25 Best Team Building Activities in NYC for 2025
Participating in team building activities in NYC offers an exciting way to boost morale and celebrate achievements in the workplace. There is no better spot than NYC to break up the workweek with an exciting and unique activity for everyone to get creative, work together and bond through memorable experiences.
Team building activities in NYC can truly unlock a new state of mind for your collective by encouraging collaboration, strengthening communication and helping everyone understand each other a little better. To help you plan your next event, this corporate guide to team building activities in NYC includes tons of engaging opportunities to inspire coworkers and employees for the better.
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- Fun Team Building Ideas in NYC
- The Importance of Team Building
- Team Building in More Cities Near You
Fun Team Building Ideas in NYC
1. Culinary Team Building Activities in NYC
Culinary team building activities in NYC are a treat for the whole team. Choose from hands-on cooking classes, food tours, private chef experiences and more, each a unique adventure in the world of food. Every experience is led by top-rated local hosts and chefs with a wealth of knowledge.
While your team works together to whip up a gourmet meal or explore the best bites in the Big Apple, they'll also get to work on strengthening their relationships, honing their listening skills, brainstorming creative solutions and more. Plus, these fun group activities in NYC are an easy way to get the group out of the office for an afternoon of fun!
2. Join a Hands-On Cooking Class
New York City is home to a legendary food scene, and your team can get in on the action with cooking classes in NYC. This team building activity in NYC is fully interactive and caters to various tastes, dietary preferences and group sizes.
If you’re searching for collaborative team building activities in NYC, this experience lets your team work together — or compete! — to make a five-star dish at the lead of a top local chef. Whether they're craving pizza, pasta or something else entirely, no one will leave this event hungry!
3. Take a Walking Food Tour
If your team would rather explore good food than learn to cook it, these team building activities in NYC are the perfect fit. Food tours in NYC visit incredible eateries and markets that flood every unique neighborhood. You’ll explore landmarks of Manhattan, delis in the Bronx, bodegas throughout the Lower East Side, bakeries in Williamsburg and so many more enticing spots. Enjoying the food is one of the most epic things to do in NYC, after all.
4. Online Culinary Team Building Activities
Virtual team building activities have risen in popularity along with telecommute work. If you need a way to bring your remote NYC team together, online team building activities are the perfect solution. These events are live, fully interactive and led by top-rated chefs, sommeliers, mixologists and more from around the world. Sign up for online cooking classes to learn new recipes as a group, shake up gorgeous crafts cocktails in online mixology classes or plan a virtual office happy hour with virtual wine tastings.
5. Hit the Courts
For team building activities in NYC that encourage camaraderie, nurture leadership and focus on communication to accomplish goals, Chelsea Piers offers a variety of sports and unique experiential games like basketball, football, gymnastics, soccer, swimming, tee ball, tennis and even parkour.
These fun team building activities in NYC boost group dynamics while balancing competition with problem-solving. To organize your team building activity in NYC, you can contact Chelsea Piers directly for inquiries and custom pricing.
Price: Dor some activities in open sessions start at $45 per person.
Capacity: 10 to over 100 participants.
Chelsea Piers | Multiple Locations
6. Go on a Museum Scavenger Hunt
This option is completely customizable to any NYC museum, aquarium, gallery and zoo that your group is eager to visit. Select the venue, create a map and add in some unique tasks, custom questions and plenty of trivia and photo challenges. This team building activity in NYC will have employees working together as they follow along with their scavenger hunt map.
It's one of the most fun things to do as a group in NYC! This team building activity in NYC can be organized at various cultural spots across NYC, such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Bronx Zoo.
Price: Costs vary depending on the venue and customization, typically starting around $25 per person
Capacity: 5 to 50 participants
7. Visit a Virtual Reality Arcade
Try something out-of-the-box with your team by planning an outing to a virtual reality arcade. During this fun team building activity in NYC, team members will don a pair of VR goggles and have a blast playing VR tag, riding virtual roller coasters, racing virtual cars and more. This team building activity in NYC offers everyone the chance to bond over a unique experience they may have never tried before.
If you’re looking for the perfect VR arcade, Escape Virtuality is an excellent choice. This venue provides a range of immersive activities, such as simulators, shooters and virtual reality escape games, perfect to enhance communication, problem-solving and collaboration. For this team building activity in NYC, simply contact the company to arrange the type of package you need.
Price: From $45 to $60 per person depending on the length and type of VR experiences chosen.
Capacity: Flexible and adaptable to your team's size.
Escape Virtuality | 130 W. 29th St., New York, New York 10001
8. Compete in Axe Throwing
For an adventurous team building activity in NYC, consider heading to Kick Axe Throwing in Brooklyn. At this unique venue, teams can learn axe-throwing techniques while enjoying food, drinks and friendly competition.
