Fun and engaging team-building activities can be very effective in boosting employee performance. Spending time and solving fun problems together nurtures a positive team relationship, which is a crucial aspect of a productive and enjoyable workplace.
Sacramento has no shortage of amazing and memorable team-building activities. From its rich history and vibrant art communities, the river city may be the best spot to bolster team relationships in the most exciting ways.
Let’s explore 20 of the best team-building activities in Sacramento for all kinds of professional communities. Whether you’re a team of remote, hybrid, or onsite workers, you’ll surely find the right group bonding experience to strengthen your professional ties.
1. Epic Scavenger Hunt
A scavenger hunt requires a team to work together, communicate effectively, and collaborate closely to solve puzzles and reach the goal. It closely resembles an office where you team up to highlight your creative strengths.
The game is all about problem-solving, but the fun part is you get to walk the historic streets of Sacramento! It’s two birds with one stone—you get to bond with your co-workers while also enjoying the many offerings of the river city.
cityHunt offers the most epic scavenger adventure in California! Our professional team will design an exciting and customizable urban hunt through Sacramento’s fun-riddled street tailored to your organization’s needs.
Testimonial: “City hunt was a fun time with friends. We did it as a team building exercise with other regions of our company. It brought us from strangers to pals in no time flat!”
Rating: 4.9/5.0 on Yelp
2. Relaxing Team Picnic
Sometimes people just want to relax and briefly forget about the deadlines and commitments. Company picnics may sound too simple, but their simplicity also makes them a wonderful opportunity to cool down and talk.
For your next corporate meetup, consider hosting a picnic event in McKinley, one of Sacramento’s many historically significant parks. Once home to wild alligators, McKinley Park features nature-inspired scapes and recreation areas where your company can unwind.
Testimonial: “Such an Exciting Park! I absolutely adore the wiew with all the things they have going here. The very cool wooden playground with so many different types of fun, with the Basketball Court, Canopy area for parties, [and] other picnic areas all around with BBQ Pits.”
Rating: 4.6/5.0 on Google
3. Thrilling Escape Room
For managers looking for a team-building activity that’s both thrilling and challenging, an escape room could be the answer.
Whether played face-to-face or online, an escape room is a fantastic way to boost communication and problem-solving among the players.
Find your way out of the mysterious locked room, solve mind-boggling puzzles, locate secret clues, and race against the clock. It’s one of the best ways for your team to cooperate, solve obstacles, and delight in shared success.
If you’re looking for exactly that in Sacramento, Enchambered Live Escape Room Adventure is the top place to be.
Testimonial: “So creative! The clues were great! Like how there was a live voice to give clues! Would highly recommend to others!”
Rating: 4.9/5.0 on Tripadvisor
4. Creative Pottery Classes
Creativity is a crucial skill to develop in a team—particularly if you’re constantly dealing with problems that require innovative problem-solving. That said, what better way to encourage creative thinking than making art?
As a group activity, pottery classes encourage out-of-the-box thinking. Your team can have fun creating hand-crafted pieces of varied designs to express their artistic side. Not to mention working with clay makes a wonderful stress reliever!
Sincere Ceramics Studio is a fantastic instructor-led art center for pottery making in Sacramento for all levels of skills. They offer weekly classes and single-session events to learn the craft of clay.
Testimonial: “I love it here! The owners are personable, kind, and caring. The studio is well-kept and has a great ambiance. The prices are hard to beat.”
Rating: 4.4/5/0 on Yelp
5. Delicious Cooking Classes
There’s no better way to strengthen camaraderie than enjoying good food together. Cooking together allows the group to talk to each other, identify roles, delegate tasks, and organize the steps to making the most savory bites.
Why not take this opportunity to sample Sacramento’s finest cuisines? Learn scrumptious Californian dishes from Cozymeal’s expert chef Catalina with your colleagues.
Testimonial: “Chef Catalina has a beautiful home that she opened up for her cooking class and is so very welcoming. Not only was she a great teacher she also had a great deal of patience.”
Rating: 4.7/5/0 on Yelp
6. Random Acts of Kindness
Corporate events can be a great way to give back to your community. In participating in a Random Acts of Kindness challenge, you remind your employees of all the goodness your company stands for.
It’s like a scavenger hunt, only instead of puzzles, you’ll be performing a list of good deeds that benefit strangers on the streets of Sacramento. It’s as heartwarming as it is challenging, as you’ll be competing on who does the most good within a time limit.
The good news is that you can organize such an event on your own. You may also work alongside organizations like Outback Team Building & Training for a worthwhile experience.
