Team Building Activities for Work in Los Angeles

Mark called in sick the third time this month, and Sonia couldn’t be bothered about the new client account. Your team’s morale is as deflated as the Rams’ mascot after the NFL season. It calls for desperate measures.

When it comes to team-building activities for work, LA offers more than rooftop happy hours and awkward trust falls. The City of Angels has something to reignite your team’s synergy.

Think team building is a fancy excuse to duck out of work early? Think again. Team building, done the right way, is proven to boost morale, improve communication, and bring teams closer together. And the best part? In a city like LA, you can build better teams and have a blast doing it.

Ditch the boring conference room icebreakers. Below are some unforgettable team-building activities for work in LA that your squad will be excited about.

Get Messy at a Sip and Paint Studio

Who knew finger painting as adults would be so therapeutic! Painting brings out the zen in you, and after a few drinks, the creative juices start flowing. That pain point you’ve been stuck on for the past few weeks? Sip and paint, and the answer will come.

Your employees can channel their inner Bob Ross; paintbrush in one hand, wine glass in the other, and zero pressure to stay inside the lines. This isn’t about creating masterpieces. It’s about bonding over botched landscapes and accidentally painting cats that look like cucumbers.

Activity Snapshot:

• Difficulty: Easy
• Number of Players: 6+
• Time: Two hours

Pro Tip: This is one of the team-building exercises for work that's great if your team consists of a mix of Gen Zers and millennials. No one feels left out, and introverts or new team members can shine without needing to talk too much.

Crack the Code In An Escape Room

Forget PowerPoint presentations. Want to know how your team members communicate under pressure?

Throw your team into a themed room, set the clock for 60 minutes, and watch the magic (and maybe a little chaos) unfold. Escape rooms are hands down one of the most fun and effective ways to bond at work.

From haunted mansions to casino heists, escape rooms offer some of the most immersive team bonding activities for work in Los Angeles. And no, it’s not only about solving puzzles. It’s about team dynamics, seeing who becomes the natural leader, who cracks the codes, and who panics at the sight of a fake zombie.

60out offers in-person escape rooms in a variety of themes and difficulties. All rooms require at least two people. Themes include:

• Horror
• Fantasy
• Sci-Fi
• Adventure/Action
• Kids

Activity Snapshot:

• Difficulty: Moderate to Challenging
• Number of Players: Two to eight per room
• Time: 60 minutes
• Location: Multiple locations across L.A., including Melrose, Koreatown, and Silverlake

Fun Fact: A study published in Emerald Insights found that escape rooms can build a cohesive team and improve communication skills. That’s right; solving a murder mystery can boost productivity.

The Power of Escape Rooms for Company Team Building

Escape rooms have surged in popularity as a tool for corporate team building for several reasons. With an escape room experience for your team, you can:

• Foster Collaboration: Success in escape rooms requires clear communication, teamwork, and the collective brainpower of the group, mirroring the collaborative effort needed in the workplace.
• Encourage Problem-Solving: Teams are challenged with puzzles and tasks that demand creative thinking and quick decision-making, enhancing problem-solving skills in a pressure-free environment.
• Build Relationships: Working towards a common goal in a fun setting allows team members to connect on a personal level, improving interpersonal relationships and understanding.
• Identify Leaders: In the dynamic setting of an escape room, natural leaders emerge, and hidden talents within the team come to light, offering valuable insights for managers.

Cook Up Team Chemistry with a Group Cooking Class

Nothing says teamwork like trying not to burn the risotto together.

Whether it’s sushi rolling or taco crafting, group cooking classes are the perfect recipe for fun (and sometimes hilarious) collaboration.

Check out EATZ LA, known for their themed menus and interactive instruction. No culinary experience needed, just a willingness to chop, chat, and laugh at your knife skills.

Activity Snapshot:

• Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
• Number of Players: Eight to 20
• Time: Two to three hours
• Location: Mid-Wilshire

Why it works: Cooking together boosts cooperation and has the bonus of ending in a meal. No one’s mad when food is involved.

Beach Volleyball

Foster teamwork with a day on L.A.'s famous sandy beaches. Engaging in a friendly volleyball match encourages healthy competition, physical wellness, and team spirit, all while enjoying the beautiful outdoors and the California sun.

Activity Snapshot:

• Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult
• Number of Players: Two teams of two to six players
• Time: Each set takes 20 to 30 minutes
• Location: Santa Monica Beach, Venice Beach

F for fun: Beach volleyball may not be everyone’s cup of tea. Still, it’s worth a try to get the adrenaline pumping. Besides, some playful competition is an encouraging motivator.

Scavenger Hunt Through DTLA

Want to turn your team into real-life detectives? This is one of the work games for team building worth trying. Go on an urban scavenger hunt with companies like Let’s Roam or Urban Adventure Quest.

You’ll explore Downtown Los Angeles, complete quirky challenges, and learn a little history along the way.

The hunts are app-based and self-guided, so your team can move at their own pace. This makes it ideal for larger groups or hybrid teams with different energy levels.

Activity Snapshot:

• Difficulty: Moderate
• Number of Players: Four to 100
• Time: 1.5–2 hours
• Location: Downtown LA

Bonus: DTLA is full of hidden gems, murals, and taco trucks. You can feed your soul and your stomach.

Outdoor Movie Nights

Share popcorn under the stars at iconic venues across the city. This laid-back experience is the perfect setting for team members to relax and connect on a personal level, enhancing camaraderie and team cohesion outside the office.

Activity Snapshot:

• Difficulty: Easy
• Number of Players: Capacity varies depending on the venue
• Time: Two to four hours
• Location: Locations around L.A.

What makes it awesome: You’ll laugh and cry together. You experience all the feels, and those few vulnerable moments make you realize we’re all the same, no matter if you’re a manager or a junior.

Improv Comedy Workshops

If your office meetings could use a little less “synergy talk” and a little more belly laughs, an improv workshop might be just the ticket.

After all, LA is a comedy capital, so you’ll be learning from the best when it comes to innovative team-building ideas for work.

Try the Impro Theater. They’ll help your team think on their feet, break down barriers, and probably laugh until someone snorts.

Activity Snapshot:

• Difficulty: Moderate (emotionally brave!)
• Number of Players: Six to 20
• Time: Two hours
• Location: Hollywood / Los Feliz

Why it’s worth it: Improv teaches strategic thinking and better listening, essential workplace skills that happen to come with giggles.

Ready to Play?

Work is serious. Building a great team doesn’t have to be.

Many companies are embracing team-building events for work beyond the typical happy hour. In a place like Los Angeles, you have access to next-level options that combine team collaboration with fun, culture, and creativity.

In the mood for Picasso vibes? Try a sip and paint workshop. Want to experience DTLA from a different view? Sign your team up for a scavenger hunt. And who doesn’t like eating? Cook, eat, and be merry at a cooking class.

Want to get the blood pumping? 60out’s escape rooms for larger groups are packed with lots of thrills and just the right amount of ‘AHHH!’ Dive into our adventures and book your escape today!

 

Curious for more? Here are some related reads you might love:

• Escape Room Tips: Time Management — Learn essential time management tips to help you escape faster, smoother, and with less stress.
• How to Choose the Right 60out Escape Room for Your Group — 60out has you covered with a variety of creative rooms for every kind of group.