11 Fun Team Building Ideas in Pittsburgh

Looking for some fun team building ideas in Pittsburgh? Then we have you covered! Known for its iconic yellow bridges, Pittsburgh’s location on the Allegheny, Monongahela, and Ohio Rivers makes it an important regional hub and cultural center. From Heinz Ketchup to Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood, Pittsburgh’s exports are recognized around the world.

But the city isn’t content to rest on its laurels. Pittsburgh’s residents continue to innovate, whether it’s through a top-notch research university or its youth-driven food scene. Explore the best of what this city has to offer with these 11 fun team building ideas in Pittsburgh to entertain and inspire you!

1. Host a workshop at a Peerspace venue

Baby Shower Venue Ideas In Pittsburgh
Source: Peerspace

You might decide to create a unique team building idea from scratch. If you need a space to host your event, rent a venue on Peerspace. As the largest online marketplace for hourly venue rentals, we offer you access to hundreds of hidden gem spaces in Pittsburgh and the surrounding areas.

You’ll find a range of listings to rent by the day or hour from local hosts, such as:

No matter how big or small your idea, there’s bound to be a Peerspace venue for it. Just search the listings by event type, capacity, and amenities to find a location that suits your needs. If you need something that isn’t available on-site — such as a professional caterer or A/V equipment — ask your venue’s host if they can get in touch with a trusted local vendor to supply it.

2. Go behind the scenes at Kennywood

Take your team on a trip to one of America’s oldest amusement parks, Kennywood, which started out as a picnic spot in 1898 before installing its first rollercoaster in 1902. Kennywood’s rides make use of the unique hilly terrain for experiences you won’t find anywhere else. On a team building trip, you can take part in a scavenger hunt or a behind-the-scenes tour. Afterwards, enjoy a catered meal at the on-site picnic pavilion. This National Historic Landmark is a Pittsburgh classic!

3. Attend an event at the Carnegie Science Center

One of the most memorable attractions in Pittsburgh is the Carnegie Science Center, which has four floors of exhibits, including Roboworld, “the world’s largest permanent robotics exhibition”. Take your pick of several team building options, including a hands-on lesson at the Fab Lab, where you can learn about 3D printing, laser cutting, and more. There’s also a Science After Hours program, a laser show, a lecture series, and a Murder Mystery activity. These are great team building ideas in Pittsburgh that are sure to provide some intellectual stimulation!

4. Learn to cook with Chop, Wok, and Talk

Dive into Pittsburgh’s culinary scene with a private cooking lesson offered by Chef Dorothy of Chop, Wok, & Talk. You can choose from a small group team building experience for six to 10 participants or a larger team building challenge for 12 to 40 people. You’ll learn knife skills, sanitation practices, cooking techniques, and more, based on one of six regional cuisines.

5. Get creative with Contemporary Craft

For a different kind of hands-on lesson, head to Contemporary Craft, a nonprofit studio that has been offering workshops to the public since 1971. Their programs include unique crafts such as making paper from hops (a plant flower often used for making beer), pulp painting from recycled fibers, clay sculpting, metalworking, and more. Visit their studio in Upper Lawrenceville, or ask them about virtual programs that they allow you to join a class at your office or Peerspace venue.

6. Explore new worlds with Escape Room Pittsburgh

Escape Room Pittsburgh offers immersive team building experiences with their fun and interactive escape rooms. You and your team will have 60 minutes to solve the puzzles and riddles you encounter in your room in order to be set free. Choose from the ancient Egyptian-themed Tomb Explorer room, Carnegie’s Millions, or Subway Escape. Our next team building idea, Ace Axe Throwing, is actually located above Escape Room Pittsburgh, so you can do both in one fun evening!

7. Practice your aim at Ace Axe Throwing

Want to alternate video games with some real-life target practice? Next door to Pittsburgh VR is Ace Axe Throwing, so you can take your team here for a double feature — or, if you have a large enough team, swap back and forth between the two activities. This venue is not BYOB, but they have a bar on site and host music nights such as Axes and Acoustics. Buy out the entire venue, or bring their mobile axe throwing setup to your outdoor event space for even more fun!

8. Find your groove with the Pittsburgh Heat Dance Company

Team Building Ideas in Pittsburgh
Source: Peerspace

While some team building workshops feel like just another day at the office, the Pittsburgh Heat Dance Company does things differently. They believe that teams bond “more organically and far more effectively” when there’s “no explicit lesson about leadership or communication.” With this in mind, you’ll bond by doing — either through dancing, tumbling, or other movement skills. You can schedule an in-office lesson or instructional videos to enjoy in your Peerspace venue.

9. Rally the troops at Steeltown Paintball Park

For a more traditional team building activity, head to the Steeltown Paintball Park, which offers corporate events that encourage teamwork and some friendly competition. This outdoor venue is open rain or shine, and there’s a laser tag course for a lower-impact option. Group bookings include three hours of gameplay and a picnic area for BYO food and drink.

10. Get on stage at the Steel City Improv Theater

If your team was born for the stage, book a corporate training workshop with Steel City Improv, where you’ll learn to improve your listening skills, presentation skills, communication skills, and more. Whether you work in sales, law, or medicine, the principles you learn through improv will help you build a stronger workplace and healthier company culture for your team. Choose from in-person or virtual classes, where you and your team can learn some seriously fun skills from the comfort of your Peerspace venue.

11. Learn glassmaking at the Pittsburgh Glass Center

Next, explore Pittsburgh’s artisanal side with a private workshop taught by experienced glass artists. Their Make-It-Now workshops allow you to learn a new skill in under 15 minutes, with a selection of items you can bring home with you once they cool. Or, you can bring PGC to you with their Glass to Go kits that provide everything you need to make beautiful glassworks at your office or your Peerspace venue.

Team building ideas in Pittsburgh: conclusion

Cozy Woodsy Studio
Source: Peerspace

Food, art, culture — Pittsburgh really does have it all. There’s a reason young people and new businesses alike are moving to this affordable but innovative city.

Whether you choose one of the activities on this list or design your own team building workshop, browse the local venues on Peerspace to find the perfect location to host your team building activity in Pittsburgh! Between these ideas, your amazing venue, and the space’s friendly, helpful host, you’ll soon be on your way to throwing an amazing team building day that brings your group together.

Find unique team building ideas in Pittsburgh on Peerspace

Get together somewhere better

Book thousands of unique spaces directly from local hosts.

Explore Spaces

Share your space and start earning

Join thousands of hosts renting their space for meetings, events, and photo shoots.

List Your Space