31 Best Team Building Activities in Austin, TX for 2025
As a cultural capital of Texas (and also its literal capital), it’s not surprising that there are many excellent team building activities in Austin, from taking art classes to exploring museums and going on hikes. Whether you're looking to boost creativity or simply have a good time, Austin has something for every team.
No matter what activity you choose to bond over, the potential benefits your business can reap from team building activities in Austin are immense. To help you plan the perfect event, we’ve put together a comprehensive guide to team building activities in Austin, including 31 exciting ideas for things to do with your group.
Jump to Section
- How We Choose Team Building Ideas in Austin
- Fun Team Building Ideas in Austin, Texas
- Why Should My Business Consider Team Building?
- Does Team Building Improve Business?
- What Makes for an Effective Team Building Exercise?
- Benefits of Team Building Activities
- Team Building in More Cities Near You
How We Choose Team Building Ideas in Austin
With over 10 years of experience in the team building space, Cozymeal has a deep understanding of what groups look for when organizing company events. Since 2013, we have been serving global businesses like Google and Spotify as well as Austin area businesses, including tech companies, law firms and more.
With this wealth of experience, we’re excited to share some of our go-to ideas for team building in Austin. In addition to fun and unique culinary team building activities in Austin, we’ve curated suggestions from other local businesses across the city that we believe are worth exploring.
To ensure we recommend only the best, our editorial team conducts thorough research and even gathers insights from team members based in the city being covered. We also rely on Yelp and Google My Business reviews, taking into account feedback from consumers to finalize our recommendations. This process ensures that we only suggest the very best team building activities in Austin, all of which have excellent customer ratings.
Additionally, we offer a variety of team building activities in Austin for all types of groups, using the following criteria.
Our list of the best team building activities in Austin:
- Accommodates various team sizes, ranging from two to over 200 participants.
- Covers a range of price points to suit various budgets.
- Caters to all activity levels for inclusivity.
- Addresses various team-building goals, including improving communication, collaboration, creativity, problem-solving, critical thinking, and bonding, while ensuring that every activity is enjoyable and engaging.
- Appeals to diverse interests and personalities, including creative, laid-back and adventurous teams.
- Only includes activities conveniently located in the Austin area or are easily accessible for people based in Austin, if the activity location is a little outside the city.
- Features businesses that consistently receive excellent reviews on company websites, Yelp and Google My Business.
- Whenever possible, includes businesses that offer corporate packages and team-building-specific experiences tailored to business needs.
HR Consultant Review
To further ensure we’re recommending the best activities for all teams, our content was reviewed by HR consultant Candace Beaty, who has over 18 years of experience in HR and business operations across private, public and nonprofit sectors.
By working with an experienced HR consultant, we ensure that all the recommended activities contribute to building strong, successful and inclusive teams while promoting group bonding and increasing employee satisfaction.
Why Choose Culinary Team Building Activities in Austin?
Team building activities in Austin focused on food offer numerous benefits, all while indulging your team’s love for culinary experiences.
In fact, a study published on PubMed, titled Breaking Bread: The Functions of Social Eating, found that dining together as a group helps build trust, strengthen bonds and enhance overall happiness.
The study goes on to suggest that groups also feel closer and more engaged with each other and their communities after sharing a meal; therefore, highlighting the positive impacts of opting for culinary team building activities in Austin.
Additionally, these benefits translate directly back to the workplace. When teams build strong relationships and trust each other, they collaborate and communicate more effectively and solve problems more easily, which ultimately contributes to improved workplace performance and outcomes.
Fun Team Building Ideas in Austin, Texas
1. Try Culinary Team Building Activities in Austin
From taking hands-on culinary classes to embarking on food tours in Austin or hiring private chefs in Austin, culinary team bonding events are perfect for groups who love good food. These unique team building activities in Austin focus on exploring, enjoying or making gourmet cuisine, with each session led by the best chefs and hosts in Austin.
And if you'd rather have the fun come to you, there's even a chef-led, in-office guacamole-making competition complete with a DIY taco station lunch, trivia and virgin sangria for a cool team building activity in Austin that everyone will enjoy.
Whether you're learning to make gourmet pasta or sushi or checking out the best local restaurants with a knowledgeable guide, culinary team building activities in Austin offer a unique way to bond over food. Best of all, these classes allow teams to communicate, collaborate and build stronger bonds in a relaxed setting.
Activity Overview
- Price Range: Starting at $89 per person
- Activity Duration: 1 hour+
- Group Size: All group sizes
- Ideal For: Food-loving teams seeking a hands-on and interactive bonding experience.
- Location: Throughout the Austin area
- Website Link: Culinary Team Building Activities in Austin
2. Take Hands-On Cooking Classes
A team that eats together, stays together! Joining a hands-on cooking classes in Austin is one of the best ways to do this. With this team building activity in Austin, your group will get to prepare the feast as well as eat it, allowing team members to feel like they have all contributed something.
