Unique & Fun Team Building Activities for Teams You Haven’t Tried Yet

Traditional team building has had its time. Trivia nights, trust falls, awkward icebreakers, and paint-and-sip sessions can only go so far before teams start to feel like they’re doing the same thing year after year. If your team is overdue for something fresh, dynamic, and truly memorable, there is a world of new experiences out there that can motivate your staff, strengthen communication, and shake routine out of the workplace.

In this blog, we explore a wide range of unique team building activities your group likely hasn't tried yet. And to kick it off, we start with one of the most engaging and immersive corporate experiences in Australia right now: Crime Story’s crime scene investigation workshops. From there, you’ll find a curated list of activities that stand out for creativity, skill development, and the ability to genuinely bring people together.

Whatever it is you're planning, whether it's a corporate retreat, an end-of-year celebration, or a mid-year morale boost, these experiences go far beyond the usual. They create real communication, real collaboration, and real connection.

1. Crime Story Corporate’s Crime Scene Workshops

The most immersive and interactive team building experience you’ve never seen before.

If your team has never stepped inside a lifelike crime scene together, you’re in for something extraordinary.

Crime Story delivers one of the most engaging and impactful team building activities available. Run by Luke Taylor, a former detective and current educator, these workshops turn your office or event space into an active crime scene. Teams must work together to solve a realistic case through investigation, analysis, and creative problem-solving.

This is not a surface-level game or a quick puzzle. It’s a fully immersive challenge grounded in genuine investigative processes. Participants step into the roles of crime scene examiners, analysts, and interviewers, using evidence, witness statements, forensics, and timelines to uncover what happened.

The result is a team building experience that is thrilling, interactive, and thoroughly original.



What Makes Crime Story Different

Crime Story Corporate stands out for several reasons:



True immersion

Participants don’t just solve a mystery; they become investigators. Everything is presented in a way that feels authentic, from evidence bags to staged scenes, interviews, and forensic elements. This engagement boosts energy and keeps everyone involved from start to finish.



Designed for real teamwork

Every part of the experience requires collaboration. Teams must:

• Delegate tasks
• Share information
• Analyse clues together
• Challenge each other’s thinking
• Make decisions under time pressure
• Communicate clearly



It’s teamwork in its purest form, happening naturally inside an engaging scenario.

Strengths-based facilitation

As CliftonStrengths-trained professionals, Crime Story integrates strengths-based understanding into the workshop. Staff learn more about their communication styles, how they contribute to team roles, and how they can leverage their strengths during high-pressure tasks. This elevates the activity beyond entertainment and into personal and team development.



Development of soft skills

Participants gain new insight into how they:

• Communicate
• Think critically
• Manage small-group dynamics
• Approach time-sensitive challenges
• Consider different viewpoints
• Build resilience
• Adapt to unexpected information



These are core corporate skills, yet they develop organically through the crime scene experience.

Customised to your organisation

Crime Story Corporate shapes each workshop around your organisation’s:

• Communication needs
• Workplace culture
• Team structure
• Strength profiles
• Group size
• Business dynamics



This makes the activity deeply relevant and transformative.

A sense of play with serious value

The crime scene format injects an element of play that breaks down barriers and encourages genuine participation, without losing the depth required for high-impact development.



Delivered anywhere in Australia

Whether your team is based in a major city or a regional centre, Crime Story Corporate brings the experience to you. Your location becomes the scene of the investigation.

By the end of the workshop, staff feel energised, more connected, and more confident in their ability to collaborate. It’s engaging, unique, and unforgettable, making it the ideal option for corporate teams wanting something completely fresh.



2. Outdoor Adventure Challenges

If your team thrives on physical activity and loves the outdoors, adventure-based challenges can build camaraderie quickly. These experiences encourage teams to work together in unfamiliar environments, testing resilience, communication, decision-making, and problem solving.

Examples include:

• Obstacle challenges where teams complete problem-solving tasks while navigating terrain
• Orienteering or navigation exercises where different groups race to reach checkpoints
• Low-impact adventure walks with storytelling or guided missions
• Coastal or bushland quests where teams must gather clues or complete challenges
• Ropes and climbing experiences that focus on trust and communication
• 
  

Outdoor activities break the routine of office life and encourage teams to communicate in new ways. They also suit workplaces that value wellness, movement, and connection with nature.



3. Collaborative Creative Workshops

Creativity has a unique ability to bring people together. When teams engage in hands-on creative experiences, barriers fall away and communication becomes more organic.

These sessions are ideal for teams that want something low-stress, enjoyable, and mentally stimulating.



Creative workshop ideas include:

• Story-building sessions where groups craft narratives collaboratively
• Ceramic or pottery workshops that allow everyone to create something tangible
• Group mural painting where each person contributes to a larger artwork
• Music or rhythm workshops that explore timing, coordination, and shared energy
• Photography challenges that encourage creativity and observation skills

Creative activities help staff express themselves, think differently, and work without pressure. They’re also a great option for mixed-ability teams or events where inclusivity and ease are important.



