12 Fun Team Building Ideas in Columbus

Looking for team building ideas in Columbus to bond your group? Columbus is one of Ohio’s most innovative cities. Not only is it the state capital, but it’s also home to Ohio State University, several Major League sports teams, and five Fortune 500 HQs.

But there’s more to Columbus than just business and government. It’s also one of the major cultural hubs of the Midwest, where art, food, and technology combine to provide a variety of cultural activities to enjoy. We at Peerspace have come up with this list of 13 fun team building ideas in Columbus to get you started. As the largest online marketplace for hourly venue rentals, we understand how important the setting is when you’re trying to accomplish your business goals.

We’ll share examples of Peerspaces across the city along with our favorite team building ideas in Columbus.

1. Host a customized event at a Peerspace venue

If you’d rather host your event in a more controlled environment, rent a Peerspace venue from a local host instead. And Peerspace isn’t just for meetings: you can rent a photo studio for a corporate photo shoot or a rural cabin for a company retreat. Just filter your search results to show spaces that meet your location, budget, and capacity requirements. 

So what types of spaces can you book on Peerspace for your team building event?

Here are just a few local examples:

• This bright and open common room in Marble Cliff Crossing (pictured above) that has a laid-back lounge feel with screen, whiteboards, and parking
• This convertible meeting room in UA with modular furnishings that’s above the pictured common room venue
• This contemporary escape home in Lowrie Brothers with meeting space, dining space, and a games room
• This urban gallery space in Short North Arts District with customized cocktails and charcuterie, modular furnishings, a monitor, and seating
• This beautiful yoga/dance studio in Near East Columbus with a sound system and a smart TV, ideal for classes and workshops
• This downtown event and entertainment venue with an LED art wall, professional lighting and sound equipment, a bar, and a dance floor

As you can see, there are lots of unique options when it comes to Peerspace venues in Columbus! You’ll be able to work directly with the venue’s local host to add any extra services or equipment rentals you need, from catering to camera gear to A/V rentals. It’s the best way to create a truly customized experience for your team.

2. Play human foosball at SportsOhio

This may not be the first sport that comes to mind when you think about Ohio, but it’s definitely one of the most innovative! At SportsOhio, choose from fun activities, such as human foosball and foot golf. You can also opt for more traditional sports like kickball and dodgeball.

You’ll find dozens of great team building ideas in Columbus at this 100-acre facility, including go-karts, mini golf, batting cages, and more. Work with the staff to create your own customized group sport experience.

3. Attend a dinner party at The Kitchen

There’s no better way to get your team working together than to create a collaborative meal that you’ll get to enjoy when you’re done. At The Kitchen in Columbus, your team can take part in a Participatory Dinner Party that is not meant to be a cooking class.

Although you’ll learn how to make dishes from one of several seasonal and regional menus, the focus is on team building. From kitchen safety to mixology, you’ll learn what it takes to use food to build a community.

These are the helpful coworking benefits you and your team need to know. Check them out!

4. Hit the targets at Dueling Axes

Axe-throwing is the perfect team building idea in Columbus for groups of up to 120 people. It’s a fun, interactive activity that doesn’t require any previous experience. At Dueling Axes, you can book a private lane for up to six people or rent out the entire venue. You’ll get an introductory training session to ensure your team’s safety, and you can bring your own food and drink to enjoy while you play.

5. Solve the clues at Escape Columbus

For an intellectually stimulating team building idea, head to Escape Columbus. Here, you and your team will have one hour to solve the clues and escape the room. Up to 12 people can play at a time, although you can split up into multiple rooms to have an all-day outing. Themes include Da Vinci’s Lost Meatball, Escape the ’80s House Party, and Crazy Cat Lady Escape.

6. Explore the outdoors with Hocking Hills Canopy Tours

Explore some of Ohio’s most beautiful scenery on a team building adventure with Hocking Hills Canopy Tour. They offer several options, including a three-hour guided zipline tour over the Hocking River and an off-road Segway adventure. You can also book a trip to Rockbridge, a unique geological site that features a 100-foot-long natural rock bridge. Whether you travel by foot, zipline, or Segway, this is a great way to see the Hocking Hills State Park, just an hour’s drive from Columbus. 

7. Take a workshop at the Center of Science and Industry

The Center for Science and Industry is one of Ohio’s best museums, with over 300 exhibits for both kids and adults. One of the best ways for teams to explore it is with the Science of Team Building workshop, which can accommodate as many as 200 participants. Options include a Power of Communication challenge focused on problem-solving and an Innovation Mindset workshop that features circuits, hand-held robots, liquid nitrogen, and more!

8. Host a painting party with Studio 614

Pick up your paintbrush for a workshop with Studio 614, which offers everything from Paint Your Pet classes, to team building parties in which you’ll paint a pre-sketched canvas. Host an event at their studio in the University District, or have them come to your office or Peerspace venue. We especially love this downtown minimalist studio that has enough space for 140 guests.

Studio 614 will bring tarps and table clothes to make sure you don’t make a mess. You can enjoy snacks and drinks while you paint, and, of course, you’ll get to bring home your finished masterpiece after it dries.

9. Play bowling and other games at Ten Pin Alley

Bowling may not be as common of an office outing as it used to be, but it still makes for a great team building experience — especially when you can combine it with other games, such as laser tag and bocce, as you can at Ten Pin Alley. This venue features private bowling lanes, meeting rooms, and a restaurant and bar, so you can plan an off-site retreat or after-work outing.

Check out these beautiful baby shower venues in Columbus for more insights into the lovely local venues near you!

10. Tour downtown Columbus on the Pedal Wagon

Make your way around town on the Pedal Wagon, a pedal-powered pub that can seat up to 15 people. Large groups can rent up to eight wagons for a 132-person adventure, while small groups can rent a six-seater bike for a more laid-back experience. Bring your own drinks on board, or stop at a nearby bar or restaurant. Pedal Wagon offers a one-hour Business Lunch option or a weekend brunch outing to one of several popular destinations.

11. Take a wellness class at the Fitness Loft

Learn some workplace wellness techniques at the Fitness Loft, which offers classes designed to inspire your staff and build trust between colleagues. Fitness classes get you out of the office for the day, while providing lessons you can take back to your desk. From flexibility to mindfulness, the Fitness Loft offers team building lessons to break down barriers within corporate groups.

12. Build up your team bonding with The Escape Game

Escape rooms bring together a fun experience and effective team development. At The Escape Game Columbus, your team chooses one of five different immersive themes, like a submarine exploration or prison escape. They’ll then discover clues, crack codes, and be the heroes all while bonding as a team!

Team building ideas in Columbus: conclusion

These fun team building ideas in Columbus are just a few of the activities you’ll find in the city. Whether you want to head outdoors or solve a challenging puzzle, choose the activity that’s most aligned with your workplace culture or able to address a problem you need to solve.

And, of course, you can also design your own team building event from scratch at a local Peerspace venue! Use our simple platform to find the perfect venue for your team that has the amenities and style you prefer. Then, reach out to the local host with any questions or requests to personalize the occasion. It’s truly that simple to create a memorable event for your team!

Find unique team building ideas in Columbus on Peerspace