Updated: May 12, 2023

19 Best Team Building Activities in Philadelphia, PA

You found our list of top team building activities in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Team-building activities in Philadelphia are games, meetings, and events to foster a sense of camaraderie and mutual respect. Examples include Museum Hack, food tours, and escape rooms. These team-building activities are essential for building trust and better communication among employees who work closely together in the City of Brotherly Love.

This roundup includes small group team building ideas, indoor team activities, and outdoor team building activities. These ideas are similar to corporate event ideas in PhillyPhiladelphia company outings, and group activities in Philly.

This article contains:

  • team building activities for small groups in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
  • team building activities for large groups in Philadelphia, PA
  • team building activities for adults in Philadelphia
  • corporate team building ideas in Philadelphia

Let’s get started!

List of team-building ideas in Philadelphia

If you are in Philadelphia, then the following are team building activities you can try with your team.

1. The Great Guac Off

This guacamole-based event offers a unique and exciting experience for your next company retreat. During this activity, team members will split into smaller groups with the challenge of making the best guacamole recipe in Philadelphia. However, there is much more to this team-building activity than merely mashing avocados. Each Guac Off event lasts about 90 minutes and is jam-packed with contests, challenges, and avocados puns. The Great Guac Off is one of the most fun and productive options for corporate team building in the Philadelphia area.

Learn more about the Great Guac Off.

2. The Gingerbread Wars

Gingerbread Wars is one of the finest holiday-themed team building activities for small groups in Philadelphia. If your workplace traditionally hosts a holiday party for employees, then call the elves at Gingerbread Wars to bring in the holiday spirit for festivities. In this epic gingerbread competition, teams will compete to discover who can design and build the most impressive gingerbread house in the office. Snacks, catering, and BYOB are all optional add-ons. Gingerbread Wars facilitators will even decorate your workplace or rented space in Philadelphia with gingerbread before the competition begins. This activity is a great way to have fun at the next team gathering.

Find out more about Gingerbread Wars.

3. City Food Tours

A great way to see Philadelphia is to combine a delicious food experience with a corporate event. You can schedule a team building activity with City Food Tours and learn about the local dining scene from a local expert. Themed tours of Philadelphia’s best sandwich shops, dessert stands, bakeries, and restaurants representing a wide range of cultures are among the many options available for team building activities. In addition, you may switch up the event entirely by scheduling a cook-off amongst your staff to foster healthy rivalry and team camaraderie.

Find out more about City Food Tours.

4. Philadelphia Zoo

When you imagine team building activities, you might not immediately conjure pictures of cuddly, charming zoo animals. However, a trip to the Philadelphia Zoo makes an excellent team outing. You can spend a day together as a team exploring the inner workings of the Philadelphia Zoo and having a thrilling time. Exhibits include a bear area, a big cat preserve, and a conservation center with endangered animals. The zoo often hosts events like brewery nights and Pride celebrations. The attraction has refreshments and event spaces available on-site. The zoo also offers special discounts for groups larger than 25.

Find out more about the Philadelphia Zoo.

5. Improv at ComedySportz

A few of your employees may shudder at the concept of improv, but it is genuinely an easy-to-learn talent that can come in handy on the job. Many of the skills learned in improv are applicable in the workplace, making this activity an excellent choice for team building. Improv is a great way to improve your communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and cognitive abilities. Trained teachers at ComedySportz Philadelphia are professional performers who have expertise in passing on the talents they have refined throughout their careers to students. Your team will connect, and you will get to know some of your employees better by seeing a side of them they do not show on the job.

Find out more about ComedySportz.

6. North Bowl

Bowling is a tried and tested corporate activity that a group of coworkers can enjoy and a terrific idea for your team event. If your team needs a break, healthy competition, and an excuse to get out of the office, then bowling is a great option. There are many bowling alleys across Philadelphia, and North Bowl is one of the most interesting options. As you and your employees unwind by seeing who can knock off the most pins, you can munch on snacks and have a drink. Due to widespread familiarity with the sport, bowling makes for a simple Philadelphia team building activity. North Bowl is an excellent option for corporate team building activities for large groups in Philadelphia since you can book out the alley for a private party.