4. Culinary Team Experiences

Food brings people together, and culinary workshops have become a popular way to blend collaboration, fun, and skill-building.

Options include:

• Collaborative cooking classes where teams prepare meals together
• Pastry or dessert workshops for groups with a sweet tooth
• Cook-off competitions with mystery ingredients
• Global cuisine experiences led by culinary artists
• Cocktail or mocktail masterclasses focused on teamwork and balance of flavours

These activities often require clear instructions, role division, and timing. They also give teams something to celebrate and enjoy together at the end.



5. Puzzle and Mind Challenge Rooms

Puzzle-based team building has evolved far beyond traditional escape rooms.

Modern challenge rooms offer multi-level group games and team building games that mix logic, creativity, team collaboration, and physical tasks.

For many organisations, these quickly become some of their favorite team building activities because they are immersive, mentally stimulating, and highly interactive.



Common formats include:

• Scenario-based puzzles where teams must uncover codes or solve interconnected challenges
• Mind labs with logic puzzles, spatial challenges, and brain-bending activities
• Mobile puzzle units that come to your workplace
• Multi-room adventures where teams progress through different zones

These activities work well for analytical teams or groups that enjoy problem solving. They also highlight the importance of communication, information sharing, and collective strategy.



6. Wellness and Mindfulness Retreat Sessions

Not every team building activity needs to be fast-paced or high energy. Wellness-focused experiences can help teams slow down, reconnect, and explore new ways of supporting mental health and workplace wellbeing.

Examples include:

• Guided mindfulness or breathing workshops
• Group meditation classes
• Movement and stretching sessions that relieve tension
• Journalling or reflective writing workshops
• Nature-based grounding exercises
• Energy balancing or restorative practices
• 
  

Wellness activities help staff recalibrate, reduce stress, and return to work feeling calmer and more centred. They support psychological safety, making them a great foundation for teams that want to improve interpersonal communication skills.



7. Eco-Friendly or Sustainability Challenges

With sustainability front of mind for many workplaces, eco-based team building activities have become an excellent way to facilitate connection while contributing to meaningful outcomes.

These experiences encourage your entire group to work together with purpose, and they offer a powerful way to boost employee engagement through meaningful, hands-on contribution.

Ideas include:

• Group tree planting activities
• Eco-building challenges using recycled materials
• Local beach or bushland clean-ups with gamified elements
• Sustainability workshops that explore environmental problem solving
• Renewable energy challenges where teams design small functioning systems
• Urban gardening projects that contribute to local green spaces

These experiences create a shared sense of purpose and are ideal for businesses with strong environmental values or community-oriented missions.



8. Innovation and Design Sprint Workshops

If your team enjoys critical thinking and thrives on creativity, innovation workshops can be immensely motivating.

Common formats include:

• Mini design sprints where teams develop a solution to a challenge
• Idea prototyping sessions using everyday materials
• Innovation labs that explore business cases and creative thinking
• Problem-solving challenges based on real workplace scenarios
• Concept development workshops that encourage teams to think forward
• 
  

These activities are ideal for organisations that want staff to think strategically and imaginatively. They also highlight leadership qualities, as teams must manage roles, timelines, and outcomes.



9. Digital Experiences and Virtual Challenges

Not every team building activity requires physical presence. Virtual experiences offer flexible options for hybrid or remote workplaces.

These activities include:



• Online mystery challenges
• Virtual puzzle hunts
• Collaborative digital art creation
• Online trivia with interactive game boards
• Simulated business challenges that unfold across digital platforms

Digital team building strengthens communication across dispersed teams and is often more inclusive for remote workers.

10. Community Volunteering Initiatives

Some teams gain the most connection when working together for a shared community purpose. Moving beyond traditional team building activities, community volunteering creates meaningful bonds while making a tangible difference in people's lives.

Volunteering experiences might include:

• Helping at community shelters
• Participating in community building days
• Supporting local charities during events
• Packing hampers or school supplies
• Participating in community improvement projects

These experiences create gratitude, connection, and alignment with shared values that extend far beyond the workplace. When team members volunteer and work side-by-side to support those in need, they develop deeper empathy for one another and gain perspective on their own circumstances.

11. Mix-and-Match Activity Stations

For larger teams or mixed-department groups, activity station events allow staff to rotate through different experiences. This encourages flexibility, participation, and interdepartmental connection.

Stations may include:

• Mini logic puzzles
• Quick creative challenges
• Communication games
• Short physical activities
• Mindfulness corners
• Improvised problem solving
• 
  

Mix-and-match stations suit large corporate retreats, workshops, or end-of-year gatherings where you want every person to feel included.



