35 Best Team Building Activities in Los Angeles, CA for 2024
Are you looking for engaging and unique new ways to host thrilling team building activities in Los Angeles?
With previous clients like Google, Facebook, Yelp and Macy's all having experienced the thrill and togetherness arising from team camaraderie, Cozymeal has helped thousands of companies host team building events — from startups to Fortune 500s. From the benefits to the importance of team building, and what options best suit your team, we've created a guide to team building activities in Los Angeles that covers it all.
This list of 35 team building ideas in LA is sure to inspire your next company gathering. It's time to bring your crew together for a fun, engaging experience that evokes creativity and builds lasting memories.
Jump to Section
- Fun Group Activities & Team Outing Ideas in Los Angeles
- What Is Team Building?
- The Cost of Poor Team Engagement
- The Benefits of Team Building
- An Investment That Pays Off
- Team Building in More Cities Near You
Fun Group Activities & Team Outing Ideas in Los Angeles
1. Team Building Activities on Cozymeal
Culinary team building activities in Los Angeles set your team up for success with tours, tastings, hands-on cooking classes, pasta-making face-offs and more. Coworkers will have a blast bonding over the best food in the city while they build stronger connections and camaraderie.
World-class chefs, tour guides and hosts are experts at facilitation during these culinary team building activities in Los Angeles, always eager to help the group perfect their collaboration, problem-solving and creative thinking skills. After a group outing, you're bound to see teamwork skills thrive back in the office. Plus, who doesn't feel reinvigorated after a day full of great food?
2. Cooking Classes
Led by some of the best chefs in the city, one-of-a-kind cooking classes can teach a range of valuable teamwork skills. Cooking classes in Los Angeles are both informative and morale-boosting, promising refined skills and delicious food. This team building activity in Los Angeles allows everyone to bond over a shared love of food (or engage in a friendly cooking competition!)
There are many cuisines to explore, from sweets to Californian feasts and more, ensuring everyone’s palates are pleased and spirits are raised. Once everyone has refined their culinary skills, a great way to test them out, which doubles as another team building activity in Los Angeles, is by hosting a company cook-off.
3. Online Team Building Activities
With the rise of work-from-home, online team building activities are becoming more and more popular. These live, totally virtual events can be joined from anywhere you have a smart device, which makes them perfect for groups with telecommuters in the bunch.
Teammates can master gourmet homemade meals in online cooking classes or shake up professional craft cocktails in online mixology classes. A tasting is another excellent team building activity in Los Angeles for your remote team; virtual wine tastings feature world-class sommeliers and scotch stewards with a wealth of knowledge.
4. Food Tours
For some truly unique group activities in Los Angeles, take your team on a memorable culinary journey that is full of flavor. Food tours in Los Angeles give team members something to talk about as they discover hidden gems and famed eateries sitting right in their own backyards.
Plus, opting for a food tour as a team building activity in Los Angeles means your group will get to learn all about local culture and history from an expert guide. With such a wide array of both local lore and local food at your fingertips, taking a food tour is one of the best things to do in LA with your employees.
5. Murder Mystery Dinner
Everyone’s enjoying their company-sponsored dinner when suddenly, the lights flicker off and on — someone’s been murdered! For a team building activity in Los Angeles you won’t forget, murder mystery dinners are all the rage. Teams must work together to reveal who the murderer is, even if it’s someone in your very own group!
This team building activity in Los Angeles allows everyone to act like movie stars for the night, displaying a facade that will have people digging deeper for clues. Get ready to discover the talented actors in your company.
6. Escape Rooms
If you want to build up your team’s cooperation skills, hosting a team building activity in Los Angeles at Escape the Room may be the perfect way to accomplish just that. A classic group outing idea in Los Angeles, teams must work together calmly and harmoniously to solve clues to break free.
With three escape rooms to choose from, pick a theme that excites you most and organize a time between 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. for an adventurous team building activity in Los Angeles. Escape the Room, located in Glendale, can host up to 200 people. Remember, using cooperation is the only way out!
