Team Bonding in Houston, TX: 20 Must-Try Activities for a Happier Team
Ah, Houston! This vibrant city is renowned for its rich tapestry of cultures, thriving art scene, and countless attractions. When it comes to planning a team-building event, Houston is the location where success is practically guaranteed.
Whether you’re hosting team building activities in Houston, TX, for a small or large group, we’ve got you covered with our 22 creative and unique ideas that will encourage everyone to join the event and bond with their colleagues.
H-Town has NASA, lush reserve parks, beautiful bayous, and Beyonce. Basically, it has it all! So let’s jump right into it and see what this unique city has in store for your team!
Fun for Everyone: Creative and Unique Team Building Activities In Houston
Sometimes, you don’t have to overthink when planning a team-building event and should simply focus on what your team needs most. Is it a break from work or the chance to communicate outside work hours? We’ve listed some unique team-building activities for epic fun with your team!
🍹🎨1. Drink and Doodle
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Drinks with your colleagues will make you chirpier and eager to share more about yourselves!
While happy hour and cocktails are always a great idea, they don’t give your team the chance to develop their creativity! So why not team up the power of drinks with a doodle class?
There are numerous benefits of doodling.Not only is everyone familiar with this activity, but this art form can improve your memory and also help to process emotions, so if you want your team to let off some steam, host a drink and doodle class!
🧘♀️🐩2. Yoga and Poodles
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Forget about doodles and hop on to a yoga class with poodles! Yoga is known for its benefits; it improves mental and physical health and is particularly known for its mindfulness practice.
Lifeline of Galveston County Pet Rescue hosts regular yoga classes with puppies and kittens, and guess what? Your team members can even go home with a newfound companion! These classes will help your team relax while raising awareness about animal welfare!
🍳👩🍳3. Cooking Classes
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First we eat, then we do everything else.— M.F.K. Fisher.
Whether your team is a bunch of foodies or fans of Top Chef, a cooking class will make their skills shine and give them a chance to come together while whipping up something delicious! Reserve some time for drinks after the cooking class to elevate your team building event and turn it into something truly special.
If you love our creative ideas, look at our tips to improve your team’s morale with fun activities!
📷🌆4. Photography Tour
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When in Houston, take advantage of the landscapes, works of art, and photo-worthy architecture!
Your team can be guided by a professional photographer and learn a thing or two about photography while visiting or revisiting Houston.
You will be amazed how people see things differently when they channel their inner Robert Frank! Discover the beauty of Houston with your team through the magic of photography!
🏙️🔍5. Go on a City Scavenger Hunt
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Thrills and adventure await your team! Scavenger hunts are fun and energetic and require team members to work together to chase down the clues and win!
Make the most of team building by hosting it at one of Houston’s beautiful parks, such as Buffalo Bayou Garden or Smither Park. Your team will have a vast playground to explore and have fun! Scavenger hunts work great for small and large groups, so what are you waiting for?
🕹️✨6. Arcade Game Magic
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Games require problem-solving and enhancing creative skills. If your team is all about fun, problem-solving, video games, or simply needs to have a good time, go to an arcade.
There are several arcades in Houston where you bring your team. Whether it is Pinball, Pac-Man, or Super Mario, your team will get the chance to bond over sweet memories!
Plus, this activity will activate their competitive side as they test their skills against each other and have fun!
🎲🌙7. Board Games Night
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Whether your team is a competitive or laid-back bunch looking for some after-work fun, board games are always a favorite!
Board games like Catan, Codenames, and Charades nurture teamwork competencies such as creativity, interpretation, and delegation, and can easily be hosted any time of the year!
Looking for more ideas to host the perfect team building activity? Check out our expert tips and tricks to plan a successful event.
Team Building Activities In Houston For Small Groups
If you’re a startup founder or a team leader stuck in the pizza party and Secret Santa routine, brace yourself for a refreshing change. We’ve got a few captivating team-building ideas that will leave your crew genuinely impressed!
🏹🎯8. Archery Lesson
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Does your team see themselves on an Olympic podium one day? Or maybe they’re keen on learning and trying new things. Whatever the reason, archery lessons are a fun-filled way to treat your small team!
Archery requires precision to hit a target. It’s also a great way to improve concentration and build confidence.
