Team building activities in Singapore
Image adapted from: @kf1kartingcircuit
Truth is, work becomes much more fun when we get to know our colleagues on a personal level. Besides, we’d want to know exactly who we’re spending so much of our time with, day in, day out. That’s why team-building activities that remove us from the typical office environment are necessary.
To make it count, forget awkward dinners or the usual karaoke sessions. Head for these activities that won’t just be a fun break from the workplace, but will also arm you with valuable skills you can bring back to the office.
1. Race like professionals at KF1 Karting Circuit
Image credit: @kf1kartingcircuit
For an adrenaline-pumping company outing, KF1 Karting Circuit is probably the closest most of us will be able to get to racing like professionals. The circuit is equipped with the works of a Grand Prix -like a theatre-style auditorium, a viewing gallery, and even a pit lane. The track also has F1-inspired lighting for night races.
Race under an MRT track!
Image credit: @kf1kartingcircuit
Large groups needn’t worry about taking turns behind the wheel; KF1’s track can be converted into 2 smaller configurations so 2 teams can race simultaneously. Beginners can start out by using novice karts that reach 35km/h, while those itching for an adrenaline rush have the option of professional karts with a top speed of 110km/h.
Address: 1 Turf Club Ave, Singapore 738078
Operating Hours: Tue-Fri 1PM-9PM; Sat-Sun 9AM-9PM (Closed Mondays)
Fun Kart Rates: from $18/10mins (novice); $22/10mins (advanced)
Race Kart Rates: from $30/4hrs (members); $60/4hrs (non-members)
Telephone: 6891 1191
Website
2. Sail around Marina Bay
See Singapore’s CBD in a different light by sailing around it instead. The Singapore Sailing Federation hosts the Marina Bay Corporate Sailing programme that takes team building to the waters of Marina Bay.
A sport that requires plenty of discipline, here’s where teamwork will come into focus. Their programme is tailored for both leisure and competitive outings:
Scenic Team Building Sailing
Duration: 2.5 to 3 hours
What you’ll do: Take in the views of the scenic skyline and snap lots of photos with landmarks like Marina Bay Sands and ArtScience Museum. Get into the real grit of sailing, where teams will be coached on how to properly steer boats and rig sails. Put your skills to the test as you delve into an epic team race across Marina Bay.
Address: 1500 East Coast Parkway National Sailing Centre Singapore 468963
Operating Hours: 9AM-6PM, Daily (except major public holidays)
Telephone: 6444 4555
Rates: from $1000/7 persons
Website
3. Enter a Masterchef-type showdown
Image credit: Kitchen Showdown
We here in Singapore really love our food, and Kitchen Showdown has a number of challenges that’ll have your entire office in an epic cook-off. Here are some to look out for:
- The Hunger Games: Inspired by the trilogy of the same namesake, this challenge is all about a scramble for survival – teams will have to come up with the best possible dish with limited resources.
- Team Bake Off: Test just how well you can follow a recipe and decorate a cake with this Great British Bake Off inspired challenge.
- The Amazing Race: This high-pressure race against the clock has teams running to the nearest supermarket and back to complete their planned dishes.
Image credit: Kitchen Showdown
These challenges aren’t just all about having fun; you’ll also be able to practice useful soft skills like coming up with strategies and working as a team to beat a time limit.
Address: 75A Tanjong Pagar Road Singapore 088496
Telephone: 8198 0873 or 9761 8717
Website
4. Battle like Hawkeye with archery tag
Image credit: Archery Attack Singapore
It’s always cool to watch epic battles in movies with soldiers charging in with bows and arrows, like the elves of Lord of the Rings. Turns out you can actually organise one of your own right here in Singapore.
Image credit: Archery Attack Singapore
Find out who in your office is a sleuthy sniper or an aggro charger at a session with Archery Attack Singapore. The game involves a mad dash for arrows in the centre of the field, followed by a battle to eliminate the other team or hit a specific target to win the game. And don’t worry about getting hurt, this archery version of laser tag uses safe foam-tipped arrows.
Address: The Cage Kallang, 38 Jalan Benaan Kapal, 399635
Operating Hours: Mon-Fri 9AM-10PM; Sat-Sun 9AM-9PM
Rates: From $25/pax
Telephone: 8767 9500
Website
5. Customise t-shirts and tote bags with an office art jamming session
Image credit: Streaks n Strokes
For those who find travelling in 1 big batch to a cohesion destination a logistical nightmare, consider bringing the activity right to your office without foregoing any of the fun. Streaks n Strokes offers painting kits from $44.90 each, or $19.90 each for trial kits, containing essential supplies to have an in-house art jamming sesh.