7. Play Ball!
As the area’s weather is usually so great, team building activities in Los Angeles seldom have to be indoors. One of the best things to do in Los Angeles on a nice day is getting your team out on the field for a round of good old-fashioned baseball. Playing team sports is all about working together, discovering strengths and ironing out weaknesses, and that’s exactly what this team building activity in Los Angeles will do for you when stepping back into the office.
8. Retreat
Are you looking for group activities in Los Angeles that are more than just a few hours of fun? If so, book your group in for a one-of-a-kind retreat at AutoCamp Joshua Tree. You can spend a weekend enjoying team building activities in Los Angeles such as hikes through exquisite rock formations, peaceful yoga classes and much more, all while staying at well-equipped, breathtaking accommodations in the desert.
While some team building activities in Los Angeles only incorporate a single element, this one provides a great opportunity to do multiple things over a single day or weekend. Find out what everyone’s favorite activities are and do your best to incorporate all of them.
9. Scavenger Hunt
Scavenger hunts send teams scurrying off inside and outside the workplace to find certain items or perform certain tasks in a limited time. Whichever team completes the tasks first, wins. Depending on who you book this team building activity in Los Angeles with, you might be tasked to go on a scavenger hunt that includes taking a group selfie outside the office, finding a red pen, giving a stranger a penny and so on.
If you’re part of a remote team, you can even plan a fun virtual scavenger hunt from home! To make this team building activity in Los Angeles a success with everyone in different places, it’s usually best to use creativity as the main judging criteria, rather than time.
10. Paintball
Paintball certainly is competitive, and playing a round or two is great way to raise camaraderie amongst your team. This team building activity in Los Angeles involves eliminating opponents by shooting them with a paintball gun.
Sure, it might be a little messy, but you know your team will leave with smiles on their faces and a stronger bond that will transfer back to the workplace. Rally your troops, form your teams and book a paintball team building activity in Los Angeles for your next company event.
11. Board Game Tournament
Bring out your favorite childhood board games for a team building activity in Los Angeles like no other! Instead of individual opponents, everyone can have a team that rotates or works together to use their collective strategy to win the game. Dust off your Battleship and Candy Land now! Running low on games in the office to get your team building activity in Los Angeles started?
Head out to your nearest board game stores to stock up. They’ll come in handy more often than you might think, especially during lunch breaks and Friday afternoons. Don’t let the fact that your team works from home (even in different parts of the world) deter you from partaking in this team building activity in Los Angeles as there are plenty of online games for remote teams to enjoy.
12. Egg Drop
What team wouldn’t have fun throwing an egg off a building? This ultimate team building activity in Los Angeles takes teamwork to the next level. An egg must be placed in a container or contraption that you devise, and then be dropped from a high spot — such as the top of a building — and survive.
It takes careful planning and a desire to work together to pull this off successfully. These careful considerations make this team building activity in Los Angeles one of the best for dexterity to be harnessed, while still holding space for fun to be had.
13. Relay Race
This team building activity in Los Angeles will take you back to school athletics meetings, just without hundreds of kids cheering you on. While the noise may not be as loud, the thrill of the race will still be as distinctive. Relay races are all about teamwork.
If you do not work together, your team is not going to win. You can also jazz up this fun team building activity in Los Angeles by making people walk backward, balance an egg on a spoon and more. The best part will be cheering each other on!
14. Battle of the Air Bands
This is more than just air guitar; it’s a team building activity in Los Angeles that involves the whole air band! Split the group into bands who will decide which member will be the singer, guitarist, drummer, etc. Choose a real rock ‘n roll song and watch the team spirit flow as everyone gets up on stage and puts on a show.
This team building activity in Los Angeles wouldn’t be the same without awards, so don’t forget to encourage participation and recognize those the best dressed, best song choice, etc.
15. Team Juggle
Bring the circus to your workplace with this team building activity in Los Angeles that promises endless enjoyment mixed in with a whole lot of coordination. Teams will have to figure out how to juggle as a group, and we all know that is not easy. Laughter will be abundant during this team building activity in Los Angeles as colleagues have a great time bonding over this silly, yet effective, exercise.