Taught by top-rated local chefs, your team will don their aprons, roll up their sleeves and learn how to do everything from rolling stunning sushi to perfecting homemade pasta. They might even engage in a little friendly cooking competition. After all the cooking is complete, the team gets to sit down and enjoy the gourmet meal they made together.
This team building activity in Austin not only teaches new skills and builds bonds but also shows that work events can be as delicious as they are fun!
Activity Overview
- Price Range: Starting at $89 per person
- Activity Duration: 1 hour+
- Group Size: All group sizes
- Ideal For: Teams who enjoy learning new skills and collaborating in a relaxed setting, with the option for some friendly competition.
- Location: Throughout the Austin area
- Website Link: Cooking Classes in Austin
3. Organize Online Culinary Team Building Activities
Have some remote staff in the bunch? Go the virtual route with fully interactive online team building activities. These live, 100% virtual team building activities can be done from anywhere; all you need is a computer or smart device.
Best of all, there are many fun virtual experiences to choose from. One great pick is learning new recipes from world-class chefs via online cooking classes.
Alternatively, shake and stir up craft cocktails in online mixology classes. Tastings are another great way for remote teams to bond, with virtual wine tastings stepping in as a fun virtual alternative to the classic office happy hour.
Activity Overview
- Price Range: Starting at $29 per person
- Activity Duration: 1 hour+
- Group Size: All group sizes
- Ideal For: Remote teams or hybrid companies looking to enjoy unique activities virtually.
- Location: From any location of your choice
- Website Link: Online Team Building Activities
4. Get Creative at an Art Class
If you're looking for a fun team building activity in Austin that encourages innovation, taking an art class together is an excellent choice. Even if your team isn’t the most artistically inclined, you can still enjoy a day together learning to paint or draw (and maybe enjoying a glass of wine or two).
Conveniently, Austin is home to numerous art studios, such as Painting With a Twist, that offer corporate team building activities in Austin as well as more casual events for smaller teams.
Your team will enjoy a hands-on learning session that emphasizes creativity and problem-solving. And who knows? With this team building activity in Austin, you might end up with a new art piece for the office.
Activity Overview
- Price Range: $35 to $75 per person
- Activity Duration: 1.5 to 3 hours
- Group Size: 2 to 50 participants
- Ideal For: Teams looking for creative activities that allow them to have fun and unwind together while picking up a new skill.
- Location: 8820 Burnet Road, Austin, TX 78757
- Website Link: Painting With a Twist
5. Visit Lady Bird Lake
Enjoy nature while participating in one of the best outdoor team building activities in Austin: a visit to Lady Bird Lake. Along with taking in the stunning views, you can partake in a range of things to do.
You might go paddle boating or SUPing, where you'll enhance communication and collaboration skills as you work together to navigate the water. Alternatively, take a team walk around the lake, getting to know each other better as you chat along the way. These fun activities not only promote teamwork but also provide a relaxing way to unwind and connect after a busy period.
If you opt for this team building activity in Austin, accessing the lake is free. However, note that there is a cost if you want to rent equipment, such as paddleboards.
Activity Overview
- Price Range: Free; rentals start at $15/hour for paddleboards and kayaks.
- Activity Duration: Flexible – 1 hour to all day
- Group Size: All group sizes
- Ideal For: Outdoor enthusiasts and teams seeking a relaxing, scenic bonding experience in the fresh air.
- Location: Lady Bird Lake, Austin, TX 78701
- Website Link: Lady Bird Lake
6. Tour the Capitol Building
As the capital city of Texas, Austin plays host to numerous government buildings and offices. One of the most interesting government sites is the State Capitol Building, which features a stately dome and Renaissance-inspired design. Touring the building can serve as a unique team building activity in Austin, allowing groups to appreciate the city's history.
Tours are available with the Texas State Preservation Board — a perfect choice for a team that likes history or architecture. This is an especially great thing to do in Austin if any members of your team have never toured the Capitol before or are visiting the city from an office outside of central Austin.
Being so centrally located, you can also pair this team building activity in Austin with other events, such as a food tour or a team meal at one of the many unique and fun restaurants in Austin.
Activity Overview
- Price Range: Free
- Activity Duration: 1 to 1.5 hours
- Group Size: 2 to 10 participants. Larger groups can be accommodated by calling to make a reservation.
- Ideal For: Teams interested in history, architecture and local culture. This is notably an interesting activity for groups visiting Austin from other office locations.
- Location: Texas State Capitol, 1100 Congress Ave., Austin, TX 78701
- Website Link: Texas State Capitol Tours
7. Check Out the Bat Bridge
Perhaps Austin’s most iconic attraction, the Congress Avenue Bridge, is best known for its massive colony of bats. At around 1.5 million bats in total, this is the largest urban bat population in the world.
Every night, the bats take off, buzzing through the skies in spectacular fashion. Seeing the bats would not only be a wonderful way to cap off a day of team building activities in Austin, but also gives your team a chance to witness one of the most striking natural attractions in the world.
While simply standing on the bridge to watch is a great idea, more adventurous teams can get on the water to kayak below the bat-filled skies. After watching the spectacle, head to a nearby bar or restaurant to extend this exciting team building activity in Austin.
