Thinking Outside the Box (Literally)

Escape rooms have long been a go-to for team bonding: they’re thrilling, challenge problem-solving skills, and force collaboration under pressure. But once your team has solved a few puzzles and escaped a few locked rooms, the novelty starts to wear off.

If you’re looking to boost team spirit with something more original—or simply more inclusive—it’s time to explore beyond the typical escape room. Fortunately, Singapore offers a wide range of creative and engaging alternatives that bring people together, spark innovation, and leave lasting impressions.

This blog explores unique and creative team bonding activities in Singapore that go beyond the usual, helping your team connect in meaningful and memorable ways.

1. Art Jamming: Paint, Connect, and Collaborate

Art jamming is an increasingly popular team-building activity in Singapore. It allows your team to unwind, express themselves, and bond over brushes and canvases.

There’s no pressure to be a skilled artist—just the freedom to create and enjoy. Sessions often include individual or group paintings, with some studios even offering guided themes or collaborative mural pieces.

Why it works:

• Encourages creativity and open expression
• Calms the mind and reduces work stress
• Creates tangible artwork to remember the experience

Studios like Art Journey offer customized team sessions that can be tailored to your company’s size, goals, or even industry themes.

2. Pottery or Clay Making Workshops

Working with clay is a tactile, engaging experience that helps teams slow down and focus. It’s a hands-on way to explore creativity and patience—perfect for teams that want a quiet, thoughtful bonding experience.

Pottery workshops can be structured as beginner-friendly, with each participant making their own cup, bowl, or figurine.

Benefits:

• Encourages mindfulness and stress relief
• Sparks laughter when the results are imperfect (which they often are)
• Encourages mutual encouragement and support

Bonus: Your team leaves with a handmade item they can use or display at work.

3. Cooking or Baking Classes

Food brings people together—and preparing it as a team makes the experience even more memorable. Team cooking classes in Singapore range from sushi-making and dumpling workshops to baking pastries and fusion cuisine.

You can organize sessions based on challenge formats (e.g., MasterChef-style) or collaborative meals.

Perks:

• Enhances collaboration and communication
• Appeals to teams of all sizes
• Ends with a shared meal—always a win

Look for cooking studios with corporate packages that include facilitators and all ingredients provided.

4. DIY Terrarium or Floral Arrangement Sessions

These nature-inspired activities are perfect for indoor team bonding, especially in smaller groups or departments. Participants get to create their own mini ecosystems or floral pieces, combining aesthetics and a touch of biology.

Why it’s a great choice:

• Relaxing and therapeutic
• Teaches patience and care
• Sparks creativity even in those with no prior experience

Terrarium-making workshops are often available in malls or creative studios across Singapore and can be brought on-site as well.

5. Themed Art Projects: Mural or Team Canvas

If your team is looking for something bigger and more collaborative, a mural or large group canvas can be the perfect symbolic activity. These sessions involve designing and painting a collective piece, often representing company values or shared goals.

Team Benefits:

• Promotes group planning and alignment
• Enhances teamwork and coordination
• Results in a visual asset for the office

This activity can also double as an internal branding opportunity if the final piece is displayed in your workspace.

6. Improv and Drama Workshops

Team bonding through improvisation may seem a bit outside the comfort zone—but that’s the point. Improv games help team members build trust, think on their feet, and respond positively to each other’s ideas.

Why improv works:

• Boosts communication and active listening
• Encourages laughter and spontaneity
• Helps break down social walls within the team

Drama-based activities are particularly useful for creative or client-facing teams that benefit from expressive thinking and adaptability.

7. Photography or Phone Videography Challenges

With everyone carrying a camera in their pocket, photo challenges or basic videography workshops are easy to implement and tons of fun. Teams can be sent out on a theme-based scavenger hunt or asked to create a short video highlighting a product or story.

Why it’s engaging:

• Combines creativity with friendly competition
• Encourages visual thinking
• Offers material that could even be repurposed for internal content

Winners could be rewarded with small prizes, or the best entries could be displayed in the office or social media channels.

8. Music Jamming or Drum Circles

If your team enjoys music (or just needs a way to let off steam), group music sessions like drum circles, ukulele classes, or rhythm workshops offer a fun and noisy alternative to the usual team outing.

Team takeaways:

• Builds listening and coordination skills
• Brings people out of their shells
• Creates rhythmic harmony that reflects workplace synergy

These sessions work well even if no one on your team has prior music experience—facilitators typically guide the rhythm, and everyone joins in.

9. Crafting and DIY Gift-Making

From soap and candle-making to resin crafts or leather card holders, crafting workshops offer a relaxing and satisfying bonding experience. Each team member gets to take something home—whether it’s a gift or something practical.

Why it’s memorable:

• Offers personalization and creativity
• Suits both introverts and extroverts
• Great for mixed-age or cross-functional teams

This type of activity is easy to bring on-site and can even be done during lunch hours or half-day events.

10. Team-Building Through Community Art or CSR Projects

Want to combine bonding with social impact? Many organizations now look for team activities that give back—like mural painting at a senior center, creating art kits for underprivileged children, or hosting workshops for charities.

Benefits:

• Builds a strong sense of purpose
• Reinforces shared values and social responsibility
• Creates authentic and lasting team pride