How Field Day Activities Can Boost Team Collaboration

Think field days are just for kids? 

Corporate teams can also benefit from the camaraderie, friendly competition, and physical challenges that field day activities bring.

Whether you’re looking to build stronger connections between your leadership team, increase employee morale, or bring more energy to your company events, consider planning a field day for your organization. 

Let’s take a closer look at what a field day is — and 11 activities you can implement. 

What Is a Field Day?

A field day is traditionally an outdoor event filled with competitive physical activities, typically organized for students. 

Think back to your school days with three-legged races, relay races, and tug-of-war.

It also works great as a corporate event idea (or as part of an event). Adapt traditional field day activities to create an exciting event that encourages collaboration and strengthens team dynamics. With a mix of outdoor and indoor activities, you’re bound to create an experience encouraging everyone to get involved.

Why Incorporate a Field Day Into Corporate Events?

Incorporating a field day into your company events can strengthen team building and leadership development. With no work pressure involved, it creates a relaxed setting so your employees can connect and communicate more openly. 

This friendly competition encourages your team members to step into leadership roles, practice decision-making, and delegate tasks.

If you’re looking for a leadership team-building event you can plan, a field day may be just what your organization needs.

What To Consider When Planning Field Days 

When planning your field day, there are a few important details to keep in mind.

First, think about the dress code. 

Decide what people should wear to help set the tone for the day. Opting for a casual dress code is a good way to ensure everyone is comfortable and ready to participate in sack races and water balloon tosses. If your event transitions into the evening with a casual reception, you might recommend they bring casual cocktail attire to change into.

It’s also important to consider how the event fits into your overall company goals. 

One way to do this is to track employee performance with employee monitoring software. You can measure productivity before and after the event to see how team-building activities impact company performance. This is a good way to ensure that the day’s activities align with your broader objectives.

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Finally, make sure you have enough space and time for the event. You might need to book an outdoor area in advance and plan the event when your team’s workload isn’t too high.

11 Field Day Activities That Enhance Team Building and Leadership

Now that you’re clear on the basics, let’s quickly run through some specific field day activities you can plan to encourage teamwork and leadership development. 

1. Tug of War

This classic game is all about strength and strategy. 

Teams must work together to pull the rope and outlast their competitors. This simple game fosters communication and teamwork since each member contributes to the overall effort.

2. Wheelbarrow Races

This fun game pairs up teammates in a challenge that requires coordination and communication. 

One person plays the “wheelbarrow,” walking on their hands while their partner holds their legs. It’s a hilarious and effective way to build trust and strengthen bonds.

3. Sack Races

Sack races might take you back to school days, but they’re also a fantastic team-building activity. The race requires balance, focus, and a lot of laughter, making it a great addition to your company’s field day.

4. Scavenger Hunts

These are perfect for encouraging problem-solving skills. Set up a scavenger hunt that includes clues hidden throughout your outdoor venue or even around your office. 

Teams will need to collaborate, think critically, and move quickly to find each clue. If you really want to take this to the next level, you could also plan it around a destination retreat. For example, you might book a tour of Normandy, where your team can explore historical landmarks while hunting for clues.

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5. Egg and Spoon Race

In this light-hearted game, participants balance an egg on a spoon and race to the finish line without dropping it. It’s a test of coordination and focus — with plenty of opportunity for laughter when the egg inevitably falls.

6. Fill the Bucket Challenge

This relay race involves filling a bucket with water, using only small cups or water bottles. 

It’s a physical activity that emphasizes teamwork and patience. It’s also a great way to cool off if you’ve planned your event during a hot day.

7. Hula Hoop Games

Hula hoop games can range from individual challenges to team competitions. 

You can plan a contest to see who can keep the hoop going the longest. Or a relay-style game where hoops are passed from one person to the next. This activity promotes balance, coordination, and teamwork.

8. Three-Legged Race

Another classic field day event, the three-legged race ties two teammates together by the leg. It requires communication and cooperation to move in sync, making it a perfect team-building activity.

9. Relay Races

Relay races foster collaboration since each team member has an important role in the overall success. 

Teams can race with batons or balance ping-pong balls on spoons. It’s a high-energy, fun game that gets everyone involved.

10. Frisbee Golf

Frisbee golf is a relaxed but competitive game that requires precision and teamwork. Teams work together to get the Frisbee into a series of “goals,” which combines physical activity with strategic thinking. 

Strategic thinking is also a critical leadership skill.

11. Obstacle Courses

Obstacle courses offer a wide range of physical challenges — from climbing to crawling and balancing. Teams must work together to navigate the course. 

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This encourages problem-solving skills and thoughtful communication.

Building stronger teams through fun

Field day activities are a great way to encourage stronger collaboration, better communication, and leadership development. Combine fun, physical challenges with strategic team-building activities to create an exciting event that benefits everyone.

Ready to take your company event to the next level? 

Request a quote from Outback Team Building to include field day activities in your next corporate event.

Best of luck with your upcoming event!

Author Bio

Mike Bandar is an award-winning UK-based entrepreneur. A Founding Partner of Turn Partners, the startup studio focused on the acquisition, turnaround or creation of digital businesses. Through Turn Partners, Mike co-founded Hopper HQ the Instagram planning and scheduling tool, working with thousands of influencers, brands, and agencies around the world.