Fall Themed Team Building Activities to End the Year

End-of-year team building increases workplace morale by giving employees a chance to let loose and have fun, make memories, and create camaraderie outside their professional roles. This improves collaboration and fosters strong employee engagement, resulting in the workplace satisfaction necessary for attracting and retaining quality talent.

Here are our recommendations for fall-themed team buildings to increase employee engagement while making the most of autumn weather and vibes.

Murder Mystery

Get your team in the Halloween spirit with a fun murder mystery. Employees need to work together to analyze evidence, grill suspects, and determine their motives to find the "killer". The performers and venues often go all out for the spookiest time of year by creating fun challenges for mystery lovers. By having to work together for a low-stakes activity that has an enthralling story and performance, murder mystery parties also enable team members to break the ice organically if they don't normally interact much.

Pumpkin Painting and Carving

Pumpkins are a staple of fall fun, and fall-themed team-building activities are no exception. This activity can be done at certain venues, or the team can be supplied with pumpkins and carving or painting tools at the workplace. Everyone gets to make their own uniquely painted pumpkin or jack-o-lantern or use large pumpkins, so people need to work in groups if they don't typically collaborate. Try turning it into a contest such as the best artistry, funniest decoration, or the most creative.

Apple Picking

If an apple orchard is nearby, many of them offer options for group activities. Apple picking is an excellent way for employees to make memories and enjoy a fall outdoor activity while becoming more closely connected to the food we eat. Apple picking is also an excellent activity for employees to bring their families.

Leaf Collage Workshops

Fall team building can incorporate natural foliage in the area. Employees can bring in leaves from their homes, neighborhoods, or favorite parks and create collages with the leaves. Leaf-pressing and other methods of foliage art can be taught by an arts and crafts instructor in person or virtually. This is also a great activity for employees' families to get involved and reap the mental and physical health benefits of spending more time with nature.

Wine Tasting Parties and Workshops

Mulled wine is just as symbolic of fall as pumpkins. Wine-making tours for large groups are available at many vineyards, and tasting events can be hosted at their venue or the workplace. Learning how to make mulled wine provides a memorable experience for employees and gives them the knowledge to recreate this delicious drink at home.

Employees can learn from sommeliers how to pair wines with different dishes, which helps them prepare for Thanksgiving and other holiday meals coming up. Wine and cheese spreads are an excellent fall-themed way to celebrate a successful third quarter and encourage socialization among team members.

Fall-Themed Mixology

Warm and hearty fall flavors like pumpkin, apple, cinnamon, and maple aren't just for baked goods and oatmeal anymore. Craft cocktails using these flavors have become extremely popular, and mixology workshops are a fun team-building activity that can be done at the workplace with kits.

Employees can decompress on a Friday instead of just going to happy hour. For employees who don't drink, mixology classes can also include non-alcoholic options like pumpkin juices and refreshing cider coolers so no one is left out.

Fall Wreath Making

Making decorative crafts is a fun way to get into the fall spirit while encouraging collaboration among teams. Fall wreaths can be created with kits on the premises that include all the materials needed. Even remote employees can join in on the fun by shipping a kit to them!

Autumnal greens, pumpkins, and other symbols that evoke fall can be used to decorate the home or office and create memories.

Seasonal Cooking Workshops

Putting a twist on the classic office potluck, fall cooking workshops have become one of the most popular seasonal team-building activities in recent years. Live and virtual cooking classes make this end-of-year team building activity easy to implement and scale for different budgets. Employees can participate remotely at home in their own kitchens or at the venue if attending a live class. Hearty stews, sweet pumpkin pies, apple and sweet potato casseroles, and so much more can be made and employees will learn about how to properly cook and store these ingredients.

Cooking and eating a delicious fall meal together is the perfect way to bond over a crisp day and learn from one another.

Building the right team and keeping them engaged can be challenging. Exact Payroll offers a full suite of HR services, including personalized assistance with team building and management. Contact us today to set up your team-building assessment.