Updated: July 28, 2023

20 Best Team Building Activities in Boston, MA

Here is our list of the best team building activities in Boston, Massachusetts.

Corporate team building activities in Boston are ways to connect and bond your team with an out-of-office excursion. Examples include food tours, escape rooms, and scavenger hunts. These ideas strengthen team dynamics, improve cooperation, and form shared memories among coworkers in the historic city.

These ideas are examples of small group team building and get-to-know-you activities. These activities are similar to corporate outings in Boston, group activities in Boston, and Boston work events.

This list includes:

  • team building activities for small groups in Boston, MA
  • team building activities for large groups in Boston, Massachusetts
  • team building activities for adults in Boston
  • corporate team building ideas in Boston

Here we go!

List of team building activities in Boston

From creating mosaic art to canoeing down the Charles River, here is a list of Boston team building ideas.

1. The Great Guac Off™️ (Top Choice)

Guacamole making competition

You can spice up your team’s gathering with The Great Guac Off! This avocado-themed celebration brings colleagues together in a friendly competition to showcase their guacamole-making skills. We can accommodate teams of many sizes, making this event one of the best team building activities for large groups in Boston, Massachusetts.

This exciting event includes:

  • engaging hosts and co-hosts that will meet you at your chosen venue
  • all the necessary ingredients for tasty guacamole, along with an assortment of dippers
  • optional secret ingredient to challenge participants’ culinary skills
  • engaging warm-up games and icebreakers
  • avocado trivia games and exciting mini-challenges
  • making signature guacamole recipes
  • a panel of judges to taste and score each masterpiece

During this 90-minute experience, The Great Guac Off boosts teamwork, communication, and friendly competition. This delectable team building activity promises a flavorful and memorable event!

Learn more about The Great Guac Off.

2. Superhero Academy (Team Favorite)

superhero academy

During this immersive 90-minute team building event, step into the thrilling world of a comic book adventure where you are the hero!

What to expect:

  • form powerful superhero teams with your colleagues
  • create custom costumes, names, powers, and backstories
  • exhilarating gauntlet games test your superhero abilities and bring out your extraordinary talents.
  • engage in intriguing puzzles and challenges that will put your team’s skills to the test

Our staff will meet you at the location of your choice with all the necessary materials and will guide groups through the games and keep energy high.

Superhero Academy will help your team learn to tackle challenges head-on. Be sure to check out this activity for your next team building day!

Learn more about Superhero Academy.

3. Field Day (Popular)

If you are looking for an event that promotes teamwork, encourages friendly competition, and fosters camaraderie, then Field Day is the perfect choice. This thrilling activity allows employees to engage in interactive outdoor games.

Here is what you can expect from Field Day:

  • choose a location that suits your preferences, and our team will be there to meet you
  • we will bring all the necessary materials and equipment
  • a highly skilled host from teambuilding.com will guide you through an engaging 90-minute experience
  • participate in a wide range of exhilarating outdoor activities, including classic games and innovative competitions
  • capture exciting moments with team photos

Field Day strengthens relationships and fosters trust that participants can apply in the workplace. For a high-energy outing that your team will love, be sure to check out Field Day.

Learn more about Field Day.

4. Georges Island

Georges Island is home to Fort Warren, which was built after the War of 1812. The fort walls were made from granite to withstand enemy fire, and construction took over two decades. The fort was garrisoned for the first time in 1861, where militiamen trained for six months. Then, officials converted the fort into a prison for Confederate soldiers. At one time, the prison housed Alexander Stephens, Vice President of the Confederacy.

The military used the fort as a training ground during WWI and WWII before it was decommissioned in 1950. Fort Warren became a national historic landmark in 1970, and visitors can still go see it today via high-speed ferry. Guests can explore the fort, watch educational films, and see exhibits at the visitor center. Additionally, you can check out the island’s bakery, parade ground, and dark tunnel. A trip to this historic landmark makes for a great afternoon of team building.

Learn more about Georges Island.

5. Four-Handed Illusions

Hosted by Joel Acevedo and Steve Kradolfer, Four-Handed Illusions is a comedy, music, and illusion show. The intimate venue seats 50 guests and does not have a stage, making it among the top team building activities for small groups in Boston, MA. Guests will enjoy a pre-show cocktail reception before the event. During the show, visitors will see common objects appear and disappear, experience sleight-of-hand techniques, and enjoy telepathy and mind reading. The performance is two-and-a-half hours long, making this a great spot for a full evening out. Guests must come in cocktail attire. Larger parties can even book the pair for a private event, and if you would like, the performers will travel to the venue of your choice. For a night full of laughter and wonder, consider visiting Four-Handed Illusions.

Learn more about Four-Handed Illusions.

