Short answer: Yes, when they’re done right.

Team building gets a bad rap because too often it’s treated like a checkbox. Think awkward icebreakers, irrelevant games, or unstructured fun with no lasting value. When it’s disconnected from real team goals, it feels like a waste of time. That’s why we take a different approach.

At Team Builders Plus, every activity we deliver is intentional, goal-driven, and professionally facilitated. We blend meaningful challenges with real outcomes to ensure the experience actually strengthens the team dynamic, rather than just filling time. The result? Events your people enjoy—and an investment that leadership can feel good about.

Done right, team building leads to measurable improvements in:

• Communication
• Collaboration
• Trust
• Morale
• Productivity
• Employee retention

Why does it work? Because humans are wired for connection. When teams share an experience that’s both fun and meaningful, relationships strengthen. And stronger relationships = better results. When people feel seen, understood, and supported, they naturally contribute with greater intention.

Team building also creates space for reflection and awareness. This newfound space helps individuals recognize their own strengths, adapt to others’ styles, and foster mutual respect across roles and departments.

What makes a team building experience effective?

• A clear purpose (beyond just “fun”)
• Skilled facilitation (someone to lead, not just hand out instructions)
• Activities that include and engage all types of people
• Relevant takeaways that translate back to the workplace
• Built-in debriefs and reflection moments to anchor learning

Avoid the fluff. If your last event felt awkward, pointless, or like forced fun, it’s not your fault. Many activities are poorly designed or executed. We take the guesswork out of it by tailoring each event to your unique team dynamic and goals.

The Team Builders Plus Difference: Our programs are built to drive real results. With 25+ years of experience and thousands of events delivered around the world, we bring credibility, creativity, and a clear plan to every team session. Each event is tailored, engaging, and easy to run. That’s right – we handle all the logistics so your team can truly enjoy the day.

We take pride in designing team building experiences that feel natural, energizing, and purposeful. Whether your team thrives on fast-paced challenges or heart-driven collaboration, we make sure every personality has a place to shine.

Want to see what real results look like? Book a call to get started.

Note: This isn’t legal or financial advice, but here’s what we commonly see.

In many cases, yes—team building can qualify as a deductible business expense when it supports your team’s development, retention, or productivity. That includes offsites, workshops, and events aimed at boosting morale, strengthening collaboration, or building leadership capacity.

According to IRS guidance, deductions typically apply when:

• The event is primarily for the benefit of employees
• It directly supports business objectives (not just recreation)
• It is not lavish, excessive, or unrelated to company needs
• It’s properly documented with purpose and expenses

Examples of team building that may be deductible:

• Employee training and development events
• Strategy sessions and leadership retreats
• Morale-boosting experiences and employee appreciation programs
• Internal communication and collaboration workshops

What to prepare for your records:

• A brief agenda and objective statement
• Proof of payment (invoices from vendors like Team Builders Plus)
• Confirmation the event was for employees only (not client entertainment)

Why it matters: In addition to strengthening your team, these experiences can be a smart investment from a financial standpoint. Many companies use team building strategically to support retention, reduce burnout, and increase engagement. The potential for tax savings is just an added bonus.

Need help with documentation? We make it easy. At Team Builders Plus, we provide everything your accounting team needs—detailed invoices and event documentation—so you have clear records to support your deduction. We’ve worked with finance teams across industries and can help you anticipate the materials they’ll want. From planning to paperwork, we’ve got your back.

Make your investment count—on every level. Book a call to plan your next team building event.

Whether you’re planning an office offsite, a retreat, or just want to shake things up with something fun and engaging, finding the right team building activity near you can make all the difference.

Here’s what to look for:

• Experience & Credibility – You want a provider with a proven track record (hello, 25+ years and thousands of events!)
• Customization – No one-size-fits-all agendas; every team is different. We offer a wide variety of options tailored to the specific needs, personalities, and objectives of your group. Whether your goal is to spark trust, build collaboration, or energize a remote team, we are here to help you pinpoint the perfect fit.
• Skilled Facilitation – Great experiences need great guides. The best programs aren’t just “run”, they’re led with purpose. We also handle all the behind-the-scenes logistics. Our team will even handle securing the materials and setting up your event space. Your team can simply show up, enjoy the experience, and focus on what matters most…connection.

