Team entertainment in nature can yield more benefits when team-building games and ideas have a clear purpose rather than just filling the day before an evening gathering. Colleagues who search for checkpoints together in the forest or paddle in the same canoe can develop communication, collaboration, and trust skills.
However, teams do not always choose activities based on what the team is lacking. A newly formed group might benefit from get-to-know-you and trust-building tasks, a tired team from a calmer hike with challenges at stations, and competing departments from cooperative games where the whole group strives toward a common goal.
Part of the games can be organized by the team itself with a rope and a few bandanas, more active challenges might require an organizer or an adventure park, and the final format is determined by the team's goal and the weather forecast.
What is team building and why is it needed for a team?
Team building (angl. team buildingis a deliberately planned activity aimed at strengthening team communication, trust, and cooperation. Unlike a regular party, team-building activities have a specific goal: colleagues solve tasks together or overcome challenges that require cooperation.
The 2009 meta-analysis by Klein et al., published in Small Group Research, found that team building has a positive effect on team performance. The effect was identified on team outcomes, behaviors, and attitudes, and among the various team building components, a stronger effect is associated with goal setting and role clarification. Therefore, it is worth including the discussion of a shared goal in the retreat program, not just entertainment.
„Google's Project Aristotle showed that psychological safety was the most important of the five identified effective team factors, and team composition was not a primary factor explaining effectiveness. Informal team activities can provide opportunities for colleagues to interact, try out new roles, and make mistakes in a low-risk environment.
An informal environment can encourage different communication among colleagues than in a regular work environment. In addition, a study by Hunter et al. (2019) published in „Frontiers in Psychology“ showed that spending at least 20–30 minutes in nature was associated with a significant decrease in cortisol levels.
Team building games and ideas for the team in nature
These principles can be applied through simple games that the team can organize themselves, without an organizer or special equipment. For some tasks, a rope, a few blindfolds, sheets with tasks, and one colleague in the role of the host are enough.
Independent games can be adapted for groups of different sizes, depending on the specific task. If the goal is to encourage communication among different colleagues, teams can be formed by mixing members of departments or regular work groups.
What trust and communication games work in nature?
To develop trust and communication, you can choose games where participants must cooperate and clearly convey information: the blind path, the minefield, the human knot, or building a bridge from limited resources. The required equipment and game duration depend on the chosen task and the number of participants.
- Dead endA blindfolded participant walks along a marked path following the verbal commands of a partner. The exercise is designed to develop clear communication and trust.
- Minefieldpine cones or other light objects are arranged in a safe area, which a blindfolded colleague walks around following team instructions.
- Human knotparticipants stand in a circle, hold hands, and try to untangle themselves without letting go. No equipment is needed, and the task encourages communication and joint problem-solving.
- Bridge from limited means: the team must figure out how to cross the marked „river“ using the provided items. The task can be used to develop planning, cooperation, and role distribution.
These games can be adapted for colleagues of varying physical fitness, as coordination, communication, and problem-solving are more important in many of them than physical strength. They can be chosen at the beginning of the day before more active events.
For safety reasons, blindfolded participants should walk along a flat, pre-inspected path free of obstacles, and the guide should observe the task from the sidelines.
What creative and logical challenges are suitable for an outdoor team?
You can choose tasks where the team has to come up with a joint solution within a limited time: raft building, photo scavenger hunt, station trivia, or creating a nature-themed menu.
- Raft made of natural materialsWithin the allotted time, teams build a mini raft from branches and rope, which must support a small weight on the water.
- Photo scavenger hunteach team gets a list of clues and photographs the found objects with a phone.
- Outdoor pub quiz at bus stopsthe questions are arranged in several stations, teams move along the route, and the points are counted by the host.
- Menu from the Forestthe team creates and presents a fictional restaurant menu inspired by found natural elements, thereby developing creativity and presentation skills.
Logic puzzles can help highlight how team members distribute tasks and roles. In a meta-analysis by Klein et al. (2009), role clarification was one of the team-building elements that had a positive impact on team outcomes.
The task is flexible: the construction, orientation, and presentation stages provide colleagues with different ways to contribute to the joint activity.
What active team building tasks in nature bring the team closest together?
Team collaboration can be encouraged by tasks where the result depends on the contribution of several or all team members. This kayak trip, in which pairs coordinate rowing in a boat, orienteering competition with a map and compass, and station challenges: tug-of-war, archery, obstacle course, or ladder golf.
Similarly, one can choose tree-top adventure parks where colleagues can encourage one another. For example, in the „Tarzanija“ park in the Nemunas valley near Alytus, the obstacle courses are set up at heights of about 1.5 to 21 m and vary in difficulty, while the flight across the Nemunas stretches for about 800 m. Strategy and accuracy may be needed in team laser tag game, and for a more relaxed round, you can choose 18 holes mini golf to the collective.
