Whoever said field day games are for kids has never discovered how much fun adults can have getting in on the action. At TeamOut, we've organized over 600 corporate retreats and have seen firsthand how a well-planned field day can make a twist to your workplace dynamics. In short, barriers break down, communication improves, and genuine connections form.
After facilitating field days for companies ranging from small startups to Fortune 500 corporations, we've learned that the right combination of activities can boost morale, reduce stress, and create memories that translate into improved collaboration.
If you're an HR professional planning your company's next team-building event or an office manager looking to boost morale, this guide will walk you through our most successful field day games for adults. We've categorized them based on team size, physical intensity, and team-building objectives to help you create an outstanding event for your organization.
And the best part? These are battle-tested games that have delighted thousands of professionals across industries. Let's dive in!
Remember those field day events from the school year? At TeamOut, we've reimagined childhood favorites like the egg and spoon race, wheelbarrow race, and classic relay race with professional twists for day games for adults. These popular field day games foster an immediate sense of familiarity while breaking down barriers. From our experience, CEOs and entry-level employees laugh together during hula hoop marathons more times than we can count!
1. Corporate Relay Challenge
This field day game consists of a multi-station relay race that incorporates workplace skills and teamwork, sparking friendly competition while highlighting different strengths.
What You'll Need:
Relay batons (or rolled-up company newsletters)
Station markers
Task-specific materials (staplers, paper clips, folders)
Stopwatch
Team identifiers (colored bandanas or t-shirts)
How to Play:
Divide participants into teams of 4-6 people
Set up 4-5 stations with different workplace-themed challenges
Each team member completes one station before tagging the next person
Stations might include: paper airplane folding and flying, stapling documents in order, sorting colored paper clips, or building a paper tower
The first team to have all members complete the course wins
This game combines physical activity with workplace skills in a way that showcases diverse talents. It's particularly effective for cross-departmental teams who don't normally work together.
2. Executive Three-Legged Race
This sophisticated twist on the famous three-legged race emphasizes coordination, communication, and strategy, all essential skills in any workplace.
What You'll Need:
Fabric strips or specialized three-legged race bands
Cones for marking the course
Stopwatch
Optional: small obstacles to navigate around
How to Play:
Pair participants and securely bind their adjacent legs together
Mark a clear starting line and finish line about 50 feet apart
On "go," pairs race to the finish line while keeping their bound legs in sync
The first pair to cross the finish line wins that heat
Run multiple heats and then have the winners compete in a championship round
This field day game forces instant communication and physical coordination. We've witnessed breakthrough moments when colleagues who rarely interact suddenly have to develop immediate rapport and trust.
3. Executive Egg and Spoon Race
The Executive Egg and Spoon Race is an epic field day game gets a professional upgrade with challenges that mirror workplace precision and focus.
What You'll Need:
Wooden or plastic spoons (one per participant)
Hard-boiled eggs (or plastic eggs filled with water for less mess)
Cones to mark the course
Optional: small obstacles or challenge stations
How to Play:
Give each participant a spoon and an egg
Participants must carry their egg on their spoon from the starting line to the finish line without dropping it
If an egg falls, the participant must return to the starting line
The first person to cross the finish line with their egg intact wins
For team versions, set up as a relay where the egg must be transferred between team members' spoons
This field day game illustrates how focus, patience, and steady progress often beat rushed approaches. This lesson translates to project management and deadline-driven work.
4. Office Sack Race
An Office Sack Race is a reimagined sack relay race that combines coordination with problem-solving. It's one of the best field day games that never fails to make everyone laugh.
What You'll Need:
Burlap sacks or custom-branded jumping sacks
Cones to mark the course
Stopwatch
Optional: puzzle pieces or team challenges at the finish line
How to Play:
Mark a clear starting line and finish line about 40 feet apart
Participants step into their sacks and hold them at waist level
On "go," participants hop toward the finish line while staying in their sacks
The first person to cross the finish line wins
For team versions, set up as a relay where team members take turns
The sack race is a fun game that generates instant laughter while requiring determination and resilience—qualities that translate to workplace challenges. The physical nature of hopping breaks down professional barriers quickly.
