Discover 20 engaging May team-building activities for 2025. From International Workers Day to
, find perfect ideas for in-person and virtual teams.
May is a spring month filled with opportunities for team-building activities that inspire creativity, collaboration, and connection. Organizing outdoor events or refreshing indoor experiences is a must with longer days and warmer weather.
Featuring holidays like Cinco de Mayo, Mother’s Day, and Memorial Day, May provides a range of possibilities for themed adventures among team members. This article will guide you through diverse team-building ideas tailored to May’s special dates, seasonal themes, and team preferences. Whether your team is remote, on a budget, or looking for something active, there’s something here for everyone.
International Workers' Day, also known as May Day, is a global celebration of the labor movement and workers' rights. It commemorates the historical struggles for fair wages, safe working conditions, and the eight-hour workday. Recognizing this day through workplace team building highlights your company’s commitment to valuing employees. Check out our suggestions for a positive work environment on this day:
1. Employee Appreciation Awards
The Employee Appreciation Awards is a special team-building activity for International Workers' Day that recognizes and celebrates the hard work and dedication of team members. This event boosts employee engagement by showcasing appreciation while strengthening team bonds.
Step-by-step:
Nominate employees for awards.
Create award categories (for example, Best Team Player, or Best Ideas).
Prepare certificates or trophies.
Host an awards ceremony.
Materials needed:
Certificates or trophies (digital for virtual teams).
Duration: 30 minutes to 1 hour
Group size: 10-50 participants
Why it works for teams: The awards ceremony fosters team spirit, boosts morale, and highlights individual contributions, reinforcing that every team member is valued and appreciated.
Variation for remote teams: Stream the event live; use digital certificates.
2. Global Traditions Celebration
The Global Traditions Celebration is an inclusive team-building activity that honors International Workers' Day by recognizing the diverse cultural backgrounds within your team. This event promotes cross-cultural understanding and strengthens team bonds while showcasing the richness of global traditions.
Step-by-step:
Invite team members to share a tradition from their culture.
Organize a showcase with food, music, and storytelling.
Encourage interaction and sharing of experiences.
Create a collaborative display of global traditions.
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Duration: 1-2 hours
Group size: Any size
Why it works for teams: This celebration promotes inclusivity, encourages cross-cultural understanding, and strengthens team bonds through shared experiences.
Variation for remote teams: Host a virtual showcase where team members present their traditions via video conferencing.
May 4: Star Wars Day
May 4th, or Star Wars Day ("May the Fourth Be With You"), is a pop culture observance that celebrates the Star Wars franchise. This unofficial holiday offers a fantastic opportunity to engage team members and promote team spirit through themed activities. Leveraging the universally loved Star Wars universe can create memorable team-building experiences. Check out these ideas:
3. Star Wars Trivia Challenge
The Star Wars Trivia Challenge is a team-building activity perfect for May 4th, testing team members' knowledge of the Star Wars saga. This activity promotes engagement and collaboration while celebrating a beloved franchise.
Step-by-step:
Prepare trivia questions about Star Wars characters, movies, and lore.
Divide participants into teams.
Host trivia rounds using a platform like Kahoot! Or scorecards.
Award points for correct answers and bonus points for creative responses.
Duration: 30 minutes to 1 hour
Group size: Any size
Why it works for teams: Trivia games encourage strategic thinking, boost team spirit, and keep team members engaged through friendly competition and nostalgia.
Variation for remote teams: Use a virtual trivia platform; include video clips and sound effects.
4. Force-inspired Problem Solving
The Force-inspired Problem Solving is a creative Star Wars Day team-building activity that challenges teams to solve complex problems using themes from the Star Wars universe. This activity promotes collaboration, critical thinking, and innovative solutions in a fun context.
Step-by-step:
Present teams with a complex problem related to business scenarios.
Encourage teams to brainstorm solutions using Star Wars characters and concepts.
Facilitate team discussions and collaborative problem-solving.
Have teams present their solutions in a creative format.
Duration: 1-2 hours
Group size: 10-50 participants
Why it works for teams: This activity enhances problem-solving skills, encourages creativity, and strengthens team bonds while having fun with a beloved franchise.
Budget: $
Variation for remote teams: Use virtual whiteboards and video conferencing; encourage creative digital presentations.
May 5th: Cinco de Mayo Activities
Cinco de Mayo celebrates Mexican culture and heritage. It presents a fantastic theme for colorful and engaging team-building activities. Check out our top choices:
5. Salsa-Making Competition
The Salsa-Making Competition is a flavorful Cinco de Mayo team-building activity that spices up collaboration. Teams create salsa recipes and compete for the Best Flavor award, fostering teamwork and celebrating Mexican culture. The best part? You get to taste everyone’s delicious creations!
