13 Fun Team Building Activities in Chicago for 2025
We consider it to be the peak of madness that around the United States, one of the main things that Chicago is known for is just its deep-dish pizza. Don’t get us wrong, deep dish is amazing – but there’s plenty more the Windy City has to offer people, especially in a group setting. In this post we’re going to highlight 13 fun team building activities in Chicago that deserve to be known across the country.
A food tour…Chicago-style!
1. Sidewalk Food Tours
Topping our list of team building activities is joining the Sidewalk Food Tours on the Chicago culinary tours. While yes, you can visit some of the best deep-dish pizza places Chicago has to offer – there’s plenty more to see and taste in Chi-town. We’re talking authentic tapas, iconic American donuts, and other delicacies that can make your mouth water. Best of all, sidewalk food tours will cater to any and all dietary restrictions your team members may have.
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Collaborate with a hands-on activity!
2. Cooking Class
If touring the city isn’t quite your thing when it comes to food, Sidewalk Food Tours has you covered. You can learn a new skill in our cooking class, stir up some fun with a cooking competition or sip and shake it at our mixology class. The cooking competition allows you to connect with a professional chef to make mouthwatering meals along with engaging icebreakers, challenges, and trivia. Meanwhile, the mixology class features a cocktail expert teaching cocktail history and sharpening skills as you all drink up. Either way, your team is guaranteed to have a blast.
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So much fun!
3. Bowling
Whirlyball is a Chicago venue that offers anything from adult birthday parties to entire corporate events for your team. They’re all about variety, providing opportunities for laser tag, bowling, eating, drinking and more. This versatile space is perfect for accommodating your team, because there’s something for everyone here.
So. Much. Talent.
4. Broadway
If anyone on your team is even the least bit theatrically inclined, you’re going to want to look into booking tickets for a Broadway Chicago show. Check out the historic Chicago theaters such as the Cadillac Palace theater or the CIBC theater and lose yourself in an enthralling musical. Who cares about the Chicago pizza versus New York pizza debate when you can engage the Chicago Broadway versus New York Broadway battle instead?
ZooooOOOooooom!
5. Go Karting
Whether you’re looking for an indoor style or an outdoor style karting experience, Chicago’s got you covered. There are a variety of tracks you can engage with and even different Go Kart speeds, reaching up to 50 mph in some cases. Divide your team, pretend you’re F1 drivers, and challenge each other to high-octane races.
Who will hit the bullseye?
6. Fight Club
The first rule of fight club is not to talk about fight club, but we’re going to have to break that rule to let you know about this amazing venue. Fight Club Darts is an upscale entertainment concept that combines food and beverages with multiplayer dart games, complete with tracking technology and instant scoring. In other words, this isn’t your typical dart game at the local bar. You can book instantly if your team is between 2 to 12 people, or otherwise plan an event for teams numbering more than 13 people.
Are you up for the challenge?
7. Royal Palms Shuffleboard Chicago
Royal Palms Shuffleboard Chicago is a unique venue where your team can rent a shuffleboard court and divide into 2 on 2, 4 on 4 or 8 on 8 for a friendly shuffleboard competition. Additionally, they can modify the structure of the game for any size party on your behalf. They also provide other games such as giant Jenga, giant connect four, and much more.
Can you figure it out before time runs out?
8. Escape Rooms
Escape rooms are always a blast, and Chicago has plenty of themed venues to have fun. Take on rooms such as prisons or historical landmarks and work together to decipher hints, figure out puzzles, and fight your way out of the trap.
Garfield Park Conservatory
9. Garfield Park Conservatory
The Garfield Park Conservatory is a peaceful, relaxing venue. Your team can become one with nature and check out the stunning botanical sights Chicago has to offer. You can also engage in events such as yoga or flower shows.
Experience all of the thrill without any of the danger
10. Indoor Skydiving
No need to jump out of a plane when you can simply simulate it. Venues like iFLY Chicago allow you to take your team to a vertical wind tunnel that provides a constant stream of powerful air to simulate floating and flying. Get all the thrills and excitement with none of the fear.
A fresh perspective…
11. Architecture River Boat Tour
Chicago has world-famous architecture and there’s no better way to see it than taking the riverboat tour through the city. There are several different tours available that will teach you about Chicago’s buildings, architecture, and engineering as your team takes a relaxing ride on the river.
Whose got talent?
12. Second City
Second City is a comedy club where you can bring your team to watch comedians at their best. Catch an improv event, check out someone’s stand up set, or watch the entire comedy troupe take on musicals and comedy sketches written by some of the comedy greats.
SO much fun!
13. Game Night Out
Game Night Out is a Chicago venue that knows how to cater to its audience. Pick between a corporate outing, social gathering, or adult birthday party for groups of up to 60 people and have a blast. We’re talking team building games, delicious food, and private rooms where they plan all the details on your behalf.
Notice something? We’ve hardly mentioned deep-dish pizza on this list. That’s because there’s plenty more that Chicago has to offer groups for fun, and now you have more than just a few ideas of where you and your team can go to have the time of your lives.