Why Team Builders Plus is a top choice—no matter your location: We’ve facilitated thousands of programs across the U.S. and around the globe. From Fortune 500 companies to small local teams, our experience spans every industry, team size, and setting imaginable.

We offer programs that travel across cities, states, and even screens. Whether you’re in Philly, Phoenix, or Portland, we bring high-impact, easy-to-run team building right to you.

Popular TBP programs across the country include:

Our team building programs are designed across four strategic levels to meet your unique needs:

• Team Bonding – Fun-focused activities that connect your team through shared experiences and laughter.
• Philanthropic – Events with a heart, like giving back to the community while building connection.
• Fun + Learning – A mix of skill-building and engagement to help teams break down silos and strengthen communication.
• Developmental – Deep-dive programs like personality style training that improve self-awareness and leadership.

Here are some popular options:

• Scavenger Quest
• Wheels for the World
• Mini Golf Charity Classic
• Kindness Workshop
• Intergalactic Adventure
• Taking Flight With DISC

Let’s bring connection to your team—wherever you are. We’ll guide you through the process of identifying the right level and experience to meet your goals. Book a call to find a program near you.

Bottom Line Answer: By making teams work better together.

When people trust each other, communicate clearly, and understand how to collaborate effectively, they get more done (with less friction and delay). Team building creates that foundation.

Here’s how it boosts productivity:

• Builds trust and reduces second-guessing or micromanagement
• Strengthens communication and clarity between roles
• Encourages shared problem-solving and faster decision-making
• Reinforces shared goals and team alignment

What the research shows:  According to a study published in the Harvard Business Review, social connection in teams can improve performance by up to 50%, especially when teams are given opportunities to bond and align outside of routine work. When psychological safety is high and collaboration is natural…productivity follows.

Example: A team that participated in Intergalactic Adventure discovered how to break down departmental silos and align around shared goals. The mission-based structure encouraged open communication and collaborative strategy, helping the team understand not just their own roles, but how they contributed to the broader success of the organization. When team members understood each other’s communication styles and motivators, they could work more efficiently and make better decisions together.

Why Team Builders Plus? Because creating a productive team takes more than just choosing the right activity, it takes the right partner.

At Team Builders Plus, we’ve spent over 25 years designing experiences that directly impact the way teams work. Our programs go beyond surface-level fun to uncover communication barriers, reset team dynamics, and build shared ownership. Each session is professionally facilitated to drive meaningful engagement and reflection.

We’re not just activity providers—we’re productivity partners. Our approach is grounded in behavioral science, organizational psychology, and a deep understanding of how people work best together. From your first inquiry to the final debrief, everything we deliver is built to help your team move faster, communicate better, and produce stronger results.

We help teams get unstuck, aligned, and fully equipped to do their best work…together.

Want to unlock your team’s full potential? Book a call and let’s build a more productive team.

Planning a team building activity can feel overwhelming. There are just so many formats, options, and personalities to consider. Whether you’re running your first offsite or upgrading a forgettable team lunch, here’s how to make sure your next experience delivers real value.

Step 1: Define What Success Looks Like

Start with the end in mind. Having a clear objective sets the foundation for everything else.

• Are you solving for better communication, trust, collaboration, or morale?
• Is this a one-time event or part of a broader development effort?
• What’s the tone you’re going for—fun, reflective, energizing?

At Team Builders Plus, we help clarify your goals at the start, so every element of your team building experience is built with purpose.

Step 2: Design the Right Experience

Now choose your format and activity based on team needs:

• Size & location: Remote team? In-person? Hybrid mix?
• Pacing & personality: Is your team high-energy, thoughtful, or introverted?
• Program type: Do you need bonding, a developmental workshop, or purpose-driven impact?

Team Builders Plus offers experiences across all four levels (Team Bonding, Philanthropic, Fun + Learning, and Developmental) so you get exactly what your team needs.

Step 3: Deliver with Intention

• Using trained facilitators who can read the room and adjust on the fly
• Building in reflection, not just activity
• Ensuring logistics, setup, and pacing are smooth

At Team Builders Plus, we handle all of that (program selection, pre-event prep, onsite coordination, and post-event wrap-up) so you can focus on your people while we handle the experience.