Step-by-step:
Book a kitchen space or use the office facilities for this event.
Divide participants into teams and provide ingredients.
Set a time limit for salsa creation (for example, one hour).
Host a tasting session with judging and awards.
Duration: 1–2 hours
Group size: 10–50 participants
Why it works for teams: Team building through food promotes creativity, teamwork, and cultural appreciation in a fun, interactive way.
6. Mexican Trivia Game
The Mexican Trivia Game is an educational Cinco de Mayo team-building activity that tests knowledge while promoting friendly competition between team members. Teams answer trivia about Mexican history, culture, and traditions, promoting learning and team spirit.
Step-by-step:
Prepare trivia questions about Mexican culture and history in advance.
Divide participants into smaller teams for collaborative gameplay.
Use a trivia platform or scorecards.
Award points for correct answers and bonus points for creative responses.
Duration: 30 minutes to 1 hour
Group size: Any size
Why it works for teams: Trivia games encourage strategic thinking, boost team spirit, and keep team members engaged through fun and learning.
Mother’s Day Appreciation Events
Mother’s Day is an opportunity to celebrate the nurturing qualities within teams while encouraging gratitude. These activities are a mix of reflective events and appreciation exercises. They can be carried out in person or be adapted as virtual team-building activities.
7. Gratitude Wall
The Gratitude Wall is a reflective Mother’s Day team-building activity that fosters appreciation and connection between leaders and employees. It’s an excellent gratitude activity as team members write notes for supportive colleagues, creating a visual display of positivity and strengthening interpersonal bonds.
Step-by-step:
Set up a designated space in your office with sticky notes and markers.
Encourage team members to write messages of appreciation for each other and the company.
Display notes on the wall.
Host a gathering to share favorite messages.
Materials needed:
Sticky notes, markers, large wall/board.
Duration: Ongoing throughout the day/week
Group size: Any size
Why it works for teams: This activity fosters gratitude, strengthens relationships, and creates a positive work environment. It can be adapted to remote settings easily, too.
Budget: $
8. DIY Flower Arranging Workshop
The DIY Flower Arranging Workshop is a creative Mother’s Day team-building activity that encourages mindfulness and artistry. Participants create their floral arrangements as gifts or decorations, celebrating spring and fostering creativity. It’s a hands-on activity, ideal to keep your employees challenged and engaged.
Step-by-step:
Provide fresh flowers, vases, and ribbons.
Guide participants through basic flower-arranging techniques.
Encourage participants to personalize their arrangements.
Display creations and share tips.
Materials needed:
Fresh flowers, vases, ribbons.
Duration: 1–2 hours
Group size: 10–30 participants
Why it works for teams: This workshop encourages creativity, mindfulness, and artistic expression in a relaxed setting. If you have a remote team, you can send flower-arranging kits via mail and carry out this event via Zoom.
Budget: $$
May 7th: National Fitness Day
National Fitness Day promotes the importance of physical activity and healthy living. It’s an ideal opportunity to emphasize employee well-being and encourage a more active workplace. Incorporating fitness-related team-building activities can reduce stress and promote a healthier, more productive team.
9. Outdoor Yoga Session
The Outdoor Yoga Session is a rejuvenating National Fitness Day team-building activity that promotes physical and mental well-being. A professional instructor leads team members in a yoga session outdoors, combining exercise with mindfulness and team bonding.
Step-by-step:
Hire a certified yoga instructor.
Choose an outdoor location.
Provide yoga mats or encourage participants to bring their own.
Conduct a guided yoga session with breathing exercises and poses.
Materials needed:
Yoga mats.
Duration: 1 hour
Group size: Any size
Why it works for teams: This activity reduces stress, improves flexibility, and promotes team bonding through wellness.
Budget: $$
Variation for remote teams: Host a virtual yoga session via video conferencing.
10. Office Olympics Mini-Games
The Office Olympics Mini-Games is an energetic National Fitness Day team-building activity that encourages friendly competition and physical activity. Teams compete in fun, low-impact mini-games within or around the office, promoting laughter and camaraderie.
Step-by-step:
Plan mini-game stations (e.g., desk chair races, paper airplane contests).
Divide participants into teams.
Conduct rounds of games with points awarded to winners.
Conclude with an awards ceremony and fun prizes.
Materials needed:
Game equipment (cones, paper airplanes, etc.).
Duration: 1-2 hours
Group size: 10-50 participants
Why it works for teams: This activity encourages physical activity, boosts team morale, and promotes friendly competition in a relaxed environment.