Activity Overview
- Price Range: Free (viewing); rental prices for kayaks and boat tours vary.
- Activity Duration: 1 hour
- Group Size: All group sizes
- Ideal For: Teams looking for a fun and unique way to unwind after a day of other team building activities in Austin.
- Location: Congress Avenue Bridge, 1 Congress Ave., Austin, TX 78701
- Website Link: Congress Avenue Bridge Bat Watching
8. Take a Haunted Hearse Tour
Looking for something different? Then opt for a haunted hearse tour — one of the most unique team building activities in Austin that’s sure to leave a lasting impression on your group. Considering its long and storied history, it’s hardly surprising that Austin has its fair share of haunted locations.
By booking a group experience with a company like Haunted ATX, you and your team can enjoy a private tour of some of the capital’s spookiest locations. This fright-filled event can be just as educational as it is spooky, making it the perfect team building activity in Austin for groups looking for something unique.
Private tours are available nightly (except Mondays) and prices start at $125 for the first two tickets, with additional passengers at $79 each. Tours include custom pickup and drop-off within a few miles of Downtown, last about three hours and can accommodate up to six people comfortably. This team building activity in Austin is a perfect blend of fun, fear and team bonding!
Activity Overview
- Price Range: $125 for the first two tickets; $79 for each additional passenger. During October, all tickets are $125 per person.
- Activity Duration: 2 to 3 hours
- Group Size: 2 to 6 participants per tour. Contact Haunted ATX Tours to see if more can be accommodated.
- Ideal For: Teams looking for a thrilling, spooky experience and a unique bonding opportunity that allows them to get to know Austin better.
- Location: Pick-up within a few miles of Downtown Austin
- Website Link: Haunted ATX Tours
9. Join a Tour With Your Biker Gang
Explore the city in a new way with a guided electric bike tour via Your Biker Gang. This is one of the most exciting outdoor team building activities in Austin, giving your group a chance to discover the city’s hidden gems together while getting a bit of exercise.
Each tour includes two enthusiastic and well-informed guides, along with plenty of opportunities for fun and camaraderie. Conveniently, the experience can easily accommodate large groups, and Your Biker Gang can even prepare something tailored specifically for your team.
Simply contact them for information and they’ll give you a quote for your personalized team building activity in Austin!
Activity Overview
- Price Range: $69.99 per person. Corporate packages available on request.
- Activity Duration: 1.5 hours to 2 hours
- Group Size: 2 to 15 participants. Additional people may be accommodated via a corporate booking.
- Ideal For: Teams looking for adventure and a bit of exercise while learning new things about Austin.
- Location: Various start points throughout the Austin area.
- Website Link: Your Biker Gang
10. Visit the Inner Space Cavern
Exploring the depths of Inner Space Cavern with your team is another of the more unique group activities in Austin. This underground adventure is one of the more physically demanding team building activities in Austin, but it offers an exciting way to bond for groups that are suited to this type of thing to do.
Located just north of central Austin, this is one of the most striking underground formations in Texas. With several tours to choose from and dozens of stunning rock formations to marvel at, the Inner Space Cavern offers plenty of opportunities for your team to explore together in an otherworldly setting. For a truly memorable team building activity in Austin, consider an off-trail tour into the undeveloped parts of the cave.
If this sounds like the team building activity in Austin for you, do note that reservations are required for the group rate and payment must be made in a single transaction.
Even if buying standard tickets, making a reservation at least 24 hours in advance is recommended. However, groups under 20 must pay on-site and cannot pay in advance. If your group is sales tax exempt, don't forget to bring your exemption certificate.
Activity Overview
- Price Range: $23.95+, depending on the tour chosen. $15.70 per person for 20+ participants.
- Activity Duration: 1.5 to 2 hours
- Group Size: Small to medium-sized teams. Those with over 20 participants may be accommodated via a corporate booking.
- Ideal For: Groups looking for an out-of-the-box activity that offers a physical challenge and lots of talking points.
- Location: 4200 S. I-35 Frontage Road, Georgetown, TX 78626
- Website Link: Inner Space Cavern
11. Challenge the Team in an Escape Room
Tackling escape rooms might be one of the most popular team building games of the modern age. If you want to get in on the action, Austin has numerous escape rooms, with themes ranging from prison breaks to sinking ships.
One of the most popular escape rooms is The Escape Game Austin, which is conveniently located within walking distance of hotels, restaurants and the Austin Convention Center. This exciting experience makes for a perfect team building activity in Austin because it fosters teamwork and collaboration while allowing your group to have a lot of fun!
With a capacity of 43 players, this venue’s large capacity makes it ideal for groups of all sizes looking for fun team building activities in Austin. They also offer the Playground escape room, accommodating up to 12 players per game, perfect for mid-sized teams wanting to tackle one escape room together.
Activity Overview
- Price Range: $39.99 per person
- Activity Duration: 1 hour
- Group Size: 2 to 43 participants (depending on rooms chosen).
- Ideal For: Teams looking to enhance problem-solving skills, teamwork and communication in a fun, high-pressure environment.
