to 12 participants
👩 Instructor : Matt, owner of City Boy Coffee and coffee guru, is passionate about bringing the world's coffees into your cup.
➡️️ See more details & book here !
Sushi Making Class: Fun Team Building Activity in NY
Cooking classes have the double benefit of teaching something new to your colleagues while also feeding them. In this sushi making class, you will learn from a native of Hokkaido, Japan, the art of sushi, from the history of the dish to how to select ingredients and roll them. Our tip: pair the sushi with some sake to make the event even more social!
Team members sharing sushi tips 🏷️ Price: Starting at $70 per person
👪 Capacity: up to 50 participants
👩 Instructor : Hiroyo is a chef at ResoBox, a Japanese cultural center in the East Village
➡️️ See more details & book here !
Tie Dye Creativity: Colorful Team Outing in New York
If this sounds like an activity for kids, it’s because it is. What adults love about a good tie dye workshop is that you don’t need to think too much. Just splash colors onto a shirt and call it expressing your creative self. The result is often surprisingly satisfying to look at. Make the event collaborative by having your team work together on a larger piece. A nice addition is to use t-shirts with your company logo - that’ll make a great souvenir everyone can take home.
Work hard, dye hard 🏷️ Price: Starting at $75 per person
👪 Capacity: up to 50 participants
👩 Instructor : Brooklyn Paints
➡️️ See more details & book here !
Paint & Sip: Unwind with Your Team in NYC
The motto of our partner studio is “paint like Picasso, drink like Van Gogh”. Which is dark if you think too much about it, but the actual workshop is very light and fun. All participants use the same model, so they get to compare results with each other. An instructor teaches the basics of oil painting, and helps each team member individually. And then the sipping part probably needs no explanation?
Paint, sip, repeat 🏷️ Price: Starting at $35 per person
👪 Capacity: up to 50 participants
👩 Instructor : The Painting Lounge is a group of New York painting studios
➡️️ See more details & book here !
Custom Candle Making: Illuminate Team Bonding in New York
A more casual workshop, candle making is a great choice if you are looking for your team to learn something new, get their hands busy, but also have plenty of headspace to chat and have fun. The class is introduced with a short theory of candle making, followed by a three-part workshop: choose your scent, set your wick, and pour your design. Each team member leaves with their own handcrafted candle.
Colleague by day, candle maker by night 🏷️ Price: Starting at $35 per person
👪 Capacity: up to 50 participants
👩 Instructor : Symoné the owner of Sincerely, Bädé: a brand born in Harlem and all about body wellness.
➡️️ See more details & book here !
Italian Pasta Class: Culinary Team Building in NYC
Our most requested event, pasta making is both satisfying and, unless a catastrophe happens, yields delicious results. Your team will learn how to make 3 different shapes of pasta, followed by a sit-down meal that also includes starters and desserts.
More spaghetti, less spreadsheets 🏷️ Price: Starting at $135 per person
👪 Capacity: up to 40 participants
👩 Instructor : Miette Culinary is a cooking school in Little Eataly
➡️️ See more details & book here !
Bonsai Class: Grow Your Team's Bond in NYC
Let your team learn how to prune, shape, maintain and repot their bonsai. Everyone will go home with their own small tree to take care of. This activity is more quiet, and will work well if your team enjoys a deeper conversation that touches on the philosophical aspect of gardening!
Pruning as a team 🏷️ Price: Starting at $120 per person
👪 Capacity: up to 15 participants
👩 Instructor : Resobox is a Japanese cultural center in the East Village
➡️️ See more details & book here !
Chocolate Truffle Making Class: Sweeten Your Team Dynamics in NY
Another workshop that kills two birds with one stone: have fun, and bring a delicious souvenir home. Your team members will learn how to make chocolate ganache, and how to hand roll it into a dozen truffles.
100% increase in team morale 🏷️ Price: Starting at $100 per person
👪 Capacity: up to 30 participants
👩 Instructor : Roni-Sue's Chocolates is a mom and pop candy store in the Lower East Side
➡️️ See more details & book here !
Yoga & Chai: Rejuvenate Your Team Spirit in New York
Probably the best way to have your team relax while still sharing a few giggles. This event is 3-part: yoga, meditation, and social. Calming music plays as a Brooklyn instructor guides the group through a few easy poses, followed by a short meditation. Then your team debriefs the session around a cup of chai and snacks.
Team sunset yoga 🏷️ Price: Starting at $30 per person
👪 Capacity: up to 25 participants
👩 Instructor : Asmaa is a chai expert and yoga enthusiast based in Brooklyn
➡️️ See more details & book here !
Trivia / Family Feud Night: Test Your Team's Knowledge in NY
Want to build better camaraderie through giggles and games? Welcome to Office Feud! You and your colleagues will be laughing and guessing their way through a Family Feud-style face off, sharing quirky truths (and lies) about themselves, cracking secret codes in Guess Who, and battling it out in the ultimate trivia showdown.