Testimonial: “Great for millennials, and others! We enjoyed Random Acts of Kindness—it matched our culture and values as an organization, and we learned from each other.”
Rating: 4.9/5/0 on Yelp
7. Exciting Online Games
Remote work is the new normal, but it doesn’t mean you can’t have a blast together even at home and in front of your screens.
Luckily, fun and engaging games that encourage collaboration come in ample supply. Think of online quizzes, virtual escape rooms, zoom family feuds, or storytelling games. Tongue twisters, poster-making challenges, and boor reading groups are great options, too.
Check out SnackNation’s The Go Game for exciting work-from-home and hybrid games to foster enjoyment between your off-premise team members!
Testimonial: “We cannot say enough great things about The Go Game! We were looking for something our combination of in-person and virtual employees (spanning across a few states) could all join, and The Go Game was exactly what we were hoping to find!”
Rating: 4.7/5.0 on Yelp
8. Immersive VR Experience
Virtual Reality (VR) has been becoming a very popular form of entertainment. But they do more than just entertain. For corporate teams and groups, VR can be an excellent platform to temper camaraderie and establish efficient communication.
There are many such indoor activities Sacramento has in store for anyone.
Zion Virtual Reality Entertainment, for one, offers games designed for amusement and teamwork. Band together and conquer the hyper-realistic Zombies Free Roam VR or split into teams in an action-packed fantasy game, Dream Hackers.
Testimonial: “Great place, cheaper than buying a VR headset. Integrated comms, so you can talk to your party without hassle, and choosing games is only a couple of button presses. Overall, great experience.”
Rating: 4.6/5.0 on Google
9. Competitive Paintball
A little friendly competition goes a long way in building a strong company. Having members who are willing to achieve more and turn losses into learning opportunities is an advantageous asset any team should strive toward.
Competition, albeit friendly, also prevents feelings of complacency, lifting all your co-workers to higher performance levels.
Nothing quite stirs friendly competition than group paintball. Prompt communication, strategic planning, and cooperation are key to winning here! Visit Capital Edge Paintball Park and partake in the most blood-pumping paintball royale.
Testimonial: “Had a great time with a private group game. Facilities and fields are in good condition. Staff are knowledgeable, friendly, and accommodating.”
Rating: 4.7/5/0 on Google
10. Hysterical Stand-Up Comedy
Laughter brings any group of people closer. One or two hours of intimate silliness could prove more effective in strengthening ties than years of working professionally together.
Plenty of research has already shown the effectiveness of sharing a good laugh in enhancing social bonding, so you may want to consider bringing your team to a hysterical night of comedy.
There are plenty of hysterical clubs to share with your colleagues in Sacramento. But you’d be hard-pressed to find a club more suited for building friendships than Punch Line Sacramento.
Testimonial: “We had a great time here. The comedy was great, and the wait staff was awesome! The selection of food was surprisingly tasty. Plenty of parking and the venue was very clean. The bartender had a heavy pour. We’ll definitely be back soon!”
Rating: 4.4/5.0 on Google
11. Volunteering For a Cause
Volunteering can be a chance to work with your colleagues outside the workplace and in a meaningful way.
You can find numerous non-profit groups in Sacramento that need all the help they can get. From animal care shelters to centers for disabled teens, you’re sure to find one that aligns with your company’s core values.
Check out Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services and help donate and distribute food to the most needy in Sacramento County.
Testimonial: “Helping the community is their main priority, great organization! Lots of FREE services to improve your situation! I encourage those that are able to donate, to do so. From financial contributions to volunteering, this allows people to get the help that they need.”
Rating: 4.8/5/0 on Yelp
12. Stunning Art Museum Tour
You can explore over 30 museums in Sacramento, and they cover everything from the city’s railroad systems to its greatest artworks and expansive medical history.
Looking at art may be more meaningful, dynamic, and enjoyable than you think. Put a group of people in front of a European master drawing or an ornate ceramic from the past and you can watch the conversation flow like never before.
Be sure to visit Crocker Art Museum if you’re organizing a team-building tour in Sacramento for the most extensive California artwork collection!
Testimonial: “The Crocker Art Museum is well worth a visit! The primary reason I suggest visiting is to visit its California art collection, including paintings featuring Yosemite.”
Rating: 4.5/5.0 on Tripadvisor
13. World Class Mural Tour
Art is a big deal in the river city. The lively art scene is a must-witness, with talented Sacramentan hands expressing their creativity in many forms and shapes.
Besides enlivening the neighborhood, world-class murals are a massive hit for tourists here. You can find these wonderful creative additions throughout the city.
