Phoenix is more than just a desert oasis in Arizona—it’s an adventure hub with a variety of unique group activities that go beyond the ordinary. If you’re looking to build strong connections within your team without relying on traditional methods, Phoenix has plenty of options to offer.
From axe-throwing competitions to thrilling scavenger hunts, your team will have the time of their lives with these ideas below:
1. Go on a Scavenger Hunt With cityHUNT
For an out-of-this-world team-building experience, you can go on a customized scavenger hunt with cityHUNT.
The best part? Arranging the hunt is easier than ever!
First, you’ll have a discovery call with one of cityHUNT’s adventure consultants to find out how their services can meet your needs. Then, you’ll wrap up payment and customize the experience with an adventure producer.
The adventure guides at cityHUNT will prepare everything you need for the event and take care of all logistics. All you have to do is take your team and enjoy a day of solving puzzles, uncovering hidden gems, and exploring the city!
cityHunt also offers a mobile application that gives you real-time instructions and shows you a leaderboard with all your team members’ scores. It keeps the friendly competition alive and pushes your team to work together.
2. Tour the Goldfield Ghost Town
Located near Phoenix, the Goldfield Ghost Town offers plenty of activities that your team can enjoy together. And the best part? It’ll take you back to the Wild West with all its fantasies!
At Goldfield, you can take a guided tour of the historic Mammoth Gold Mine and even try your hand at gold panning. Afterward, hop on the Superstition Narrow Gauge Railroad for a scenic ride through the town.
The best part is yet to come—your team can enjoy watching reenactments of old Western shootouts, complete with actors in period-themed costumes. It’s a thrilling historical experience you won’t find anywhere else.
To top off your visit, head to the Mammoth Steakhouse & Saloon for a meal. The Western-themed atmosphere is the perfect finishing touch!
3. Try Axe-Throwing at LumberjAxes
If your team needs to blow off some steam, there’s no better way to do it than by throwing some axes. At LumberjAxes, you can engage in a friendly axe-throwing competition until a champion is crowned.
Any group size can compete, so there’s no need to worry about balancing numbers.
Here’s how it works: first, your team receives a brief safety tutorial—completely understandable! Then, everyone can start hurling axes at wooden targets until a winner emerges.
LumberjAxes is also an ideal venue for corporate events and birthday parties, offering group packages that include coaching and access to multiple lanes.
4. Visit the Arizona Science Center
If your team is a bunch of science-loving nerds, visiting the Arizona Science Center is the ultimate group activity you can do. It offers plenty of interactive exhibits and special events that your team can enjoy.
Some exhibits simulate natural disasters like volcanic eruptions and earthquakes, while others focus on the human body, offering interactive displays that demonstrate how it functions. The W.O.N.D.E.R Center delves into the wonders of mental health and the brain through engaging, interactive exhibits.
In addition to these exhibitions, your team can participate in hands-on workshops and labs, or explore the wonders of the universe in the Dorrance Planetarium.
5. Enjoy Kart Racing in Octane Raceway
Only 20 minutes away from Phoenix, the Octane Raceway in Scottsdale is a thrilling destination for motorsports and kart racing enthusiasts. Your team can enjoy electric kart racing on the ⅓-mile track, which is the main attraction at the raceway.
The track features both indoor and outdoor sections, with a 14-lap race full of sharp turns to challenge your team’s driving skills.
After the race, your team can dive into a fully immersive virtual reality experience at Velocity VR, where they can either team up or go solo.
Octane Raceway also offers axe throwing lanes and an arcade area, ensuring a day packed with fun. To wrap up the day, you can enjoy food and drinks at the Brickyard Bar & Grill.
6. Visit the Musical Instrument Museum
If you want to enjoy a group activity with your team without taking up a whole day, you can arrange a short visit to the Musical Instrument Museum in Phoenix.
The museum exhibits more than 7500 instruments from more than 200 different places. You can see them in the Geographical Galleries organized by region.
These galleries also show off the musical traditions of each continent, ranging from African drums to American Banjos.
Your team can also enjoy a hands-on interaction with a variety of instruments in the Experience Gallery. Or, they can visit the Artist Gallery and get to see instruments played by iconic musicians from plenty of musical genres. You’ll get to see guitars played by Elvis Presley, Taylor Swift, and many other iconic artists.
