In this story:
- 1. Cocktail or mocktail making class
- 2. Paint and sip workshop
- 3. Pottery classes
- 4. Terrarium making
- 5. Cooking class
- 6. Virtual chocolate tasting
- 7. Two Truths and a Lie
- 8. Floristry workshop
- 9. Perfume making class
- 10. Virtual trivia
- 11. Turkish mosaic lamp workshop
- Why team building activities actually work
Starting a new job is exciting, but let's be honest, it can also feel a little nerve-wracking. Walking into a room (or logging into a video call) full of people who already know each other's inside jokes is no small feat. That's exactly why thoughtful onboarding matters, and why team building activities are such a powerful tool for welcoming new starters into the fold.
The best teamwork activities don't feel like work at all. They're the kind of experiences where people laugh a little, learn something new and leave the day feeling like they actually belong. Whether your team is fully in-office, remote or somewhere in between, here are 11 great ideas to help new hires hit the ground running and make some genuine connections along the way.
1. Cocktail or mocktail making class
Bring the party outside the office and shake up a drink together with your team! A cocktail (or mocktail) making class gets people moving, laughing at their mixing mishaps and bonding over shared results. By the end, they’ll get to taste the delicious drinks they’ve made and get to know each other in a casual and informal setting, perfect for breaking the ice.
2. Paint and sip workshop
You don't need to be Picasso to have a brilliant time at a paint and sip class. These sessions are beginner-friendly by design—the whole point is to enjoy the process and sip on your favourite drink! These painting workshops are led by patient, encouraging teachers who guide everyone through each step. New starters will go home with something they made themselves, and more importantly, a few new faces they actually feel comfortable with.
3. Pottery classes
Pottery classes are perfect for teams of all sizes—whether you're working at a wheel or hand-building something from scratch, the focus required naturally leads to relaxed, unhurried conversation. No experience is needed at all, and instructors guide everyone step by step.
New hires will have fun, getting their hands messy with clay and have a finished piece they can actually take home (that is, after firing and glazing, of course!).
Celebrating EOFY, but left it a little late? Don't panic! Find last-minute ideas this way.
4. Terrarium making
This one is a little different, in the best possible way. Building a tiny garden in a jar together is oddly satisfying and surprisingly meditative. Terrarium workshops encourage quiet focus and gentle conversation—great for teams where not everyone is an extrovert. It's a hands-on, low-pressure activity where new starters can work alongside colleagues without feeling put on the spot.
5. Cooking class
Food has always brought people together, and a group cooking class is no exception. Whether you're rolling sushi, stretching pizza dough or whipping up dumplings, cooking classes create a natural rhythm of collaboration—someone chops, someone stirs, someone taste-tests (very willingly). The best part? Everyone will get to sit down and taste the food they’ve made, making it great for bonding over delicious food and conversation.
6. Virtual chocolate tasting
If your new starters are remote or spread across multiple offices, a virtual chocolate tasting is a wonderfully inclusive option. We ship craft tasting kits directly to each participant, and a knowledgeable host leads the group through the journey from cocoa bean to finished bar. It's educational, delicious and genuinely fun—the kind of experience people talk about long after the Zoom call ends.
7. Two Truths and a Lie
Not every teamwork activity needs a budget. Two Truths and a Lie is a timeless classic for a reason—it's simple, it sparks conversation, and it always surprises people. Each person shares three statements about themselves (two true, one false), and the group guesses which is the lie. New starters often find this activity less intimidating than formal introductions, and it tends to reveal quirky, memorable details that become the foundation of real friendships.
8. Floristry workshop
For something a little different, head to a flower arranging workshop! Floristry classes are calming, creative and beginner-friendly for everyone to join in. Guided by a professional florist, teams work through designing their own arrangements while chatting naturally. New team members can leave with a beautiful bunch they put together themselves and a relaxed, positive first impression of their new workplace.
9. Perfume making class
Ever wanted to make your own scent? Take your new starter to a hands-on perfume making workshop! Colleagues will get to blend their own unique scent using a curated selection of fragrance notes. It's personal, creative, and a brilliant conversation starter (some might like more floral scents, whereas others want citrus or vanilla). Intimate workshops like perfume making are ideal for teams looking to connect on a deeper, more meaningful level.
10. Virtual trivia
A well-run trivia session is one of the most accessible and enjoyable ways to unite a mixed group. Divide new starters and existing team members into mixed teams, and suddenly everyone's strategising together, celebrating right answers and groaning over near-misses. It levels the playing field instantly—someone who started last week might know exactly which film won Best Picture in 1994, and that shared triumph is genuinely bonding.
11. Turkish mosaic lamp workshop
If you want to close out the list with something truly memorable, a Turkish mosaic lamp workshop is hard to beat. Available in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and more, this class brings a real sense of occasion to any onboarding event. Working with colourful glass tiles and beads, each person designs and builds their own lamp, guided by expert instructors who weave in the rich cultural history behind the craft.
The repetitive, focused nature of placing each tile creates a naturally calm atmosphere, perfect for new members who are still finding their footing. And because every finished lamp is completely unique, it's a beautiful way to celebrate the different people each person brings to the team. They'll be showing it off on their desk for months!
Why team building activities actually work
It might be tempting to skip the structured fun and just let new starters find their feet naturally but research consistently shows that team building activities leads to stronger connection, better collaboration and higher overall wellbeing. When people feel like they belong early on, they're more likely to contribute confidently and stick around.
The best activities share a few things in common: they're inclusive, low-pressure, and focused on enjoyment rather than performance. Whether your team is ten people or a hundred, you can find the perfect activity to help make new starters feel genuinely welcomed.
Because at the end of the day, people don't remember the orientation slides. They remember the afternoon they made terrible cocktails with their new colleagues and laughed until their sides hurt. That's the kind of first impression worth investing in.
