12 Fun Team Building Ideas in Cincinnati

Cincinnati’s location in southwest Ohio means it attracts visitors from all over the tri-state area with its endlessly fascinating museums, historic sites, and other cultural attractions. From a tour of the state’s oldest public market to scavenger hunts at the Cincinnati Art Museum, we’ve come up with this list of team building ideas in Cincinnati to help you plan a memorable event for your colleagues. Just pick the activity that most aligns with your team’s mission, values, and interests to get started.

1. Ride through town on the Pedal Wagon

The Pedal Wagon is one of those unique team building ideas in Cincinnati that doesn’t require a lot of planning. Plus, it’s ideal for teams that are new to Cincinnati or just visiting. You’ll get a one-of-a-kind view of the city as you pedal around town on a 15-seat wagon. Large groups can rent up to nine wagons and a six-seater bike for up to 148 passengers in all. Bring food and drink on board, or stop for lunch or dinner at a nearby pub. For an artistic outing, choose the Cincinnati Mural Tour.

2. Host a workshop at a Peerspace venue

Want to get out of the office but can’t decide on a team building idea in Cincinnati that everyone in your group will enjoy? Create your own workshop or activity at a Peerspace venue instead. In downtown Cincinnati, you can rent out this professional meeting space with Wi-Fi and a projector included. You’ll have room for up to 100 people across several meeting and game areas.

Or, rent a house on the river for a team building outing on a private beach. There’s room for up to 150 people outside, and you can even use the paddle boards for a dip in the river. Whatever option you choose, you can call up the Concierge service to arrange for equipment rentals and catering services provided by your Peerspace host or trusted local vendors.

3. Take an improv class with Improv Cincinnati

Let your guard down with a team building workshop led by Improv Cincinnati. Their Improv for Business training is designed to build trust, communication, and collaboration within corporate teams. And in case you’re worried about making a fool out of yourself, they stress that “being funny is absolutely not necessary!” The key is learning how to read body language, think on your feet, and be able to say, “Yes, and…” to an idea — even if you aren’t 100% sure of it.

4. Cook dinner together at the Learning Kitchen

Another way to build trust on your team is to cook dinner together. At the Learning Kitchen, take a hands-on cooking class in a professional kitchen with 12 cooking stations. In addition to enjoying a freshly made meal, you’ll walk away with techniques — and recipes — you can use at home. This is a great way to encourage collaboration while learning a practical new skill.

5. Solve the puzzles at Houdini’s Room Escape

Local legend Harry Houdini was one of the most famous escape artists in the Midwest. You can retrace his footsteps at Houdini’s Room Escape, where you and your team will have an hour to break out of a puzzle room in groups of four to 12 people. Rooms include The Tower, The Lab, The Speakeasy, The Oval Office, and The Game Room. Book all five rooms in order to try them all, and split your team up into smaller groups so you can all get a turn to solve the puzzles.

6. Improve your aim at Urban Axes

Urban Axes is the perfect team building idea in Cincinnati for groups that want to burn off some steam after work. You’ll get one-on-one training from an experienced Axepert, followed by round-robin matches and a tournament. The entire event lasts two and a half hours, with up to six players per lane. Drinks are available for purchase on site, while outside food and catering are allowed, too.

7. Take a tour of Findlay Market

Findlay Market is the oldest public market in Ohio, founded in 1852. The neighborhood features historic Italianiate architecture, as well as some of the city’s best food and drink vendors. Take a 45- to 60-minute corporate tour to learn the lay of the land and sample a beer at the Biergarten. More tours are available from Cincinnati Food Tours through other historic neighborhoods.

8. Go on a scavenger hunt at the Cincinnati Art Museum

The Cincinnati Art Museum was founded in 1881, boasting over 100,000 artifacts covering 6,000 years of art history. That’s a lot of art! How else to make sense of it all than with a team building event led by museum curators? Sample activities include icebreakers, a scavenger hunt, and a “Draw What You Hear” communication exercise. This event costs $200 for up to 20 people, making it an affordable team building idea in Cincinnati for small groups.

9. Take a corporate wellness class with Elemental Om

Not all team building events have to include a field trip. Sometimes it’s better to turn your focus inside, with a corporate wellness activity led by Elemental Om. They offer yoga, meditation, and nutrition classes to help your team take better care of themselves and learn to relax their minds and bodies. No matter what your age or experience level, Elemental Om can create a unique yoga or meditation course for your team. Visit one of their local studios, or bring them to your private Peerspace venue to enjoy a relaxing team building experience in Cincinnati.

10. Brave the challenge course with Athletes in Action

For a more active adventure, take the team building challenge at Athletes in Action. This sports complex in Xenia, OH, features a 40-foot “High Ropes Course” with a zip line, a power pole, and a giant swing. They also offer a “Low Element Course” with activities designed for teams that would rather stay on solid ground. Don’t have time for a full or half-day program? Let them bring their portable exercises to you for a two-hour program for 12 or more people at nearly any venue. 

11. Race go-karts at Full Throttle

Enjoy high-speed team building on the racetrack at Full-Throttle, which offers corporate workshops at their Cincinnati and Florence, KY, locations. Choose from time-based races, lap races, endurance races, and more. They also have on-site meeting spaces available with Wi-Fi and projectors, as well as catering and a bar menu to keep your team energized all day.

12. Play The Escape Game

At The Escape Game Cincinnati your team will bond, make unforgettable memories, and develop into a stronger team. First choose from five different themes, like a museum heist or prison escape. Then, discover clues, crack codes, and be the heroes all while bonding as a team!

Choosing the right team building idea in Cincinnati comes down to knowing what your team will enjoy. Would they rather solve puzzles or compete on the racetrack? There’s no right or wrong answer, but choosing an event that your team will look forward to is key to getting the most out of the experience. You can always rent a Peerspace venue and design your own event, or pick and choose several of the ideas on this list for an unforgettable team retreat or company picnic.

Find unique team building ideas in Cincinnati on Peerspace