5. Corporate Wheelbarrow Race
A Corporate Wheelbarrow Race is a classic field day game that builds trust and communication while providing an unforgettable experience between colleagues.
What You'll Need:
Cones to mark the course
Knee pads for comfort (optional but recommended)
Stopwatch
Team identifiers
How to Play:
Participants pair up, with one person assuming the "wheelbarrow" position (hands on ground, legs held by partner)
The standing partner holds the "wheelbarrow's" legs at the knees or ankles
Groups race from the starting line to the finish line
The first group to cross the finish line wins
For added challenge, set up as a relay with multiple pairs per team
Few activities build trust as quickly as literally putting yourself in someone else's hands. The physical support required mirrors workplace interdependence in a tangible way. This is a fun field game for small and large teams alike.
Team-Building Focused Field day Games
These team-building games and field day activities go beyond healthy competition to actively foster team spirit, communication, and trust. Based on our experience planning over 600 corporate retreats, these fun exercises consistently produce breakthrough moments for any team facing communication challenges or undergoing organizational changes. Whether splitting into two teams for an obstacle course or collaborating in large groups on a team ski race, these games turn colleagues into allies.
6. Human Knot Challenge
The Human Knot Challenge is a physical puzzle that requires clear communication, leadership, and problem-solving to untangle a human knot without breaking the chain.
What You'll Need:
Open space large enough for teams to move around
Stopwatch
How to Play:
Form circles of 8-12 people standing shoulder to shoulder
Everyone reaches across the circle with both hands to grab the hands of two different people
Without letting go of hands, the group must untangle itself into a simple circle
The first group to successfully untangle wins, or time how long each team takes
This game shows how individual actions affect the entire team. It helps teams realize they must sometimes move backward to go forward, just like in complex projects.
7. Blindfolded Obstacle Course
This trust-building activity creates immediate interdependence and highlights the importance of clear communication and guidance.
What You'll Need:
Blindfolds (one per pair)
Various obstacles (cones, hula hoops, pool noodles, etc.)
Open space to set up the course
Stopwatch
How to Play:
Create an obstacle course with clear pathways
Divide participants into pairs—one blindfolded, one guide
Guides must verbally direct their blindfolded partners through the course without touching them
Time each pair, with penalties for touching obstacles
Switch roles and run the course again
This field day game transforms abstract concepts like "trust" and "communication" into tangible experiences. The immediate feedback when instructions are unclear mirrors workplace communication challenges perfectly.
8. Team Ski Race
This hilarious coordination challenge requires perfect synchronization and highlights the importance of working in unison toward a common goal.
What You'll Need:
Team skis (wooden boards with rope handles for 4-6 people)
Cones to mark the course
Stopwatch
How to Play:
Groups of 4-6 people stand on each side of their team's skis
Everyone holds the rope handles attached to the skis
Teams must coordinate their movements to walk forward on the skis
A team wins when they are the first to successfully navigate the course
In our TeamOut experience we've seen teams work together and come up with a rhythmic chant to coordinate their steps. A similar coordination system could later be developed to coordinate workplace projects.
9. Pipeline Challenge
This collaborative transport activity requires strategic thinking and seamless handoffs. It's ideal for teams that need to improve their workflow processes.
What You'll Need:
PVC pipe sections cut in half lengthwise (one per person)
Small balls (golf balls or marbles)
Buckets for the start and finish
Stopwatch
How to Play:
Team members line up between the start and finish buckets
Each person holds a half-pipe section
The team must transport balls from the start bucket to the finish bucket using only their pipe sections
The ball must roll continuously without stopping or falling
Once a person passes the ball, they move to the front of the line
The team with the most balls successfully transported in the time limit wins
This game illustrates workflow, handoffs, and the importance of smooth transitions between team members. It can be an excellent addition to your exciting event as these concepts directly translate to project management and cross-departmental collaboration.
10. Tug of War with a Twist
This reimagined Tug of War adds strategic elements that transform it from a strength contest into a lesson about teamwork and resource allocation.