Make your team-building extra fun with a mural walk tour with SacTown Bites.
Testimonial: “Enjoyed this tour last month and have told many friends, family, and coworkers about how great it was! Heather was friendly, knowledgeable, and has created a fabulous walking food tour.”
Rating: 4.9/5.0 on Yelp
14. Sacramento River Cruise
There’s a reason we call Sacramento the “River City.” You can find many great bodies of water snaking through here, including the Sacramento River, the Feather River, and the American River.
The River City Queen offers scenic cruise tours on the Sacramento River. You and your team can watch the City of Trees from different panoramic perspectives—a fantastic opportunity to learn about the city’s best spots while enjoying good food!
Testimonial: “Booked a private charter for our work team and had a great time. Captain Jim Haggerty and his team delivered a great 2-hour cruise with full bar, cheese, veggie, and shrimp trays.”
Rating: 4.5/5.0 on Google
15. Virtual Tastings and Tours
Working from home can be a challenge when planning team-building activities. It has its perks, though, and it doesn’t take an entire venue to get everyone to participate in the fun.
Instead of planning an exhaustive itinerary by yourself, you can invite your colleagues to a day of zesty wine tasting and tour online!
It turns out wineries have been keeping up with the world and have found new ways to bring wine lovers closer to home. If you’re interested, Lucid Winery, based in R District Sacramento, is a superb way to go.
Testimonial: “I have come here a couple of times now and what a fun little spot. Get the family owner winery experience right in the R District.”
Rating: 4.5/5.0 on Yelp
16. Scenic Dining on a Train
It doesn’t take much to forge a friendship within a company. Often, an invitation to a scenic dining experience works just as fine.
Trains are a massive part of Sacramento’s history and establishments like the River Fox Train offer a panoramic dining experience through the city’s best views. Take your team, relish some tasty food, and appreciate the City of Trees aboard a retro train.
Testimonial: “Great service, nice atmosphere, and a good selection of beers and ciders.”
Rating: 4.4/5.0 on Google
17. Delectable Food Tour
Food tours work as an attractive team-building attraction because it’s not just about sampling the most delectable food, you get to spend valuable time with your team members, too.
Whether exploring local cuisine or hopping between popular restaurants in a new city, food tours are an opportunity to learn everyone’s stories and get closer.
Sacramento boasts many food tours highlighting the best of California’s cuisine. However, nothing quite beats Viator’s downtown historical food tour through Sacramento’s local favorites and hidden foodie gems.
Testimonial: “The combination of food and local culture was very enjoyable and informative! Dawnie did a wonderful job of explaining your city and state. The food and drinks were all yummy!”
Rating: 5.0/5.0 on Tripadvisor
18. Swimming Classes With Dolphins
What could be more memorable than swimming with adorable dolphins? Dolphin Scuba Center holds exhilarating small-group swimming classes and diving courses you and your company can participate in.
The center also offers group and individual tours where you can explore the best diving spots throughout the globe.
Testimonial: “This Scuba center is a hidden gem in Sacramento, and if you love the ocean dive into this spot. You will regret nothing!!
Rating: 4.2/5.0 on Yelp
19. Cathartic Rage Rooms
A rage room, also known as an anger room, is a place where people intentionally break, throw, or destroy objects. However, as strange as it sounds, it can also work as an effective stress reliever and team-building exercise.
Engage in friendly competitions on who gets to smash the most items with your colleagues in Smash Sacramento!
Testimonial: “This was a fantastic experience! We had a blast, we did the rage room as a group. The staff checked us in and were so lovely and nice! The rage room was the best way to end the semester, we will definitely do it again.”
Rating: 4.8/5.0 on Google
20. Vertical Rock Climbing
Working up a sweat as a team is the essence of team-building activities. Relying on each other’s strengths, you can nurture trust and confidence as you overcome challenges together.
Vertical rock climbing takes it up a notch. Here, your colleagues won’t only need to trust others physically, but also emotionally, fostering understanding and empathy. Take your group on an unforgettable ascent in The Boulder Field!
Testimonial: “Very nice and large gym with excellent sets and kind staff. Highly recommended. I feel it is the best bouldering gym in the Sacramento area.”
Rating: 4.8/5.0 on Google
Final Words
Team-building exercises are a valuable and effective approach to improving work relationships and culture.
Through these wonderful shared experiences, employees can better work towards a common goal, encouraging creativity, improving communication, building trust, and raising morale. Bring your team to one of these amazing group activities Sacramento has to offer and watch everyone grow professionally. Reach out and get a free quote today!