- Location: 405 Red River St., Austin, TX 78701
- Website Link: The Escape Game Austin
12. Go on a Food Truck Tour
Food trucks offer something for everyone, so checking out a few of the best food trucks in Austin is a perfect option for your next team building event. Few cities boast a food truck scene as varied and colorful as Austin, and you'll be able to treat your team to almost everything, from some of the best BBQ in Austin to authentic Mexican cuisine to sweet treats.
Nothing brings teams together quite like a meal, especially when the Austin food scene presents ample choices for every diet prepared by some of the best chefs in the city. To make this team building activity in Austin even more fun, pair it with another group event like going to an escape room or trying a painting class.
Activity Overview
- Price Range: Varies, generally starting at $20 per person.
- Activity Duration: 2 to 3 hours
- Group Size: Small to medium groups
- Ideal For: Teams that enjoy finding the best food in the city, trying different cuisines and bonding over culinary activities.
- Location: Various food truck locations throughout the Austin area.
- Website Link: Best Food Trucks in Austin
13. Take a Glassblowing Class at Ghost Pepper Glass
Have you ever admired a glass sculpture and wondered how it was made? With this unique experience, you can find out exactly how and even try it for yourself. With a team building activity in Austin like a class at Ghost Pepper Glass, you and your group will learn all about the art of glassblowing and have a chance to create a few souvenirs for yourself.
Pricing is $85 per person for groups of 6 to 24 adult participants. This very hands-on team building activity in Austin allows each person to make a small item with the help of a skilled instructor, ensuring everyone stays involved while prioritizing safety. Each item takes about 15 to 20 minutes to make, while the total workshop lasts two to two-and-a-half hours.
Activity Overview
- Price Range: $85 per person
- Activity Duration: 2 to 2.5 hours
- Group Size: 6 to 24 participants
- Ideal For: Creative groups who want to try a hands-on experience and bond over learning a new skill together.
- Location: 979 Springdale Road, Austin, Texas 78702
- Website Link: Ghost Pepper Glass
14. Embark on an Outdoor Adventure at The Expedition School
If you're looking to take your team's bonding to the next level, check out The Expedition School in Austin! Since 2006, they’ve been all about creating fun and meaningful outdoor experiences that bring people together, making it a fantastic option for a team building activity in Austin.
You can mix and match activities like hiking, ropes courses, kayaking and paddleboarding to craft a day that fits your team's vibe and goals. This flexibility makes this an ideal team building experience in Austin for groups that enjoy trying different things or have various interests and activity levels.
And here’s a great bonus: as a non-profit, every dollar spent goes toward providing free outdoor education for others, so you can feel good knowing your adventure is making a difference.
Activity Overview
- Price Range: Varies depending on activity.
- Activity Duration: Half-day to full-day.
- Group Size: All group sizes
- Ideal For: Teams who want to participate in an adventurous outdoor experience that grows confidence and promotes teamwork and trust-building.
- Location: Nash Hernandez Senior Road, Austin, TX 78702
- Website Link: The Expedition School
15. Join a Group Dance Lesson
Offering opportunities for team members to come out of their shells is one of the most important aspects of team building activities. A great way to boost confidence is by taking dance lessons.
At a group dance lesson hosted by Dance With Me, even your most reserved team members will find themselves breaking a smile and busting a few funky moves. Dance With Me provides a variety of employee wellness, team building and entertainment services for corporations. However, smaller teams can still attend general classes.
In addition to hosting events at the dance studios, the company can bring its services to a location of your choice. Each event is fully customizable based on your specific needs, allowing for a memorable and unique corporate team building activity in Austin, with everything taken care of; all you need to do is show up with your best moves!
Activity Overview
- Price Range: $49 per person
- Activity Duration: 1 to 2 hours
- Group Size: All group sizes
- Ideal For: Groups looking to break out of their comfort zones and have fun while letting loose and learning new dances.
- Location: 11600 Rock Rose Ave., Ste. 110, Austin, TX 78758. Option to host from a venue of your choice.
- Website Link: Dance With Me
16. Unwind With a River Float Adventure
A peaceful float down one of Austin’s rivers can bring any team together, offering a chance to unplug and unwind. One excellent choice for this team building activity in Austin is booking a river float experience via the Austin Tour Company.
For under $80 per person, you can enjoy a six-hour adventure that includes tube rental, coolers and ice. The float lasts about three to four hours, making it a perfect team building activity in Austin for teams who want to connect and unwind in a beautiful natural setting without spending hours traveling far from the urban core to do so.
Activity Overview
- Price Range: $69 per person, Sunday to Friday. $79 per person on Saturday.
- Activity Duration: 6 hours
- Group Size: 2 to 40 participants
- Ideal For: Teams looking for a relaxing yet adventurous, nature-focused bonding and unwinding experience.