🏷️ Price: starting at $55 per person ($35 when remote)
👪 Capacity: Up to 50 people
👩 Instructor: Joy is an artist, author, community builder, and designer based in New York
➡️️ See more details and book here
Wine Tasting Class: Savor the Experience with Your Team in NYC
8 Different Wine & Spirits class topics (especially Wine & Cheese Pairing, Whiskey Basics, Wine Basics & Beyond, Craft Cocktail Mixology, 0% Non-Alcohol Mixology, Champagne, and others). Entertaining and thoroughly informative.
🏷️ Price: starting at $100 per person
👪 Capacity: 6-100 guests
👩 Instructor: Vino-Versity started off as an NYC retail store with a wine & spirits classroom. This class is now available for private events!
➡️️ See more details and book here
Tea Ceremony: Relax and Embrace Tradition with your Colleagues
Explore tea with our Tea Tasting and Ceremony Experience. Our tea masters will introduce you to exceptional teas and guide you in proper brewing techniques. This ceremony blends tradition and sensory exploration, making tea appreciation accessible to all.
🏷️ Price: starting at $100 per person
👪 Capacity: 6-50 guests
👩 Instructor: Tea Drunk is a New-York brand of traditional Chinese Teas
➡️️ See more details and book here
Or read on for some more :)
Scenic Boat Tour: Explore New York with Your Team
Set sail on a scenic Boat Tour, the perfect way to explore New York's landmarks with your team. This group outing offers breathtaking views and a fresh perspective on the city, making it an excellent choice for teams looking for an unforgettable team event in NYC.
🏷️ Price: starting at $60
👪 Capacity: up to 134 passengers
👩 Instructor: Manhattan by Sail offers historic sailing experiences with a passionate and enthusiastic crew.
➡️️ See more details and book here
Pizza Tour: A Slice of New York for Your Team
Embark on a delicious Pizza Tour, a flavorful journey through New York's best pizzerias with your team. This tasty tour is a must-do for food-loving teams seeking a unique group outing in New York, offering a slice of the city's rich culinary tradition.
🏷️ Price: starting at $85 per person
👪 Capacity: up to a specific number not specified, but tours are designed for small to medium groups
👩 Instructor: Scott's Pizza Tours offers a guided pizza adventure on wheels led by pizza expert Scott.
➡️️ See more details and book here
Museum Hack: A Fun and Educational Team Event in NYC
Experience the city's culture in a new light with Museum Hack, an unconventional tour that offers a fun and educational team event in NYC. This activity is perfect for teams looking for an engaging and informative outing, providing insights into New York's history and art in an entertaining way.
🏷️ Price: upon request
👪 Capacity: up to 300 people
👩 Instructor: Museum Hack offers engaging, unconventional museum tours emphasizing fun and unique experiences.
➡️️ See more details and book here
Charity Day: Give Back with Your Team in New York
Make a difference with a Charity Day, a meaningful way for your team to give back to the New York community. This activity fosters a sense of purpose and teamwork, ideal for teams looking for group outings in New York that contribute to a greater cause.
🏷️ Price: Participation is usually free, but donations are welcomed to support their programs.
👪 Capacity: They coordinate thousands of volunteers across various projects; capacity can be scaled to accommodate large groups.
👩 Instructor: New York Cares is NYC's largest volunteer network, offering a wide range of community service opportunities.
➡️️ See more details and book here
Barcade: Retro Fun for Your Team in New York
As its name indicates, Barcade blends two worlds: having drinks in a laid back environment, and playing PacMan and other retro 90's arcade games in sub-groups.
🏷️ Price: Upon request
👪 Capacity: depends on the location (West Village & Williamsburg)
➡️️ See more details and book here
9/11 Memorial Visit: Reflective Team Outing in Manhattan
Honor and reflect with a visit to the 9/11 Memorial, a profound team outing in New York. This somber experience offers a moment of reflection and a deeper connection among team members, suitable for groups seeking a meaningful team event in NYC.
🏷️ Price: Visit the National September 11 Memorial & Museum website for current ticket pricing and donation options.
👪 Capacity: The site accommodates thousands of visitors daily; specific tour capacities may vary.
👩 Instructor: Expert-led tours provide a deeper understanding of the events and impact of 9/11.
➡️️ See more details and book here .
Rubin Museum Exploration: Cultural Team Building in Manhattan
Discover the wonders of the Rubin Museum, a cultural team-building activity in New York that delves into Himalayan art and culture. This enlightening outing is perfect for teams interested in exploring artistic and cultural depths, offering a unique and thoughtful group experience in NYC.
🏷️ Price: starting at $19 for adults
👪 Capacity: The museum does not explicitly list maximum group sizes for general admission on its website. For specific events or group visits, contacting the museum directly would provide the most accurate information.
👩 Instructor: The Rubin Museum of Art focuses on Himalayan cultures, art, and spirituality, providing a unique educational experience.
