10 Awesome Team Outing Ideas in Kansas City

Kansas City, MO, has long been a hub for arts and culture in the region. As a major stop on the railroad line connecting Chicago and Los Angeles, Kansas City became known for its jazz, barbecue, and fountains — of which over 200 are still operational throughout the city. Many of its residents have gone on to make a name for themselves in various industries, perhaps the most famous being Walt Disney, whose childhood home is still standing. If you’re looking for team outing ideas in Kansas City, check out our list to find out more about what this lively city has to offer!

1. Go ziplining at Zip KC

Zip through the tree canopy along the Kansas River at this adventure park less than 30 minutes from downtown. With nine zip lines, and several different tour options, this is a fun outing for small teams that want to get out into nature. You can choose from a team-building course with a hike and obstacle course, or take one of the sunset or nighttime tours for a glow-in-the-dark zip line experience. One of the highlights is the “zero-gravity” zip line with a 12-foot free fall!

2. Rent a customized venue on Peerspace

If you want to get out of the office but don’t want to go to the same old event spaces, why not try Peerspace to search for a customized venue offered by a local host? You’ll find fantastic spaces, such as this photo studio to take team photos and videos, which has a green screen, a kitchen, and even an audio recording booth where you can record a theme song or podcast.

Or, check out this 4,000-sq.ft. event space with a guitar-shaped pool that’s perfect for an off-site meeting or company retreat. You can fit up to 100 guests into this spacious venue that has all of the A/V gear you’ll need, including a projector, Sonos sound system, and live music setup. Plus, there’s a separate game room with a pool table, dart board, and more. Arrange for catering with the Peerspace Concierge service for a stress-free team outing idea in Kansas City.

3. Spend the day at Worlds of Fun

Kansas City is lucky to have a theme park that’s just a short drive from downtown, with some of the tallest and fastest rollercoasters in the region. Worlds of Fun is one of the best team outing ideas in Kansas City on a sunny day. You can choose from a corporate team-building event led by Teambonders, or throw a company picnic with an all-you-can-eat buffet. Or, offer discounted tickets for the whole family so that everyone can enjoy this all-ages company bonding experience!

4. Take part in the College Basketball Experience

No trip to Kansas City is complete without learning about one of its most popular sports, and the College Basketball Experience is a great way to do that as a team. This venue wants to make it clear that it’s not a museum, but rather a ”high-energy interactive facility” where you can attempt a free throw or take a turn at the broadcast desk. It also has several spaces available for larger events, including a banquet hall with three presentation screens and room for 1500 people.

5. Play games at Pawns & Pints or Tapcade

Have your pick of board games or arcade games at these two team outing ideas in Kansas City that make for the perfect after-work activity. Both offer bar food and local craft beers to keep you and your team having fun for hours. For only $5 per person, you’ll have unlimited access to all of the games you could ask for. You can also rent private rooms to host your corporate event.

6. See a play at the Unicorn Theater

Experience Kansas City’s theater scene for yourself at this intimate and experimental venue. In addition to seeing professional performances, you can also participate in their “Talk Back” series, in which new scripts are read aloud and the audience can offer feedback to the playwright and ask questions about the script. Choose this team outing idea in Kansas City for a participatory experience at one of the city’s most original and thought-provoking theaters.

7. Take a tour of the Boulevard Brewery

Take a 45-minute tour of this local brewery to learn about the brewing process and sample some creative seasonal beers. For a more in-depth outing, take the Smokestack Tour & Tasting, which includes food and drink pairings, or the After Hours Tour that starts at 6:30 pm on Thursdays.

8. Visit the Arabia Steamboat Museum

This little-known museum houses the world’s largest collection of objects from the pre-Civil War era. It contains items that were retrieved from the sunken steamboat Arabia, which sank in 1856 in the Missouri River and was rediscovered in 1988. In addition to the artifacts, you’ll see a short film about the excavation, walk through a 171-foot-long replica of the ship, and watch the experts in the preservation lab hard at work restoring these long-lost objects. This is a great team outing idea in Kansas City for anyone who wants to learn more about this region’s history.

9. Create a marionette at the Puppetry Arts Institute

Kansas City was once the site of the largest puppet factory in the world, and the Puppetry Arts Institute is dedicated to keeping puppetry skills alive at this museum and workshop venue. See their collection of marionettes and hand puppets on a museum tour, or learn to make your own at one of their workshops, which are offered for groups of all ages, from kids to seniors.

10. Attend First Fridays at the Crossroads Arts District

Every month, thousands of people crowd the streets of the Crossroads Arts District to enjoy the free wine, art galleries, food trucks, and live music between 5 pm to 9 pm. It might be too crowded to stick together for long, but it’s a great way to end the work week. Explore some of Kansas City’s most vibrant art galleries as a team before going your separate ways to enjoy the weekend.

Whether you’re based in Kansas City, visiting on a road trip, or attending a conference here, it’s worth taking time to explore this city for yourself and see what makes it so unique. You may be surprised at how this landlocked city in the middle of the country has managed to keep itself at the forefront of art, music, and culture in the region. Remember, if you need more team outing ideas in Kansas City, you can always browse Peerspace to find some great venues offered by local hosts!

Find unique event venues in Kansas City on Peerspace