Updated: August 27, 2022

Field Day Games, Activities & Event Ideas for Adults in 2023

Here is our list of the best field day games for adults.

Field day games are activities and event ideas to keep teams engaged during a field day. Examples games include a Water Gun Race, Hula Hoop Marathon, and Tissue Collage. The purpose of these ideas is to have fun outdoors, emphasize the importance of physical activities, and create an environment of friendly competition for team building.

These games are examples of outdoor team building ideas, competitive team building activities, and ways to have fun at work with employees and are similar to Office Olympics games.

This list includes:

  • outdoor field day games for adults
  • team building field day activities for adults
  • adult field day ideas
  • company field day events for adults

Here we go!

List of field day games

Field days include challenges and engaging activities for a fun experience. From Blind Man’s Volleyball to Wheelbarrow Race, here are some fun field day activities to try.

1. Tug-Of-War

Tug-Of-War is a classic corporate field day game. The challenge is ideal for large and small teams. Two teams play each round. You will need a long durable rope and players with strong willpower. Players will pull on both ends of a rope until one group drags the other over a central line.

To play Tug-Of-War:

  1. Divide your group into two teams. Each team should have an equal number of players.
  2. Mark a straight line at the center.
  3. Have both teams stand opposite each other in a straight line. The marked line should divide the two teams at the center.
  4. Place the long rope on the floor in a straight line beside the players. Then have the players pick up the rope and prepare to pull in their team’s direction.
  5. Once the referee blows the whistle, the players will start tugging on the rope. The aim is for a team to pull the other team past the central line.
  6. The team that successfully drags the other team over the central line wins the game.

Consider the players’ strengths when forming teams. Although Tug-of-War is more than a test of power, it would be unfair to have all the strongest players on one team.

2. Three-Legged Race

Three-Legged Race is a running contest where two players run as one team.

To play a Three-Legged Race:

  1. Group the runners into teams of twos.
  2. Use a rope or long fabric strips to tie teammates’ legs together. Strap the rope around the right leg of one player and the left leg of another player. With tied legs, the players should stand shoulder to shoulder.
  3. Mark the start and finish lines. Then have the teams line up at the starting point.
  4. After the referee makes the start signal, the first team to reach the finish line wins the game.

Three-Legged Race is one of the best field day games with no equipment.

You can also play the game in a relay version. Divide the players into teams based on the number of relay parts. For instance, if there are four relay parts, then a team will have eight players. Then, set the groups around the field to run different parts of the relay. Instead of racing to the finish line, groups will pass a baton to other players in their team. The first set of players in the last part of the relay to reach the finish line wins for their team.

3. Themed Field Day

Having a theme is one of the best ideas for a field day. The activities and games will revolve around the central theme of a field day. Some fun theme ideas are:

  1. Superhero Extravaganza: Giving teams participating in a field day event a superhero theme can make them feel ‘super.’ A fun idea would include having team members wear similar but comfortable costumes usually attributed to the particular superhero the teams represent.
  2. Color themes: One of the easiest field day event ideas is to use a color theme. The color can represent almost any idea, like a country’s flag, random colors chosen by the team, or colors peculiar to a particular celebration.
  3. The Jungle: The jungle is also a fun theme idea for field day. Name and characterize teams with jungle animals. Also, you can have the team members’ faces painted like animals.
  4. Survival of the fittest: You can start the field day with a short narrative of how participants got stuck on a deserted island. The team must strive to win the field day activities to get on the only plane and leave the island.
  5. Be a star: This theme is also a great idea for field days. Team members get the opportunity to prove that they are ‘stars’ in field activities.

A field day is an exciting event but adding a theme makes it even more enjoyable. You can ask the group to develop and vote on the theme.

4. Sack Race

Sack Race is one of the fun field day games for groups of any size. All you need to provide are sacks for the participants.

The game is relatively easy to play:

  1. First, mark the end and the finish line.
  2. Then have each participant put both feet in a sack while holding the edges.
  3. Once the game starts, the players hop towards the finish line.
  4. The first player to reach the finish line wins. You can also recognize the first and second runner-ups.

If you are playing the game in a relay-style, then the player will only run to a designated part of the relay. After reaching the maker point, the player takes off the sack and hands it over to another team player who wears the bag and continues hopping for victory.

5. Balloon Popping Race

Balloon popping games are hilarious field day activities for adults and kids. This outdoor game is excellent for both small and large teams. The game involves racing to pop the highest number of balloons.

To play this game:

  1. Divide the team into smaller groups. If your team is small, then the players can play individually.
  2. Next, have the teams stand far apart and define the section where each group will stay.
  3. Then place an equal number of inflated balloons on the floor in each team’s section.
  4. The players will start popping the balloons once the referee makes the start signal.
  5. The first team to pop all the balloons in their section wins. If you set a time limit, then the team that pops the highest number of balloons before time runs out wins.