Budget: $
May 13th: Apple Pie Day
Apple Pie Day celebrates the classic American dessert. Bringing this theme into the workplace presents a sweet opportunity for team building, fostering creativity, collaboration, and a sense of homey togetherness. Our top suggestion is:
11. Pie Baking Contest
The Pie Baking Contest is a delightful Apple Pie Day team-building activity that encourages creativity, collaboration, and friendly competition. Team members bake their best apple pies and compete for awards, creating a fun and delicious way to celebrate this classic dessert.
Step-by-step:
Announce the contest and provide guidelines.
Form teams and assign baking responsibilities.
Set a baking schedule and provide ingredients or guidelines.
Host a judging session with awards for taste, creativity, and presentation.
Materials needed:
Baking supplies (ingredients, pans, utensils).
Duration: 2-3 hours
Group size: 10-50 participants
Why it works for teams: This contest encourages teamwork, culinary creativity, and friendly competition, boosting team spirit and satisfaction.
Budget: $$
Variation for remote teams: Have team members bake at home and share photos or videos. Host a virtual tasting session.
May 20: World Bee Day
World Bee Day raises awareness about the importance of bees and other pollinators in our ecosystem. This day is an opportunity for team building that promotes environmental consciousness, teamwork, and a shared sense of responsibility toward the planet.
12. Team Pollination Project
The Team Pollination Project is a nature-inspired team-building activity that supports World Bee Day by contributing to pollinator habitats. Team members collaborate to create bee-friendly gardens or habitats, promoting environmental awareness.
Step-by-step:
Identify a location near your office for the pollination project.
Obtain bee-friendly plants, seeds, and gardening tools.
Collaborate on designing and creating the pollinator habitat.
Maintain and monitor the habitat's growth.
Materials needed:
Plants, seeds, gardening tools, and gloves.
Duration: 2-3 hours
Group size: 10-30 participants
Why it works for teams: This project promotes environmental awareness, collaboration, and a sense of responsibility towards the planet, fostering team bonding.
Budget: $$
Variation for remote teams: Host a virtual educational session about bees.
13. Honey Tasting Experience
The Honey Tasting Experience is a sweet and educational team-building activity that celebrates World Bee Day. Participants sample various types of honey while learning about bee conservation and the importance of pollinators. This activity is a way to explore your senses but also to learn about environmental awareness.
Step-by-step:
Source a variety of honey types from different floral sources.
Invite a local beekeeper or honey expert to lead the tasting.
Provide tasting notes and information about each honey's origin.
Conclude with a discussion on bee conservation efforts.
Materials needed:
Various honey samples, tasting spoons, palate cleansers.
Information cards about each honey type.
Duration: 1-1.5 hours Group size: 10-30 participants Why it works for teams: This activity promotes environmental awareness, sensory exploration, and team bonding through a gourmet experience. Budget: $$$
Variation for remote teams: Send honey tasting kits to participants and conduct the tasting virtually with an online expert guide.
May 24th: Scavenger Hunt Day
Scavenger Hunt Day celebrates the thrill of adventure and discovery. Don’t miss the chance to promote team building, problem-solving, and collaboration while encouraging exploration and camaraderie. Here’s our top choice:
14. City Exploration Challenge
The City Exploration Challenge is an engaging scavenger hunt team-building activity that challenges teams to explore their city, solve clues, and complete tasks. This activity encourages teamwork, problem-solving, and exploration in a fun and interactive way.
Step-by-step:
Design a scavenger hunt route.
Divide participants into teams and provide clue sheets or a digital app.
Teams navigate the city, solving clues and completing challenges.
Gather at a designated spot for awards and celebration.
Materials needed:
Clue sheets, maps, or a digital scavenger hunt app.
Duration: 3-4 hours
Group size: 10-50 participants
Why it works for teams: This activity enhances problem-solving skills, promotes collaboration, and encourages team members to explore their city together.
Budget: $
Variation for remote teams: Design a virtual scavenger hunt with online clues and digital tasks.
15. Virtual Global Scavenger Hunt
The Virtual Global Scavenger Hunt is an exciting team-building activity that takes participants on a digital journey around the world. Teams collaborate to solve clues, complete challenges, and “visit” various global landmarks, all from the comfort of their own homes or offices.
Step-by-step:
Create a series of global-themed clues and challenges.
Divide participants into teams and provide access to a digital platform.
Teams work together to solve clues and complete tasks within a set time frame.
Host a virtual gathering to share experiences and announce winners.
Materials needed:
A digital scavenger hunt platform like Scavity or custom-designed clues.
Video conferencing software.