16. Office Trivia
How much do you know about your office or workplace? This fun team building activity in Los Angeles will test the knowledge of everything, from important workplace rules to mundane details like the color of the tiles in the office kitchen. You can even make it into a “Jeopardy” or “Family Feud” type of game show! Don’t forget to add prizes to this team building activity in Los Angeles as an added bonus.
17. Go-Kart Racing
Go all out for your team building activity in Los Angeles by heading to a go-kart race track like K1 Speed in Burbank. If kids can handle go-karts, the adults in your office can, too. This group outing idea in Los Angeles allows everyone to have a thrilling time while summoning their competitive spirits.
K1 Speed is open 7 days a week, ranging from times between 10 a.m. and 12 a.m. and can host up to 30 people. If you haven’t had time to round up everyone’s favorite snacks, this team building activity in Los Angeles allows you to feed your team thanks to the onsite kitchen, serving up foods such as wings, pizza and other delicious favorites.
18. Office Chair Races
If you want to make your team laugh out loud, this team building activity in Los Angeles is the perfect way to do just that. Give your team a break from working as everyone participates in the annual office chair race.
They will feel like kids again as teams push each other around and race in the chairs that are usually reserved for just work! Why not get even more innovative and have people decorate their chairs based on car makes? That’ll definitely encourage people to snap pictures and videos of this team building activity in Los Angeles.
19. Art Classes
Let your crew’s inner artists shine by participating in an art class as a team building activity in Los Angeles. Whether it be painting, making ceramics or really any art form, your team will have an enjoyable time learning an art skill and bonding with one another. Plus, they’ll go home with something beautiful from the art class to share with their loved ones.
For those who are looking for group things to do in Los Angeles that also involve their favorite bottle of vino, sip and paint classes add a whole new element to this activity. Who knows, maybe the task could even involve painting a bottle of wine. Either way, adding a boozy element to this team building activity in Los Angeles will give rise to some interesting pieces of art.
20. Karaoke
Break everyone out of their shells by having a karaoke night! Teams can take center stage as a group or belt out solo renditions of their favorite songs. This team building activity in Los Angeles allows your crew to have some musical fun while bonding over making memories.
To add an element of surprise to this team building activity in Los Angeles, why not have everyone pick their songs out of a hat? That should stir up some excitement. Be it in the public space of a restaurant for everyone to sing along to or in a private room, karaoke is a surefire way for everyone to have a say…or rather, a sing.
21. Volunteering
Doing something good for others can make us feel good inside. Volunteering as a team building activity in Los Angeles will humble teams and evoke a sense of gratitude. Together, they will bond through the act of charity in an activity that benefits everyone in the end. If you’re undecided on volunteering causes, why not do more than one? With so many people in need, every good deed will be received with immense appreciation.
If, for some reason, volunteering isn’t on the cards as a team building activity in Los Angeles for your company, ask everyone to bring food, goods, clothing, etc. into the office for donating. It’s another great way to help out those in need.
22. Hiking
Getting out in the great outdoors as a team building activity in Los Angeles is an idealway to build team spirit. Everyone will be pleased to spend a day away from the stuffy office and breathe in some fresh air. Hiking, or just taking a nice walk with a picnic lunch will really help to lower stress and have everyone be more productive after a likely needed, and earned, break.
Don’t forget to make the necessary preparations, such as enough water, sunscreen, etc. to ensure everyone remains safe during this team building activity in Los Angeles. With so much beauty to be explored at the many hiking spots in Los Angeles, your team will want to make it a regular affair.
23. Trampoline Park
Let your staff feel like kids again by taking them to a trampoline park as a fun group activity in Los Angeles. Everyone will be hopping around, having a joyfully bouncy time. Add in some trampoline basketball or jousting to see which team can come out on top during this team building activity in Los Angeles!
If you or any of your team members have never been to a trampoline park, you’ll be surprised at just how much movement and exercise this team building activity in Los Angeles involves, so remember to stretch and take comfy clothing.
24. Sports Game
Take your staff out to the ballgame for a memorable team building activity in Los Angeles. Choose a sport that everyone can root for, whether it be basketball, baseball, football or even hockey. Have your team wear the same colors and prepare for an entertaining team building activity in Los Angeles that is sure to raise everyone’s spirits as they cheer on the local team.
