One way to avoid this year's January blues
The January blues, a term many of us are familiar with, can hit hard after the holidays. As employees return to work, the excitement of festive celebrations gives way to gloomy weather, short days, and the challenges of refocusing on professional goals. For organizations, this can result in disengaged teams, reduced morale and a dip in productivity. However, there’s a powerful solution: team-building events. Team-building activities can re-energize your workforce, promote collaboration, and set a positive tone for the months ahead. At The Team Building Company, we specialise in events that are not only fun and engaging but also achieve team growth. Here’s how you can tackle the January blues head-on with our corporate team-building events, and why they’re the perfect antidote to a slow start to the year.
Why Team Building in January Is Essential
Team-building activities in January serve several purposes:
Reconnection: After the holiday break, it’s crucial to rebuild team cohesion and ensure everyone is aligned with business goals.
Boosting Morale: Fun team-building events can reawaken enthusiasm and remind employees why they enjoy working together.
Combating Stress: Activities like a corporate treasure hunt or an indoor team-building event provide a welcome break from the everyday grind.
Inspiring Creativity: January is the perfect time to brainstorm ideas for the year ahead. Activities that foster creativity, like chocolate making team building or our unique Ready Steady Bake challenge, can stimulate out-of-the-box thinking.
Best Team-Building Events to Beat the January Blues
Here are some of our top-rated activities designed to inspire, motivate, and engage your team.
1. Chocolate Making Team Building: A Sweet Solution
There’s no better way to sweeten January than with a chocolate team-building event. In this deliciously fun activity, your team will learn the art of chocolate-making from expert chocolatiers while working collaboratively to craft their own sweet treats.
Perfect for indoor team-building activities, this event encourages creativity, communication, and problem-solving. Plus, the end product—a selection of handcrafted chocolates—makes for a fantastic takeaway. For remote teams, we also offer an online chocolate-making event, ensuring everyone can participate, no matter where they’re based.
Why It Works: Chocolate releases endorphins, the "feel-good" chemicals, making this activity an instant mood booster.
2. Corporate Treasure Hunt: Explore and Energize
Kickstart the year with a corporate treasure hunt, designed to combine strategy, teamwork, and adventure. Available in both outdoor team-building events and virtual formats, this activity can be tailored to your company’s goals. Teams will navigate through clues, solve puzzles, and race against the clock to uncover hidden treasures.
Why It Works: Treasure hunts create excitement, encourage healthy competition, and require collaboration—key components for reconnecting teams in January.
3. Crystal Challenge Team Building
Inspired by the hit TV show, our Crystal Challenge team-building event is packed with exhilarating mental and physical tasks. Teams must work together to solve challenges across different zones, collecting crystals along the way.
For those who love a good competition, this event ticks all the boxes. It’s also flexible, working equally well as an indoor team-building event or in an outdoor setting.
Why It Works: This high-energy activity promotes problem-solving and teamwork, leaving participants feeling accomplished and motivated.
4. Fun Team Activities for Large Groups
If you have a big team, January is an excellent time to bring everyone together. We offer large group icebreakers and fun team activities that can accommodate teams of any size.
Some of our most popular activities for large groups include:
Fun Icebreaker Activities: Quick, engaging exercises that help break down barriers and get teams communicating.
Team Icebreaker Activities: Perfect for new teams or departments that have recently merged, these activities focus on creating connections.
Virtual Activities for Companies: Ideal for hybrid teams, our virtual icebreakers and online challenges ensure inclusivity for remote workers.
Why It Works: Large group activities foster unity and ensure every employee feels like a valued part of the organization.
5. Indoor Team Building Activities for Winter Days
When the weather isn’t cooperating, indoor team-building events are the perfect alternative. Some of our top recommendations include:
Ready Set Bake: Inspired by popular baking shows, teams collaborate to create culinary masterpieces.
Crystal Maze Team Building: A thrilling indoor adaptation of our crystal challenge team building, this event is all about teamwork and strategic thinking.
Team Building Challenges: We offer a variety of customized challenges designed to suit your team’s preferences and goals.
Why It Works: Indoor activities eliminate the unpredictability of winter weather while delivering the same energy and engagement as outdoor events.