7. Relieve Stress in the Simply Smashing Rage Release Room
Inspired by a scene from the movie “Blue Brothers,” the Simply Smashing Rage Release Room in Phoenix is the perfect place to blow off some steam and relieve stress as a group. It was founded by Steve Wilk after battling anger issues in his youth—you can find it at 1845 E Broadway Rd Suite 120, Tempe.
At Simply Smashing, you can unleash your stress by smashing breakables like ceramics and dishes while wearing safety gear, including face shields, gloves, and coveralls. The venue is group-friendly and even has a dedicated section on its website for team-building events.
For your team-building session, you can choose from Simply Smashing’s food options, customize the breakables to include items like TV screens and color bombs, and book the session for your preferred duration.
8. Take a Hike up the Camelback Mountain
If your team likes adventures and doesn’t mind a few physical challenges, you can take them for a hike up the iconic Camelback Mountain. Its name is homage to its unique shape, which resembles a kneeling camel. The mountain is nearly 825 meters high and offers one of the most enjoyable hiking experiences in the region.
There are two main trails from which you can reach the mountain’s summit: Echo Canyon Trail and Cholla Trail.
The former is 1.2 miles long, while the latter is 1.5 miles long. Despite being longer, the Cholla Trail is less physically demanding. Nevertheless, both trails have steep inclines and rocky terrains, so it’s better if your team is familiar with hiking.
Due to the mountain’s popularity, it can get crowded at times, especially during the winter. However, the scenic view from its summit makes everything worth the trip.
9. Enjoy Paddle Board and Kayak Tours at Riverbound Sports
From paddling alongside wild horses on the Salt River to exploring the natural beauty of Canyon Lake, Riverbound Sports offers a variety of team-building activities. They provide paddleboard and kayak rentals, gear sales, and guided tours through Arizona’s most stunning waterways.
Founded in 2013, Riverbound Sports has grown into Arizona’s largest specialty paddle shop. Whether your team consists of beginners or experienced paddlers, their adventures cater to all skill levels.
In addition to these services, Riverbound Sports also organizes group events and private tours, making it an excellent choice for team-building activities.
10. Take a Trip Back in Time to Medieval Times
What’s a better way to strengthen a team’s bond than a trip to a bygone era? Medieval Times in Scottsdale is an immersive dinner experience that transports you and your team back to the 11th century.
The experience includes a two-hour live medieval tournament with sword fighting and horse performances. Best of all? You get to enjoy a four-course dinner while the entertainment ensues.
In addition to the main show, you can also enjoy different activities, like shopping from themed gift shops, knighting ceremonies, and spending some leisure time in the bar.
Medieval Times offers multiple packages for group outings, so you’ll find plenty of options for your team-building day.
11. Tour the Desert Botanical Garden
The Desert Botanical Garden spans over 140 acres, includes a breathtaking collection of desert plants, and it’s one of the best places in Phoenix for a team-building event. The garden provides discounts for large groups of over 15 members and has special offers for 30+ groups.
There are five trails you can enjoy at the Desert Botanical Garden: Desert Discovery Loop, Sonoran Desert Natural Trail, Desert Living Trail, Desert Wildflower Trail, and Plants & People of the Sonoran Desert Trail.
Each of these trails tells the story of a different part of the desert, including surrounding mountains, wildflowers, native inhabitants, and desert plants.
In addition to these trails, the garden hosts live music performances, art exhibitions, seasonal festivals, and more.
12. Enjoy a Day at the Phoenix Zoo
Located in Papago Park, Phoenix, the Phoenix Zoo offers 125 acres of pure enjoyment and adventure. It’s the perfect place for an animal-loving team, providing an enlightening glimpse into the life of more than 3,000 animals, including endangered species.
The zoo offers exciting programs for adults that include walkabout photography classes, guided hikes and camps after dark, and educational conservation speaker events. It has three trails where adults can stroll through the homes of zebras, lions, giraffes, and more. There’s a trail for native wildlife, one for African animals, and one for tropical regions.
While it’s an unconventional idea for adults, it can be both an enjoyable and educational experience for your team.
13. Explore Aquatic Life in OdySea Aquarium
Home to a fascinating collection of marine animals, OdySea Aquarium takes you on an interesting journey through the deep waters.
It’s located in Scottsdale and is the largest aquarium in the Southwest. Spanning over a whopping 200,000 square feet, the aquarium is home to over 6,000 animals across 370 species.
The aquarium offers special tickets for groups, but you need to reserve at least two weeks before your team-building event.
