Get to know July’s real team-building potential with TeamOut’s 15 best ideas to engage and unite your team. From epic 4th of July celebrations to
bonding activities, you will certainly find the ideal picks for your crew!
July is packed with significant U.S. and international days that provide excellent opportunities for team-building activities. It’s time to shake up your team’s routine with activities that capitalize on the summer season's atmosphere. As the weather warms up, outdoor events become more appealing, and summer team-building activities offer a chance to break away from the office and engage in new experiences.
With significant dates like Independence Day and International Friendship Day, July provides a natural framework for organizing events that are fun and meaningful. In this article, you’ll find standout suggestions for in-person and virtual teams, regardless of their size or style.
July Team-Building Highlights:
4th of July: Independence Day Activities
World Population Day Activities
Nelson Mandela International Day Activities
International Friendship Day Activities
July Outdoor Team-Building Activities
By planning these special occasions and adding them to your team-building calendar, you can present your team with a compilation of activities that enhance collaboration and teamwork in a way that feels fresh and engaging.
Independence Day is a celebration of freedom, unity, and the American spirit. It’s an excellent opportunity to bring teams together through 4th-of-July-themed activities that emphasize collaboration, creativity, and patriotism. Whether your team is onsite or remote, these activities will foster camaraderie while embracing the festive energy of the holiday.
1. Patriotic Scavenger Hunt
A Patriotic Scavenger Hunt is a fun and appealing activity where team members work together to find items or solve clues related to Independence Day. It can include everything from historical facts to American symbols, or festive decorations. This type of scavenger hunt activity encourages problem-solving, teamwork, and a sense of competition in a festive environment. Teams can explore their office space and outdoor areas, or even participate virtually by finding digital items or answering trivia questions.
Step-by-step:
Create a list of patriotic items or trivia challenges.
Divide participants into teams and assign points for each completed task.
Materials Needed: Printed clues, small flags, and historical trivia cards.
Duration: 1-2 hours
Group size: Any size
Why it works: Scavenger hunts encourage problem-solving and teamwork. This one in particular contributes to learning about history and to celebrating an important holiday.
Variation for remote teams: Use virtual scavenger hunt platforms like Scavify.
Budget: $
2. Outdoor BBQ & Team Games
Host a barbecue with classic American dishes alongside team sports like sack races or tug-of-war. An Outdoor Office BBQ paired with team games is the perfect way to celebrate Independence Day in a relaxed yet interactive setting. Teams can bond over delicious food while participating in outdoor games that everybody loves, like sack races, water balloon tosses, or tug-of-war. This activity blends competition with socializing and creates an environment for team members to connect outside of work tasks.
Step-by-step:
Set up a grill and organize games in a nearby park or outdoor space.
Ask your team what their favorite outdoor games are in advance.
Assign groups to compete in friendly challenges.
Award prizes to winning teams (optional).
Materials Needed: Grill, food supplies, game props (e.g., ropes, sacks).
Duration: Half-day
Group size: Up to 50 participants
Why it works: Combines relaxation with bonding through shared activities.
Variation for remote teams: Provide team members with vouchers for BBQ kits or recipes they can prepare at home. Then, gather on a video call and play virtual games like trivia or charades.
Budget: $$
3. 4th of July Costume Contest
Let your team’s creativity shine with a Patriotic Costume Contest. Encourage employees to dress up in their best 4th of July-themed outfits, from Uncle Sam hats to Statue of Liberty crowns. Add categories like “Funniest” or “Best DIY” to ensure everyone has a chance to win. Parade around the office or set up a team event in a local park where everyone has a chance to bond while showing off their best looks.
Materials Needed: Speakers for music, BYO costume
Duration: 2-3 hours
Group size: Any size
Why it works: Combines relaxation with bonding through shared activities.
Variation for remote teams: Schedule a Zoom call where your remote team can show off their best costumes.
Budget: $ (optional prizes or decorations only)
4. Independence Day Bingo
Who said you had to leave the office to celebrate the 4th of July? Give bingo a festive twist with an Independence Day Bingo by using Independence Day-themed words or images on the cards—like fireworks, bald eagles, or sparklers. Distribute cards to employees and play as a group for small prizes. Complete the experience with drinks and snacks.
Materials Needed: Customized 4th of July Bingo cards
Duration: 30 minutes - 1 hour
Group size: Up to 30 participants
Why it works: Independence Day Bingo is a fantastic icebreaker that promotes casual fun and team bonding in the office.
Variation for remote teams: Create customized Bingo cards using platforms like Bingo Maker and play on a Zoom call.
Budget: $
5. 4th of July Cocktail Making
Shake things up with a 4th of July-themed cocktail or mocktail-making session. A mixologist can guide your team in creating red, white, and blue drinks, or you can go DIY with recipes shared ahead of time. Offer mocktail options to include everyone, and enjoy sipping on your creations while bonding with colleagues.