Check out West Houston Archery for some of the best archery lessons in Houston.
Do you love this outdoor team-building idea? Look at our 20+ ideas and activities for company outings for some inspo.
🏠🎤9. Beyonce Home Tour
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She’s bigger than life, her name in the lights.
If there’s one thing you cannot skip in Houston, it is a Beyonce Home Tour. It’s more than a home tour, it’s an experience where you can visit the celebrity’s favorite places in the city!
The Third Ward, often mentioned in her songs and videos, such as Drunk in Love or No Angel, is a place to see if your crew is a bunch of Queen-B fans! (Who isn’t?)
From places like the St. John’s Downtown Church to Houston Funplex, you can revisit the star’s formative years through self-guided walking tours! Check out this article about Beyonce’s favorite childhood places to plan a Beyonce-themed tour for your group.
🔍🔪10. Solve a Murder Mystery
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Channel your inner Easy Rawlins and solve a crime with the help of your team!
Find the culprit by collaborating, brainstorming ideas and unveiling the mystery one clue at a time!
Murder mysteries are not new in the realm of team-building activities and are a favorite among many! These scripted games are ideal for small groups as they are a lot more engaging when hosted for 10 to 15 people, if not less.
You can either DIY your murder mystery or hire a professional company to help you out! Either way, rent the right venue to add intrigue and charm to your team-building event!
🧗♂️🏞️11. Boulder Climbing
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While boulder climbing will not help your team brainstorm, it will help them to devise creative ways to overcome challenges.
Boulder climbing requires physical and mental strength and will get your team’s adrenaline pumping!
Moreover, the boulder climbing community is a very welcoming sports community, so we can guarantee that your team will not only bond with each other, they could even make some new friends during this activity! Check out Houston’s first indoor climbing gym to plan your event!
To improve the experience, book a private dinner spot for your team to reward them afterwards for their hard work and mad boulder-climbing skills!
🚀🌌12. NASA Exploration
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Ground Control to Major Tom
Take your protein pills and put your helmet on.
If you are wondering whether the Space Center is worth visiting with your team? The short answer is YES!
NASA’s Space Center offers a captivating experience. Your team can explore the moon rock exhibit, where you’ll have the chance to touch an actual piece of the moon, witness the Apollo 17 spacecraft that journeyed to the lunar surface, and much more.
Ticket prices typically range around $35 for a standard tour and approximately $50 for the Mission Control tour. For breakfast with an astronaut, budget around $100.
While some options may be on the pricier side, they offer a unique opportunity for your team to bond and create lasting memories.
😡🔨13. Rage Rooms
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Are you searching for a way to help your small team to release their frustrations? Forget about the copier and go to a rage room! Let loose and Hulk out on inanimate objects without a care.
Say goodbye to passive-aggressive emails and hello to wielding a sledgehammer like a boss! Check out Tantrums LLC or Break Life Houston for some epic relaxation!
Team Building Activities for Large Groups in Houston
Bringing large groups together can be a challenge, but it’s essential to maximize participation and make the most of the experience. That’s where our six team bonding ideas come in—they’ll not only inspire you but also give you the chance to choose from among some fantastic options!
🗓️🤝14. Regular Meetups
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Why organize annual or quarterly events when you can make it a weekly or monthly thing? Regular team building improves morale and engagement and allows your team to get to know each other in a more relaxed atmosphere.
Pick a pub, a pizzeria, or a restaurant, and make it your get-together spot where your colleagues can join each other and mingle regularly!
We recommend Wednesdays or Fridays for that much-deserved break and some casual talk!
🍷🎉15. Wine Tasting Class
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A glass of Chardonnay keeps the doctor away…or something like that.
Wine makes bad days better and good days even more awesome. During this team building event, the wine connoisseurs on your team can show off, while others can find their perfect wine match.
Divide larger teams into groups of 6 to 10 for better engagement and easy coordination. And if you have a mix of in-person and remote team members, send them wine-tasting kits so everyone can enjoy the fun!
Get ready to see your colleagues become partners in wine! Check out xperience days for a wine tasting class in the city!
🍻16. Brewery Tour
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If wine isn’t your team’s jam, how about a chilled-out brewery tour?