Don’t just do team building. Do it right. Book a call and we’ll help you build a team experience that works.

Team building isn’t just a buzzword, it’s the secret sauce behind high-performing teams. Whether you’re working in-person, remote, or somewhere in between, the right activity can boost morale, strengthen communication, and help individuals tap into each other’s strengths.

So what are some of the best team building activities for work…that actually work?

Here are five crowd-pleasing favorites:

• Scavenger Quest – An interactive adventure that blends creative problem-solving with lighthearted competition. Think: challenges, clues, collaboration, and lots of laughs.
• Wheels for the World – A heartwarming team building event where teams assemble bikes that are donated to local children in need. It’s hands-on, purpose-driven, and deeply rewarding for everyone involved.
• Kindness Workshop – Teams assemble teddy bears for children in crisis. It’s meaningful, collaborative, and guaranteed to spark connection.
• Intergalactic Adventure – A mission-themed challenge where teams break down silos and work together toward a common goal.
• Taking Flight with DISC – A dynamic experience using personality styles to unlock better communication, mutual respect, and leadership insight.

What makes these activities effective? Each one is designed to engage multiple strengths—quick thinkers, big-picture strategists, detail lovers, and morale boosters alike. Whether your team needs to build trust, boost creativity, or just have a great time together, these experiences deliver real value.

How do you choose the right fit?

• Clarify your goal – Do you want to improve communication? Celebrate a win? Boost cross-team collaboration?
• Consider your group size, personalities, and environment
• Look for a balance of fun + outcome

Ready to build a better team? Let’s chat about what experience would be the best fit for your people. Book a call with our team.

Because they’re often built without purpose, led without experience, or disconnected from what your team actually needs.

You’ve probably been there: the forced icebreakers, the irrelevant games, the awkward silence. It’s not that team building doesn’t work. It’s that poorly designed experiences feel like a waste of time or come across as gimmicky. Without strategy or skilled delivery, they can feel inauthentic and disengaging. This can leave your team unmotivated to participate and your leadership wondering if it was worth the time (and investment).

Common reasons team building fails:

• No clear objective
• Activities that feel cheesy, irrelevant, or overly competitive
• Lack of skilled facilitation
• One-size-fits-all approach

What makes it work:

• Clear alignment with team goals
• Customization for your group’s personalities and dynamics
• Facilitators who read the room and adjust in real time
• A balance of fun, depth, and relevance

The TBP approach: Our approach starts with your goals and builds an experience around them. Whether your goal is to boost communication, improve team performance, or simply help your team feel more connected, we have an experience to help.

Our facilitators are experts at managing flow, maintaining engagement, and reading the room. All especially important when your group includes a range of personalities and work styles. Every session is customized to your needs, professionally led, and supported with full logistics so you can focus on your team, not the setup.

We deliver team building that’s actually enjoyable and designed to leave teams more equipped to do their best work together.

Make your next event count. Book a call and we’ll build the right fit.

Virtual team building is critical in today’s workforce because teams aren’t always in the same place but they still always need to feel like a team.

With hybrid and remote work now a permanent part of many organizations, team connection can no longer rely on proximity. That’s where virtual team building steps in. Done right, it creates meaningful moments of collaboration and alignment (even when your team is spread across time zones).

Why it matters:

• Remote workers can feel isolated without intentional connection
• Communication often gets reduced to task lists and team threads
• Culture and trust suffer without face-to-face interaction

How virtual team building helps:

• Builds belonging through shared experiences
• Strengthens communication and collaboration in a digital environment
• Creates a fun and informal way to deepen team culture

Virtual TBP programs:

With over 25 years of experience designing and delivering impactful events, we know that virtual settings demand more than just logging onto Zoom. Our facilitators are trained specifically in online engagement—ensuring breakout rooms are purposeful, energy stays high, and every participant stays involved from start to finish. We don’t just run virtual events, we lead them with skill, intention, and results.

Our virtual experiences are not passive Zoom calls. They’re professionally facilitated and thoughtfully designed to ensure every voice is heard.

Don’t let distance weaken your culture. Request a proposal for your virtual team building experience.