The meta-analysis by Hattie et al. (1997), published in the Review of Educational Research, demonstrated a positive impact of adventure programs that persisted in follow-up assessments, with the effect of some outcomes even increasing over time. However, the study analyzed adventure education programs, so these results cannot be directly equated to one-day corporate team-building events in nature.
At the stations for colleagues of varying physical fitness, combine strength, accuracy, and logic tasks; on the high-rope courses, allow them to choose the appropriate difficulty level according to the park's rules, and calculate points based on the total team result.
Basics of safety: instructor supervision and safety equipment on high ropes courses, life jackets while swimming, no alcohol during active activities. Lithuania is one of the EU/EEA countries with a high incidence of tick-borne encephalitis, so in the invitation, remind about repellents, appropriate clothing, and tick checks after the event.
How to choose a team building event format according to the team's goal?
Once it is clear what activities can be chosen, they should be aligned with the team's goal rather than just the popularity of the entertainment. First, identify what colleagues should take away from the event, and then choose the activities:
- New team, getting to know each other: photo scavenger hunt, human knot – these tasks encourage participants to communicate and cooperate.
- Inter-departmental communication: a blind alley, a bridge of limited resources in mixed teams.
- After an intense period: kayaking, adventure park, and a hike with some quiet time in nature.
- Big summer celebration: station challenges, laser tag tournament, mini golf.
- Management team: orientation race with a strategic task and discussion of a common goal.
Next, evaluate the practical criteria. Smaller groups can organize some simple games themselves, while larger groups may find it more convenient to hire an organizer or choose a venue with event-adapted infrastructure. The duration can be a half-day or a full day, and the season should be chosen according to the activity and weather conditions: water activities should be planned for the warm season, while hikes and orientation games can also be held in the cooler season. Regional parks, homesteads, or river valleys may be suitable locations for the event.
A longer event format can also be linked to time spent in nature. In a study by White et al. (2019) published in Scientific Reports, at least 120 minutes in nature per week was associated with a higher likelihood of reporting good health and high well-being, and this relationship did not depend on whether the time was spent in a single visit or multiple visits.
Separate the evening gathering from the active part, as alcohol consumption is prohibited within the territory of the Tarzanija adventure park. Campfires in the park may only be built using grills in rental gazebos, and food can be ordered at the nearby Dzūkija Manor. Accommodation can also be booked there. A 10 % discount applies to groups of 15 or more, and on weekdays an entertainment ticket costs 16 €, while an entertainment and climbing ticket costs 24 €.
What indoor team-building games should you choose when the weather prevents going outside?
You can choose formats that maintain the team element: trivia, creative workshops (ceramics, cocktail making, culinary classes), team-scored bowling, or VR games.
A Plan B is worth planning even when booking the venue. Choose a homestead or another location with a shelter, have indoor alternatives for activities, and inform participants in advance about appropriate clothing. Light rain does not necessarily interfere with outdoor activities, but the decision regarding them should be made based on specific weather conditions and activity safety requirements.
The nature of team activities can also be maintained indoors: human knot Can a minefield with light, safe objects be set up in a hall, and leave the creative workshop as a conclusion after the active part?.
Formats can be changed annually so that team-building activities do not repeat.
Team-building games in nature: FAQ
What team-building games in nature can you organize yourself, without an organizer?
A blind walk, a human knot, a minefield, and a photo scavenger hunt can be organized by the team itself using simple inventory: a rope, blindfolds, and task sheets. One colleague can take on the role of the host, prepare the tasks, monitor safety, and, if the activities are competitive, count the teams' points.
What to do if it rains on the day of the outdoor team-building event?
Book a sheltered spot or a hall in advance and have indoor alternatives, such as a trivia night or creative workshops. Light rain does not necessarily interfere with active outdoor activities if participants have proper clothing and footwear. Make the decision to move activities based on weather conditions and the safety requirements of the specific activity.
How many people can participate in outdoor team-building games?
The number of participants depends on the chosen game and event format. A larger group can be divided into smaller teams, and if the goal is to encourage communication between departments, their members can be mixed. On weekdays, Tarzanija welcomes groups from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM with advance group registration.
When is the best time for team building in nature in Lithuania?
Team-building events in nature can be planned during the warm season, when weather conditions are more favorable for kayaking, water activities, and summer celebrations, while scavenger hunts and hikes can also be organized in the autumn. Popular homesteads and organizers for summer events should be booked in advance. When planning activities in nature, tick protection should be taken care of: repellents, appropriate clothing, and a body check after the event.
A well-planned day in nature can give a team more than just fun: a shared goal, clearer roles, and a chance to see colleagues in a different environment. At Tarzanija, these elements can be combined with various activities: rope courses ranging from about 1.5 m to 21 m in height, laser tag, and an 18-hole mini-golf course offer the team different types of challenges, and a 10 % discount is available for groups of 15 or more.
If you are planning a team outing, check out the group tickets prices and book the date in advance by phone +370 671 80500 or by email info@tarzanija.lt. An active day in the park can be combined with an evening and overnight stay at the nearby Dzūkija Manor.