- Location: San Marcos River. Pick-up from BBG's Sports Bar, 214 E. Sixth St., Austin, TX 78701
- Website Link: Austin Tour Company
17. Catch a Concert
Billed as the “Live Music Capital of the World,” it’s no surprise that attending a concert is one of the most popular team building activities in Austin. Since it can be difficult to speak during a show, consider planning to attend a performance as a fun way to cap off a day spent enjoying other team building activities in Austin.
Great venues to check out include The Moody Theater and Antone's Nightclub, where tickets usually cost between $20 and $80, depending on the performer. Many live performances are also hosted in spots like The Continental Club and the Saxon Pub, so you can take in the local music culture while grabbing a bite to eat or sipping on a craft beer.
Activity Overview
- Price Range: Varies, starting at $20
- Activity Duration: 2 to 5 hours (depending on the performance)
- Group Size: All group sizes
- Ideal For: Teams wanting to unwind and enjoy Austin’s live music scene together. This is a fun experience to organize after a day of participating in other team building activities in Austin.
- Location: Various locations throughout the Austin area.
- Website Link: Concert Venues in Austin
18. Compete in a Game of Paintball
Texas Paintball is a popular destination to head to if you're looking for high-energy team building activities near Austin. The experienced staff can design a customized event that strengthens your team’s strategic thinking, decision-making and leadership skills.
Engaging in a paintball match not only provides an adrenaline rush but also fosters collaboration and strategy as your team works together to achieve victory. Rates are also affordable, at under $50 per person, and include 500 paintballs.
Activity Overview
- Price Range: $43 to $49 per player (depending on group size), plus a flat fee of $100 when booking private events.
- Activity Duration: 4 hours
- Group Size: 4 to 50 participants
- Ideal For: High activity level teams seeking an adrenaline-fueled, competitive bonding experience.
- Location: 18300 Medina Vista Lane, Jonestown, TX 78645
- Website Link: Texas Paintball
19. Volunteer at the Central Texas Food Bank
Volunteering is easily one of the best team building activities in Austin. Besides challenging your team to solve real-world problems and work together in new ways, volunteering also makes life a bit brighter for some of society’s most vulnerable citizens.
There are a variety of volunteer opportunities in Austin. For instance, you can spend a day at the Central Texas Food Bank, helping to sort and distribute food to families in need or participate in initiatives like Bike Austin, where teams can work together to build bikes for underprivileged children. This is one team building activity in Austin that helps everyone involved.
Activity Overview
- Price Range: Free
- Activity Duration: Half-day to full-day.
- Group Size: All group sizes
- Ideal For: Teams wanting to give back to the community while bonding over a meaningful cause.
- Location: Various locations throughout the Austin area.
- Website Link: Volunteering in Austin
20. Stroll Around Zilker Botanical Garden
For a more calm team building activity in Austin, head to Zilker Botanical Garden, which offers a perfect environment for gatherings that value contemplation and the natural world.
During this activity, your group can stroll through various themed gardens, such as the Rose Garden and Japanese Garden, where they can admire the beauty of both native and exotic flora. This is an affordable and instructive team building activity in Austin, ideal for groups looking to decompress in a scenic setting.
Activity Overview
- Price Range: $6 per person (residents) or $8 per person (non-residents)
- Activity Duration: 1 to 2 hours
- Group Size: All group sizes
- Ideal For: Teams looking for a serene and relaxing nature-filled bonding experience with the option for a few team building games like ice-breaker question sessions.
- Location: 2220 Barton Springs Road, Austin, TX 78746
- Website Link: Zilker Botanical Garden
21. Enjoy a Brewery Tour
Mixing alcohol with team building in Austin might not be right for every group, but if you think your team might like to indulge in an adult beverage, you’ll be pleased to know numerous breweries call Austin home.
By embarking on a City Brew Tour, you and your team can sample some of Austin’s finest beers at breweries across the city, all while learning about the history and techniques of brewing. Sounds like a fun team building activity in Austin, TX, right?
With options for groups ranging from five to 500 guests, City Brew Tours provides a one-stop shop for your corporate event needs, including meal planning and local hotel recommendations. Discover the best of the city, one tap handle at a time, while fostering camaraderie in a relaxed and enjoyable environment.
Activity Overview
- Price Range: $80 to $125+, depending on tour package.
- Activity Duration: 3 to 4 hours
- Group Size: 5 to 500 participants
- Ideal For: Teams who enjoy craft beer and learning about new topics in a relaxed setting.
- Location: Pick-up in front of The Fairmont Austin, 101 Red River St., Austin, TX 78701
- Website Link: City Brew Tours
22. Spot Animals at Austin Zoo
Head to Austin Zoo for a team building activity in Austin, TX that combines fun and philanthropy. This rescue zoo offers the chance to explore the habitats, attend zookeeper chats and even feed some animals from around the world. Animals to see range from zebras and ostriches to cheetahs and capybaras.
This corporate event in Austin, Texas, is the ideal choice if you want to give your group the chance to enjoy an experience filled with learning and meaningful connections. It also makes a great team building activity in Austin if you want to plan an outing that employees can include their families in.
The zoo also offers affordable admission, with non-profit or civic group rates available for groups of 15 or more.