25. Sailing
Consider taking your team sailing for a team building activity in Los Angeles that gets your group out on the open sea. If you’re looking for a company that perfectly melds enjoyment and safety, Bluewater Sailing offers thrilling corporate events and team building sails. Professional instructors will help you and your crew learn to sail while developing and reinforcing important teamwork skills.
Bluewater also offers sailing races for teams that are a bit more competitive. Pick any day of the week to book your team building activity in Los Angeles as they’re conveniently open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Get ready to set sail from Marina Del Rey and marvel at some of nature’s most incredible scenery.
26. Virtual Reality
Virtual reality is an entertaining way to battle it out with your coworkers during a team building activity in Los Angeles, without anyone actually getting hurt. Create your teams and head into battle at Los Virtuality where up to 40 people can be hosted.
Your team will work together to solve problems, conquer the mission and (virtually) save the world, or battle each other at various games. Los Virtuality is conveniently open seven days a week from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m., allowing you to plan this team building activity in Los Angeles at a time that works for everyone.
27. Sightseeing
When we’re busy working and focusing on the obligatory aspects of our lives, we can often miss out on exciting things in our own backyards. That’s where this next team building activity in Los Angeles saves the day.
Taking your group out to explore the city like tourists allows you to see all the local landmarks, eat a hot dog, get some ice cream and just have fun while bonding as a team. Whether you opt for a self-guided tour or book with professional guides from Bikes and Hikes LA for up to 500 people, countless sights and experiences are waiting to welcome you with open arms during this team building activity in Los Angeles.
28. Dancing
Even if you have two left feet, this team building activity in Los Angeles promises to be extra groovy. Similar to karaoke, heading to a dance studio may make people feel timid at first; however, once they get a taste of the rhythm and the rush that comes from moving one's body, be it through ballroom, samba, hip hop or any other dance style, they won’t be able to get enough of it.
Of the many group activities in LA, this is one of those that not only elicits support and encouragement but also adds an element of fitness. Plus, if you want to add a little spice, people could be asked to group up for this team building activity in Los Angeles and perform a choreographed routine for winners to be crowned.
29. Photography Class
Rapid improvements in technology, and more specifically, smartphones, have allowed many people to take a good quality photo on a whim, but how many people can actually appreciate the craft behind a great picture? If you and your colleagues have an interest in photography, this next team building activity in Los Angeles is for you.
Head to a photography class and learn all about angles, lighting and much more. This team building activity in Los Angeles will spark a creative flare that can be taken back to the office, encouraging people to think beyond the lens or outside the box and see the world in a different light.
30. Rock Climbing
Take your team to new heights and see who can overcome their fears by rising to the top. Of the many team building events in Los Angeles, this is easily one of the best to put nerves to the test. However, there’s no need to worry about safety concerns as rock climbing gyms in Los Angeles all have trained staff who are as passionate about keeping visitors safe as they are about this thrilling sport.
Once everyone has had the opportunity to climb a wall or three at a steady pace, take this team building activity in Los Angeles to the next level by seeing if any of your colleagues want to race. You may just be surprised at the unearthing of daredevils in your company.
31. Pottery Class
This peculiar practice is for those looking to eradicate the demons of stress while exploring their inner artists. Creativity flows in abundance during this team building activity in Los Angeles, as does patience and understanding — all culminating in exquisite mugs, bowls and other ceramic pieces.
Ready to try your hand at crafting a new mug to take home? Take your team to Good Dirt LA for a soothing team building activity in Los Angeles they’ll want to incorporate into their lives more regularly. Private classes are available for two to six people whereas larger classes with more teachers can accommodate groups of seven and up.
32. Ziplining
Ever heard your colleagues recite stories of experiences they’ve had that lifted their heart rates through the roof? This team building activity in Los Angeles is ideal for everyone, from adrenaline junkies to those trying adventure pursuits for the first time. This activity is also a fantastic stress-reducer and one that helps people overcome their fears.
A large array of ziplining companies are ready to welcome you and your team for an exciting day of soaring through the air. Book your next team building activity in Los Angeles and discover what it feels like to fly.
