[Updated October 2024: We've added 4 new items to our list of must-see events, including some seasonal options for all year fun.]
Team building activities are a great way to enjoy time together with your co-workers outside of your day-to-day work responsibilities. Everyone gets to cut loose, have some fun outside the office and get to know each other a little bit better.
But finding something that a diverse group of people will actually enjoy doing can be a headache. You don’t want your office event to turn into a party from The Office. Not who you want to be:
At Sift, we feel ya. Here are 10 ideas for team building events in the Metro Detroit area that our team is “testing” for ourselves, and that your team will actually enjoy too!
Half football, half bowling, 100% fun for teams or individuals to face off throwing a football and knocking down their opponents’ bowling pins. While this sounds easy, just like in bowling, knocking down all the pins can be a challenge. It gets a little difficult as the pin count dwindles and you have to watch out for rogue footballs thrown by other lanes (yes, this does count against you!). The best part about fowling is that you don’t have to be a star quarterback to throw the ball, any way will do.
Walk-ins are welcome, but reservations for multiple lanes are available too for larger groups. They have a stocked bar on the premises and you’re allowed to bring in your own food to enjoy. Stay as long as you like (or your shoulder will let you throw the football) and bond with your coworkers and teams that enjoy sports.
Details
The Fowling Warehouse has multiple locations across the country, with the original location tucked in Hamtramck and a new location in Ypsilanti. There are other places that offer fowling, but nothing beats the Hamtramck location.
This is the Motor City, so what better way to have some fun than by burning some rubber? Full Throttle Adrenaline Park has you covered for your kart racing desires. With two types of go-karts, pro and junior, that have max speeds of 40 mph and 20 mph respectively, everyone on your team can experience the speeds they’re comfortable with. The track accommodates up to 13 drivers, your team will have a blast drifting around corners. At the end of every race, detailed reports let you know who had the fastest lap, highest speed, and who wasn't quite the racer they thought they were.
If karting isn’t for everyone on your team, both locations of Full Throttle have other events for your team to enjoy like axe throwing, multiplayer VR games, rage rooms, and sim racing. Sit back with a drink and grab something to eat at the concession stands and watch the grid fill up.
Details
With two convenient locations within Metro Detroit, online reservations are highly recommended at both locations in Sterling Heights and Novi. Both spaces can accommodate 200-300 people for those larger organizations. Drivers are required to sign a waiver in order to participate.
Website:https://gofullthrottle.com/
Address: 42705 Van Dyke Ave, Sterling Heights, MI 48314
Let loose your inner lumberjack! Conveniently located in Ferndale and Corktown, Detroit Axe is a great location for you and your colleagues to try a new and thrilling game together. You’ll have a dedicated axe master to help you get a grip on the proper way to throw an axe, hatchets, throwing knives, and more. Enjoy some friendly competition, round-robin-style, and see who reigns supreme.
If anyone in your group is looking for something a little less dangerous, they offer additional games like darts, pinball machines, and board games. There is a bar and full grill on site to chow down like a lumberjack, but you can't drink while throwing axes.
Details
While two locations are close to Downtown Detroit, there is a third spot at Partridge Creek in Clinton Township. Both Ferndale and Corktown have food and a bar onsite, while the Partridge Creek location allows you to bring your own food. Walk-ins are welcome, and reservations are highly encouraged.
Are you ready to fly? Release some energy and get hang time with your colleagues at the Urban Air Trampoline and Adventure Park. An indoor adventure park with plenty of high-flying activities at 3 accessible locations, there are fun events like the warrior course, climbing walls, to battle beams and dodgeball. There is a slam dunk zone, a ropes course, a sky rider, and bumper cars. While this a family-friendly event space, they do have beverages and food available for refreshments.
Details
With three locations on the outskirts of Metro Detroit, choose from Livonia, Sterling Heights, and Commerce Township. There is a waiver to sign for safety of using the trampolines.