Houston boasts over 50 breweries, so you’ve got plenty of sips to explore! From local gems like Bombshell Blonde to exotic imports, it’s a hoppy adventure. You can even rent out a whole brewery or a private event room at a bar for your event.
Don’t forget to cater to the non-drinkers with some cool non-alcoholic options so that the event is inclusive!
🪓🎯17. Throw an Axe or Two
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Axe throwing? Oh heck, yes!
Here’s the deal: Players stand 10-12 feet from the target, with an axe in hand, aiming for the bullseye. The closer to the center, the more points you score.
But it’s not just about hitting the mark; it’s about team bonding as colleagues will get the chance to improve their concentration skills and have a good time laughing at their teammates as they fail or succeed at hitting the bullseye.
🦁🐒18. Visit the Houston Zoo
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Why limit team building to the office when you can have a wild time at Houston’s zoos?
You can easily plan this adventure year-round with options like the Houston Zoo, Bayou Wildlife Zoo, or Seven Acre Wood.
For larger teams, split up and explore different parts of the zoo— a perfect tactic for uncovering your colleagues’ likings and fears and learning about each other!
🌳19. Picnic at Hermann Park
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A backdrop like the famous lake area in Hermann Park can take your regular picnics to a new level!
Situated between Miller Outdoor Theatre and Lake Plaza, this space boasts picnic tables, BBQ grills, a swing set, a boardwalk, and new trails. Enjoy free pedal boats, field trips, and tours with your team.
Want to take your picnic to the next level? Consider The Reserve on Cypress Creek, a nature-inspired outdoor venue with a gorgeous cooled and heated tent on 12 scenic acres bordering a nature preserve and old Little Cypress Creek to organize a classy BBQ or picnic-themed event!
It’s the WAY to combine team bonding and picnic fun!
Take your team-building picnic to a new level with a venue like The Reserve on Cypress Creek, spanning over 12 acres of land where you can host a picnic-style party without worrying about the food or planning!
🤝20. Speed Networking
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Speed networking, like speed dating, is invaluable in bringing teams and departments together within organizations.
It pushes employees out of their comfort zones and encourages fresh connections. In two groups, participants can rotate through the tables with 5-minute rounds. The goal: each person networks with at least three peers.
Afterwards, individuals share tidbits about their colleagues. The twist? No repetition is allowed. This exercise assesses communication skills and active listening.
Team Spirit On
In Houston, team-building is more than just a task; it’s an adventure waiting to happen! Whether you’re exploring the wilds of the Houston Zoo, soaking in the beauty of Hermann Park, cracking codes in thrilling escape rooms, unraveling mysteries in gripping murder mysteries, or even channeling your inner Viking with ax throwing, there’s something for every team.
The city’s vibrant energy adds an extra spark to the experience. Choose activities that resonate with your company culture and employees to ensure a positive impact.
Ready to elevate your team’s collaboration, happiness, and results? Dive into the Houston team-building scene, and don’t forget to check out these crucial things to consider when planning a team bonding for the first time!
FAQ
Why should I host a team building activity for my team?
Hosting a team building activity in Houston offers numerous benefits. It strengthens team bonds, enhances communication, and fosters trust among team members. These activities break the routines, boost morale, and increase job satisfaction. Plus, they encourage creativity and problem-solving, positively impacting productivity and collaboration. Team building activities in Houston can rejuvenate your team and improve overall performance.
When is the best time to plan a team building activity in Houston?
The ideal time to plan a team -building activity in Houston largely depends on your team’s schedule and preferences. However, consider mild weather conditions during spring and fall, making outdoor activities like picnics in Hermann Park or zoo visits enjoyable. Also, many indoor activities, such as escape rooms or murder mysteries, can be planned year-round. Ultimately, choose a time that aligns with your team’s availability and the nature of the activity.
How much does a team building session cost?
It all depends on the activity. For instance, if you have to rent a venue or hire a facilitator, your team building will be pricier. Generally, it will be around $30 and $100 per person, depending on your company budget.
How do I choose the right type of team -building activity for my group?
Focus on communication, trust-building, and problem-solving. For example, murder mysteries and escape rooms are renowned for their problem-solving capabilities, whereas activities like dinner parties and happy hours are great for building trust and enhancing communication. It’s important to decide on the aim of the team building event before you pick any activity.
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