13 Cool Team Building Activities in Chicago

If you’re looking for unique team building activities in Chicago, then you’ve come to the right place! For many organizations, team building is one of the best methods for strengthening communication among colleagues, as well as fostering motivation, productivity, and creativity. Your team will appreciate a change of scenery and respite from the day-to-day routine of the workplace.

Companies based in Chicago have a huge number of team building activities available to them. This Midwestern metropolis has got beautiful cityscapes, world-class cuisine, and superlative arts and culture of all kinds. Check out our inspiring list of the best team building activities in Chicago.

And remember, many of these ideas pair perfectly with a private Peerspace rental. After all, Peerspace is the largest online marketplace for event venue rentals, including sensational spots to hang out and strategize with your team. Choose one or more of the team building activities in Chicago ahead, customize your own event at a Peerspace, or do a bit of both!

Now, let’s get on to the list.

1. Book an unforgettable Peerspace

Chicago has countless private spaces that would make fabulous choices for a team building event you’re planning yourself, all available to book through Peerspace. One of the most important elements of that planning process is selecting an event venue, and our platform makes that a total breeze.

You can easily discover and rent from hundreds of options in Chicago, with spaces owned and operated by local hosts. Each venue has its own listing that includes numerous high-quality photos of the space and reviews from past clients, so you’ll know exactly what to expect. As the largest marketplace on the web for event spaces, Peerspace is the go-to choice for event planners, whether professional or informal.

So what types of team building venues can you find in Chicago on Peerspace? Here are some of our favorites:

• This bright and airy gorgeous loft in West Town (pictured above) ideal for groups of 20 with custom woodwork and greenery throughout to inspire and motivate your colleagues
• This West Loop industrial building with room for 30, an open layout, a ping pong table, a pool table, a kitchen for your catering team’s use, and two conference rooms
• This expansive condo in Near North Side with room for 20, modular furnishings, 7 tables and 22 chairs, a 65″ screen, a projector, and a screen
• This converted factory designer loft with a commercial kitchen, several breakout spaces, high-speed Wi-Fi, two projection screens, and several outdoor patios
• This minimalist, inviting, and warm cafe in West Town with space for 25, plenty of seating, Bluetooth speakers, catering, and optional private barista service
• This Loop modern luxuries corporate event space with space for 125, conference and club seating, on-site food and drinks catering, and panoramic city views

And that’s only the beginning of the types of spaces you can rent on Peerspace for a private and customizable Chicago team building event.

Once you book the perfect team building venue, you can also contact the venue’s local host to make the experience even better. They strive to make your experience exceptional and can help you plan some of the logistics of your event.

2. Test out cutting-edge tech at Redline VR

Tech companies in particular, take note: a team building experience that incorporates virtual reality is a perfect fit for anyone who’s excited about new technologies. You might even be inspired when you witness the impressive innovations that have produced immersive adventures like these.

And Redline VR is a fantastic place to experience it, whether it’s your first time trying it out or you’re an “old hat” at VR. Their team building workshop is based on Howard Gardners’ theory of multiple intelligences. It offers opportunities to attempt to defuse a virtual bomb, fly a spaceship on its maiden voyage, and more — all while your team is taking their collaboration and communication to the next level.

3. Wear your artistic hat at Art Room Events

Art Room Events offers corporate team building activities that are a great outlet for creativity, not to mention an ideal opportunity for relaxation. Use their services to host a holistic wellness retreat, creative workshop, or theater party with your team.

Choose your team building package and they can deliver a signature experience to your Peerspace venue! One of our favorite options is this Southside art gallery that has the perfect setup for a paint and sip party for up to 30 guests.

Want less structure and more R&R? Then you need to see our favorite retreat activities in Chicago next!

4. Find Hidden Gems on a hunt with Chicago Scavenger

With a long and unique history, there’s plenty to learn about the Windy City. Take a loop around Chicago discovering storied buildings and historic sculptures.

Urbn Explorer offers team building Chicago Scavenger Hunts that are part city tour, part history lesson, and part game, a recipe for team bonding magic. These scavenger hunts take you across the city and to specific “secret spots” that illuminate your team and introduce you to a new side of your beloved city.

5. Show off your problem-solving skills at The Escape Game Chicago

Escape rooms are a classic team building activity for a reason. Here’s a perfect example: in The Escape Game Chicago, you and your team must work together on escape room challenges, such as Gold Rush and Prison Break! 

You can also book online experiences and play at your private Peerspace venue.

Check out with an employee at Deloitte has to say about their team building experience here: “Last week my boss surprised all of us with a virtual prison break escape room and it was exactly what we all needed to reconnect on a beyond-work level to get our minds off the daily grind. I highly recommend it.”

