Bonding with your team and building relationships is a valuable aspect to any organization or business, especially now as we continue to respond to the pandemic. With the right (and safe) activities, team-building can be a fun way to build relationships amongst your team. In Minneapolis Northwest, we have a variety of ideas to help your team up its game!

Go Gaming

WhirlyBall Twin Cities

For a unique sport that will put everyone on an equal playing field, take the team to WhirlyBall Twin Cities. This unrivalled attraction features the extremely fun "sport" of WhirlyBall, which combines basketball, hockey, lacrosse, and bumper cars. In this game, two teams of five players use scoops to try to toss a ball through elevated backboards at opposite ends of an enclosed court (roughly the size of a basketball court) while driving specially designed bumper cars. The game itself doesn't involve much physical contact since each player is in their own bumper car and uses their own scoop. Cars are also disinfected between each group, so you can rest assured your group will have clean cars when you get started. 

Dave & Buster's

Another great option, whether you’re looking for a large company challenge or an engaging small group activity, is Dave & Buster’s. The event staff can customize your activities to create an outstanding experience for your team. Located at the Fountains at Arbor Lakes, this exciting venue offers 2,400-square feet of meeting space (including the largest meeting space of 1,500-square feet and four breakout rooms) and more than 200 games in its Million Dollar Midway. Take time to refresh with Dave & Buster’s delicious food and drink menu.

Bowlero Brooklyn Park

You’ll bond with your team and colleagues in no time at Bowlero Brooklyn Park. Your easy-to-customize event can include combinations of laser tag, unlimited blacklight bowling, and interactive arcade games, along with premium bar packages and expertly crafted event menus. Office parties at Bowlero are packed with bowling, great eats, and the kind of good times that give everyone permission to let loose and have fun - from executives to new hires.

ProKART Indoor Racing

Nothing brings people together like racing at 40 miles per hour! ProKART Indoor Racing is the premier go-kart facility in the northwest metro offering top-class karts and fun for everyone. The Maple Grove location provides the only indoor/outdoor combined track in the Midwest, for fun year-round! Choose from private party packages designed to accommodate groups ranging from 8 to 20 drivers, or go big with an exclusive event, renting out the entire facility. And if all that racing leaves your group hungry, ProKART offers party platters, sandwiches and pizzas. 

Outdoor Adventures

Mississippi Gateway Regional Park

Being in nature lays the perfect foundation for building valuable relationships with your team, as it's important to get outside and away from the boardroom once in a while. Three Rivers Parks District offers customizable options for team-building with its outdoor recreation programs at Elm Creek Park Reserve, Fish Lake Regional Park and Mississippi Gateway Regional Park. Go head-to-head in individual challenges, such as rock climbing and ziplining, and work together on team challenges created by its instructors. A Three Rivers’ outdoor recreation specialists can combine activities for the perfect experience, including canoeing or geocaching, which are two popular options that require people work separately and together.

A unique activity that will put your group's primal instincts to the test is a survival skills class at Eastman Nature Center, where you will work together to build a shelter and fire. And if you’re hoping to improve your team's creative problem solving skills, try navigating the low ropes course to overcome obstacles and work through the puzzle together.

Elm Creek Winter Recreation Area 

One of the most unique things you can do with your team is head outdoors during the winter months. The Elm Creek Winter Recreation Area provides maintained hills and trails for your group to try out a new activity, such as cross-country skiing or a fun afternoon of snow tubing. The Elm Creek Chalet provide equipment rentals, and a large fireplace and hot chocolate for when your group needs to warm up. You can also head to Eastman Nature Center to rent snowshoes and hit the trails. 

Central Park Maple Grove

Central Park in Maple Grove has an fantastic pavilion and plenty of outdoor space to conduct educational sessions or to set up your own games. Rent pickleball equipment, or play a game of bags or bocce ball on the Great Lawn. Looking for a meeting space to accompany your outdoor adventure? Choose from the beautiful glass and wood park building, equipped with a two-sided fireplace and seating for up to 120 people, or rent out the garden for a truly unique and stunning outdoor meeting space that works well for a yoga or meditation class.

Rush Creek Golf Club

Golf continues to be a sure hit for groups, whether you’re looking for traditional golf, FootGolf, or disc golf. Build relationships while you take in the views at championship golf courses Rush Creek Golf Club and Edinburgh USA. Both courses offer plentiful meeting spaces and outstanding food and drinks at their respective restaurants. Brookland Golf Park is another great option for people of all abilities and skill levels. This golf park located in Brooklyn Park offers a laidback nine-hole course that lends itself well to beginner golfers and also remains a challenge for all playing levels. It also has a disc golf course. To fully level the playing field, try FootGolf (a combination of soccer and golf)!