6. Codzilla

Thrill-seeking teams will love spending a speedy afternoon on the water with Codzilla, a bright-red speedboat. This 70-foot boat hauls across the water at over 40 miles per hour, blasting original music along the way. Captains will even send the boat into hairpin turns and 360-degree spins to amp up the excitement. Amongst the high-speed travel, guests will also get to enjoy a unique view of the city skyline and the islands surrounding Boston. Ponchos are available on board, as visitors may get splashed! Larger teams of 20 or more will benefit from a discounted group rate. For a speedy afternoon in the sun, be sure to check out this boat ride!

Learn more about Codzilla.

7. Omni Parker House

Dessert lovers and foodies alike will love stopping at the Omni Parker House to sample the original Boston Cream Pie. Chef Anezin invented this treat in the 1800s, and today, it is Massachusetts’ official state dessert. However, the name is a bit misleading, as this “pie” is actually a cake. In this dessert, pastry cream is sandwiched between two layers of vanilla sponge cake and topped with chocolate ganache. The Omni Parker House still sells this delicacy using the original recipe. Boston visitors should definitely take the time to stop by and grab a slice of the city’s history.

Learn more about the Omni Parker House.

8. Cheers

Fans of the hit TV show Cheers will love to experience the bar that started it all. Founded in 1969 as the Bull & Finch Pub, this bar became the inspiration for the iconic setting of Cheers. This pub has an extensive menu, including the Giant Norm Burger. Guests who can finish this entire double burger earn themselves a spot on the Norm Burger Hall of Fame. Large parties can book this space for a private event, and die-hard fans can even book a Cheers-themed event package! Be sure to belly up to the bar at this iconic spot.

Learn more about Cheers.

9. The Printing Office of Edes & Gill

This printing shop belonged to Benjamin Edes and John Gill, two publishers responsible for the original Boston Gazette. Notable names like John Adams regularly wrote for the paper, and it was a huge influence in the Revolutionary War. Today, visitors can participate in group presentations and printing demonstrations to learn more about this historical location. History buffs may also enjoy the gift shop, where you can buy prints of significant papers like The Bill of Rights and The Declaration of Independence. For a peek into America’s storied history, be sure to stop by this office.

Learn more about The Printing Office of Edes & Gill.

10. The Courtyard Tea Room

For an elegant team building activity, consider an afternoon tea at The Courtyard Tea Room. This venue is in Boston’s Central Library and features delicious snacks, tea, and cocktails. The menu features savory tea sandwiches, scones, and petit fours. Diners will enjoy dishes like smoked salmon sandwiches and French macarons. The cocktails are infused with tea and feature literary references, perfect for the library locale. As you may expect, the tea list is extensive, with black, green, oolong, white, and herbal teas to choose from. Larger parties can also book the space for private events. To get a taste of Boston’s infamous tea, check out this event.

Learn more about The Courtyard Tea Room.

11. Museum of Bad Art

Museums often contain art from some of the world’s most famous names, but the Museum of Bad Art is quite the opposite. Instead of Van Gogh or Picasso, viewers will see “art that is too bad to be ignored.” In the fall of 1993, antique dealer Scott Wilson found a bad oil painting in the trash. Titled “Lucy in the Field with Flowers,” this painting features unusual color choices and facial expressions. Wilson believed more folks needed to see Lucy, so he presented the first showing of bad art in a basement in 1994. Today, the collection has grown exponentially, featuring categories like Poor Traits, Dopplehangers, and Unlikely Landscapes. This museum is free, making it great for teams on a budget.

Learn more about the Museum of Bad Art.

12. Mobsters and Lobsters Trolley Tour

One of the most fun team building activities for adults in Boston is a Mobsters and Lobsters Trolley Tour. On the tour, your team can immerse themselves in Boston’s historic mobster underworld. The experience includes mobster hideaways, heists, and hangouts alongside legendary mobster stories. The day ends with a stop at a revered Boston eatery for a lobster lunch or dinner.

Learn more about Mobsters and Lobsters Trolley Tour.

13. Selfup Cooking Classes

Cooking classes are a fun, natural way to bond with your team. Selfup Cooking Classes offers several courses that encourage socialization and skill building. Teammates can learn how to make meals like pasta, pizza, crab cakes, and Asian dumplings from scratch. Each class covers a few different dishes and includes hands-on instruction from a professional chef. The variety of cuisines makes these classes an excellent option for celebrating cultural diversity. Food can be an incredible community-building tool, and participants can enjoy a satisfying homemade meal together at the culmination of the class.

Learn more about Selfup.