Materials Needed: Cocktail-making kit (usually brought by the mixologist)
Duration: 1-1.5 hours
Group size: Up to 30 participants
Why it works: This activity encourages creativity and is a great conversation starter for teams.
Variation for remote teams: Schedule an online cocktail-making workshop.
Budget: $$$
6. Craft Red, White, and Blue Decorations for the Office
Transform your workplace with the patriotic spirit of Independence Day and craft decorations with your team on this 4th of July Decorations for the Office activity. Provide materials like banners, balloons, and streamers in festive colors. Team members can collaborate on designing and putting up their creations. Elevate the experience with a themed lunch.
Materials Needed: Balloons, flags, fairy lights, and other themed 4th of July decorations.
Duration: 1-2 hours
Group size: Any size
Why it works: This activity encourages creativity and is a great conversation starter for teams.
Variation for remote teams: Home office decorations can be an option for remote teams, complete with a Zoom call where employees show the final result.
Budget: $$
7. American History Trivia
American History Trivia is an excellent way to celebrate Independence Day by testing your team’s knowledge about U.S. history and culture. Participants form teams to answer questions about historical events, famous figures, and pop culture tied to July 4th celebrations. This activity provides an opportunity for learning and reflection on the significance of the holiday.
Step-by-step:
Prepare trivia questions about historical events, famous figures, and pop culture tied to Independence Day.
Divide participants into teams and start playing!
Use platforms like Kahoot! for virtual play or whiteboards for in-person sessions.
Award prizes for winning teams.
Materials Needed: Trivia questions, scoring sheets or apps, small prizes for winners.
Duration: 1 hour
Why it works: Combines learning with friendly competition while fostering teamwork and national pride.
Variation for remote teams: It can be adapted for both in-person and virtual settings using platforms like Kahoot! or Zoom breakout rooms.
Budget: $
July 11th: World Population Day
World Population Day raises awareness about population-related issues such as sustainability and global responsibility. It’s an ideal occasion for team-building activities that encourage reflection on how workplace practices can contribute to broader societal goals. With social responsibility and environmental awareness being one of the top team-building trends for 2025, July 11th is the perfect time to start investing in these types of activities:
8. Sustainability Workshop
A Sustainability Workshop focuses on educating teams about eco-friendly practices they can adopt at work and home while brainstorming solutions to reduce their environmental impact. Participants participate in discussions led by sustainability experts or facilitators who guide them through actionable steps toward greener habits. By working together on plans for reducing waste or conserving energy in the office space, teams build problem-solving skills while contributing to global goals like environmental conservation.
Step-by-step:
Invite an expert to discuss sustainability practices.
Organize breakout groups to create actionable plans.
Why it works: Promotes critical thinking and collaboration on global issues. It’s also a meaningful way to get your team familiar with important global issues and how to address them.
Variation for remote teams: This sustainability workshop can be easily adapted to virtual teams, via Zoom.
Budget: $$
9. Community Outreach Event
A Community Outreach Event involves volunteering at local shelters or community centers where teams can contribute their time toward helping others in need. This is one of the top charitable team-building activities and might include organizing donations, preparing meals for underserved populations, or assisting with facility maintenance projects. This event fosters empathy as participants work together toward making a positive impact in their community.
Step-by-step:
Partner with a local organization in need of volunteers.
Divide tasks such as organizing donations or preparing meals.
Why it works: Builds empathy and teamwork while making a positive impact.
Variation for remote teams: Organize a fundraising event on social media and donate the funds to a local charity.
Budget: $$
July 18th: Nelson Mandela International Day
Nelson Mandela International Day encourages individuals to take action toward inspiring change in their communities through service-oriented projects and leadership development. Here are our top suggestions to celebrate the 18th of July:
10. Acts of Kindness Challenge
The Acts of Kindness Challenge is a charity activity where teams compete to complete as many good deeds as possible within a set timeframe. This may include donating items to charity or helping your local food bank. This challenge fosters teamwork by encouraging participants to collaborate on ways they can make meaningful contributions.
Step-by-step:
Create a list of simple acts (donating items, working at a local food bank, etc).
Assign points for each completed act.
Celebrate the results together.
Materials Needed: Challenge list, small rewards for participants.
Duration: Full day
Why it works: Encourages altruism and strengthens team bonds through shared purpose.
Variation for remote teams: Organize a fundraising event on social media and donate the funds to a local charity.
Budget: $
11. Leadership Development Workshop
A Leadership Development Workshop is a way to reflect on Nelson Mandela’s legacy and inspire your team to embody the values of resilience, empathy, and collaboration. This workshop focuses on the principles of effective leadership, such as conflict resolution, active listening, and adaptability in challenging situations. Employees will engage in group discussions, role-playing exercises, and interactive sessions. Strong leadership can drive positive change within the workplace!