Activity Overview
- Price Range: $18.95 per person. Check for group, non-profit and civic rates.
- Activity Duration: 2 to 4 hours
- Group Size: All group sizes
- Ideal For: Groups looking for a family-friendly activity or teams wanting to enjoy a laid-back experience that includes an element of philanthropy and learning.
- Location: 10808 Rawhide Trail, Austin, TX 78736
- Website Link: Austin Zoo
23. Race on the Go-Kart Track
Driving a go-kart can be a lot of fun no matter the circumstance, but Austin’s Circuit of the Americas Karting takes group activities in Austin, TX, to a whole new level. During this high-speed team building activity in Austin, you and your team can race against each other on a professional track in karts that go up to 55 miles per hour. If your team thrives on a little competition, go-karting can be a thrilling way to let off some steam.
In addition to go-karting, COTA provides a variety of indoor and outdoor event facilities that are great for creating the ideal atmosphere for your unique team building activity in Austin. From the 17,000 square-foot Event Center — perfect for big groups — to the Main Grandstand Suites and Velocity Lounge, which offer breathtaking views of the racetrack, you’re sure to find the perfect option for your needs.
You can elevate this team building activity in Austin by enjoying other group activities offered by COTA, like tackling zip line courses, playing mini-golf or driving sports cars. Food and drink can also be included with corporate event bookings.
Activity Overview
- Price Range: Varies by group size and package; karting experiences start at $40 per person.
- Activity Duration: 1hour+
- Group Size: All group sizes
- Ideal For: Teams searching for adventurous and thrilling activities that include an element of friendly competition.
- Location: 9201 Circuit of the Americas Blvd., Del Valle, TX 78617
- Website Link: Circuit of the Americas Karting
24. Throw Axes at Axe Escape Austin
This team building activity in Austin offers the ideal way to release steam. Interestingly, it also fosters camaraderie if your group is under some stress. In addition to standard axe throwing, Axe Escape Austin allows participants to try entertaining games like Duck Hunter, Tic Tac Toe and Line Up Four.
Opting for this fun and unique team building activity in Austin provides your company with an excellent opportunity to engage in friendly competition. As your group participates in various challenges and activities, they'll not only bond over shared experiences but also have the chance to release some tension, all while learning a new skill.
Activity Overview
- Price Range: $25 to $40 per person
- Activity Duration: 1 to 2 hours
- Group Size: 2 to 50 participants, with a maximum of 6 throwers per lane.
- Ideal For: Teams looking for a unique and stress-relieving experience that can be tailored to include a little friendly competition.
- Location: 6406 N. Interstate Highway 35, Ste. 2760, Austin, TX 78752
- Website Link: Axe Escape Austin
25. Explore the City on a Scavenger Hunt
Organizing a scavenger hunt is one of the best Austin team building ideas if you’re looking for events that reward creativity and encourage problem-solving and out-of-the-box thinking. What’s more, this team building activity in Austin provides a great way to explore the historic and cultural sites of the city.
Come up with your own scavenger hunt around the city or opt for professional services like Watson Adventures, which offer customized experiences. Popular hunt locations include Downtown Austin, Zilker Park and South Congress. Even if your group is remote, you can plan a fun virtual scavenger hunt for folks to do from home.
Activity Overview
- Price Range: Varies depending on customization and services.
- Activity Duration: 2 to 3 hours
- Group Size: 2 to 6 participants per hunt. More can be added via corporate bookings.
- Ideal For: Groups who want an interactive experience that encourages problem-solving and communication and allows them to explore the city. This is also a great pick for remote teams, thanks to the option for virtual scavenger hunts.
- Location: Throughout the Austin area.
- Website Link: Watson Adventures
26. Shine in the Spotlight at Game On! ATX
Do you and your colleagues ever find yourselves chatting over the water cooler about last night’s game show drama? If so, this team building activity in Austin allows you to experience the thrill of a game show firsthand.
A trip to Game On! ATX turns colleagues into contestants, delivering a complete game-show experience on a custom-built stage that promises to throw your crew into the spotlight. With three games to test their wits, including Survey Squabble, Whirly Words and Cosmic Drop, this Austin team building venue provides a unique opportunity for your crew to work together.
The best part? They’ll be having so much fun, it’ll feel like a genuine escape from the office. It’s one of those team building activities in Austin that allows you to sit back and watch team players, creative thinkers and natural leaders emerge from their shells — all vital information to help you steer your crew to success.
Activity Overview
- Price Range: $30.95 to $40.95 per person
- Activity Duration: 1 hour+
- Group Size: All group sizes
- Ideal For: Mid-sized teams looking for some fun away from the office while strengthening their teamwork skills.
- Location: 1515 Dungan Lane, Ste. 200, Austin, TX 78754
- Website Link: Game On! ATX
27. Enjoy Outdoor Pursuits at Lone Star Ranch
This team-building idea in Austin is all about the outdoors. Just 10 minutes from Downtown Austin, you’ll quickly leave the stresses of the city behind. In their place, you’ll feast your eyes just as soon as you arrive in the boundless Texan countryside.
