New York City, the epicenter of culture, innovation, and endless adventure, offers a plethora of activities perfect for large corporate groups team building events. Whether your objective is team-building, celebrating milestones, gathering your entire team for an offsite, or simply breaking the monotony of office life, NYC's vibrant offerings cater to every interest. This comprehensive listicle explores the top activities for large group activities, promising both memorable experiences and strengthened team dynamics.
Planning large group activities can be difficult, given many team building activities usually thrive in small groups where team members can interact.
However, the move to remote work and hybrid teams has created even more of a need to plan something fun, large, and epic when the individual small teams, team members, and remote teams come together for a group event with the whole company. These offsite activities must be memorable and fun, but also give each group member a chance to interact in meaningful ways in smaller teams.
We are biased, but we believe that our event, The Great Gotham Challenge, is a great way to gather together everyone, in person, for an event, no matter how large your group. It can be run for a large group with over fifty, a hundred, or even a thousand participants, with teams racing against each other to cross the finish line first.
We accommodate large groups in our game by dividing individuals into smaller teams of three to six who compete against the larger group in friendly competition. This allows group members to solve puzzles, participate in fun games, and race against one another for some friendly competition without individuals getting lost in the large group.
Our Challenges spur group communication, communication skills, problem-solving skills, critical thinking, creative thinking, and boost team morale. We've constantly been rated as one of the best teambuilding activities, both for our in-person events as well as our virtual team-building events for remote teams.
But don't take our word for it - we've compiled some other classic activities for large groups in this comprehensive list below, and you can choose your large team!
As we said, The Great Gotham Challenge is a unique, high-stakes urban adventure that tests your group's problem-solving, navigation, and decision-making skills across Manhattan in an "amazing race" style game. It's a great activity for large groups because it takes place on the streets of New York, and larger groups are divided into small teams for some friendly competition. The smaller groups mean that every team member can contribute to the task or puzzle at hand, without getting lost in a big group.
This immersive experience blends the city's history and landmarks with intricate puzzles, as teams race on an unforgettable journey through the heart of NYC. It's an ideal event for large groups seeking an intellectually stimulating and physically active team-building activity. The winning team can receive a prize from the company, or just play for bragging rights!
Here, your team is thrust into a narrative that requires cooperation, creativity, and quick thinking to navigate. You can find a variety of rooms around New York City, from the alien spacecraft to the 1920s detective office, presents a unique story and set of challenges. Teams of up to 10 members race against the clock, fostering a sense of unity and shared achievement. Some venues have multiple rooms that your large group can complete at the same time in different teams, but in the end the size of group will be limited to the number of rooms that a venue has on-site - most will top out at three or four rooms, meaning for large group events of more than 30 or so, you may have to look elsewhere.
Some of our favorite New York City rooms are listed in this round up from Room Escape Artist's Best-of list!
Watson Adventures transforms familiar locales into thrilling game zones. These scavenger hunts are not merely about finding objects; they're about uncovering stories, solving riddles, and connecting with your team and the city's rich tapestry. Whether it's the art-filled corridors of the Met or the historic streets of Greenwich Village, your team's collaboration and competitive spirit are ignited. Inquire for capacity information.
In our opinion, out of the best team building activities for large groups, Beat the Bomb in Brooklyn has two different adventures "pipelined", so two smaller groups of six to eight people can enter the experience every fifteen minutes - meaning a large group of 50 could get through in just two hours.
Smaller groups go into each room, where they experience a "video game in real life" - using NFC wristbands and their bodies to manipulate digital games.
Beat the Bomb promotes effective communication and problem-solving skills and fosters a sense of camaraderie among your colleagues.
The Institute of Culinary Education offers a gourmet twist to team building with its cooking classes designed specifically for corporate groups. Whether it's rolling sushi, crafting the perfect pasta, or exploring international cuisines, the kitchen becomes a place of learning, laughter, and collaboration, culminating in a shared meal that celebrates the team's collective effort.