Website:https://www.urbanair.com/
Address: 30090 Plymouth Rd, Livonia, MI 48150
5. Cooking class at Eastern Market
Eastern Market is famous for being one of the largest and oldest public markets in the nation, but did you know they also have an incubator kitchen? The Eastern Market Community Kitchen is available to food startups looking for a place to build out their business, and now you and your team can take a private cooking class there too! Sign up with Evelyn’s Midtown Kitchen for various food offerings like making pasta, soup dumplings, French and Italian cuisine, and so much more! The Sift team visited the kitchen back in 2020 and learned how to make 4 different kinds of fresh pasta and sauces. A delicious and collaborative adventure that we highly recommend!
Details
Evelyn's Midtown Kitchen (EMK) is a culinary education and community engagement initiative located in Detroit's vibrant Eastern Market. Their mission is to empower individuals of all ages and backgrounds with the knowledge and skills to create delicious and nutritious meals while fostering a sense of community.
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6. Kayak around Belle Isle and the Detroit Canals
A kayak tour is a serene way to enjoy the beautiful Detroit Riverfront. You and your team can learn about the history of Detroit, see wildlife and enjoy spectacular views of downtown and Belle Isle. The team at Detroit River Sports gives group instructions on how to kayak or a stand-up paddleboard, and everyone will pick it up quickly. There are dry bags and waterproof phone pouches to rent and purchase to keep those cell phones and other items dry (or leave your valuables in the car). Call or email ahead to set up a tour for your team. You can’t go wrong– the sunset and canal tours are great!
If you want to really amp up the wow-factor for your team, check out their Paddle to Table experience. Enjoy a delicious, locally-sourced meal after your kayak tour, prepared on-site by Coriander Kitchen and Farm.
Details
There are a multitude of guided tours available, from public to private, yoga paddleboarding, and group lessons for beginners or water rescue. With one location at Fisherman’s Marina in the Jefferson Chalmers neighborhood, paddle with their expert team rain or shine throughout canals and the open water of the Detroit River.
Take your collaboration and problem-solving skills to the next level with a group escape room! Work together to find clues, uncover hidden artifacts, solve puzzles, and escape the locked room before time runs out. Your Gamemaster will deliver hints as you hit roadblocks in your journey. Our Sift team helped a “bank robber get away with a large bank heist” at the Farmington Hills location in October 2024.
If you beat the clock (or not!), there are other activities for your team to enjoy. Check out their rage rooms (we got to try this out, too!), gellyball (like paintball, but less painful), a pixel floor puzzle, and glow in the dark painting.
Details
Escape Room Zone has 5 locations spread out across southeast Michigan, Canton, Farmington Hills, and Madison Heights are within reach of the downtown area. Each location has different styles of rooms for small to large groups and a range of difficulty levels.
Address: 31514 Grand River Ave, Farmington, MI 48336
8. Feather bowling
An old world game is kept alive at Cadeaux Cafe, a prohibition-era Belgian bar that’s still thriving in the Cornerstone Village on the eastside of Detroit. The game can be played by any number of participants and the rules are simple; take a wooden ball (it looks like a cheese wheel, see the red and yellow wooden objects above) and roll it down a lane towards a feather. Similar to bocce ball, you get six attempts to get closest to the feather, with the other team attempting to get as close and knock other balls out of the way. The game is over when one team reaches 10 points.
With a stocked bar and plenty of great food (you gotta have the mussels!), you and your team will spend hours laughing and bonding over this century old tradition. Sift played several games here last year during our all company get together!
Details
Since they have leagues that play from September through April, a lane reservation is highly recommended. Check out their online calendar for live music and other events they host throughout the year. They do open early for large events, so reach out on their website.
While the golf course is a classic location for offsite business bonding, for some coworkers with less experience with the game, the links can feel a bit intimidating. Topgolf can be a fun and less-stressful alternative to 18 holes, and they also offer a variety of team building activities designed to help your crew bond, think strategically, and build trust. Three team building activities available are TopRelay (hit colored targets in order), TopTrivia (earn shots by correctly answering trivia), and TopWager (place a series of wagers based on strokes to hit color targets). It can be as fun or as competitive as you want to make it!
