Five team building activities to do with your colleagues that aren’t a coffee break

After the weather, what everyone’s currently watching is probably the most common topic of conversation in the break room. So why not make it an organised activity? The concept is simple, and you can structure it however you want. One episode a week, or a whole season per month? Predetermined discussion points, or perhaps individual reviews? And it’s easy to include people working remotely by getting together in a video meeting.

Get to know your colleagues while updating your wardrobe! A person’s dress style or taste in interior design can reveal a great deal about their personality. But it can also be a big surprise! In any case, many of our possessions come with a story – and one that can also work as a good conversation starter. A jumble sale or swap day can also be varied, for example by having a set theme. Such as party and glitter, books, shoes or perhaps “my most ridiculous purchase”.

The advantages of shared yoga and meditation sessions in the workplace are countless and go far beyond building relationships. Yoga and meditation prevent stress and stiffness, make you less sedentary, boost the circulation and give your brain a well-deserved break – to mention just a few benefits.

Who doesn’t enjoy a fun quiz? The opportunities are endless! Divide the group into teams or compete as individuals. Have a rolling schedule for who runs the quiz and sets the theme, or use quizzes you find online. On sites like kahoot.com, you can put together your own quiz or use other people’s. If lots of you are working from home, websites and apps like Kahoot can be a good solution, because everything is digital.

Well, OK, so we promised a list without mentioning coffee breaks, but we couldn’t resist! Break times are sacred to some people, but there’s still plenty of potential. A coffee break club could be as simple as one person being in charge of the refreshments once a week. It doesn’t have to be anything particularly expensive or luxurious. But unusual snacks from other countries, or perhaps treats inspired by a film... that’s bound to give you plenty of things to talk about.