Find out more about North Bowl.

7. Reading Terminal Market

Public markets in Philadelphia date back to the seventeenth century, making these sites a local institution. Reading Terminal Market opened for business in 1893 and is now home to more than 80 merchants. Shoppers can find a wide array of goods, from Amish products to unusual spices to free-range meats. Visitors can spend the whole day looking at arts and crafts, produce, and flowers. When folks are finished shopping, they can stop by one of the many eateries for a delicious meal. You can take a step back in time at this amazing facility.

Learn more about Reading Terminal Market.

8. Painting with a Twist

Your next team building event could use some creativity. Painting parties are rapidly becoming one of Philadelphia’s most popular adult group activities. Painting with a Twist offers more than 6,000 unique paintings for your private painting party or team event. The group will meet with the teacher in a separate room and learn how to paint the selected scene. The event price covers every resource you need, from paintbrushes to easels to smocks. You can bring your own food and drinks to the studio to make your party more fun.

Find out more about Painting with a Twist.

9. Ultimate Trivia Showdown

Ultimate Trivia Showdown is a 90-minute, high-intensity game of trivia, unlike your regular pub trivia night. Your host will lead you and your team through numerous rounds of high-energy, unique trivia that will test more than just your general knowledge. At the Ultimate Trivia Showdown, your team will have more fun than they ever thought possible playing trivia like Majority Rules and the Champion Challenge.

Learn more about Ultimate Trivia Showdown.

10. Arnold’s Family Fun Center

At Arnold’s Family Fun Center, you can relive your childhood through nostalgic classic games and activities like laser tag, go-kart racing, and bowling. A private dining room with an on-site catering menu, an open bar, and a movie room with A/V connections are all available for your team to rent for your next corporate meeting or team adventure. In addition, the theater at Arnold’s Family Fun Center can accommodate up to 150 guests, making it an ideal location for a company outing.

Find out more about Arnold’s Family Fun Center.

11. Yay Clay!

Yay Clay! is pottery studio located in Port Richmond, Philadelphia. Visiting the studio is a great idea for your next team-building activity. During the private event, instructors walk participants step by step through the process of making a piece of pottery on the wheel. Exactly what kind of vessel you make is up to you, but generally, you are making bowls, cups, mugs, small vases, or other small round forms. The pieces stay in the studio while they dry, fire, glaze, and fire again over the course of three weeks. Pick up/shipping of finished pieces are options. During group events, you are welcome to BYOB and bring food/snacks. The venue includes fun music, a free arcade, party lighting, a projector, and plenty of artwork to check out. Classes are a truly unique experience and perfect for your next team-building event that your employees will love.

Find out more about Yay Clay!.

12. Philadelphia’s Wine School

The Wine School of Philadelphia is the place for business team building activities. The staff will assist you in organizing a fun and productive team activity that includes a taste of fine wine, pairings, whiskey tastings, and visits with the in-house winemaker as part of team-building. Perhaps a wine and cheese tasting or a cocktail party would be more up your team’s alley. The Wine School of Philadelphia can help you organize a memorable corporate event that will have your team clinking glasses, laughing, and learning new information together, no matter what your group’s interests are.

Find out more about Wine School of Philadelphia.

13. Shofuso

Designed by Junzo Yoshimura, Shofuso is a Japanese house situated in a beautiful garden. The house was originally constructed in Japan before being shipped to New York City. Shofuso was reconstructed in Philadelphia in 1957 and ’58, and the gardens and house have been open to the public since. While there, visitors can check out Hiroshi Senju’s 20 murals inspired by the garden’s waterfall. Scheduled group tours last an hour and take visitors through the purpose and significance of each room in the house. The garden also sports cherry trees, which create lovely blossoms in the spring. To learn more about this unique piece of history, be sure to stop by.