In terms of the specific team building activities in Austin, you can choose from here, take your pick! Competitive crews can test their arms on the archery, tomahawk and axe throwing range, or why not place your bets on some truly Texan armadillo racing?
Fiery groups looking for team building activities in Austin that allow them to blow off steam are sure to love learning to shoot like Wild West cowboys. Meanwhile, those who want to ride like one can saddle up and strike out into the countryside on horseback.
This is just a sample of the available activities at Lone Star Ranch. What’s more, with entertainment options that include banquets and catering from a classic cowboy chuck wagon, it's easy to make a day of this team building activity in Austin.
Activity Overview
- Price Range: Starting at $95 per person
- Activity Duration: Varies based on chosen experiences, often a full-day activity.
- Group Size: All group sizes
- Ideal For: Active teams hoping to escape the stresses of the city while engaging their competitive, teamwork and reflective thinking skills.
- Location: 8601 Bluff Springs Road, Austin, TX 78744
- Website Link: Lone Star Ranch
28. Laugh Together at Comedy Sportz Austin
For those seeking team building events in Austin that’ll help your team relax after a busier period, Comedy Sportz is the place to go. It has an event-packed calendar for team leaders like you to choose from. What’s more, the venue lives by the motto “laughter is the best medicine,” making it perfect for perking up teams who have been working through major projects.
What we love about this particular team building activity in Austin is that it’s entirely up to you how the show pans out. The format? Essentially, two teams of comedians pit their skills against each other to compete for your team’s loudest laughs. In a competition that’s MC’d by a (supposedly) impartial referee, each improvised skit involves fun characters, novel narratives and a host of hilarious antics.
Located inside Pinballz Lake Creek, an evening here can also include additional Austin team building activities like playing arcade games — ideal if your crew enjoys some friendly competition. There’s no need to worry about catering, either, since Pinballz offers food and drinks.
Activity Overview
- Price Range: Starting at $8 per person
- Activity Duration: 1 hour+
- Group Size: All group sizes
- Ideal For: Groups in search of activities to help them relax and de-stress while also building confidence and team bonds.
- Location: 13729 Research Blvd., Austin, TX 18750
- Website Link: Comedy Sportz Austin
29. Get Active at Mylo Obstacle Fitness
This venue provides active teams with both physical and mental challenges via an array of obstacle courses. In other words, a trip to Mylo Obstacle Fitness is the perfect team building activity in Austin for active teams who enjoy some spirited (but friendly) competition.
Perfect for improving your crew’s communication skills and building their team spirit, venue owner Mylo Villanueva is also a renowned life coach. This means that she’s qualified to coach your colleagues in accountability, goal setting and overcoming challenging setbacks.
What this team building activity in Austin does really well is motivate teams who might be struggling during or after stressful periods. It happens. By its very nature, business has its ups and downs, and it’s the losses you face as a team that make the wins so much sweeter.
If your team is going through a tricky time, the obstacle course coaching they’ll receive here will set them up with the mindset they need to overcome less physical challenges at work. Crucially, it’ll teach them to do it as a team.
Activity Overview
- Price Range: $80 per person
- Activity Duration: 2 hours+
- Group Size: All group sizes
- Ideal For: Active groups looking to blow off steam, strengthen team bonds and overcome workplace challenges together.
- Location: 13400 Pearce Lane, Del Valle, TX 78617
- Website Link: Mylo Obstacle Fitness
30. Marvel at Unusual Artifacts at the Museum of the Weird
Team building activities in Austin that engage your crew’s critical thinking skills don’t come much better than a trip to the city’s “weirdest” museum. Located in the Entertainment District and hailed as “America’s Strangest Attraction,” this team building activity in Austin is sure to spark conversation back at the office. Why?
Well, the museum is the result of more than 20 years in what it calls the “oddity” business. It’s home to myriad displays and exhibitions that give your team the chance to gaze at the ghastly. And in case you’re unsure exactly what to expect from this team building activity in Austin, think zombies, mummies, shrunken heads and even wax-work monsters.
Team bonding in Austin is about making memories over shared experiences, and we can think of few experiences quite as memorable as this. Given the nature of the displays, this Austin group activity would be especially relevant at Halloween, perfect for colleagues who love the spooky season. You could even take turns taking pictures with the museum’s life-sized waxwork gorilla and have them printed as mementos.
Activity Overview
- Price Range: $12.99 per person
- Activity Duration: 1 hour+
- Group Size: All group sizes
- Ideal For: Fun-loving groups in search of activities with lots of talking points.
- Address: 412 E. Sixth St., Austin, TX 78701
- Website Link: Museum of the Weird
31. Line Dance at Double or Nothing Two Step
This is one of the most Texan workplace team building activities in Austin that you’re likely to find. It’s perfect for groups who don’t take themselves too seriously. In fact, all that’s required is the willingness to step onto the dance floor, and as the old adage goes, dance like nobody’s watching!
In true Texas style, this team building activity in Austin will see you and your group learn line dancing and two-step skills. Both styles require your crew to tune into each other’s movements and ensure they keep time together, great for improving communication.