Step-by-step:
Share inspiring stories about Mandela’s life and leadership style.
Facilitate group discussions or role-playing exercises around conflict resolution.
Materials Needed: Presentation materials, and handouts on leadership principles.
Duration: Half-day
Why it works: Inspires personal growth and fosters leadership skills within the team.
Variation for remote teams: Organize a virtual leadership workshop with an outside expert.
Budget: $$$
July 30th: International Friendship Day
International Friendship Day is a celebration of camaraderie and mutual support within the workplace. By fostering a culture of friendship at work, teams can improve communication, trust, and overall morale. From creative projects to outdoor gatherings, Friendship Day activities are designed to bring people together.
12. Friendship Wall
The Friendship Wall is a collaborative activity where team members write notes of appreciation for one another on a bulletin board or virtual platform. This activity encourages employees to express gratitude for their colleagues’ contributions, fostering an environment of positivity and mutual respect. For remote teams, digital tools can be used to create virtual walls where participants can share their messages online.
Step-by-step:
Set up a large board or virtual platform for sharing messages.
Encourage everyone to contribute throughout the day or week.
Materials Needed: Bulletin board, sticky notes, markers (or digital tools for remote teams).
Duration: Ongoing
Why it works: Strengthens relationships by fostering gratitude and positivity.
Variation for remote teams: Host a meeting on Zoom and use digital tools to share your team’s messages online.
Budget: $
13. Team Potluck Lunch
A Team Potluck Lunch is a fantastic way to celebrate International Friendship Day by bringing together culinary traditions and fostering a sense of community in the office. Instruct your team to share dishes that reflect their cultural backgrounds, creating an opportunity for cultural exchange and storytelling. The potluck setting allows colleagues to relax and connect, promoting a sense of belonging among team members.
Step-by-step:
Create a sign-up sheet to avoid duplicate dishes.
Encourage participants to share stories about their dishes.
Why it works: Fosters a sense of community and cultural exchange.
Budget: $
July Outdoor Team-Building Activities
July is a summer month and that brings your team a plethora of advantages! The following outdoor team-building activities are perfect for July, offering a refreshing change from indoor settings and presenting opportunities for teams to bond while enjoying the summer weather.
14. Outdoor Team Sports Tournament
An Outdoor Team Sports Tournament is a fun and competitive way to build camaraderie between employees and it’s your ultimate summer team-building activity! Choose popular team sports like soccer, volleyball, or flag football, and organize a tournament in your local park.
Step-by-step:
Choose a sport and set up teams.
Find a suitable outdoor venue with the necessary equipment (e.g., soccer field, volleyball net).
Plan a small tournament with prizes for the winners.
Why it works: Fosters teamwork, physical activity, and friendly competition.
Budget: $$
15. Outdoor Geocaching Adventure
An Outdoor Geocaching Adventure is a treasure hunt that encourages teams to explore the outdoors using GPS coordinates to find hidden caches. Team members work together to locate these hidden treasures. It can be set in a variety of environments, from urban parks to more rural areas, making it adaptable to different team preferences.
Step-by-step:
Create or find existing geocaches in your area using platforms like Geocaching.com.
Divide participants into teams and provide them with GPS devices or smartphones with geocaching apps.
Set a time limit and challenge teams to find as many caches as possible.
Materials Needed: GPS devices or smartphones with geocaching apps, snacks/water for participants.
Duration: Half-day to full-day
Why it works: Encourages teamwork, exploration, and problem-solving in a fun outdoor setting.
Budget: $$
July: A Practical Approach to Team-Building
July is a month where opportunities to refresh your team-building strategy abound. Incorporating activities that align with the month's significant events will increase employee engagement and build anticipation among team members. By focusing on Independence Day, Nelson Mandela International Day, and International Friendship Day, you can plan a variety of experiences that cater to different interests and energy levels.
Whether it's an outdoor adventure or a more reflective activity, July's team-building activities are designed to be adaptable and appealing. As you plan your events, consider how these activities can promote inclusivity and make the most of the summer season. By balancing fun with purpose, you can create a team-building calendar that is both enjoyable and effective.
To make your team-building event truly exceptional, consider working with a professional event planning service. At TeamOut, we specialize in organizing customized retreats and team-building activities that align with your company’s goals and budget. With access to over 5,000 venues and a proven track record of managing 600 successful events, we simplify the planning process by handling logistics and tailoring every detail to your needs.
Plus, our partnerships can help you save up to 30% on venue costs, ensuring a high-quality experience without overspending. Let us take care of the heavy lifting so you can focus on building stronger connections within your team. Schedule a free consultation today to start planning an outstanding retreat!
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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