Kick Axe provides trained “axeperts” to guide participants, ensuring everyone gets the basics down and can safely compete against colleagues. This interactive experience combines skill-building with the excitement of a team challenge.
Price: Event packages are customizable, with pricing options based on group size and duration.
Capacity: Ideal for groups of 6 to 50 participants.
Kick Axe Throwing in Brooklyn | 622 Degraw St, Brooklyn, NY 11217
9. Sign Up for an Escape Room
Escape rooms have taken off wildly, so it is no wonder tackling an escape room game has become one of the most popular team building activities in NYC. Companies like Beat the Bomb take the experience to the next level, challenging teams to suit up in hazmat gear, dodge lasers, and collaborate to crack codes and disarm a giant paint, foam or slime bomb.
This spot also offers immersive Game Bays, where groups can enjoy food and drinks from The Bomb Bar while playing original games in a more relaxed setting. If you’re planning a team building activity in NYC with a larger group, there are private room rentals, food and bar packages and a dedicated events team to create a customized experience.
Price: $50 to $60 per person, with additional options for large groups wanting to rent the Party Room along with the Bomb Mission.
Capacity: Flexible and adaptable to your team's size.
Beat the Bomb | 255 Water St., Brooklyn, NY 11201
10. Play Paintball
If you’re looking for some team building activities in NYC that really get the adrenaline pumping, give your group a one-of-a-kind experience with a day of paintball. Long Live Paintball offers an expansive outdoor paintball experience just 40 minutes from the city that’s perfect for private group outings, including corporate team-building events.
Keep in mind that reservations are necessary for this team building activity in NYC and a non-refundable deposit is required to book. The facility operates year-round, with weekday reservations available for private groups.
Price: $25 for 500 paintballs or $90 for 2,000, with membership discounts available. The park offers private party packages starting at an additional $10 per player for groups of 10 or more, which includes a private referee and exclusive gameplay.
*Additional rental options include coveralls, chest protectors, thermal goggles and electric marker setups.
Capacity: Flexible and adaptable to your team's size.
Longlive Paintball | Outdoor Arena, 1989 Englishtown Road, Old Bridge Township, NJ 08831
11. Go Bowling
For a lively and classic team building activity in NYC, consider hosting an event at a bowling alley, where groups can enjoy an upbeat atmosphere, friendly competition and team bonding. Frames Bowling Lounge near Times Square provides options tailored for corporate outings, including VIP lanes, catering and group games for parties of any size.
Price: $40 to $80 per person, depending on the group size, time frame and any additional amenities like arcade access or food and drink packages.
Capacity: Flexible and adaptable to your team's size. Minimum of 4 guests.
Frames Bowling Lounge | 550 9th Ave., New York, NY 10018
12. Challenge Each Other in Trivia
Never underestimate the fun and bonding to be had over trivia! When organizing this classic team-building activity in NYC, you can plan an in-office game with DIY questions and prizes or treat everyone to a night out at a local pub that hosts trivia games.
NYC Trivia League hosts weekly trivia nights at various bars and pubs across the city, providing options tailored for corporate outings, including private events and customized questions to suit your team's interests. They even host events virtually, making it a convenient option for remote teams.
Price: Depends on the venue. Private events are customizable.
Capacity: Flexible and adaptable to your team's size.
NYC Trivia League | Multiple Locations
13. Experience Adventure Theater
Companies that want to try something a little different should consider booking an event with Accomplice the Show. This exciting New York corporate outing allows your group to be entertained and challenged with a mystery tour that’s part NYC walking tour and part scavenger hunt, complete with characters connected to the theme of the tour and lots of fun puzzles to solve. This unforgettable team building activity in NYC also includes a few drinks along the way, adding to the laid-back and exciting nature of the experience.
When planning this team building activity in NYC with Accomplice, you can choose from two engaging show options. The first is The Golden Spork, a traveling meal experience where guests puzzle their way from course to course, enjoying dishes at various locations. This option is available on a date and time of your choice, with a runtime of approximately just under three hours.
The second option, Accomplice The Village, takes participants through the streets of Greenwich Village on a rescue mission walking tour. This adventure runs year-round and promises to be an entertaining experience.
This team building activity in NYC lasts between two to just under three hours, starting and finishing in Greenwich Village, with only a modest amount of walking involved. Time slots are sold in groups of 11 and smaller parties may be paired with others unless they purchase all 11 tickets for a private experience.
Price: Starting at $92. Private events are customizable.
Capacity: Flexible, starting with 11 slots.
Accomplice the Show | 125 Court St., 9BN, New York, NY 11201
14. Test Your Improv Skills
If you’re searching for a team building activity in NYC that gets the whole group laughing, joining an improv class is the way to go! Best of all, the skills that are developed throughimprov, such as creativity, proactive listening and on-the-spot thinking, translate to collaborative and productive dynamics in the office space.
