Skip navigation

9 alcohol-free ideas for team bonding

Most employees crave connection and camaraderie, especially after a full day of sitting in front of screens. Here are 9 alcohol-free ways to build trust in your teams.

A team of diverse employees are standing outside an office building. They're smiling and one is holding out her arm to take a selfie. Someone in the back is holding up 2 fingers to make the peace sign.A team of diverse employees are standing outside an office building. They're smiling and one is holding out her arm to take a selfie. Someone in the back is holding up 2 fingers to make the peace sign.

Table of contents

Insights from Ellen Raim, Founder of People MatterWe focus more on solving than preventing People problems.

Most employees crave connection and camaraderie, especially after a full day of sitting in front of screens. At many workplaces, happy hours are the default bonding experience. But there are many alcohol-free ways to bring coworkers and teams together. 

Download our DEI holiday calendar

Here are nine alcohol-free ways to build trust in your teams:

1. Be tourists in your own city. 

Bond with your team by exploring a city of your choice. Pick a city your near your office, where someone lives or somewhere completely different. Visit a museum, explore a new park or walk the city together.

2. Attend a cooking class together.

Food is a great way to bring people together. Consider taking a cooking class (and even support a local business). During the class, your employees can connect with each other. And, after they class, they’ll have a new recipe to impress their loved ones and friends with!

3. Get creative in an art class.

Dedicate some time for employees to embrace their inner artists. Consider a pottery, painting or drawing class as a way for teams to bond with each other and discover a new skill/hobby.

Learn how creativity can impact productivity

4. Cheer for your favorite team at a local sports game.

Take your employees out to a ball game. Assign seats to ensure people spend some time with coworkers they don’t often work with.

5. Randomize coffee meet-ups.

Get out of your team out of its bubble. Pair up employees randomly for coffee dates. Let them choose the time and location (virtual is okay, too).

6. Volunteer as a team.

If your employees want to get more involved in sustainability or community service, consider giving back to your local community. Local soup kitchens, youth programs and  beach or park cleanups can be great for teams.

7. Have a picnic.

Summer is around the corner, and a picnic is a great way for teams to spend time together. Go potluck style — everyone can bring something to share.

8. Attend a comedy show.

They say that laughter is the best medicine. Check out a local comedy club in your area. You’ll get to support local comedians while connecting with coworkers over humor.

9. Learn together.

Learning together is a great way to bring people together, and Electives can help you with this one. The Electives platform streamlines the planning, curation, logistics and measurement to make it possible for you to bring impactful learning to your team – no waiting for bigger budgets or more resources.

Learn more about the power of learning together as a team

Create your high-performance culture.

Welcome to the new era of team development — where shared ideas and language lift engagement, connections and productivity to new heights.

With programs like our High-Performance Culture Training, we’re bringing modern L&D within your reach.

Learn more today

Latest resources

Learn more about creating a culture of learning throughout our resources below.

Electives instructor Karen Laos featured on Fox15 News
Electives team
 
Jul 26, 2024

Electives instructor Karen Laos featured on Fox15 News

Karen Laos is a communication expert and confidence cultivator. She is fiercely committed to equipping women in business to stop holding back and speak up.
In the news + press releases
Understanding workforce trends: Prioritizing people over buzzwords
Electives team
 
Jul 26, 2024

Understanding workforce trends: Prioritizing people over buzzwords

Since the pandemic, new terms have continuously emerged to describe employee behavior and attitude shifts.
Culture + collaboration
Top 10 reasons employees don't use their learning stipends
Electives team
 
Jul 25, 2024

Top 10 reasons employees don't use their learning stipends

Learning stipends can transform careers and drive organizational success. Yet, many employees fail to take advantage of these opportunities.
Learning best practices
Electives Co-Founder Jason Lavender on the Leveraging Thought Leadership podcast
Electives team
 
Jul 25, 2024

Electives Co-Founder Jason Lavender on the Leveraging Thought Leadership podcast

Jason shares his journey into corporate training and how his company Electives is making training easier, engaging and more accessible.
In the news + press releases
Building a leadership enablement program for emerging + mid-level leaders
Electives team
 
Jul 24, 2024

Building a leadership enablement program for emerging + mid-level leaders

Designing a leadership enablement program involves a strategic blend of foundational skills, advanced topics and organization-specific competencies.
Leadership + management
8 ways to include remote employees in hybrid events
Electives team
 
Jul 23, 2024

8 ways to include remote employees in hybrid events

Here are some top strategies to ensure remote employees feel included in your hybrid events.
Hybrid + remote work

View all posts

SAY GOODBYE TO BORING TRAINING

Turn every learning catalyst into a growth opportunity.

Select Electives Membership or a private program. Options include modern manager training, high-performance culture, buisness foundations or a custom curriculum.

Learn more

Learn more

Learn more

Learn more