Best Outdoor Team Building Activities for Summer

Summer is finally here and you know what that means—it's time to get your team out of those stuffy conference rooms and into the sunshine with our outdoor team building activities! There's something magical about warm weather that makes people loosen up, laugh a little louder and connect in ways that just don't happen during another PowerPoint presentation. 

If you're looking to strengthen bonds, boost morale and actually have some fun while doing it, outdoor team building activities are where it's at.

Why take team building outside?

Let's be honest: indoor team building can feel a bit forced sometimes. But when you move things outside, everything changes. The fresh air works wonders for creativity and mood, and people naturally feel more relaxed when they're soaking up some vitamin D. Plus, outdoor activities tend to be more memorable—your team will be talking about that epic charcuterie board picnic or outdoor painting session for months to come.

Research shows that spending time outdoors reduces stress and improves focus, which means your team isn't just having fun—they're actually recharging their batteries. And when people feel refreshed and connected, they bring that positive energy back to the office.

Refresh your team with fun picnic experiences

Forget basic sandwiches in the park—why not turn your summer picnic into an artisan experience? We offer all kinds of picnic experiences that are perfect for all teams. Simply enjoy a picnic together, paint and sip in the park or learn how to arrange flowers outside. This allows the team to break social barriers and simply unwind and get to know your team better. 

These picnic experiences are perfect because they're hands-on without being intimidating. Everyone can participate regardless of their skills, and at the end, you've got an amazing spread to enjoy together. You'll see colleagues naturally chatting, sharing ideas and genuinely enjoying each other's company.

Ground yourself with a gardening class

Help your team get off their screens and instead, get their hands dirty with a gardening class! There's something deeply satisfying about getting your hands in the soil and watching something grow. Our gardening workshops teach teams about planting, soil composition and caring for various plants—all while working together in the sunshine. Whether you're creating herb gardens, learning about native plants, or planting flowers, these classes help employees ground themselves back into nature and improve their mental wellbeing. 

Gardening is naturally collaborative. Teams work side by side, sharing tools, asking questions and problem-solving together. It's also surprisingly educational—you'll have team members discovering new passions and sharing gardening tips long after the workshop ends. Plus, if you plant something together, your team has a living reminder of the experience that grows over time.

Don’t take our word for it, Melissa D. attended a mini Japanese garden class with her team and had nothing but positive things to say about the teacher and class: 

“My team recently had a belated EOFY event with Mikiko making the miniature Japanese gardens. We all had a lot of fun creating our gardens and exploring the plant nursery for little additions to make each of them unique. One of our team members was unable to attend, however, Mikiko was kind enough to create a garden for her as well, noting what our team member might like. I have already recommended this class to other colleagues and friends.”

Get out of the office with a smartphone photography workshop

Summer is a great time to explore your local neighbourhood and what better way to do that is through an outdoor photography class? These workshops teach basic photography techniques while your team explores parks, urban landscapes or scenic areas. Everyone uses their smartphones, so no fancy equipment needed.

Photography walks encourage people to slow down and really see their surroundings. It's a wonderful way to explore your city or a new location together while developing an artistic eye for photography. Tip: Just bring your walking shoes, sunscreen and water bottle. It’s summer after all!

Want to leave a lasting impression on your colleagues? Check out these corporate event ideas.

Discover new sights and scenery with guided walking tours

Sometimes the best team building happens when you're simply walking and talking together. Guided walking tours—whether they're historical, culinary or art-centred—get teams moving while learning something new about their surroundings. 

The beauty of walking tours is the natural conversation that happens. Unlike sitting in a circle for icebreakers, walking side by side makes chatting feel easy and organic. People pair off, regroup and naturally mix as you move through the tour. From local food tours to discovering hidden neighbourhood gems, you're creating shared experiences that translate into stronger workplace connections.

Tips on making your outdoor event a success

Planning is key to pulling off a great outdoor team building event. Here are some essential tips to ensure everything goes smoothly:

• Weather prep and backup plans: Check the forecast and know where you can relocate if unexpected rain shows up. Even in summer, Mother Nature can surprise you.
• Choose an accessible location: Pick a venue that's easy for everyone on your team to reach. We provide the best outdoor team building activities across Australia with instructors who can travel to your chosen location and bring all necessary materials, making logistics much simpler.
• Time it right: Schedule your event for mid-morning or late afternoon to avoid brutal midday heat while still enjoying plenty of sunshine.
• Cover the basics: Provide shade options, water stations, sunscreen and comfortable seating. These simple touches make a huge difference in how much people enjoy themselves.

Choose an outdoor activity for your next team building event

The best outdoor team building activities are those that let people be themselves, try something new without pressure and connect in genuine ways. Whether your team bonds over building gardens, painting landscapes or exploring the local area, what matters most is creating space for authentic interaction away from the usual work environment.

So ditch the trust falls and embrace the sunshine. Your team will thank you for it, and you might just find that the connections made during a summer afternoon painting session translate into better collaboration back at the office. After all, teams that play together really do work better together.