Organizations like The PIT (People’s Improv Theater) offer tailored workshops designed specifically for corporate teams. These training programs focus on developing improv skills that translate effectively into workplace collaboration. If you're interested in incorporating improv into your next team building activity in NYC, The PIT provides a variety of training options that can be customized to meet your team's needs.
Price: Private events are customizable.
Capacity: Flexible and adaptable to your team's size.
The PIT | 154 W. 29th St., New York, NY 10001
15. Build Bikes or Skateboards for Charity
Go the extra mile by making your team building activity in NYC one that promotes collaboration while being charitable. While not based in NYC, Foster Love offers team building events across the country, including in New York City, that benefit foster children in the local community.
Your team can work together to build bikes, put together skateboards or fill celebratory birthday or superhero gift boxes for the kids. This team building activity in NYC can accommodate groups ranging from 1 to 1,000 participants and typically lasts between 30 minutes to 3 hours, allowing for flexibility in scheduling and group size of any size.
Price: Based on your donations/sponsorship.
Capacity: Up to 1000 people.
Foster Love | Multiple Locations.
16. Take an NYC Cruise
If your team is looking to recharge their batteries or celebrate a special event like a work anniversary, taking to the water with Bateaux New York is a top choice among team building activities in NYC. Bateaux New York offers a luxurious dining experience on the water, featuring packages that include a three-course meal, a scenic cruise around the Manhattan skyline and live music, enhancing the overall experience of the team building activity in NYC.
Price: $135 to $165 per person for lunch and dinner cruises.
* It can vary based on the selected package and the time of year.
Capacity: Up to 300 guests
Bateaux New York | Multiple Locations
17. Visit the Zoo
Looking for some accessible team building activities in NYC that everyone can enjoy? If so, take a trip as a group to the Central Park Zoo for a true New York City team building outing. Everyone can bond over their favorite animals or even do a fun scavenger hunt! With options for social and corporate outings available year-round, the zoo provides a memorable team building activity in NYC for groups of all sizes.
Price: $16 (discounted to $12 for groups)
Capacity: Flexible and adaptable to your team's size.
Central Park Zoo | 64th St. & 5th Ave., New York, NY 10065
18. Create Together at Pottery NYC's Wheel-Throwing Workshop
Consider hosting a wheel-throwing pottery workshop at Pottery NYC for a hands-on and creative team-building activity in Manhattan. In this immersive two-hour session, your team will learn the fundamentals of pottery under the guidance of skilled instructors.
You can also opt to include a painting session to decorate your creations. Each participant will leave with their own handcrafted masterpiece—a unique memento of your collaborative experience.
Price: $100 per guest for the pottery class. $120 per guest for the pottery class plus painting session.
Capacity: Accommodates groups of 5 to 30 guests.
Pottery NYC | Multiple Locations
19. Volunteer for Community Services
Team building activities in NYC can help you connect with the community and purpose while assisting local causes. New York is a big place and some of the best group activities in NYC help colleagues bond over serving the environment, people in the neighborhood or animals.
Volunteering with New York Cares provides an excellent opportunity for teams to engage in community service while fostering teamwork. When opting for a charitable team building activity in NYC, you can choose from a variety of projects that cater to different group sizes, making it ideal for teams ranging from a few individuals to larger groups of up to 100 or more.
Just a few of the causes to get behind with this team building activity in NYC include volunteering at food drives, participating in park clean-ups and helping out at various nonprofits across New York City that require assistance.
Capacity: Flexible and adaptable to your team's size.
New York Cares | 39 Broadway, 27th Floor, New York, NY 10006
20. Have a Field Day
For a bit of nostalgia and energetic fun, plan some corporate team building activities in NYC that will have everyone feeling like they are at summer camp. The strategy will flood the field with classic games like capture the flag, relays and egg-in-spoon races.
When planning a workplace games day as your team building activity in NYC, hosting the event at Governors Island is a great choice. This outdoor space in Upper New York Bay features over 170 acres of parkland, including picnic areas and recreational facilities, providing a relaxed atmosphere with stunning views of the Manhattan skyline.
Governors Island is easily accessible via a short ferry ride, which can accommodate large groups. The island has designated areas for events and activities, ensuring you have the space you need for your field day. Be sure to check for any necessary permits and reservations ahead of time for this team building activity in NYC, especially during peak seasons.
Price: Depends on the activity. The ferry costs $5. All passengers ride free on Saturdays and Sundays before 11:00 a.m.
Capacity: Flexible and adaptable to your team's size.
Governors Island | 10 South St., Slip 7, New York, NY 10004
21. Enjoy a Museum Tour
There is no shortage of incredible museums to head to if you’re searching for educational and fun group activities in NYC. The American Museum of Natural History is one of the best museums to visit for this team building activity in NYC, providing fascinating exhibits and a great mix of education and engagement.