There are different ways you can have the players pop the balloon. For instance, the players can use a fork to pop the balloon. You can also have the players sit on the balloons.

A different version of this game involves players blowing air into the balloons until the balloons burst. The number of balloons popped by a team will determine which team wins the game.

6. Wheelbarrow Race

Wheelbarrow Races are fun field day event ideas requiring two players to play as one. The game involves running against other teams while taking the form of a wheelbarrow. To play Wheelbarrow Race:

  1. Divide the group into teams with two players.
  2. In a team, one player plays the ‘driver’ while the other plays the ‘wheelbarrow.’
  3. The wheelbarrow player will lie on the floor in a push-up position.
  4. Then the driver player will raise the two legs of the wheelbarrow player. This pose looks similar to a wheelbarrow.
  5. On hearing the start signal, the teams start racing to the finish line. The wheelbarrow player runs with his hands while the driver player races on foot.
  6. Once a team reaches the finish line, the players will switch roles. In other words, the wheelbarrow becomes the driver while the driver becomes the wheelbarrow.
  7. Then the teams race back to the start line.
  8. The first team to reach the finish line wins the game.

For a fun twist, you can play with an actual wheelbarrow. A player on a team will still play the role of a driver pushing the wheelbarrow. The other player will sit in the wheelbarrow rather than play as the wheelbarrow. Pushing the wheelbarrow in motion, the teams will race to the finish line.

7. Egg And Spoon Race

Egg and Spoon Race is an exciting field game that involves players racing with an egg and a tablespoon.

To play this game:

  1. Each player gets a spoon and an egg.
  2. Then the players place the egg on the floor while holding the spoon.
  3. Once the referee signals to start, the players attempt to place the egg on the spoon. The players can only touch the egg with the spoons and not their hands.
  4. After picking up the eggs, the participants must head to the finish line.
  5. Once the egg drops before reaching the finish line, the player will pick up the egg again only with the spoon.
  6. The first participant to reach the finish line wins the game.

Egg And Spoon Race is more complicated than it looks. The game requires a high level of focus and balance. You should avoid using raw eggs because you may lose the egg once it falls. Instead, use boiled eggs or painted balls.

8. Water Gun Race

Water Gun Race is one of the most exciting team field day ideas The materials you need to play the game include water guns, cups, and blindfolds.

To play Water Gun Race:

  1. Divide the players into teams of two.
  2. Have a player in each team cover their eyes with a blindfold. The other players on the team should not have their eyes covered.
  3. Then hand water guns over to the blindfolded players.
  4. After making the signal to start playing, the blindfolded player aims at the cup and shoots to move the cup forward.
  5. The other player on the team guides and directs the blindfolded teammate on where to shoot.
  6. The first team to shoot the cup past the finish line wins the game.

This method of playing Water Gun Race is more challenging and great for promoting teamwork. Also, you can change the size of the cup based on how difficult you want the game. With smaller cups, the game becomes more challenging.

9. Tissue Collage

Tissue Collage is one of the easy field day activities for adults or younger groups.

To make a Tissue Collage, you will need:

  1. Tissue paper in different colors and patterns
  2. A frame
  3. Glue
  4. Paintbrush
  5. Scissors

Making this art project is quite simple. First, cut out the tissue into small pieces in shapes and designs of your choice. Then put a layer of glue underneath a tissue piece. Next, place the glued part of the tissue down and cover the tissue with another layer of glue. Repeat the process until you complete your artistic design.

10. Blind Man’s Volleyball

Blind Man’s Volleyball is a fun game with rules similar to regular volleyball. However, the players on both sides cannot see each other because of a cover on the net.

The equipment needed to play Blind Man’s Volleyball are:

  1. A volleyball
  2. Volleyball net
  3. Bedsheets or parachutes to cover the net
  4. A field to play on

To play this game:

  1. Set up the volleyball net if you are not using an outdoor volleyball court.
  2. Use bedsheets, parachutes, or other layers to cover the net. After covering the net, it should be impossible for the teams to see each other.
  3. Divide the group into two teams.
  4. Give the volleyball to one team to serve it over the net
  5. No player can strike the ball more than three times in a row before passing the ball to the other side of the net.
  6. A team wins a point when the opponent fails to return the ball or plays the ball out of the volleyball court. If the ball hits the floor, then the opponent team wins a point.
  7. The first group to reach 25 points wins the set.

You can customize the game’s rules to fit the experience you want with your team.

11. Dress-Up Race

Dress-Up Race is a fun game for field day events. Just as the name implies, the game involves participants racing against each other by dressing up. The equipment you will need includes a suitcase and clothing items.