Topgolf

Pep up a winter team-building outing with a round of fun golf games at Topgolf. Minneapolis Northwest is home to the only Topgolf in the state of Minnesota! With more than 100 climate-controlled bays, the weather holds no limits on your team-building event. A full-service restaurant, bars, private spaces, meeting rooms and a rooftop terrace all create a great team bonding experience.

Historic Eidem Farm

Why not combine nature and history for an adventure at Historic Eidem Farm? Think hayrides and bonfires at this 19th century style farm! Its rustic charm and suburban location make it a beautiful and unique venue for your next meeting or event. Rental of the grounds include access to the entrance building, barn and the enclosed grounds (approximately 2.25 acres); all other buildings are closed unless prior arrangement has been made at the discretion of the facility coordinator. Additionally, tours or other activities during an event can be arranged at the time of booking for a fee.

Learn Something New Together

Tiny Footprint Coffee

Educational opportunities or classes that involve learning a new skill, allow a great opportunity to collaborate and have fun, when everyone is on the same page. If your crew is made up of coffee aficionados, try a latte art class at Tiny Footprint Coffee. Learn the barista basics and make your own foamy design. Purchased from the world's best small-plot farms, Tiny Footprint Coffee is earth positive and always organic. 

Nadia Cakes

Is your sweet tooth calling? Try a workshop at Nadia Cakes. All materials, tools, and baked goods needed will be ready upon your arrival, and no previous baking or decorating experience is needed to enjoy the class. If you have a group larger than 12, the shop will customize a class for you and your guests. They can even bring the party to you! Choose from the workshop classes below:

• Option 1: Each person gets two chocolate and two vanilla cupcakes; learn the basics of frosting and three different buttercream flower techniques.
• Option 2: Each person gets two vanilla and two chocolate cupcakes; learn the basics of frosting and the basic fondant cut-outs and flower techniques,
• Option 3: Each person gets a 5" round vanilla cake; learn the basics of icing a "pre-iced" cake and basic buttercream frosting designs and decor.
• Option 4: Each person gets a 5" round vanilla cake; learn the basics of icing a "pre-iced" cake and how to cover your cake in fondant designs and decor.
   

Everyone could use a new cooking inspiration, no matter their skill level. Cooks of Crocus Hill offers the best cooking classes in Minnesota. If your group is 6 people or less, you can simply check the class schedule and sign up all together. If you have 7 or more in your party, a private cooking experience is the way to go. Class types include From Ocean to Grill, Newly Tex-Mex, Indian for Beginners, Macaron Workshop, Bakery Breakfast, Latin Lovin' Street Food, and many more. Classes take place in Minneapolis, St. Paul, and Stillwater; they also offer virtual classes! 

Giving Back

Second Harvest Heartland

Help build the community around you while you’re building cohesion amongst your team. Minneapolis Northwest has several impactful nonprofit organizations whose work directly influences our cities. Minnesota's largest food bank, Second Harvest Heartland, offers great volunteer opportunities for teams to organize and pack food together, and the staff know how to make the work fun. The Brooklyn Park facility offers several meeting spaces, allowing you to split your day in two parts: productive meeting + productive volunteering!

Lend a helping hand at the Community Emergency Assistance Programs (CEAP) food shelf Food Market by sorting food donations and replenishing shelves, or join the CEAP Dream Team and provide customer service at the market. You can also sort clothing donations and help customers at the Turning Leaf Thrift Store. As long as your group is ready and willing, CEAP will find a rewarding job for each person. Bond with your team and make a difference when you create your own food drive or a toy/gift drive during the holiday season. Make it into a fun competition by seeing who can donate the most food!

Midwest Animal Rescue Services

Having a love of animals unites us all, and your team can help out at an adoption or fundraising event for Midwest Animal Rescue & Services, a Brooklyn Park nonprofit committed to the support of homeless dogs and cats in the Minneapolis Northwest area. They provide rescue, rehabilitation, foster care, training, and adoption services, and they are always happy to have helpers.

No matter what you choose for a team-building activity, we can help get your started. Contact our Director of Business Development Megan Diaz: Megan@mplsnw.com.