How to Plan a Team Off-Site People Actually Enjoy
If you’ve been asked to organise a team off-site, chances are you’re trying to avoid two things:
- awkward activities and the collective eye-roll when the calendar invite goes out.
- Most team off-sites don’t fail because people don’t want to connect.
- They fail because the format asks too much of them — too much performance, too much energy, too much “fun”.
The good news? A team off-site doesn’t need games, icebreakers or hype to work. It needs a format that feels human.
Why team off-sites get a bad reputation (because it's rarely the organiser’s fault!)
Team off-sites often fall into familiar traps: forced participation, spotlight activities and a sense that everyone has to “show up” in a particular way.
For mixed teams — different personalities, roles and energy levels — this can feel exhausting rather than connecting. When people feel watched or judged, they retreat instead of engaging.
Reframing what a good off-site actually does
Connection works best when it’s a side effect, not the goal. The most successful team off-sites don’t try to manufacture bonding. They create the conditions for it to happen naturally.
That usually means:
- Giving people something to focus on together
- Reducing pressure to perform or share
- Allowing conversation to unfold at its own pace
Side-by-side activities — especially making something with your hands — give teams a shared reference point without forcing interaction.
Four principles that make an off-site land well
Keep hands busy, not minds on display - Creative, hands-on activities give people a reason to relax. Conversation happens naturally when attention isn’t on the individual.
Offer structure without rigidity - Clear facilitation and materials help people feel safe, while flexibility lets them engage at their own pace.
Make calm the default - Energy doesn’t have to mean noise. Calm environments are more inclusive and often more productive.
Let people take something away - Creating something tangible helps the experience linger — it becomes a reminder of shared time, not just another meeting.
What this looks like in practice
Practical formats that work for real teams
- Hosted workshops for off-sites and away days
- Drop-in creative stations for larger or more fluid groups
- Workshop kits for teams that want flexibility
These formats work well for mixed teams and don’t rely on confidence, extroversion or prior experience.
A quieter way to plan something meaningful
Planning a team off-site doesn’t need to feel risky or overwhelming.If you’re organising something for a team and want it to feel thoughtful rather than forced, starting with the right format makes all the difference.
That’s where Correll Club comes in.
If you’re planning a team off-site and want help shaping an experience that people genuinely enjoy, you’re welcome to explore our workshops or book a short discovery call.