Our friends at TeamBonding contributed this blog post to kick off our joint program that pairs delicious food with fun team building activities.  See what we cooked up here!

Having fun at work is a crucial part of building and maintaining a cohesive team. It’s all too easy to fall into the same boring old patterns. This can lead to employees feeling unappreciated and unchallenged. However, it is incredibly easy to combat this pattern of sameness in your office space.

There are lots of different ways to have fun together. As long as everyone is involved and participating, spending time as a team can be as elaborate or as simple as you choose. Here are five ways you can have fun with your team, and build some bonds while you’re at it.

1) Have Lunch Together

Lunch times provide a necessary mental break for everyone and can act as a great excuse to work on some social connections. Even those people who are typically reluctant to join in with group activities can usually be persuaded to join if you offer them food. This can be as simple as eating all together in your company break room, organizing a cool lunch and learn, or as exciting as going out somewhere as a team. While you’re out, you can play some icebreaker games to get to know each other a little better.

2) Buff Up Your Office Space

There’s a lot to be said for the effect a person’s environment has on their mood. Working in a space which is drab or uninspiring can cause people to form negative associations with their job. Sprucing up your office space is an excellent way to encourage employees to take ownership of their environment, and also practice teamwork in a different context. Create a list of simple items like art, new plants, or fun office supplies which people can select and bring in. Even small items can transform a space, and help everyone feel more connected.

3) Get Outside (Together)

Adults in America spend 93% of their lives inside. While no one likes standing outside in the 20° snow showers or 95° humidity, getting some sunlight and fresh air has proven to have benefits for both physical health and mental outlook. Getting everyone outside for as little as 30 minutes can have a big impact. If your office space has picnic benches, have lunch outside together! Play a card game while you’re there, and go back to work feeling refreshed.

4) Create Clubs or Teams

When people spend time together outside of work, their working relationship usually benefits from it. By starting a book club or pick-up sports team, you give teammates a framework with which to improve their relationships. Shared interests and experience become a touchstone through which to navigate workplace challenges or conflicts.

5) Encourage Socialization

Ultimately, the key to a unified and happy team is to foster social connections. Taking a whole or a half day away from your usual routine to do something fun and social will have immediate repercussions. From low-cost options like a board game afternoon to a fully facilitated Ultimate Tailgate Challenge, time spent together and having fun will boost morale and build memories that will last.

What are your favorite team building activities? Share them with us in the comments below.