You won’t be left to your own devices either, as art instructors from Streaks n Strokes will conduct a walk-through via Zoom. In this new age of technology, a virtual team-building session is set to get the entire team excited and engaged. They can even customise their own t-shirt or tote bag!
Address: 38 Ang Mo Kio Industrial Park 2, S569511 (For collections with appointment only)
Rates: Trial Kits Starting from $19.90 per kit, DIY painting kits starting from $44.90 per kit (Corporate Discounts Available)
Telephone: 8587 8884
Website
6. Conquer “realistic” VR escape rooms
Image credit: Zero Latency
If you’ve already solved all the regular escape rooms in Singapore, head for something more exciting that has monsters actually jumping right at you. Virtual reality has kicked into full-force with a slew of VR escape rooms popping up. Like video games, these require teams to work as a unit in order to come out on top.
Image credit: V-Room
Zero Latency, for one, has intense games that have teams battling the undead or entering an interstellar war. This is also an opportunity to work on your team #fitspo as you’ll have to navigate a space that’s as big as a warehouse.
For puzzle and arcade-type games and escape rooms, V-Room has quite an extensive list of titles to choose from, like VR paintball and horror puzzles.
Zero Latency
Address: 3 Temasek Boulevard #03-346/347 Suntec City Mall Singapore 038983
Operating Hours: Mon-Thur 11AM-10PM, Fri 11AM-11PM, Sat 10AM-11PM, Sun 10AM-10PM
Telephone: 6931 0331
Website
V-Room
Address: 277 Orchard Road, Orchard Gateway, #02-02, Singapore 238858
Operating Hours: 11AM-10PM, Daily
Telephone: 6677 8478
Website
7. Diffuse the office blues in the countryside
Take your team to the outdoors and bond over farming-inspired activities like zen potting sessions or adventure races. With long-standing educational programmes and a culinary school and museum, Bollywood Veggies has a lineup of challenges that’ll let you get your hands dirty for the day.
Build your own scarecrow and see if it’s as impressive as Bollywood Veggies’ own.
Image credit: @gloriafaithsoh
Their Bollywood Kampung Race takes on an Amazing Race-style challenge, where teams will have to hunt for harvests and build scarecrows. A Culinary Challenge also lets you pick your own fresh produce to cook an assigned cuisine as a team.
The Scrabble Shamble challenge is a literal word search puzzle where participants have to find as many letters as possible to form themed words.
Image credit: Bollywood Veggies
Address: 100 Neo Tiew Rd, Singapore 719026
Operating Hours: Sat-Sun 8AM-6.30PM, Wed-Fri 8AM-5.30PM (Closed Mon-Tue)
Telephone: 6898 5001
Website
8. Play a giant game of pool
Image credit: TeamBonding
If a regular game of pool isn’t challenging enough, kick it up a notch with live-sized pool where your feet become the cue sticks at PoolBall Singapore. They’ve added some twists that’ll make the game even more gruelling, such as:
- Poolball Battlefield: A game of strategy where roles like knights and spies are assigned within each team to complete a given mission.
- Poolball Sabotage: Combines soccer, pool and “power cards” to sabotage your opponent.
- Poolball Checkmate: Teams have a mission to protect their king, amid surprises like sudden death and “mass massacres” in-game.
Address: 5B Guillemard Rd, level 3 Wing Fong Building, Singapore 399685
Operating Hours: 9AM-10PM, Daily
Telephone: 6515 4146
Rates: From $12/pax
Website
Team-building with Marina Bay Corporate Sailing
There’s no shortage of activities in Singapore, but if you’re looking for something that beats a typical corporate outing, go for one that’ll make a day to remember.
With Marina Bay as your backdrop, the Marina Bay Corporate Sailing programme by Singapore Sailing Federation isn’t just going to leave you with enviable photos that not everyone has the chance to take.
You’ll get to try your hand in steering an actual boat and rigging sails while learning valuable teamwork skills. For those who love a challenge, opt for a team race to put what you’ve learnt to the test. The program goes beyond team-building as it also makes a unique outing for hosting clients and visitors.
Singapore Sailing Federation offers lots of activities that’ll let you easily dip your feet into the sport, like beginner sessions to get the hang of different boat types.
Plan your team-building session with Singapore Sailing Federation
Singapore Sailing Federation
Address: 1500 East Coast Parkway National Sailing Centre Singapore 468963
Operating Hours: 9AM-6PM (Daily, except major public holidays)
Telephone: 6444 4555
Website
This post was brought to you by Singapore Sailing Federation.