➡️️ See more details and book here
Axe Throwing: Exciting Team Bonding in NYC
Experience the thrill of Axe Throwing, an exciting and unique way to bond with your team in New York. This high-energy activity is perfect for groups looking for an adrenaline-pumping team event in NYC, offering fun and competition in a safe environment.
🏷️ Price: Starting prices aren't explicitly listed; it's recommended to contact them directly for pricing.
👪 Capacity: Specific capacity details aren't provided, but they offer 10 lanes for axe throwing in a 10,000 square foot space.
👩 Instructor: Live Axe NYC offers a Viking-themed axe throwing experience with trained "Cage Captains."
➡️️ See more details and book here
Paintball Challenge: Action-Packed Team Fun in New York
Dive into action with a Paintball Challenge, an exhilarating way to engage your team in New York. This outdoor adventure is ideal for teams craving a high-stakes, action-packed group outing, providing a dynamic setting for teamwork and fun.
🏷️ Price: starting at $39 per person on weekdays, up to $52 on weekends.
👪 Capacity: Specific capacity information wasn't provided, but the nature of the facility suggests it can accommodate large groups.
👩 Instructor: Indoor Extreme Sports provides indoor paintball and other activities like laser tag and escape rooms.
➡️️ See more details and book here
Bowling Night: Strike Up Fun with Your Team in NYC
The Gutter is a New York institution when it comes to bowling. Expect a no-frills ambiance, focused on bowling and a few pitchers of beers. 3 locations: LES, Williamsburg, LIC.
🏷️ Price: starting at $25 per person (12 people-minimum)
👪 Capacity: Depends on the venue
➡️️ See more details and book here
FAQ: Optimizing Your Team Event Experience in NYC
How Can I Make My Team Event in NYC Successful?
To ensure the success of your team event in NYC, start with clear objectives, such as team bonding or skill development. Choose activities that align with your team's interests and the goals you wish to achieve. Effective communication before, during, and after the event is crucial. Finally, solicit feedback to understand what worked well and what could be improved for future events.
What Should I Not Forget When Planning My Team Event?
When planning your team event, don't forget to consider logistics such as transportation, dietary restrictions, and accessibility needs. Ensure you have a detailed itinerary and a backup plan for unexpected issues. Paying attention to the little details, like name tags or personalized items, can also significantly enhance the experience.
How Do I Choose the Right Activity for My Team?
Choosing the right activity for your team involves understanding your team's demographics, interests, and the dynamics among members. Consider activities that encourage collaboration, push individuals slightly out of their comfort zones, and most importantly, are enjoyable. Surveying your team for their preferences can also be a helpful step.
What Are the Benefits of Team Building Activities?
Team building activities offer numerous benefits, including improved communication, increased trust, and enhanced problem-solving skills. They can break down barriers in the workplace, foster a sense of unity, and boost overall morale. Additionally, these activities can reveal hidden talents within your team and encourage a culture of continuous learning and collaboration.
How to Incorporate Learning into Fun Team Events?
Incorporating learning into fun team events can be achieved by selecting activities that naturally blend skill development with enjoyment. For example, cooking classes, art workshops, or historical tours offer opportunities for learning in an engaging and informal setting. Providing reflection time after the activity can help solidify any lessons learned.
How Can I Ensure Everyone Feels Included in the Team Event?
To ensure everyone feels included, choose activities that cater to a wide range of interests and physical abilities. Communicate clearly and invite feedback during the planning phase to address any concerns or accommodations needed. During the event, encourage participation and interaction among all members, and consider assigning roles that allow everyone to contribute.
What Are the Key Elements of a Memorable Team Event?
The key elements of a memorable team event include unique and engaging activities, opportunities for genuine interaction among team members, and a touch of surprise or novelty. Personal touches, such as customized gifts or shout-outs, can also make the event more memorable. Ensuring the event runs smoothly and everyone feels valued and included is essential.
How to Balance Fun and Professionalism in Team Events?
Balancing fun and professionalism in team events can be achieved by setting a tone that encourages relaxation and enjoyment while maintaining respect for each other. Choose activities that are appropriate for a professional setting and clearly communicate any expectations regarding behavior. Facilitators can play a crucial role in maintaining this balance.
Can Team Events Help in Resolving Conflicts?
Yes, team events can be instrumental in resolving conflicts by providing a neutral environment where team members can interact outside the pressures of the workplace. Activities that require collaboration and problem-solving can help bridge gaps and improve understanding among team members. It's important to choose activities that promote communication and mutual respect.
How to Measure the Success of a Team Event?
Measuring the success of a team event can be done through direct feedback from participants, observing the level of engagement and interaction during the event, and assessing any improvements in team dynamics or productivity afterward. Surveys or feedback forms can provide valuable insights into what participants found most beneficial or enjoyable, helping to inform future events.
By addressing these FAQs, you can enhance the planning and execution of team events in NYC, ensuring a positive and productive experience for all involved.
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