Duration: 1-2 hours Group size: Any size Why it works for teams: This activity encourages global thinking, promotes collaboration, and enhances problem-solving skills in a virtual environment. Budget: $
16. Office Treasure Hunt
The Office Treasure Hunt is an in-person team-building activity that transforms your office into an adventure zone. Teams search for hidden clues and solve puzzles throughout the office space, promoting exploration of the work environment, teamwork, and problem-solving skills.
Step-by-step:
Hide clues and small treasures around the office.
Create a series of riddles or puzzles leading to each clue.
Divide participants into teams and provide starting clues.
Teams race to find all the clues and solve the final puzzle.
Materials needed:
Clues, small prizes or treasures, office supplies for puzzles.
Duration: 1-2 hours Group size: 10-30 participants Why it works for teams: This activity encourages teamwork and creative thinking between team members. Budget: $
Mental Health Awareness Month Initiatives
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, a time to prioritize wellness in your team-building efforts. Wellness is one of the team-building trends for 2025. During this month, organizations can incorporate activities such as mindfulness workshops, peer support programs, and educational campaigns to promote mental well-being and reduce stigma around mental health issues. Here are our top suggestions:
17. Guided Meditation Session
The Guided Meditation Session is a calming Mental Health Awareness Month team-building activity that promotes mental wellness and focus. Led by a professional instructor, this session helps participants relax, reduce stress, and connect on a deeper level.
Step-by-step:
Hire a mindfulness coach to lead the session (in-person or virtual).
Set up a quiet space with comfortable seating.
Guide participants through breathing exercises and mindfulness practices.
Allow time for reflection and discussion.
Materials needed:
Comfortable seating (yoga mats optional).
Duration: 1 hour
Group size: Any size
Why it works for teams: This session supports mental health, reduces stress, and fosters stronger interpersonal relationships through shared mindfulness.
Budget: $$
18. Wellness Challenge
The Wellness Challenge is an appealing Mental Health Awareness Month team-building activity that promotes healthy habits and friendly competition. Teams participate in challenges like step counts or mindfulness exercises, reflecting the company’s commitment to employee well-being.
Step-by-step:
Create a list of wellness challenges.
Ensure everyone is eager to participate and that all challenges can be carried out by everyone.
Divide participants into teams or allow individual participation.
Track progress using fitness apps or spreadsheets.
Why it works for teams: This challenge supports physical and mental health, fosters stronger relationships, and boosts morale through healthy competition.
Budget: $
May 26th: Memorial Day Outdoor Activities
Memorial Day honors those who have served in the armed forces. It’s also an opportunity to enjoy outdoor team-building activities that celebrate unity.
19. Outdoor Picnic & Games
The Outdoor Picnic & Games is a Memorial Day team-building activity that combines relaxation with healthy competition, all while getting some vitamin D. Team members enjoy a meal together and participate in collaborative games, celebrating unity in an outdoor setting.
Step-by-step:
Choose an outdoor location such as a park.
Provide picnic blankets, food, and drinks.
Organize games like relay races or tug-of-war.
Conclude with an awards ceremony for game winners.
Materials needed:
Picnic supplies (food, drinks, blankets).
Game equipment (ropes, frisbees).
Duration: Half-day
Group size: 10–50 participants
Why it works for teams: This activity combines relaxation with teamwork in an outdoor setting while honoring Memorial Day traditions.
Budget: $$
20. Community Service Project
The Community Service Project is a meaningful Memorial Day team-building activity that builds teamwork through purpose. Participants volunteer by cleaning up a park, or a beach, writing letters to veterans, giving back to the community, and honoring those who served.
Step-by-step:
Choose a community service project (park cleanup, letter writing).
Provide necessary supplies (cleaning supplies, stationery).
Organize teams for project completion.
Reflect on the impact of the project.
Materials needed:
Cleaning supplies or stationery.
Duration: 2–3 hours
Group size: Any size
Why it works for teams: This activity builds teamwork through shared purpose while making a positive impact on the community.
Budget: $
Wrapping Up
May brings opportunities to work on your team dynamics and foster a positive work environment (in or outside of the office). By leveraging the month's themes and holidays, you can create engaging experiences that boost morale, improve communication, and celebrate your team's diverse talents. Remember to plan ahead, tailoring activities to your team's specific needs and interests for maximum impact.
The team-building ideas presented in this article are adaptable to different team sizes and settings, from in-office competitions to virtual explorations. As team-building trends evolve, focus on activities that promote personal well-being and collective achievement. Embrace May as a time to invest in your team and build a stronger, more connected future.
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Our services can also help you save up to 30% on venue costs. Get started today and schedule a complimentary call to begin planning the best possible gathering for 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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