14. Drinkmaster

A DrinkMaster Craft Cocktail Class is one of the best boozy corporate team building ideas in Boston. In the class, teams will work with a bartender to concoct the most delicious craft cocktails, such as:

  • Sparkling Brut Cava Cocktail
  • Old Fashioned
  • 1930s Havana, Cuba Inspired Daiquiri
  • Prohibition Bees Knees
  • Pisco Sour

Participants learn how to prepare and mix drink ingredients and tips on how to serve the cocktails. The course emphasizes quality and technique and aims to build tangible skills.

Learn more about Drinkmaster.

15. Tipsy Chocolates Walking Tours

Tipsy Chocolates Walking Tours offers teams chocolate and cocktail tours through some of Boston’s most historic neighborhoods. Options include Back Bay Walking Tour and Beacon Hill Walking Tour.

In a Back Bay Walking Tour, teams enjoy a two-hour chocolate and cocktail tour through the Back Bay. This tour includes commentary by a chocolate ambassador, boozy-inspired chocolate samples at four to five locations, one wine and chocolate pairing, and one chocolate cocktail.

In a Beacon Hill walking tour, teams enjoy a 90-minute tour through Beacon Hill. This tour includes a history of chocolate and the Bostonians who sold it in the 17th century, a chocolate martini, boozy-inspired chocolate samples, and a wine & chocolate class.

Learn more about Tipsy Chocolates.

16. Brattle Book Shop

Founded in 1825, Brattle Book Shop is one of the largest bookstores in the US. The store spans three floors and also features an outdoor sale lot. Visitors will marvel at the 250,000 books, maps, prints, and postcards. For the collectors on your team, you can also check out the stock of rare first-edition books. The store even has staff members that can help you decorate your home or office with books! As a fun team building activity, you can pair members up and have them search for a book for their partner. Then, have a reading evening! For a relaxing team building event, be sure to stop by this shop.

Learn more about Brattle Book Shop.

17. Sowa Mosaics

Your team can get their art on with SoWa Mosaics. Located in Boston’s SoWa’s Art District, Sowa Mosaics offers a two-hour mosaic workshop where teams can create unique art. A long-time artist leads each session and provides all necessary supplies for the masterpieces. Workshops last two hours, and you can bring your team to a public class or schedule a private event. Best of all, many classes are collaborative and involve participants making one giant piece of art instead of individual projects, making the class team-centric.

Learn more about Sowa Mosaics.

18. Boda Borg

Boda Borg combines an obstacle course and an escape room where teams of three to five people choose from 20 different doors. Each door has a “quest” that teams must complete to move forward.

Boston’s Boda Borg includes four quests, including Wumple Frump, Farm, 27 Sec, and Spook House.

A handy color coding system helps teams pick a quest that fits their physical ability.

Learn more about Boda Borg.

19. Paddle Boston

Paddle Boston offers experiences where teams can take paddleboards, canoes, and kayaks out on the Charles River.

Their signature team event, Poker Challenge, has teams trying to spot five cards hidden along the waterfront. Paddle Boston also offers team picnics, catering, and canoes that fit up to ten passengers.

Learn more about Paddle Boston.

20. Honeycomb Creamery

Honeycomb Creamery is one of the most popular ice cream parlors in Boston. The shop specializes in small-batch, craft ice cream sourced from local products. This post serves up adventurous flavors like basil goat cheese, malted vanilla, and Frosé Sorbet that will expand your team’s culinary horizons and classics like lemon or chocolate for less daring palates. In addition, the menu offers many vegan options. Tuesdays are Taco Tuesdays, where visitors can order up photo-worthy sweet creations.

Learn more about Honeycomb Creamery.

Conclusion

Corporate team building is essential for many reasons, including fostering relationships amongst team members, brushing up on communication skills, and providing team members with opportunities to unwind outside the office. When planning a corporate team event, consider your team’s hobbies and interests. For instance, if your group loves games, then a board game experience at Boardgame Empire is perfect. Or, if your team is outdoorsy, an afternoon kayaking on The Charles River is fitting. Regardless, create an experience that your team will remember in the years to come.

Next, check out this guide to indoor team building and this list of group activities.

FAQ: Team building activities in Boston, Massachusetts

Here are some answers about corporate team building activities in Boston.

What are some good corporate team building ideas in Boston?

Some good corporate team building ideas in Boston include Tipsy Chocolates Walking Tour, Mobsters And Lobsters Trolley Tour, and Paddle Boston.

What are fun team building activities to do in Boston?

Some fun team building activities to do in Boston include Selfup Cooking Classes, Boda Borg, and Drinkmaster.

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Author:

People & Culture Director at teambuilding.com.
Grace is the Director of People & Culture at TeamBuilding. She studied Industrial and Labor Relations at Cornell University, Information Science at East China Normal University and earned an MBA at Washington State University.

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