Details
One convenient location in Auburn Hills right off of I-75 at Great Lakes Crossing, there are 3 floors with over 100 all-weather bays (cooled in the summer, heated in the winter). Their bar and restaurant have a variety of options for those with dietary restrictions (for our vegetarians, vegans, and gluten-intolerant colleagues) that’ll be delivered while you’re perfecting your backswing.
Location: 500 Great Lakes Crossing Dr, Auburn Hills, MI
10. Cheer on the Detroit City Football Club
You don’t need a team full of sports fans to have a great time at a Detroit City Football Club game. The energy on the pitch and in the stands is intoxicating, complete with superfans setting off smoke bombs with every goal and leading the crowd in (occasionally NSFW) chants and songs. There’s much to cheer for, too - DCFC was crowned 2019 Champions of the NPSL semi-pro league, and the team will kick off their first pro season on February 28th. Snag some discounted group tickets and treat your team to a truly Detroit experience (even if it is technically in Hamtramck).
The Greenfield Village at The Henry Ford is a great way to wander around the 80-acre outdoor museum as the flowers are starting to awaken from their winter slumber in mid-April. Check out the lab where Thomas Edison had his lightbulb moment, visit the four working farms, or take a ride on their historic train. If the weather is not cooperating, you can tour The Henry Ford Museum and be surrounded by artifacts that have fueled innovation and inspiration from past generations and continue to do so for the future.
Details
Located in Dearborn, the 250 acre village has plenty to offer and learn from. There are plenty of tours and events that can spur anyone’s imagination.
Location: 20900 Oakwood Boulevard, Dearborn, MI 48124
In the Summer - Detroit Tigers Game
With the heat of summer, there is nothing like watching a baseball game and getting that seventh inning stretch with you coworkers. Grab a hot dog or two and cheer on the beloved team during their afternoon or evening games. This is a preferred venue of the Sift team during the summer to get some outdoor time and have seats where we can sit in a group rather than single row – great for conversation and bonding.
Details
Located on the north end of downtown, Comerica Park is a great place to hang out with friends and colleagues for a few hours before grabbing a bite to eat after a satisfying game.
Nothing beats a fresh spiced donut (plain, cinnamon sugar, and powdered sugar) and fresh squeezed apple cider on a crisp fall day. There are plenty of cider mills in southeast Michigan, but only a few are in the Metro Detroit area. Hit up Franklin Cider Mill to view a historic water well that helps to make the fresh cider. There is Parmenters’ Northville Cider Mill that’s located within the downtown Northville area that complements the historic Mill Race Village. If you want to get out to an expanded farm setting, we highly recommend Three Cedars Farm and Yates Cider Mill, providing apple picking, hayrides, corn mazes, and pumpkin patch picking.
Details
Franklin Cider Mill is tucked in the Franklin village in Bloomfield Hills. It’s a quick drive from the downtown area and has plenty of parking.
Website: https://www.franklincidermill.com/
Location: 7450 Franklin Rd, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48301
Just because the weather turns cold and the blanket of gray is over Michigan, there’s still one heartwarming activity to enjoy downtown. View award winning light displays, the grand lit Christmas tree, and the Detroit skyline, lace up your skates and hit the ice for gliding around the winter wonderland. If your coworkers are not up to the challenge, they can view from the sidelines and cheer on your athletic team.
Details
Located right downtown in the heart of it all, Campus Martius Park is easily accessible to Detroit activities and restaurants. They’re open seven days a week from November until March with group rates available.
Location: Campus Martius Park, 800 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48226
While these are some great places to checkout, don't forget about the whole reason you're doing this: your team! Have a plan for the day so everyone knows what to do, has fun, and gets to know each other a little better.