6. Outdoor Team Building Activities for the Adventurous
If your team is up for braving the elements, our outdoor team-building events provide a breath of fresh air—literally. Some great options include:
Team Building Adventure Days: Tailored to include activities like orienteering, obstacle courses, and trust exercises, these days are perfect for adrenaline seekers.
Outdoor Treasure Hunts: Explore the local area while solving riddles and cracking codes.
Why It Works: Outdoor events invigorate teams, encourage physical activity, and promote a sense of adventure.
7. HAKA Event: Bring Energy and Culture to Your Team
For a unique and invigorating experience, consider our HAKA event. Led by genuine Maori instructors, this activity introduces your team to the traditional Maori war dance, teaching them its moves and cultural significance.
Why It Works: The HAKA energizes participants, encourages teamwork, and offers a unique cultural experience—all from the comfort of home or the office.
Planning Your Team-Building Day
Organizing a successful team-building day requires careful planning. Here’s how The Teambuilding Company can help:
Choosing the Right Venue: We offer a range of team building venues, from luxury hotels to outdoor adventure parks, ensuring you find the perfect fit.
Customizing Activities: Every team is unique. We tailor our events to suit your team’s size, goals, and preferences.
Event Management: From start to finish, our team-building event management services ensure a seamless experience, allowing you to focus on enjoying the day.
The Benefits of Team Building for January Blues
The advantages of team-building events extend far beyond just having fun. They include:
Improved Morale: Engaging activities remind employees of their strengths and value to the team.
Stronger Communication: Challenges like the corporate treasure hunt or crystal maze team building require collaboration and problem-solving, enhancing communication skills.
Increased Productivity: A motivated team is a productive team.
Better Relationships: Activities like chocolate making team building or fun icebreaker activities help employees connect on a personal level.
Ready to Book Your January Team-Building Event?
The January blues don’t stand a chance when your team is engaged, energized, and inspired. Whether you’re looking for indoor team-building activities, outdoor team-building events, or virtual options like the online chocolate-making event, The Team Building Company has you covered.
Explore our full range of activities and start planning your next event today. Together, we’ll ensure your team starts the year on a high note.
Visit The Team Building Company to learn more and book your team-building adventure now! Or call us on 01590 676599 or email us on events@teambuilding.co.uk
OUTDOOR EVENTS
Crystal Challenge Team Building Event
A variety of Physical and Mental team challenges
Our Crystal Challenge team building event is designed to challenge your teams’ abilities to think quickly outside the box on a selection of purpose built team activities.
Taking inspiration from the Crystal Maze TV show, we have designed these unique, fun and engaging team puzzles which require your team to work together effectively in order to complete each one, winning crystals based on their performance.
The nature of these activities requires team members to draw upon their communication skills, leadership qualities and problem solving abilities which, in turn, will lead to improved performance.
This event is perfect for customers wanting an activity day without anything too physically demanding; the tasks are designed to exercise the mind more than the muscles, with a variety of brain teasers, puzzles and challenges.
Country Sports Outdoor Team Building Event
A Thrilling Day in The Country
There's no better way to enjoy the great outdoors than to have a go at our selection of fun, challenging and engaging Country Sports activities. We have a great variety of team challenges including archery, laser clay shooting, Segways and duck herding amongst many others.
This event is designed to create an interesting and fun team bonding experience, fostering friendly competition in a lovely setting. The Country Sports event can be a great follow on from a morning of meetings, although more often than not clients like to enjoy a full day Country Sports team building event.
We work with a variety of venues all over the UK which we have selected for the quality and suitability of their outdoor facilities. Please contact us talk through which venue might be best for your team. Many of venues even allow us to run our high adrenaline motorised activities from Quad Bikes to Powerturns; again please talk to us.
The Perfect Teambuild
We have combined two of our favourites to create The Perfect Teambuild. Enjoy the high adrenaline, physical elements of Country Sports with the fun yet challenging cerebral exercises from Crystal Challenge.
We keep the day active and adrenaline filled with activities such as Human Table Football and Laser Clay Pigeon Shooting, while tasks like Cypher and Chemical Rescue reinforce the team fun element.
Chose from fifteen different team building activities to build your day in a format which suits you and your budget. We can get the blood racing in Inflatable Volleyball, challenge you with Bridge Build, change tempo for accurate Pistol Shooting, delight you with Duck Herding and finish off with a Team Ski! Or any other combination of activities.
The City's Streets are your Playground!
Our London Treasure Hunt takes your team on an exciting journey through the nation's great capital, exploring the history and sights of this historic city.
We meet you at a pre-determined location. Whether it's your offices, a hotel, conference centre, pub, restaurant or even Waterloo Station, we can start the Treasure Hunt from any location.
You will receive a briefing from your event manager and each team will be issued with an iPad. The iPads are loaded with bespoke software that allows teams to navigate around the city answering a variety of questions and completing various challenges.
Teams will plot their route based on the location of on-screen 'hot-spots,' each of which hosts a different challenge. These might include general knowledge questions, location based questions, photo challenges and a list of items that your team has to retrieve.
You may also have to find a couple of our characters during your journey. Once found, these characters will give you additional tasks for bonus points. London is full of characters though so keep your wits about you!
Our iPads and software ensure the day is fun, interactive and challenging; but also mean that there’s no Googling the answers from the pub
Your Name's Bond....James Bond
Crack clues, find our secret agents and solve challenges in your reconnaissance mission
In this Bond themed treasure hunt you’ll be met by our very own “Q” who will issue you with iPads loaded with state-of-the-art Treasure Hunt software. The locations of our field agents, clues and challenges are displayed on the screen and you’ll have to track them down.
Once you have found each agent you will need to complete the fiendish bond themed puzzles and questions whilst racing against the clock. Having a good grasp of 007 trivia will certainly help but is not essential; good team work, however, is.
Only when you’re at the displayed location will you able to see and complete the challenges – so no Googling the answers from the bar whilst sipping a Martini…
The fastest team to complete the mission wins the day for King and Country!
Customised for Your Chosen Location
The Hidden Quest Treasure Hunt takes participants on a cryptic, interactive journey into the secret nooks and crannies of a location of your choice. Each team is provided with an iPad tablet featuring state-of-the-art Treasure Hunting software.
The route is mapped out with a series of GPS 'hotspots' that teams must visit in order to complete specific tasks and puzzles. They also meet costumed characters enroute who will give out bonus challenges.
Each Treasure Hunt is scripted to the location of your choice so is completely unique! The day will be themed on interesting quirks, unusual history and fun facts relating to the surrounding area.
Corporate Team Building Sailing Days
Feel the Wind in Your Hair (and the Salt in the Air!)
Our team building sailing days operate from The Solent on the South Coast near Southampton. The Solent is the spiritual home of British sailing. Whether you’re a self-confessed land lubber or salty old seadog, you’ll love a day of nautical team building, sailing and racing on gorgeous 40ft yachts.
Never Sailed Before . . . ?
Our yachts are fully crewed with a skipper and hostess. Participants are encouraged to take the helm to steer the yacht, handle the sails and grind the winches. We expect most participants to have never set foot on a boat before, let alone raced. We are expert at making sure everybody feels safe and enjoys the day.
With a fleet of identical boats, we can enjoy some really exciting sailing racing. Experience has taught us that everyone has great fun. It is natural to start out a little anxious but within minutes even the most timid are buzzing. It is the novelty of this experience that makes it both memorable and a stunning team building event.
The Parmesan Job Outdoor Team Building Event
A Thrilling Treasure Hunt in Fiat 500s
The Parmesan Job is frequently described by participants as the best team building event they have ever experienced and it doesn't take much to see why. The Parmesan Job is themed on the classic movie ‘The Italian Job’ except this time it’s you driving a fleet of Fiat 500s!
Your objective is to complete an elaborate treasure hunt hosted on iPads complete with twists and turns which all helps to add to the fun and drama of the day.
At the start of the event you will be met by one of our shady gang members who gives you an introduction to the mission ahead. You’ll then navigate your way to find clues, meet characters and complete challenges.
The event ends with a dramatic final scene featuring pyrotechnics where teams are “only supposed to blow the bloody doors off” and retrieve the gold
Spy School Team Building Event
Welcome to Spy School
You arrive at our top secret mobile spy training camp, which can be located at any suitable venue across the UK. You are greeted by our Director of Training who explains that in preparation for an international crisis, MI6 is recruiting operatives to act as ‘sleeper’ agents.
Teams from your organisation may be selected to undergo an intense one-day course, training you in the clandestine arts of the intelligence services. There are a wide variety of spy themed activities to select from, many of which include various forms of marksmanship and specialist driving challenges.
Please contact ‘Q Branch’ on 0800 975 0728 to discuss the most suitable training for the recruits you may have identified within your organisation.
Black Cab Treasure Hunt Outdoor Team Building Event
Explore London in a Fleet of Iconic Black Cabs
The legendary London Black Cabs are incorporated into our London Treasure Hunt – expanding the Treasure Hunt area and adding an exciting dimension to the event.
All Black Cab drivers have to pass ‘The Knowledge’, a stringent exam proving their incredible knowledge of London’s complicated roads. From these impressive masters of their trade we choose the friendliest and most fun drivers for our Treasure Hunt.
A matched fleet of smart Black Cabs will arrive at the chosen venue to take your teams around London. You will complete challenges using our iPads pre-loaded with a tailored Treasure Hunt that will guide you around the city whilst you undertake a variety of tasks.
The Rookie - The Apprentice themed Team Building
You’re Hired! . . . or Fired!
Based on the BBC's ‘The Apprentice’ this event has teams dashing around collecting weird and wonderful items in a mad scavenger hunt challenge.
Meet the shrewd Lord Sweetener, business-guru, media-mogul, captain of industry and tyrannical tycoon: listed in Forbes Top 100 Wealthiest Fictional People.
Lord Sweetener will give you a list of items, both mad and mundane, to scavenge in the immediate vicinity. You’ll need to blag, brag and barter to get the best deals and save your limited spending money. You don’t want to incur the wrath of Lord Sweetener!
This Apprentice style team building event can be run from almost any venue. All we need is a room to start and finish in. We script each Rookie event to you, no event is the same! Once you’ve chosen a venue we research the area and local shops to draw up a unique scavenger list of wild and whacky items for you to find and buy.
'Head to Head' Tablet Based Treasure Hunt
In a seemingly normal meeting, your presentation is interrupted as our elite hacker takes control only to inform your group that they have uploaded a sophisticated virus dubbed ‘Psyclone 17’ to your company’s database. Once live, the virus will disperse itself throughout your company files wiping out everything in its path.
Midnight Deadline
However there’s a twist, the virus will only go live at the stroke of midnight… in the meantime the hacker has devised a ‘game’ to test your worth and give you a chance to stop the virus.
Find Agents and Solve Puzzles
In steps our event manager will brief your group on how our iPads work along with the state-of-the-art Treasure Hunt software. The tablets lead you on a trail to mystery locations where you will have to find covert field agents and solve fiendish puzzles.
Surveillance Challenge and Scavenger Hunt!
In addition to puzzles, your mission includes exciting surveillance challenges, such as photo missions, that will require your team to demonstrate resourcefulness and adaptability. You'll also need to collect scavenger items that hold the key to solving the mystery and preventing the virus from taking hold.
Round the World Treasure Hunt - The world is your oyster!
Have you always wanted to travel the world but never had the time or opportunity to do so? Well, now is your chance with your very own interactive, Around the World Treasure Hunt!
It doesn't matter if we start from the office, hotel or local pub; you can whisk your team away to every corner of the earth. To make this happen, we'll send out your very own event manager who will act as your travel agent, they will provide each team with an iPad loaded with state-of-the-art treasure hunt software. The software on the tablet will allow each team to choose their own destinations, with novel challenges in every country they visit.
Even though travel has never been more straightforward, teams will need to use the interactive map and make their way to the correct GPS waypoint to unlock the country of their choice; no passport required! Upon arrival, teams could be asked to answer country-specific questions on local culture, food, music, film, and more. Or you could meet a local who will ask you to complete a challenge from their home country. Perhaps you'll need to work together to prove your ice hockey skills or impress an origami master!
Whatever you do, don't forget to collect souvenirs or take pictures along the way! Your travel agent will want to see them when you get back.
It's up to your team to decide where to visit in the time you have, but remember that the team that wins the medals will plan their route carefully!
INDOOR EVENTS
Chocolate Making Team Building Event
Your Very Own Chocolate Factory
Everyone loves chocolate… but have you ever tried making it? Well you’ve won the golden ticket! The flexibility of our Chocolate Making event means that we can convert any room into a pop-up chocolate factory.
You’ll be shown how to create some delectable chocolate delights by our ‘Master Chocolatier’ before having a go at making your very own artisan delicacies.
You are spoilt for choice as you mix your own succulent truffle centres from our huge range of delicious flavourings and ingredients. For even naughtier treats, we have a wide selection of liquors and spirits to give your chocolates a little je ne sais quoi!
We’ll provide chef hats and aprons so you look and feel the part, and include specialist chocolate making equipment such as granite surfaces for tempering.
Together We Can Team Building Event
Co-operative Team Building
Our Together We Can event embodies the true ethos of team building; each team contributes to a common goal and must communicate effectively in order to achieve success. The brilliance of this event - it is pure teambuilding theory made fun!
The event promotes co-operation through a variety of non-competitive team building activities. Each team contributes to one large task, communicating their work to the next team in a briefing at the start/end of each challenge.
The F1 Challenge Formula 1 Themed Event
Race to Build
Stand alongside Ferrari, McLaren and Red Bull as you create a winning team for our F1 Challenge. Design, build and then race your own F1 car in this riveting team building event.
Your team is supplied with a pre-designed chassis which is the starting block for the car. You then blueprint a bodywork design to build and brand your car, winning points for the best designs. Be careful to stay within the legal specifications - you don’t want to be disqualified…
Formula 1 is about more than just the cars though, you will also need to design a brand for your team. Team hats, overalls and the car must be branded with your logo and sponsors’ names after you have pitched your theme to our experts.
Finally the cars are lined up for a head to head race down the track into the pits where your pit team remove and replace the tyres as fast as possible before charging back to the start!
The Ultimate Challenge Team Building Event
Hundreds of Challenges to Compete Against the Clock!
The Ultimate Challenge is one of our most competitive events. This fast paced, fiddly and fun event has teams frantically completing short, sharp challenges against the clock.
Each team is given an Ultimate Challenge Chest filled with a veritable smorgasbord of finickity puzzles, fiendish challenges and funny activities. You’ll get a few minutes to sort through the contents and plan your strategy to best use your team’s skills.
Then the competition begins and you complete as many of the challenges as possible in five minute bursts, between chances to showcase your successes. The tempo is fast, the completion zealous and the room fills with energy in our Ultimate Challenge!
Rollercoaster Indoor Team Building Event
Thrills, Spills and Teambuilds…
The challenge is for teams to work together to design and build a rollercoaster which transports a football along its entire length propelled only by gravity!
The ball must roll unaided from the start to the end of your rollercoaster. Bonus points for unnecessary engineering jumps, twists or even a loop the loop into the crazy structure.
Our Rollercoaster challenge is a great team building event for groups of all sizes but with a huge group the event becomes quite a spectacle.
You will need plenty of space; it is surprising how quickly the structure grows. This event quickly combines the logical and creative strengths of participants in a massive coordinated team building challenge that is fantastic fun.
Beat the Box Team Building Event
Fast paced and fun challenges to test the team
Taking inspiration from the hit TV game show ‘The Cube’, our Beat the Box team building event requires teams to complete a series of bespoke challenges expertly designed to promote communication, collaboration, and problem-solving.
Containing an equal number of individual and team activities, this highly inclusive and competitive event has been custom designed to be enjoyable for all participants whilst promoting the team dynamic.
This electrifying event combines timed box challenges completed at tables and pressure-packed showcase challenges - inspired by the heart-stopping gameshow - in our Beat the Box Arena. The room will be brought back together throughout the event to participate in head-to-head team activities
Crime Scene Investigation - Indoor Team Building Event
There’s been a murder!
And you need to find the culprit... A body has been found and you’re the first CSI team on the scene! Will you demonstrate a detective’s intuition and prove yourself CID material?
Piece together the evidence to solve the case. Using genuine techniques including fingerprint analysis, chromatography, fibre identification and ultra-violet lighting, you’ll comb the scene for clues.
Kitted up in forensic suits, dust for fingerprints to compare with prints from the suspects before interviewing the witnesses. You will need to build a fool proof case before interrogating the accused.
The CSI event encourages team bonding; it is a great fun, mentally stimulating and a chillingly convincing challenge... We’ll have your team scratching their heads as they piece together the puzzle, before experiencing the thrill of solving a realistic murder mystery.
Charity Events
Pedal for Purpose Charity Bike Build Event
Pedal to Make a Difference!
Welcome to “Pedal for Purpose,” a unique charity focused event where your team will build bikes that make a real difference. Working together, your group will construct new bicycles to be donated to local charities, giving the gift of mobility to those in need. This inspiring activity combines collaboration, creativity, and the joy of giving back, making it an unforgettable experience for everyone involved.
This versatile event can take place both indoors and outdoors, allowing it to take place all year round. The day will be split between two sessions consisting of a number of head-to-head challenges, giving participants a chance to earn points for their team, before moving onto the bike build.
Skate to Donate Charity Skateboard Build Event
Build, Bond, and Give Back
Welcome to “Skate to Donate” - a charity event where your team builds and customises skateboards that will be donated to local youth charities. This hands on, creative experience brings your team together with a shared goal, blending teamwork with the fulfilment of giving back. Not only will participants construct high quality skateboards, but they’ll also add unique, personalised designs, making each board a symbol of their collective creativity and spirit.
Purpose with a Positive Impact
What makes “Skate to Donate” special is its impact on the community. Each skateboard built is donated to charitable organisations, providing a source of joy and mobility to children and teens who may not have access to skateboards. This initiative brings a meaningful layer to the event, leaving your team with a sense of accomplishment, knowing their work will make a real difference.
Bake a Difference Charity Baking Event
Bake, Bond, and Make a Difference!
Welcome to “Bake a Difference,” a hands-on team event that combines friendly competition with a heartwarming purpose. Your team will work together to bake and decorate an array of delicious sweet and savoury treats. The twist? These creations aren’t just for fun - they’ll be donated to local charities, shelters, or community centres, spreading joy to those in need. With the help of a professional chef, your team will learn new skills, enjoy a friendly bake-off, and experience the power of giving back through the simple act of baking.
Purpose with Heart
What makes “Bake a Difference” unique is its impact on the community. Every treat baked during the event is donated to a local charity, helping to support those who could use a little extra comfort and nourishment. Teams leave the day knowing their teamwork has contributed to a meaningful cause, turning a fun activity into a gesture of goodwill.
Karts for Kids Charity Kart-Building Event
Build, Race, and Give Back
Get ready to roll with “Karts for Kids” - a high energy team building activity where your team designs, builds, and races their own wooden karts. This unique event combines teamwork, creativity, and friendly competition as teams assemble, decorate, and race their karts in an exciting finale. The best part? All karts will be donated to local schools or charities, spreading joy to children in the community. It’s a memorable day that blends team bonding with a rewarding charitable impact.
Design, Build, and Brand
Each team starts with a sturdy, pre-made chassis, serving as the foundation for their kart. Armed with materials, tools, and a bit of imagination, teams set to work designing their kart’s body. From sleek racing styles to playful themes, every team can add personal touches with the equipment provided, transforming their kart into a unique reflection of their team spirit.
Thrift for a Gift Charity Care Package Challenge
Scavenge, Assemble, and Give Back
In “Thrift for a Gift,” teams take on an exhilarating scavenger hunt with a heartwarming mission - to create care packages for those in need. Guided by a “wish list,” your team will scour the area to find essential and comforting items that will go directly to local charities or shelters. This unique event combines the excitement of a competitive scavenger hunt with the satisfaction of giving back, as teams gather items to create thoughtfully curated packages that will bring warmth and support to the community.
The Thrill of the Hunt with a Purpose
Instead of just gathering quirky items, each team works to secure useful and meaningful goods for their care packages. From warm socks and hygiene essentials to blankets and treats, each item has a purpose, adding to the day’s sense of accomplishment and compassion. Teams will need to be creative, resourceful, and savvy as they barter, budget, and make the most of their spending money to ensure their care packages contain as many helpful items as possible. It’s a powerful reminder that teamwork can make a direct difference in people’s lives.
