Winter Team Building Activities to Ward Off the Winter Blues
June 22, 2023
Winter is a season that can be quite harsh on team morale, especially in the workplace. The days are shorter, darker, and colder which can often lead to a dip in motivation and productivity levels.
According to researcher and clinical psychologist Professor Greg Murray, as the temperature begins to drop and the days become shorter, many people may begin to feel less energetic and productive. Around 30 per cent of Australians report their mood drops during the colder months of the year. People tend to exercise and socialise less, factors which can decrease mood and affect an overall sense of well-being.
It might seem like a tall order but there's no need to let the winter blues get the best of your team. By planning and participating in winter team activities that foster teamwork and camaraderie, you can ensure that your team remains engaged and motivated throughout the colder months.
Watercooler Moments
To paraphrase a delicious chocolate bar slogan; have a break, have a chit-chat. …Or a chin-wag, a natter, shoot the breeze. Whatever you want to call it, simply take some time to check in with your team. Perhaps schedule a morning tea or just get together over a cuppa and see what’s going on in their world outside of work. Find out what podcasts they’d recommend or which episode of that must-see show they’re up to - Did you see who won Alone Australia? …NO SPOILERS!
Finding common ground beyond the office walls adds an extra dimension to team relationships and opens a new channel of communication.
Take a Walk
While it might not immediately spring to mind when you think of winter team activities, getting outside for a casual stroll or a brisk walk can be a game changer in improving overall employee morale and productivity. Take advantage when the sun is out to stretch your legs and breathe some fresh air. Not only is it an easy and underrated exercise to implement, but it can positively affect all aspects of work. When you invite your colleagues to join you on a stroll during lunch, it creates an opportunity for them to bond and connect on a personal level outside of work tasks.
As you walk, you may be surprised by the conversations that arise and the rapport that is built between your team members. Taking the time for a little fresh air and exercise not only refreshes the mind and body but also helps foster a sense of community and easy familiarity within your small group. Give it a try and see how a simple walk can transform your workplace relationships and overall job satisfaction.
These simple and budget-friendly activities can significantly improve team dynamics and boost morale in the office, helping to reduce stress and enhance mental health.
If you want to step up your winter team building game, however, then it might be time to bring out the big guns and call in the facilitators. We’ve hand-selected a range of winter team activities, including outdoor, indoor, and CSR events.
Outdoor Winter Team Building Activities
While outdoor winter team building might not be your first thought, stay with us. It’s easy to forget there’s sun outside when it’s dark when you leave for work, spend all day cooped up in an office and arrive home when it’s dark again. Take the opportunity to reacquaint your team with daylight and get some much-needed vitamin D.
The genius part of it is that all our outdoor team building activities come with a wet-weather backup because sometimes even the best-laid plans go awry. With that in mind, there’s really no reason not to give it a red-hot go.
The Amazing Race
The Amazing Race is a fun and challenging outdoor team-building activity that tests communication, problem-solving, and teamwork skills. Based on the popular TV show, multiple teams race against each other to complete a series of challenges and tasks. Team members will need to work together and communicate effectively to complete the challenges and make it to the finish line.
The Amazing Race is a great way to build relationships within your organisation and improve communication and collaboration. It's also a fun way to explore your surroundings while getting some exercise.
Mini Olympics
This event is sure to keep you warm! Participants engage in friendly competition and experience different challenges, such as volleyball, continuous cricket, catapults, and bamboo tower-building. The experiential activities encourage your team to bond as they work together towards achieving common goals. Fostering communication, leadership, teamwork, and collaboration, the Mini Olympics is an all-around energetic experience that will bring your team closer than ever before.
Indoor Winter Team Building Activities
If, however, you want to escape the wintery weather altogether - and who could blame you? - then these events are sure to light a fire under your team.
LEGO Serious Play
Unleash the power of play and collaboration with LEGO® Serious Play® - a workshop designed by LEGO’s® corporate group for small teams to ignite creativity and foster camaraderie. Teams will use their creativity, collaboration skills, and strategic thinking abilities while working with LEGO® pieces to create solutions or models related to their company's goals or challenges they face at work.
Delegates can dive deeper into personal and professional aspirations by building physical representations with the iconic building blocks. By engaging in this playful yet powerful exercise, you can solve challenges and strengthen bonds, enabling smoother communication and paving the way for success in achieving shared objectives.
Minute to Win It
Based on the popular TV show, Minute to Win It sees teams complete a series of challenges and games using common household items. It's not only fun but also encourages teamwork and helps boost morale amongst your team members. The key to winning lies in problem-solving and strategy, which will put your team's skills to the test. Best hosted indoors, Minute to Win It makes for the perfect activity to liven up your workers while escaping the wintery weather.
Charity CSR Events
If you’re seeking warmth and comfort from indoor activities but want to spread the warmth beyond your own circle, then a CSR event is the perfect opportunity.
Hour of Power
Collaborating with SolarBuddy, the Hour of Power is a heart-warming team-building event that enables participants to build solar lights. These lights are subsequently distributed to underprivileged nations that experience energy poverty, thereby benefiting children by giving them access to night-time studying opportunities. This innovative event is more than just a team-building exercise, it's a chance to make a positive impact on the world.
Want to know more?
We take great pride in providing a range of activities that can be specifically tailored to meet the unique needs of your team. Give us a call on 1300 998 782 or contact us here.
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