Summer is the ideal season to get your team out of the office and into the fresh air. The longer days, warmer weather and wide-open space make it the perfect time for outdoor team building — the kind of event that rewards your staff, lifts morale and brings people closer together, all while everyone’s having a genuinely good time.
If you’re planning a summer corporate event and want activities that get everyone involved, here are some of the best outdoor team building ideas to inspire you.
Why outdoor team building works so well in summer
There’s something about being outside that changes the mood. Away from desks and screens, people relax, let their guard down and connect more naturally. Summer gives you the space for bigger, bolder activities than an indoor venue allows, and the sunshine and open air bring an energy that’s hard to replicate inside. It all adds up to happier teams, stronger bonds and an event people actually look forward to.
Outdoor team building ideas for summer
Inflatable obstacle courses
Few things get a team fired up like a head-to-head race through an inflatable assault course. They’re competitive, hilarious to watch, and instantly get everyone cheering each other on — perfect as a centrepiece for a summer fun day.
It’s a Knockout-style challenges
The classic total wipeout format never gets old. A series of daft, physical challenges played out in teams creates non-stop laughter and a real sense of friendly rivalry, making it one of the most memorable outdoor team activities you can run.
Giant garden games tournaments
Supersized versions of familiar favourites — giant building-block towers, oversized four-in-a-row, garden skittles and more — are brilliantly inclusive. Run them as a team tournament and you’ve got relaxed, sociable competition that anyone can join.
A classic sports day
Tap into a bit of nostalgia with relay races, sack races, tug of war and egg-and-spoon. A corporate sports day is easy to organise around teams, gets everyone moving, and levels the playing field between departments and job titles.
Human and bubble football
A fun twist on the beautiful game, these give teams a hilarious, energetic challenge that needs no footballing skill — just plenty of team spirit and a willingness to laugh at yourself.
Treasure and scavenger hunts
For something that mixes problem-solving with the great outdoors, a scavenger or treasure hunt gets teams working together, thinking on their feet and exploring — ideal if you want collaboration as well as competition.
Team challenge stations
Set up a circuit of different challenges — skill games, puzzles, physical tasks — and have teams rotate through, collecting points as they go. It keeps everyone engaged, suits mixed abilities, and builds in plenty of chances to work together.
The best summer events usually combine several of these, giving guests variety and making sure there’s something to suit every personality and fitness level.
Making the most of your summer event
A little thought goes a long way. Choose a mix of activities so both the outgoing and the more reserved members of your team can join in and enjoy themselves, and make sure everything is accessible enough that no one feels left out. It’s also worth having a simple plan for the British weather — a shaded area, or a backup for the odd summer downpour — so nothing derails the day.
How Novel Events can help
At Novel Events, we make outdoor team building effortless. We offer a huge range of team building activities perfect for summer corporate events — from inflatable challenges and it’s-a-knockout setups to giant games and team competitions — all delivered, set up and run by our experienced staff, with hire available across the UK.
Whether you’re organising a summer fun day, a company away day or a family event for your staff, we’ll help you put together the ideal mix of activities to get everyone involved and make the day one to remember. Get in touch to start planning your summer event.
Frequently asked questions
What are good outdoor team building activities for corporate events?
Popular options include inflatable obstacle courses, it’s-a-knockout challenges, giant garden games, a classic sports day, human or bubble football, and scavenger hunts. The best events combine several activities so there’s something for every ability and personality.
Why is summer a good time for team building?
Summer offers warm weather, long days and plenty of outdoor space, allowing for bigger, more active team building than an indoor venue. Being outside also creates a relaxed, sociable atmosphere that helps colleagues connect more naturally.
What outdoor activities work well for large groups?
Activities that run in teams or on a rotation work best for large groups — such as sports day formats, team challenge circuits, giant game tournaments and inflatable races. These keep everyone involved at once and are easy to scale to the size of your group.