Embark on a culinary adventure with Foods of New York Tours, which provides an insider's look into the city's gastronomic gems. These tours are not just about tasting; they're about storytelling, history, and the people behind the flavors. From the savory cannolis of Little Italy to the aromatic spices of Chinatown, each bite is a chance to bond and indulge.
The Painting Lounge offers a serene escape into the world of art, where your team can unwind and express creativity. With a brush in one hand and a drink in the other, even the most artistically hesitant will find joy in painting. It's a relaxed environment that encourages informal interactions and personal connections among colleagues.
Their classes hold groups of up to 32.
Immerse your team in the dazzling world of Broadway with interactive workshops that unveil the magic behind the curtain. From improvisation sessions to dance routines, these workshops are led by theater professionals and are customized to suit your team's size and interests. It's a unique opportunity to boost confidence, encourage creative expression, and experience the thrill of performance.
Explore the corridors of history and culture with private museum tours tailored for corporate groups. Whether it's the modern masterpieces at MoMA, the ancient artifacts at the Met, or the cutting-edge exhibits at the Whitney, these tours offer a blend of education and entertainment. Guided discussions and interactive elements make art and history accessible, sparking curiosity and conversation among team members.
Central Park, with its sprawling lawns and picturesque settings, is the perfect backdrop for a corporate picnic. Professional catering services offer everything from gourmet baskets to full-blown BBQ setups, accommodating groups of all sizes. It's a chance for employees to relax, mingle, and enjoy nature's tranquility amidst the city hustle. Our friends over at Perfect Picnic can provide the perfect food for your event - from basic sandwich baskets, to a luxury table setting right in the park!
Take to the water with Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises for a refreshing perspective of New York City. These cruises offer breathtaking views of iconic landmarks like the Statue of Liberty, Brooklyn Bridge, and the Manhattan skyline. It's an ideal setting for informal networking, team bonding, and simply soaking in the sights.
For teams inclined towards active engagement, Chelsea Piers offers an unparalleled sports and entertainment experience for those looking for team building games. Group members will enjoy facilities for golf, bowling, rock climbing, as well as the ability to do off-site meetings, happy hours and more, it caters to a wide range of interests and skill levels. Organizing a friendly tournament or a group fitness class can invigorate a sense of team spirit and healthy competition.
SPiN New York offers a dynamic environment where ping pong tables become battlegrounds for creativity, strategy, and fun. This social club's lively atmosphere is conducive to team bonding, breaking down barriers, fostering teamwork, group discussion, and sparking friendly competition. Spin has may party packages with food and whether it's a round-robin tournament or casual play, it's an engaging way to connect and unwind.
Great Gotham Challenge Recommends: Our Top 25 Favorite Team Building Activities- NYC
Team Building Activities
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"We had high expectations and they were far exceeded. The challenges were difficult, extremely creative, and completely customized to our group. Suffice it to say our group couldn't have possibly had more fun. Thank you for making me look great!"
"I'm always very skeptical of these "team-building" events, but this one was over the top. They successfully handled our 120-person team, with puzzles that were really challenging. The whole experience couldn't have been more engaging!"
"One of our directors told me it was one of the best organized online challenges they've done."
"[The challenge] shattered any expectations I had. For a fully remote event, I expected a bit of cheesy fun, but the production quality is unbelievable. I absolutely recommend everyone to try it."
"To quote one of my teammates: "This [challenge] was mean and hard, and resultantly perfect." Thank you for the stellar experience, service, and fun."
"For a few hours, you get to feel like a secret agent as you traverse the mundane real world with a VIP pass for curated wonder."
"A mixture of live actors, custom puzzles, and clues built around pre-existing and famous structures in lends the event a sort of glam DaVinci Code energy."
Great Gotham Challenge is a once-in-a-lifetime event that starts at $2000 for our most basic, 2-hour in-person experience. However, most of our events are several times that scale - If you're dreaming big for a custom event, so are we!
For advance notice on public events and other special early bird discounts, please sign up for our communique below:
