11 Fun Team Building Ideas in Grand Rapids (2024)

Grand Rapids, MI, has been called everything from the “craft beverage capital of the US” for its local breweries, to “Furniture City” due to its collection of office furniture suppliers. As the largest city in West Michigan, Grand Rapids has long been a cultural and industrial hub in the region. It still plays a major role in fields like health care, manufacturing, IT, and more. No wonder so many amazing companies are looking for the best team building ideas in Grand Rapids!

And if you’re looking for the perfect place to host your team building event, you’ve come to the right place. After all, Peerspace is the largest online marketplace for hourly venue rentals. On our platform, you can book stylish lofts, mountainside retreats, posh office spaces, and so much more. Each venue has its own listing page includes high-def photos, detailed descriptions by the local host, upfront pricing, and reviews from past bookers like yourself. So it’s easy to find a space that suits your team’s needs and make a confident booking. Check us out and see how we can make your team building event a customizable and memorable day for all.

But now, let’s get back to the topic at hand, No matter what industry you work in, plan a fun group outing with one of these 11 team building ideas in Grand Rapids!

1. Climb the trees at TreeRunner Adventure Park

Take to the trees with a team building outing at TreeRunner Adventure Park, where you’ll enjoy seven courses covering three difficulty levels. There are over 70 obstacles designed to inspire and challenge your team. Start on the main deck, which leads to a 365-foot zip line. Then, test your balance on the zig-zag bridge, tight-wire walk, swinging platforms, and more.

Groups of eight or more can participate in a team building experience that includes facilitated workshops and a debriefing session. Meanwhile, groups of more than 50 can rent out the entire park for themselves!

2. Host a private gathering at a Grand Rapids event venue care of Peerspace

If you prefer to have your team building activities take place on the ground, rent a venue from a local host on Peerspace and create your own agenda. Peerspace connects you to unique hidden gem spaces in cities across the globe, with amazing event venues in Grand Rapids perfect for your team building.

So what types of spaces can you book on Peerspace? Here are a few of our favorites:

• This downtown 5BR luxury boutique hotel (pictured above) with a large event space, a kitchen, seating, A/V equipment, a bar, and a private outdoor patio.
• This historic gathering space in South Haven that can accommodate 45 guests with seating, on-site catering, and cozy gathering spots.
• This dance studio in West Grand with space for 50 guests, a lobby, studio choice, Bose speakers, fun lighting, with fun add-on services to enhance your event.
• This contemporary open vendor venue in Kentwood with a beautiful and bright ambiance, a versatile setup, a sound system, a patio, and an on-site event coordinating team.

You get the idea! Whichever venue you choose, you can reach out to your venue’s local host if you need help lining up a caterer, photographer, or another local vendor. With incredible spaces and dedicated hosts, Peerspace can easily help you make all of your team building ideas in Grand Rapids a reality!

First team building event in a while? Brush up on the basics with our unique ideas for corporate events and team building!

3. Hunt for clues at Grand Rapids Escape Room

For a team building activity that’s ready to go right out of the box, take a trip to Grand Rapids Escape Room, where you’ll have 60 minutes to solve each puzzle. Break up into groups of 10 people or fewer per room, with a maximum of 25 participants on-site at any one time. Choose from themed rooms like The Cure, Judgement, and Licastro’s Lair. Some of them are harder than others, so you’ll have to work together to succeed. Be sure to debrief afterward!

4. Learn a new recipe with The Local Epicurean

The Local Epicurian describes itself as “wild food for urban people,” so expect an eclectic menu when you book a team building workshop in their kitchen. You can choose the Tiramisu or Pesto Challenge, in which you have only four minutes to memorize a secret recipe. Alternatively, there’s Bridge Building, in which you’ll use fresh pasta to build a “bridge” between islands. These events are designed for groups of six to 36 people and take place at their educational kitchen in Grand Rapids.

5. Take a tour of the Frederik Meijer Gardens

The Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park is one of the most impressive attractions in Grand Rapids. Art and plant lovers alike will find something to admire at this venue, from the 15,000-sq.ft. tropical conservatory to the indoor and outdoor sculpture collections. Take your team on a 45-minute guided tour, with the option of an tram tour available seasonally.

Looking for something a bit more remote and rustic? Peerspace has you covered there! Check out The Love Inn in Lowell, MI. It is a chic A-frame cabin in the woods with a pool, indoor and outdoor gathering spaces, a fire pit ideal for cooking s’mores together, and so much more.

6. Host a painting party at Brush Studio

Brush Studio offers a variety of team building ideas in Grand Rapids, including canvas painting classes, wooden sign workshops, acrylic pour parties, and more. For an especially collaborative experience, try a puzzle piece canvas workshop, in which everyone paints a different piece that creates a complete image when brought together. Their downtown studio is not BYOB, but they do have beer, wine, and other drinks available for purchase. In addition, outside catering is allowed.

7. Row, row, row your boat with GR Rowing Association

Grand Rapids is located on the Grand River, so you don’t have to travel far for an adventure on the water. The Grand Rapids Rowing Association offers a corporate team building workshop, in which you’ll learn to work together to row your boat. They describe it as “the ultimate teamwork sport,” with activities that take place both on and off the water. If your team enjoys their four-hour workshop, you can form your own rowing team for a year-round team building activity!

8. Take a hands-on art class at GRAM Studio

The Grand Rapids Art Museum is more than just an art gallery. The GRAM Studio offers a range of hands-on classes for artists of all ages and experience levels. Their drop-in workshops cover skills such as basket weaving, stained glass, resin casting, and more.

Attend one of their public classes, or ask about scheduling a private event at their studio or your Peerspace venue. One great option is this modern industrial event studio in West Grand with space for 50 guests, an open floor plan, and seating.

Considering arranging new headshots for you and your team members? Then you need to check out Grand Rapids best portrait photographers to find the perfect shutterbug for the job!

9. Race go-karts at Grand Rapids Grand Prix

No matter what the weather is like outside, take your team to Grand Rapids Grand Prix to race go-karts on a two-level climate-controlled track. These electric karts have adjustable seats and pedals to make them comfortable for all drivers, with speeds of up to 35 mph. You can book a private meeting room for up to 80 people, with Wi-Fi and A/V gear and catering options.

10. Reach new heights and go bouldering together at Terra Firma

Get some exercise at the Terra Firma bouldering gym, a 12,000-sq.ft. facility open to climbers of all experience levels. Since there are no ropes or harnesses (just lots of padding!), it’s easier to learn than rock climbing, but you’ll still get a safety briefing on your first visit. Reserve the entire venue, and bring your own food and drink for an exciting team building experience.

11. Dress like a lumberjack at FlannelJax’s

Finally, find out what all the fuss is about at the newest axe-throwing venue in town. While there isn’t a formal dress code here, it doesn’t hurt to dress up in your finest flannel. FlannelJax’s has several different activities to choose from, including crosscut sawing, in which two people work together to saw through a log. There’s also Thump the Stump and, of course, axe-throwing.

Team building ideas in Grand Rapids are better with Peerspace

Grand Rapids offers some of the best team building activities in Michigan. And as you can see, you and your team can enjoy both indoor and outdoor adventures. Whether you go on a tour or take a workshop, you’ll return to the office with a new skill or a fresh perspective on teamwork.

And if you want more flexibility to design your own event, book a Peerspace venue and host a personalized retreat or workshop! And remember that you can rely on the services of your venue’s local host to help arrange for extras that make your team building event truly your own.

Find unique team building ideas in Grand Rapids on Peerspace