Learn more about Shofuso.

14. Ping-Pong at SPIN Philadelphia

You can reserve a private room at SPIN Philadelphia and play a few rounds of ping pong with your employees to break the ice and have some fun. SPIN Philadelphia’s private room has tables, a lounge area, and a private VIP bar. SPIN provides every resource you need for your next team building event, including on-site food and alcoholic beverages.

Find out more about SPIN Philadelphia.

15. Urban Axes

Urban Axes is a novel and exciting option for this unique team building exercise if you have ever been curious about the art of ax throwing. This venue may provide the services you need if you are looking for an off-site or team building retreat. Group sizes at Urban Axes can range from six people to several dozen. The facility allows teams to come with their food and drinks. The event winners will get exciting rewards, including a trophy for the victor and corporate swag to take home.

Find out more about Urban Axes.

16. Nature Exploration at Longwood Gardens

When the weather is nice, you and your group can head outdoors and enjoy Longwood Gardens. There are many fun activities to do on the grounds, from beer gardens to live music to shows. The best aspect about having a natural exploration as a corporate outing is the simplicity of organization. You can avoid the lines and hassle by buying your tickets online. With your ticket, your staff may arrive at the gardens early to enjoy the peaceful setting and get the most out of their team building experience.

Find out more about Longwood Gardens.

17. The Dinner Detective

The Dinner Detective is another choice for businesses looking for team building ideas in Philadelphia. A murder mystery dinner is a great way to bring your company together over a wonderful meal and team event, and it also helps improve communication, creative problem solving, and critical thinking. These dinner-centered team building exercises will have your group sifting through clues and working together to determine whodunit. As one of Philadelphia’s top team building activities, The Dinner Detective guarantees fun and engaging evening for all participants.

Find out more about the Dinner Detective.

18. Really Cooking with Robin

Really Cooking with Robin is a great activity for teams who want a team building event that feels more like fun than work. The facility can accommodate at least 50 people for a workplace team building event, thanks to the availability of two cooking islands. The per-person ticket at Really Cooking with Robin includes the dinner, an appetizer, sangria, and dessert, with a menu that contains several delicious options. In addition, the facility has a karaoke machine, picture booth, and HDTV with HDMI for meetings or to show the amazing company film during corporate events.

Find out more about Really Cooking with Robin.

19. Amish Tours from Philadelphia Sightseeing Tours & Transportation

With an Amish farm tour, you can take a step back in time and away from digital life. This tour begins with a 90-minute journey from the heart of Philadelphia to an Amish country homestead. While there, guests can enjoy shopping for artisanal goods, sightseeing, and enjoying local delicacies. Visitors will also experience a theater presentation of Jacob’s Choice. You can peruse Amish stores and craft shops and dine at an on-site barbecue joint. To get a taste of an Amish lifestyle, be sure to check out this bus tour.

Learn more about Philadelphia Sightseeing Tours & Transportation.

Conclusion

Philadelphia offers a wide range of options for business team building events of varying sizes and formats. Whereas Company A would find an afternoon at the bowling alley the perfect corporate event, Company B might find an afternoon of indoor skydiving to be the ideal option. Investing in team building is important and helps boost productivity, morale, and job satisfaction, as well as soft skills like communication, creativity, and problem-solving.

Next, check out these guides on the importance of company culture committees and company culture committee ideas.

FAQ: Team building activities in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Here are some frequently asked questions about Corporate team building activities in Philadelphia.

What are some good corporate team building ideas in Philadelphia?

Some good corporate team building ideas include bowling, escape room, painting, and trivia.

What are fun team building activities to do in Philadelphia?

Fun team building activities include ping-pong, ax throwing, and nature exploration.

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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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