What You'll Need:
Sturdy tug-of-war rope with a center marker
Bandanas or markers to identify teams
Cones to mark starting positions
Optional: strategy cards with different scenarios
How to Play:
Divide participants into two equal teams
Teams start with the center marker aligned with a center line on the ground
On "go," teams pull against each other
The first team to pull the center marker over their score line wins
For the twist: after round one, introduce strategic elements like allowing teams to recruit one person from the other side, or giving teams "strategy cards" that change the rules
This game is especially effective for illustrating how one team must sometimes adapt to changing circumstances and resource constraints.
Creative Problem-Solving Activities
These creative problem-solving activities that are simultaneously field day games emphasize mental agility, creative thinking, and collaborative problem-solving. They are perfect for teams that need to innovate or overcome challenges together. These fun activities push groups to think outside the box, whether decoding clues in a scavenger hunt or coordinating dance moves in a copycat dance challenge. The result? A stronger team dynamic and fresh perspectives.
11. Marshmallow Challenge
This classic design thinking exercise is an effective day game for adults. It becomes a field day favorite when teams compete to build the tallest free-standing structure.
What You'll Need:
20 sticks of spaghetti per team
1 yard of string per team
1 yard of masking tape per team
1 marshmallow per team
Measuring tape
Timer (18 minutes per round)
How to Play:
Teams have 18 minutes to build the tallest free-standing structure possible
The marshmallow must be on top
Teams can use only the materials provided
When time expires, measure each structure that remains standing
The team with the tallest structure wins
This activity reveals fascinating insights about team dynamics and approach to problem-solving during your field day. We've found that teams who spend more time planning often perform worse than those who quickly prototype and iterate.
12. Minefield Navigation
Minefield Navigation is a communication game that requires precise guidance and trust while going through an obstacle-filled "minefield".
What You'll Need:
Objects to serve as "mines" (cones, balls, water bottles)
Blindfolds
Open space to create the minefield
Stopwatch
How to Play:
Create a "minefield" by randomly placing objects in an open area
Divide participants into pairs—one blindfolded, one guide
Guides must verbally direct their blindfolded partners through the minefield without touching them
If a blindfolded person touches a "mine," they must start over
Time each pair, with the fastest successful navigation winning
This game demonstrates the importance of clear communication during your field day event. It's a great idea to develop precise communication protocols that can later be applied to workplace projects.
13. Bridge Building Challenge
This collaborative engineering challenge requires teams to build half of a bridge that will connect perfectly with another team's construction.
What You'll Need:
Building materials (newspaper, tape, string, straws, etc.)
Scissors
Measuring tape
Small toy cars for testing
Timer (30 minutes)
How to Play:
Divide participants into pairs of teams
Each team receives identical building materials
Teams are separated so they cannot see each other's work
Each team must build half of a bridge that will connect with their partner team's half
Teams can send one written message to their partner team during construction
After 30 minutes, bring the teams together to connect their bridges
Test the completed bridges with toy cars
Award points for structural integrity, design, and successful connection
This game illustrates the challenges of cross-team collaboration and the importance of clear specifications. These are issues that plague many corporate projects.
14. Puzzle Piece Scramble
This high-energy game combines physical activity with strategic thinking and resource management.
What You'll Need:
Several jigsaw puzzles with pieces mixed
Containers for puzzle pieces
Cones to mark team areas
Stopwatch
How to Play:
Mix puzzle pieces from different puzzles in a central container
Divide participants into teams, each assigned a specific puzzle to complete
On "go," one team member at a time runs to the central container, grabs one piece, and returns
If the piece belongs to their puzzle, they keep it; if not, they must negotiate trades with other teams
The first team to complete their puzzle wins
This game transforms competitive teams into collaborative ones when they realize that helping other groups find their pieces helps everyone succeed faster.
Water and Outdoor field day Games
When the weather cooperates, water balloons and squirt guns add an extra element of fun to field day events. These outdoor day games, like the water balloon toss, lead to memorable moments that team members talk about for months. Just watch two teams bond while dodging splash zones or racing to pop the last person’s balloon!
15. Strategic Water Balloon Toss
This water game gets a corporate upgrade with strategic elements and team decision-making.