What’s more, since two-step requires both a leader and a follower, you’re sure to see everybody’s natural abilities shine through. Such insights make this team building activity in Austin invaluable for managers.
Teamwork and communication aside, sometimes people just need to let their hair down. If that sounds like you and your group, this team building activity in Austin is perfect, combining live music, lots of laughter and the chance to share the experience of learning new skills.
Activity Overview
- Price Range: $115 for a group of 2 up to $280 for a group of 6.
- Activity Duration: 1 hour+
- Group Size: All group sizes. Contact for rates for private group sessions with more than 6 participants.
- Ideal For: Fun-loving groups looking for activities that help them unwind, bond, learn new skills and improve teamwork.
- Location: Throughout the Austin area.
- Website Link: Double or Nothing Two Step
Why Should My Business Consider Team Building?
To put it simply, team building is the act of bringing your team closer together, usually by participating in an activity that’s considerably different than your average workday. During a team building exercise, you and your colleagues put your heads together to solve puzzles, marvel over cultural experiences or simply have a bit of fun together.
Team building activities tend to reward trust and create an opportunity for your group to deepen their relationships with each other. Team building can also increase camaraderie between managers and employees.
In many companies, the employees might know each other pretty well, but they’ll have much shallower relationships with their managers and executives. Team building exercises, and even virtual team building activities, put everyone on the same level, facilitating communication and teamwork regardless of one’s position within a company.
Does Team Building Improve Business?
Even if all team building activities did was create stronger relationships and allow your team to share a fun experience, it’d still be a worthwhile use of time. However, team building activities have also been shown to benefit your business.
Teams with stronger relationships tend to be more creative, flexible and reliable than groups who don’t know each other as well. They also report higher levels of employee happiness. And when teams are happier, they put more heart into their work: The University of Oxford found that happier employees are 13% more productive overall.
Team building activities also encourage staff members to think positively about their jobs and their companies, which can increase employee retention and employee engagement. According to a 2016 report in SHRM, as much as 20% of employee turnover occurs in the first 45 days on the job.
Therefore, it's crucial to establish a positive company culture from the get-go so people feel positive about staying employed there long-term. That's where team building can play an important role.
What Makes an Effective Team Building Exercise?
Not all team building exercises are created equally, but fortunately, it’s pretty easy to find an activity that works for your group.
One of the biggest factors to keep in mind when selecting a team building activity is inclusivity. Try to pick an outing that everyone on the team will enjoy. This can be difficult with larger groups, but not impossible.
If you lead a creatively-minded team, a museum trip might make sense. A team of sports fans might consider a ropes course or catching a game together. If you’re totally stumped on team building games or activities that everyone will enjoy, you can always resort to food tours or volunteering with a local charity. And don't forget about online games for remote teams if you have telecommuting staff.
Finally, when choosing an activity, be sure to keep people’s physical limitations in mind, especially if you lead a team with people with disabilities.
Another factor to remember is interactivity. Some team building activities ask for lots of participation, while others are more passive. As a general rule of thumb, the more interactive an activity is, the more likely it is for your team to strengthen its bond.
That’s not to say that your team won’t appreciate a more passive activity, such as sharing a meal together, but they may not get as much out of the experience as they would for something that challenges them to work together toward a common goal.
Benefits of Team Building Activities
If you’re still not convinced that team building is right for you, you might be inspired by the proven benefits that team building activities can bring, such as:
- Increased Confidence: Team building activities often demand equal participation from the entire team, no matter their positions within the company. This can empower junior employees to feel more comfortable raising ideas and questions back at the office.
- Improved Time Management: Making effective use of time is one of the most important tasks facing every business. Team building activities with a time component, such as escape rooms or scavenger hunts, teach employees valuable lessons about prioritization and time management.
- Boosted Morale: Up to 30% of employees do their job "just to get by," according to Pew Research Center. Team building activities raise everyone's spirits and impart an overall positive impression on the group, which can go a long way toward helping job satisfaction.
- Strengthened Relationships: The more positive relationships you can foster on a team, the better. Having close workplace friendships and mentorships drastically improves an employee’s satisfaction with the job, which results in huge performance boosts.
- A Sense of Fun! Work plays a huge role in many people’s lives, but at the end of the day, it’s not everything. Deepening your relationships with colleagues is not just beneficial for workplace efficiency, but also because developing strong relationships plays a key role in living a happy, healthy life.
Considering the numerous team building activities available in Austin, it’s obvious why this city is one of the top destinations for groups in Texas. Which activities are you most excited to try with your group?
For even more great team building inspiration, check out other experiences happening on Cozymeal.
Team Building in More Cities Near You
For even more great team building inspiration in cities near you and around the U.S., check out our comprehensive guides:
- A Guide to Team Building Activities in Dallas
- A Guide to Team Building Activities in Houston
- A Guide to Team Building Activities in San Antonio
- A Guide to Team Building Activities in Phoenix
- A Guide to Team Building Activities in San Diego
FOOD FOR THOUGHT?
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