6. Explore the city with Absolutely Chicago Segway Tours

Absolutely Chicago offers tours of art and architecture, museums and the lakefront, fireworks, haunted places, and more. In fact, there are also structured scavenger hunts and trivia contest activities if you’d prefer a greater challenge.

And how better to appreciate it all than aboard a Segway? It adds an adventurous angle that you and your team are sure to adore.

7. Create a work of art with Pearl Paint and Sip

Pearl Paint and Sip boasts that they “put the ‘hip’ in ‘Paint and Sip’”. And that’s from the music they play to the paintings they choose, so we couldn’t disagree there!

Pearl also offers themed paint nights, including pets, glow-in-the-dark, and mosaics. What better way to bond with coworkers than with the relaxing combination of drinks, painting, and great music? It can be as simple as that.

8. Let off some steam with Bad Axe Throwing

If you’re looking for a unique team building idea in Chicago, how about some axe-throwing lessons followed by an exciting team-based tournament?! Bad Axe Throwing is ultra-popular, so they have locations throughout the country.

Meet up with your team at the West Loop location and enjoy private axe-throwing lanes and guidance from expert axe-throwing coaches. 

9. Use your brain and brawn at The Game Room

One of our most fun, entertaining Chicago team building ideas involves competing against your coworkers in a series of games. The Game Room is a themed dining, drinking, and gaming establishment on the second floor of the Chicago Athletic Association building.

Head there with your crew and match wits and muscles as you play bocce ball, checkers, Top Golf, foosball, and more! Sip limited-edition beer collaborations The Game Room has with local breweries and nosh on classic American fare between games.

10. Cook up something delicious with The Chopping Block

Chicago is a foodie mecca, which you can explore as part of your team building evet. Especially considering that Chicago’s food scene is world-famous, with tons of new restaurants opening in 2023.

Experience the culinary awesomeness in a team-oriented, participatory fashion with The Chopping Block’s team building events. Guided by a professional chef, you’ll work with your team to create — and, of course, eat — a delicious meal!

These creative corporate event ideas in Chicago can be a real game-changer as you plan your next business gathering. Check them out!

11. Grab a bow and arrow at Chicago Archery

Whether you go with a traditional archery party or an Archery Tag team building event, Chicago Archery is an unbeatable Chicago team building idea for those who enjoy a little bit of athleticism and adventure in a novel form. (And don’t worry, it’s totally safe!)

In their own words: “We pride ourselves on providing people the opportunity to learn proper archery marksman techniques, range safety, and equipment maintenance in an environment that is friendly and fosters focus, self-confidence, discipline, respect, and team building.” Sounds good to us!

12. Kayak through the city with Wateriders

You might not expect this to be an option in the midst of the Midwest’s largest city, but you can actually ride a kayak on the river and through the city! A tour with Wateriders is a stunning way to appreciate the beauty of Chicago’s cityscape and while getting to know your coworkers in a new way. You can even choose a themed glide down the river, such as Ghosts and Gangsters or History and Architecture!

13. Experience phenomenal brews with Chicago Beer Experience

Chicago is known for its craft beer scene — in fact, it’s got the greatest number of breweries in the country, making it “the nation’s brewing capital.”

Explore the local establishments that earned the city this impressive title — and taste some truly great beers of multiple styles — by going on one of Chicago Beer Experience’s beer tours along with your team. You and your team can even book a private bar on Peerspace and join Chicago Beer Experience virtually if you prefer! This downtown container bar with a basketball court and golf simulator seems like the perfect spot to us.

Bonus idea: Reach new heights at iFly indoor skydiving

Soar to greatness with your team when you partake in indoor skydiving with iFly in Lincoln Park. Book a private buyout and you and your team will get to enjoy the wild rush (yet totally safe!) thrills of indoor skydiving. You will all be laughing away your work stress in no time at all! Plus, iFly offers catering, music, and even dedicated meeting space if needed.

Check out what one team leader shared in their review following a visit to iFly: “Five stars for helping me plan (ok, iFLY did all the planning) a fun corporate event for my team. Food, music, and best of all, flying! None of us had gone indoor skydiving before, what a blast! Never seen my employees that excited before, lol.”

Let Peerspace enhance your team building activities in Chicago

Now that you know about some of these incredible team building activities in Chicago, it’s time to start booking! Choose one or two of your favorites and enjoy them on-site or in the privacy of a chic, stylish, and pristine Peerspace venue.

Don’t forget to enlist the help of your venue’s local host if you need any extras, like delectable catering and equipment, like say, oh, a karaoke machine! We hope we can help make your team building event a successful and memorable experience.

Find unique event venues in Chicago on Peerspace