What You'll Need:
Water balloons (at least 3 per pair)
Open space
Towels
Chalk or cones to mark distances
How to Play:
Participants pair up and face each other, starting close together
Each pair tosses a water balloon back and forth
After each successful catch, partners take one step backward
If a water balloon breaks, that pair is eliminated
The last pair with an intact water balloon wins
Strategic element: Each pair gets three water balloons and must decide when to use each one
The strategic element transforms this from a simple water balloon toss into a lesson about resource management and risk assessment.
16. Water Office Olympics Relay
Take your field day to the next level with this multi-station water relay that combines workplace skills with refreshing water challenges.
What You'll Need:
Kiddie pools
Water buckets
Sponges
Cups with holes
Squirt guns
Stopwatch
Team identifiers
How to Play:
Set up 4-5 water-based stations
Divide participants into teams of 4-6 people
Each team member completes one water challenge before tagging the next person
Challenges might include: filling a cup with holes, transferring water with sponges, or target shooting with squirt guns
The first team to complete all stations wins
This game ensures that different skills are highlighted, giving everyone a chance to contribute to their team's success.
17. Beach Ball Volleyball
This low-impact alternative to traditional volleyball uses oversized beach balls and modified rules to ensure everyone can participate regardless of athletic ability.
What You'll Need:
Large beach balls (at least 24" diameter)
Volleyball net or rope strung between poles
Cones to mark court boundaries
Scoreboard
How to Play:
Set up a volleyball court with a net at standard height
Divide participants into teams of 6-8 players
Use standard volleyball rules but with these modifications:
Players must hit the ball at least 3 times before sending it over the net
Everyone on the team must touch the ball before it goes over
The beach ball's slow movement makes the play more accessible
The first team to reach 15 points wins
The oversized beach ball slows the game down, making it accessible to everyone while still maintaining the competitive spirit. The requirement that everyone must touch the ball ensures full participation.
18. Water Relay Race
This refreshing relay combines speed, coordination, and teamwork while keeping everyone cool on hot days.
What You'll Need:
Buckets filled with water
Empty buckets at the finish line
Plastic cups with small holes
Sponges
Measuring cups
Stopwatch
How to Play:
Teams line up in a straight line
The first person fills their cup/sponge with water from the team bucket
They race to their team's empty bucket at the finish line and empty the water
They race back and hand the cup/sponge to the next runner
Continue until time expires (usually 5-10 minutes)
The team with the most water in their finish bucket wins
At TeamOut, we've seen firsthand how teams develop increasingly creative strategies to maximize their water transfer. For example, a winning team once formed a human chain to minimize running distance, a perfect example of working smarter, not harder!
Low-Equipment Options
Sometimes the best field day games require minimal setup. A bean bag toss, sidewalk chalk course, or musical chairs with office chairs become excellent ideas for impromptu team building. These fun field day activities work for teams of different sizes, requiring only everyday items to spark camaraderie.
19. Human Rock-Paper-Scissors
This full-body version of the classic game creates instant energy and gets everyone moving.
What You'll Need:
Open space
Optional: visual aids showing the movements
How to Play:
Teach everyone the full-body movements:
Rock: crouched in a ball
Paper: standing with arms and legs spread wide
Scissors: one arm and the opposite leg extended forward
Divide into two teams facing each other
Teams line up facing each other, and on "shoot," everyone performs their team's chosen move
Standard rock-paper-scissors rules apply to determine the winner
Play best of five or seven rounds
This game generates energy while requiring zero equipment. The team decision-making aspect adds a collaborative element to the simple game, and the physical movements get everyone engaged.
20. Chain Tag
This progressive tag game demonstrates how small changes can create exponential effects.
What You'll Need:
Open playing field with clearly marked boundaries
Optional: pinnies or bandanas to identify "it"
How to Play:
Designate one person as "it"
When "it" tags someone, they join hands and continue tagging as a pair
Each person tagged joins the chain, holding hands with the group
Only the people at the ends of the chain can tag others
The game continues until everyone has been tagged
For large groups, start with multiple "its" to keep the game moving
This game illustrates how organizations grow and how coordination becomes more complex as teams expand. The increasing challenge of moving as a unified chain while trying to tag others creates natural moments of strategy and leadership.
21. Human Scavenger Hunt
This interactive scavenger hunt focuses on people rather than objects, sparking connections between team members who might not otherwise interact.