33. Disneyland Visit
As those who have been to Disneyland will know, one visit to this magical wonderland isn’t enough. While this may not be the first idea that comes to mind when discussing team building activities in Los Angeles, it’s certainly one of the most entertaining. Described by many as “The Happiest Place on Earth,” in line with its slogan, there’s so much to do at this exhilarating theme park.
While some of the rides may only be suitable for adults, this is one of those team building ideas in Los Angeles that’s sure to cast your team’s mind back to the innocence of their childhood days.
34. Improv Class
With the office being a place where order and structure are not only encouraged but necessary, an improv class is the perfect team building activity in Los Angeles to elicit everyone’s outlandishness. It’s a space where teams can forget the rules and come up with storylines that are worth laughing at over and over again.
If there are people in the company who don’t know each other well, or at all, this team building activity in Los Angeles is the perfect icebreaker. After just one improv session at a place like Improv LA, you’ll have a company that’s closer than ever.
35. Company Pancake-Making Competition
Who doesn’t love a decadent pancake (or three)? This team building activity in Los Angeles is all about combining cooking skills with ingredient creativity. Group people into teams, set the guidelines and fire the starter gun on the pancake-making competition!
Whether teams opt for sweet, savory or something in between, this team building activity in Los Angeles will require teamwork, planning, inventiveness and a host of other traits and skills for the ultimate goal of delicious pancakes to be reached. The best part? There’ll be an abundance of delectable sweet treats to go around.
What Is Team Building?
Team building is the action of building work relationships, creating an atmosphere of caring and trust, and sharing an incredible experience with your colleagues. According to UC Berkeley, good team building skills "unite employees around a common goal and generate greater productivity. Without them, you limit yourself and the staff to the effort each individual can make alone."
Team building is all about giving colleagues the chance to have an entertaining time while strengthening skills they can bring back to the office. With team building activities like friendly cooking competitions, egg drops, board games and more, or even virtual team building activities for remote teams, the group will have to work together to succeed.
It builds their cooperation skills in an environment that is both fun and engaging. Attending sporting events, taking a food tour, going for a walk around the city or playing a team building game will also help to create a sense of camaraderie among your team that will bond them in new and exciting ways.
The Cost of Poor Team Engagement
Employee engagement is critical to the success of a business. According to the State of the American Workplace report by Gallup, only 33% of people are engaged at work. They might show up to the office, but they are certainly not giving the job their full commitment.
This has consequences, including lost revenue and a reduction in employee happiness. It’s estimated that actively disengaged employees cost the U.S. between $483 and $605 billion per year in lost productivity. Meanwhile, the same report found that highly engaged businesses resulted in 21% greater profitability.
Team building can go a long way in helping engagement when workers feel more valued, energized and excited about their jobs.
The Benefits of Team Building
The value of teamwork is immeasurable, from boosting morale to giving employees a day out of the office. A few of the top benefits of team building include:
- Trust Building: You want your team to work together as a cohesive unit. The only way to truly achieve that goal is to ensure your staff trusts one another.
- Improved Productivity: After an entertaining team building activity, workers are rejuvenated and ready to be the best employee they can be.
- Sense of Worth: By providing your team with an outside-the-box activity that is nothing like their typical workday, they feel more valuable, which is a great way to boost morale.
- Inspired Creativity: Through the art of team building activities, your staff will feel more comfortable thinking up new ideas and tapping into their creative sides.
- Better Employee Retention: Team building activities encourage your top employees to stay working for you and attract new talent to the company.
- More Loyalty: Those "best of the best" employees will remain loyal to the company and strive for the success of the business.
An Investment That Pays Off
Forbes cites team building as the most important investment an employer can make for its people. Team building not only helps build important skills that transfer back to the workplace but also encourages colleagues to have fun outside of the office together. As relationships are strengthened, morale and camaraderie will be at an all-time high — a perk at work that's a true win-win for everyone.
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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 San Diego
- A Guide to Team Building Activities in San Francisco
- A Guide to Team Building Activities in Orange County
- A Guide to Team Building Activities in Portland
- A Guide to Team Building Activities in Salt Lake City
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