The best team building activities to do in NYC

Who says you can’t break the ice with a paddle? This table tennis social club encourages entertainment, teamwork, and friendly competition between colleagues. The 19 Olympic-grade ping-pong tables at SPIN Flatiron are surrounded by modern lounge seating, graffiti decor, and a giant bathtub of orange ping-pong balls.

You can rent the whole 14,000 sq. ft. space for your entire company (max. 500 guests), or keep it intimate by bringing together a department or two in the private room, which has its own bar and three tables. The in-house event planners can create custom team-building activities, and you can even hire a professional to lead a tournament. To boost team spirit, add personalized paddles, balls, and tables with company branding.

An A/V system and DJ can keep the party going long past work hours, and the in-house catering team offers a full bar with signature cocktails, as well as sharing platters to snack on between games.

Need some art for the office? Paint and Pour offers a 2-hour paint class with a dynamic instructor – no experience required – for up to 35 guests. Ideal for smaller departmental team building or intimate start-ups needing a creative boost, you can impress colleagues, step away from the screen, and enjoy cocktails and small plates in a vibrant setting.

The venue offers paint supplies, music, and a chef-crafted menu, which includes snacks like Southwestern quesadillas and truffle fries. Of course, the Pour alludes to the top-shelf open bar, where you can order artist-inspired cocktails like the Sistine Apple or the Georgia O’Peach.

They say that if you teach a man how to make pizza, his team will have unlimited pizza for all of eternity. Or something like that. If your team loves their office pizza parties a little too much, take them to Pizza School NYC. In 4-hour workshops for 16 guests and 3-hour workshops for 24, create your own NY-style pizza from scratch – from dough to toppings – and have a tasting session afterward. Each event begins with a welcome reception, which includes drinks and a flight of pizzas to taste.

Workshops include instruction, staff, space rental, and beverage credit of $150 to $250 to spend on pizza-perfect wines, craft beer, or cocktails. If you’re a WFH team, they offer virtual sessions too. Mama Mia!

Believe it or not, some people would rather be at the gym than sitting at their desks. And depending on how tense your team is, that some can turn into most. Let off some steam at Chelsea Piers, a 28-acre activity center with team-building programs up the wazoo.

From scavenger hunts and bowling to dodgeball and laser tag, you can work with event managers to develop a custom-designed program focusing on the skills essential to your organization. Or, choose from one of their three established full or half-day itineraries: mini-Olympics, experiential games, and hybrid cognitive-physical games. For something more social, opt for a golf happy hour, where you can enjoy the driving range and a reception with small plates and an open bar.

Capacity is flexible depending on your company or team size: have one small group partake in activities altogether, or split a larger group into teams. You can also enjoy a private reception or off-site meeting rooms, depending on your needs.

If you’re missing the vibrant, too-green-to-be-real suburban lawn of your childhood, you’re in luck. Now you can play in the yard with your neighbors – well, your desk neighbors – and enjoy some healthy competition. This grass-themed leisure club can accommodate anywhere from 12 to 600 guests across their synthetic turf courts, available to rent individually or for larger private events. Event packages for up to 50 include food, drink, and unlimited games for four hours.

Games include lawn pong, bocce, cornhole, shuffleboard, ladders, beersbee, kan jam, diddle dee… okay, maybe we made up that last one. But there’s a lot. Try something new or stick with a classic. Either way, your ‘Lawncierge’ will be standing by to help you out.

After the games, you can relax at the bar with team-sized cocktails for up to 7 people, like the Win & Tonic or the Lawntini. Mocktails, beer, and soda are also available. Appetizers include hummus with pita, cajun shrimp skewers, jerk chicken, and mac & cheese bites.