To play Dress-Up Race:

  1. Prepare several briefcases based on the number of teams playing at a time.
  2. Fill the briefcases with the same clothing items like hats, dresses, shoes, and socks. Ensure that the clothing items fit the participants, preferably by including large articles. Also, check the zippers and other fasteners to be sure they work.
  3. Place the briefcases at the finish line.
  4. Then have the participants stand opposite their briefcases at the start line.
  5. After blowing the whistle or making a start signal, the participants will run over to the briefcases and start dressing up.
  6. For a more challenging dress-up race, have the participants run to the finish line to pick up a dressing item. Then run back to the start line to wear the dressing item.
  7. The first player to completely dress up wins the game.

Dress-Up Race is a fun yet simple game for teams to play. You can expect to have loads of laughs with this game, and be sure to reward the winner with a prize.

12. Wet Sweatpants Relay

If the regular relay race sounds boring to you, then the Wet Sweatpants Relay is a way to spice the game up.

The rules for the game are:

  1. The players soak their sweatpants inside a bucket of water and put them on.
  2. On signaling start, the players race until they meet the next participant on their team.
  3. The player takes off the wet sweatpants and hands them to the next runner.
  4. The next runner further soaks the sweatpants inside water, puts them on, and runs.
  5. The sweatpants exchange continues until there is a winning team.

The winning team has the player in the last relay part who first made it to the finish line.

13. Hula Hoop Marathon

Hula Hoop Marathon is a fun activity to do on field day. First, give the participants a hula hoop each. Then at the count of three, let the participants begin to spin the hula hoops around their waist. The goal of the game is to find out which member of your team can hula hoop the longest.

You can also accompany the hula hooping with good music to set the mood.

14. Ring Toss

Ring Toss is a game where players toss rings over stacks, hooks, or bottles. The game helps to improve teams’ hand-eye coordination and build motor skills. You can purchase a Ring Toss game set or make a DIY Ring Toss with bottles and rope pieces.

After setting the game, divide the players into teams. The players can play individually if your group is small. Next, flip a coin or simply reach an agreement on the team that goes first. Each player takes turns tossing the ring over a stake. For each ring correctly thrown, the player or team wins a point.

If you have a time limit set, then the first team to gain the most points before time runs out wins. On the other hand, if you have a set point that players must aim to reach, the first team to get that score wins.

15. Relay Race

The classic relay race is one of the most fun field day games with no equipment. One benefit is that you can play a relay race even without having a baton. To play this game, divide your group into teams. The number of players in a team will depend on the number of relay parts.

The teams do not have to only run in all parts of the relay. You can switch up the relay activities to make the race fun. For instance,

  1. In the first part, the players run
  2. In the second part, the players hop
  3. In the third part, the players do a wheelbarrow race
  4. In the fourth part, the players run backwardly

There should be a known signal to let players in one part indicate that they ‘pass the race’ to a player in another position. For example, a player can shake hands briefly with another participant to pass the race.

16. Field Day Dance

Dancing is an excellent way to entertain and engage team members on a field day. With good music and a group of willing dancers, you are good to go. You can have the dance in different variations. For instance, you can organize a dance contest to see which participant has the coolest moves.

Also, you can invite an expert dancer to the team to teach your team members some dance moves. You can also do the ‘copycat dance.’ During the copycat dance, a dancer makes a dance move. Then other participants try to imitate the movements as best as they can.

Regardless of the dance type, the most important thing is for you and your team to have fun.

Here is a guide to team building dances.

Conclusion

Team field day offers an excellent opportunity to play games and boost communication among team members. These events appeal to the competitive members of your team, and give all employees a chance to get outside, get moving, and break up the normal workday routine. These games are great for boosting camaraderie and cooperation in an office. There are several ideas you can use for the event to keep attendees fully engaged.

For more fun physical challenges, check out these lists of DIY Amazing Race ideas, Minute to Win It games, and scavenger hunts for adults.

FAQ: Team field day ideas

Here are answers to questions about team field day ideas.

What is a team field day?

A team field day is an event where teams play various field games and engage in fun activities. The event helps to promote team spirit and emphasizes teamwork among participants. A field day is ideal for your company’s summer events like a summer team-building event, summer party, or an offsite in warm weather.

How do you plan a team field day?

To plan a team field day activity, set a date for the event. Then establish a planning committee to take most of the burden of planning. Sort out the activities and events to entertain the attendees and plan for refreshments. Also, prepare a first aid kit in case any participant gets injured.

What are the best field day ideas for teams?

The best field day ideas include a Hula Hoop Marathon, Tug-Of-War, Egg And Spoon Race, Themed Field Day and Field Day Dance. These ideas also double as excellent entertainment and team building activities for groups of any size.

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Author:

People & Culture Director at teambuilding.com.
Grace is the Director of People & Culture at TeamBuilding. She studied Industrial and Labor Relations at Cornell University, Information Science at East China Normal University and earned an MBA at Washington State University.

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