12. Skills Swap Experiences

Every team has hidden talents, and a skills swap brings them to the surface. In this format, each team member has the chance to share something they’re passionate about while the other team members learn, participate, and ask questions. It has the same collaborative spirit as lighthearted team building games, but with a more personal and meaningful twist.

Team members volunteer to teach mini sessions in skills they enjoy outside of work, such as:

• Photography
• Baking
• Language basics
• Music
• Coding
• Home organisation tips
• Art techniques
• Gardening

This format is fun, personal, and deeply engaging because it celebrates the people within your business.



13. Storytelling and Communication Workshops

Strong communication is at the heart of every successful team, which is why storytelling workshops continue to stand out as some of the most engaging team building activities available. These sessions are playful yet powerful, helping teams develop clarity, confidence, and empathy while learning more about how each person communicates.

These sessions may include:

• Shared storytelling games
• Guided communication exercises
• Narrative-building challenges
• Persuasive speaking activities
• Improvised dialogue sessions

Teams learn how to frame ideas, listen effectively, and understand how different perspectives shape conversations.



14. Themed Corporate Olympics

A lighthearted but highly energetic option is a corporate Olympics event. This format blends playful competition with structured team building exercises, making it ideal for groups that enjoy movement, quick thinking, and friendly rivalry.

Activities may include:

• Quick skill competitions
• Friendly team-versus-team games
• Communication-based challenges
• Coordination tasks
• Fun physical activities with low-intensity movement

These events encourage groups to collaborate strategically, often requiring one team member to take the lead in certain tasks while others support, observe, or plan the next move. Teams enjoy the day, work together under timed conditions, and develop a sense of spirited competition that brings people closer together.



Why Crime Story Should Be Your Next Team Building Experience

While all the team building activities listed above offer different benefits, Crime Story Corporate stands out on its own level. It blends entertainment with deep skill development, delivered through a format that is original, engaging, and grounded in real-world expertise. It is designed to strengthen team dynamics in a fun and engaging way, making it particularly effective for both established teams and new team members who are still learning how to work together.

It’s immersive without being overwhelming, fun without being frivolous, and educational without being dry. Teams walk away with new insights into how they communicate, how they think, and how they work under pressure. The experience also sharpens critical thinking skills, encourages collaborative problem solving, and supports meaningful interaction even when working with a large group.

It’s the perfect mix of creativity, analytical thinking, collaboration, and excitement. If your team is ready for something completely different, Crime Story Corporate is the ideal place to start.



What Are the Fun Activities to Do Over Microsoft Teams?

If your staff are spread across different locations or you’re simply looking for something that can be done remotely, there are plenty of engaging options that work beautifully over Microsoft Teams. These virtual team building experiences still create connection, spark conversation, and offer a refreshing break from day-to-day work. They also give each team member the chance to enjoy structured interaction without the need for travel or in-person coordination.



Problem Solving Activities for Remote Teams

Remote teams can still enjoy meaningful team building exercises that strengthen communication and encourage collaboration. One of the easiest ways to achieve this online is through guided problem solving sessions that take a few minutes to set up and can involve your entire team. These may include quick logic puzzles, digital scavenger hunts, interactive quizzes, mini creativity challenges, or shared storytelling rounds that bring out different perspectives across the whole group.

Activities like these work well because they blend fun, light structure, and communication. They help staff develop a better rhythm together, even when they are physically apart, and they promote genuine team bonding without relying on long sessions or complex setups. For a more immersive experience, you can rotate between short challenges that each focus on different virtual team building activities, giving remote staff plenty of opportunities to connect, collaborate, and share ideas in real time.

Quick Collaboration Games to Strengthen Company Culture

Another effective way to keep remote teams aligned is through short, high-energy team building games that encourage interaction and strengthen company culture. These experiences ask group members to think together, communicate clearly, and stay on the same page, which leads to smoother collaboration during everyday tasks.

These sessions can be as simple as a fun game where teams brainstorm creative solutions to unusual prompts or work together to build a concept using limited information. Activities like these help highlight natural strengths, improving team creativity and building confidence across the group.

They also give team leaders a chance to see how each team member contributes to discussion, decision making, and shared goals. When everyone can participate, adapt quickly, and support each other, the result is a stronger sense of unity and a clearer understanding of how collaboration drives the team's success.



Takeaway

Team building works best when it feels authentic, engaging, and meaningful. Activities that challenge your team to think creatively, communicate honestly, and collaborate naturally tend to leave the strongest and longest-lasting impact.

Whether you choose an immersive crime scene investigation, a wellness retreat, a culinary challenge, or a sustainability project, the goal is the same: to build a stronger, more connected, and more cohesive team.

And if you want a team building experience that is memorable, impactful, and unlike anything your staff have experienced before, Crime Story Corporate is the top choice.

If you're ready to boost your team's communication, morale, and problem-solving skills in a way they’ll genuinely enjoy, reach out to Crime Story and start planning your next standout team building event.