For your team’s enjoyment, it includes interactive exhibits, most notably the OdySea Voyager. During this tour, your team sits in a rotating theater while different marine exhibits pass by, giving them the illusion of traveling underwater.
The aquarium is also dedicated to conservation and education, offering educational presentations about the importance of preserving aquatic ecosystems.
14. Challenge Yourself at Bam Kazam
Gathering to solve entertaining puzzles and overcome obstacles is one of the best ways for your team to bond, and you can do so at Bam Kazam, the world’s first challenge arcade.
The entertainment complex lies in Scottsdale, near the Talking Stick Resort. It’s designed to immerse visitors in the world of adventures, offering them escape rooms, skill-based games, physical challenges, and more.
You can choose from various themed rooms, and the ticket gives you two hours of undying fun.
Since the place is Instagram-worthy, don’t forget to take a team photo before leaving!
15. Explore the Queen Creek Olive Mill
For a unique and unforgettable experience, you can take your team on a tour through the Queen Creek Olive Mill. It’s a family-owned and operated place that covers nearly 100 acres.
The mill offers daily tours where visitors can learn about the olive oil production process, from harvesting olives to pouring the oil into bottles.
The mill also has a cafe that serves multiple Mediterranean dishes made using the olive oil produced there. Not only that, but there’s also an on-site marketplace where you can shop for stuffed olives, vinegar, tapenades, and other products made inside the mill.
Overall, it’s an authentic experience that you won’t get to enjoy elsewhere, and it’s a nice change of scenery that will encourage your team to connect.
16. Take a Cooking Class at CozyMeal
Cooking classes at CozyMeal offer an excellent opportunity for team building in a relaxed and fun environment. They make for an engaging and interactive experience where team members can bond over learning how to cook different dishes.
The classes are hosted by world-class chefs and suit every skill and interest level, from beginner to expert.
As a bonus, any remote members you have on your team won’t have to miss out on the fun. CozyMeal has got you covered with both offline and online classes, and you can choose where to take your class.
Leaving the best for last, you have multiple cooking class options to choose from, including sushi class, pasta-making class, paella class, and more.
17. Explore the Rainforest in Butterfly Wonderland
The Butterfly Wonderland is a slice of paradise, featuring the stunning beauty of fluttering butterflies and vibrant flowers. Located in Scottsdale, it houses over 60 species of colorful butterflies, making it the perfect spot for a relaxing team-building activity.
The rainforest setting includes a butterfly emergence gallery where you can observe chrysalis transforming into full-grown butterflies, and a 3D theater showcasing a short film about these fascinating creatures. Additionally, there’s a reptile exhibit, a bee hive, and an edible insect station for those curious about entomophagy.
You might also catch a special event during your visit, as the facility occasionally hosts photography, brush stroking, and yoga classes.
18. Compete at Altered Combat
No one is ever too old for a water war, nerf war, or tactical laser tag game, which is exactly the kind of adventure Altered Combat offers as a party game rental. It’s the ideal place for bonding if your team is crazy about competition.
The rental offers these three game options with a virtual reality experience currently under construction. It provides all the blasting guns and protective equipment you need so that you can enjoy the day without too much of a hassle.
On top of that, Altered Combat offers group event packages for teams with more than 16 members. You can use the rental to host a fundraiser, convention, and more.
19. Take Aim at Top Golf
For a fun day of bonding, your team can engage in a friendly golf competition at Top Golf, Scottsdale. It’s a large entertainment center that offers sports, dining, and partying options.
Better yet, it’s weather-controlled by cooling fans and heated bays so that you can enjoy it during all seasons, whether hot or cold.
The main attraction at Top Golf is the high-tech range where players can hit microchipped golf balls at various targets. The scoring system keeps the competition friendly, and the game is designed to suit all skill levels.
Best of all, you can enjoy hand-crafted food and drinks as you take aim at the ball targets. It’s an overall fun experience that’ll help your team get to know each other better.
20. Get Creative at the Phoenix Glass Center
At Phoenix Glass Center, your team will have the opportunity to learn the art of glassmaking from skilled instructors while bonding over the creation of beautiful glass pieces. The center offers educational and engaging workshops for groups of varying sizes, with each participant crafting their own glass piece to take home.
In addition to private workshops, the center hosts seasonal classes, including pumpkin, ornament, and bowl workshops.
If you plan to visit, remember to dress in layers as it can get quite hot in the glass shop. Also, schedule your team-building event at least two weeks in advance, as the center can get busy.