This team building activity in NYC is also quite affordable, with discounted group rates for groups of 20 or more. To ensure availability, groups should book this fun group activity in NYC at least two weeks in advance.
Price: General Admission is $25. General Admission + One (ticketed exhibition or experience) is $31 General Admission + All (exhibitions and immersive shows) is $36.
Capacity: Flexible and adaptable to your team's size.
American Museum of Natural History | 200 Central Park W, New York, NY 10024-5102
22. Visit a Trampoline Park
When looking for team building ideas in New York City, consider a visit to Launch Trampoline Park. This indoor park blends thrilling activities with competitive games like ninja courses, dodgeball and battle beams, ensuring every team member has something exciting to enjoy. It’s a great chance to step out of the office, get active and reconnect with childhood fun.
The packages at Launch Trampoline park include options for private event spaces, catering and designated relaxation areas, giving your team a balanced experience of excitement and group bonding for your team building activity in NYC.
Price: General admission starts around $30 per person, with tailored group packages available.
Capacity: Flexible and adaptable to your team's size.
Launch Trampoline Park | 163-50 Crossbay Blvd., Queens NY 11414
23. Plan a Karaoke Night
For an unforgettable and engaging team building activity in NYC, head over to Sing Sing Ave A. This lively karaoke spot is ideal for group activities in New York City, with a wide selection of songs, from classic hits to the latest chart-toppers, ensuring there's something for everyone to enjoy.
When booking this team building activity in NYC, reservations are recommended, especially on weekends as the venue can get busy. While food is allowed, guests are encouraged to bring their own snacks (note that outside alcohol is not permitted). By choosing Sing Sing Ave A, your team can bond over fun, laughter and friendly competition in a relaxed, no-pressure setting!
Price: Flexible pricing, including Happy Hour rates available until 8 p.m. After 8 p.m., the venue switches to standard rates for private rooms.
Capacity: Private rooms for groups of 2 to 20 people. VIP rooms for 25 to 40 guests.
Sing Sing Ave A | 181 Avenue A, New York, New York 10009
24. Get Creative at a Paint and Sip
Some of the bestteam building activities in NYC are those that are creative and fun. For teams looking for something crafty, consider hosting a paint-and-sip event a tWine & Design is an excellent idea. This unique activity combines teamwork, art and social interaction in a relaxed setting. Whether you're collaborating on a project or just enjoying the creative process together, Wine & Design offers an inspiring space where coworkers can unwind while creating a masterpiece.
Price: Private events are customizable, based on the group size and session length.
Capacity: Flexible and adaptable to your team's size.
Wine & Design | Multiple Locations
25. Try Private Candle-Making Workshop at Wick & Pour
Consider hosting a private candle-making workshop with Wick & Pour for a unique and intimate team building activity in NYC. These sessions are designed to provide a personalized and hands-on experience. You’ll work closely with experienced instructors who guide your team through the process of mixing scents, choosing colors and pouring your own custom candles.
Price: Prices start at around $50 per person for a standard session, with customizable packages available.
Capacity: Flexible and adaptable to your team's size.
Wick & Pour | 167 Mott St., New York, NY 10013
via Wick & Pour
The Importance of Team Building
Team building activities are offered so that employees can work together to find ways to communicate efficiently and boost problem-solving skills while promoting cooperation. But, the inner workings of a team can also mean so much more than that! Selecting the perfect team building activities means piquing the interest, curiosity and excitement of your group.
A collective positive attitude goes a long way in terms of building trust, forming solid work relationships and fostering employee happiness. And according to the University of Oxford, happier employees are as much as 13% more productive overall.
Additional team building benefits include:
- Higher morale — Engaging in a fun, laid back and collaborative team building activity can effectively boost morale and raise the spirits of the whole team.
- Long-term retention — As much as 20% of office turnover happens in the first 45 days on the job, according to SHRM. When workers have something to look forward to, they form positive outlooks about their job and company, helping to maintain employee retention.
- Better engagement — Team building exercises prompt workers to become more involved and interested in their work, which helps improve overall employee engagement.
- A day of fun — The office routine can get pretty tedious. Why not turn team building into a regular perk at work to get everyone out, refreshed and reinvigorated?
Experiences are abundant for fun corporate events in NYC. This guide to team building activities in NYC proves that The Big Apple has everything you and your coworkers need for a fun and unforgettable experience.
Interested in even more fun things to do in NYC? Be sure to 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 Boston
- A Guide to Team Building Activities in D.C.
- A Guide to Team Building Activities in New Jersey
- A Guide to Team Building Activities in Philadelphia
- A Guide to Team Building Activities in Chicago
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