What You'll Need:
Printed scavenger hunt lists (one per person)
Pens
Timer
How to Play:
Create a list of 15-20 interesting characteristics or experiences
Examples: "Has visited more than 10 countries," "Can speak three languages."
Participants mingle, trying to find people who match each item
They must get the person's signature next to the matching item
Each person can only sign once on another's sheet
The first person to get signatures for all items in the end wins
This activity sparks conversation and helps colleagues discover unexpected things about each other.
22. Hula Hoop Marathon
This endurance challenge tests persistence and creates plenty of laughter with minimal equipment.
What You'll Need:
Hula hoops (one per participant)
Stopwatch
Music
How to Play:
Distribute one hula hoop to each participant
On "go," everyone begins hula hooping
If a hoop drops, that person is eliminated
The last person still hula-hooping wins
For team versions, calculate the total time each team keeps their hoops spinning
To make this field day activity more interesting for corporate groups, we often add progressive challenges like having participants answer work-related trivia questions while keeping their hoops spinning.
Indoor Alternatives
Weather doesn't always cooperate with field day plans. These indoor activities are alternatives, from human ring toss with rubber bands to a dance contest, or a treasure hunt through the office maintain the spirit of field day.
23. Office Chair Relay
This office-themed relay race turns everyday furniture into racing equipment.
What You'll Need:
Office chairs with wheels
Cones to mark the course
Stopwatch
Team identifiers
How to Play:
Create a simple slalom course with cones
Divide participants into teams of 4-6 people
The first person sits in the chair while a teammate pushes them through the course
At the turning point, they switch positions
Continue until all team members have been both pusher and rider
Teams race, and the first team to complete the full relay wins
This game transforms office equipment into a source of excitement. Racing through the office in chairs creates memorable moments that strengthen team bonds.
24. Paper Plane Distance Challenge
This creative competition combines engineering, skill, and friendly competition.
What You'll Need:
Stacks of paper (different colors for different teams)
Measuring tape
Markers for decoration
Open indoor space
How to Play:
Give each team a stack of identical paper
Teams have 10 minutes to design and test paper airplane designs
Each team member throws their best design
Measure the distance of each flight
The team with the greatest combined distance wins
This activity highlights different approaches to problem-solving. Some teams focus on rapid prototyping and testing, while others spend more time researching optimal designs. The debrief discussion about these different approaches often yields valuable insights about the team's approach to workplace challenges.
25. Indoor Obstacle Course
This adaptable challenge can be set up in any office or conference space using everyday items.
What You'll Need:
Office furniture (chairs, tables)
Paper cups
String
Sticky notes
Staplers, paper clips, and other office supplies
Stopwatch
How to Play:
Create an obstacle course using available furniture and supplies
Include challenges like crawling under tables, stepping through patterns of sticky notes, or stacking paper cups
Teams compete for the fastest completion time
For added challenge, blindfold participants and have teammates guide them through verbally
This game is adaptable to any space and any group. You can create courses in boardrooms, hotel ballrooms, and even office hallways. The experience of navigating unexpected challenges fosters lasting bonds between team members.
Wrapping up
A well-planned field day provides much more than a fun break from routine. When successful, it creates experiences that strengthen relationships, improves communication, and builds a more cohesive team culture. The games and activities in this guide have been tested across hundreds of corporate events and consistently deliver excellent results along with genuine enjoyment.
If you're planning your first company field day or looking to refresh your annual tradition, these team-building activities provide something for every team and objective. The key is thoughtful selection and implementation that aligns with your goals and team dynamics.
At TeamOut, we've seen how these seemingly simple games can transform relationships and create breakthrough moments for teams facing complex challenges. While this guide gives you everything you need to organize your successful field day, our team of experienced event specialists is always available to handle the planning, equipment, and facilitation, saving you valuable time.
Ready to take your team building to the next level? Contact us to learn how we can customize a field day experience that meets your objectives and delights your team.
Thomas Mazimann, a French entrepreneur and former international kayaking athlete, transitioned from sports to tech after moving to the U.S. He co-founded TeamOut, revolutionizing team gatherings.
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