Team Building Activities in New York: Best Spots for Your Team in 2025

Thinzar Su

New York City is an exciting and dynamic destination for corporate teams to bond and grow together. No matter if your team seeks thrilling challenges, cultural experiences, or unique adventures, the city of dreams, NYC, has something for everyone. Keeping up with the latest trends and cultural shifts in 2025, we’ve curated a list of new activities designed to make your team’s experience truly exceptional in NYC.

1. NYC Scavenger Hunt with PlayTours

New York City is one of the most dynamic places in the world, making it the perfect backdrop for an exciting team-building scavenger hunt. With PlayTours, you can turn NYC into your team's playground, combining exploration, teamwork, and problem-solving into an interactive adventure.

PlayTours offers customized scavenger hunts that take teams through NYC’s most iconic locations, completing engaging challenges designed to encourage collaboration and creativity. Unlike a traditional tour, this is a fully interactive experience designed to your team’s interests. With PlayTours’ diverse task types and GPS features, teams can navigate the city seamlessly while completing fun and strategic challenges.

NYC team building scavenger hunt with playtours scavenger hunt

Pricing & Group Savings

PlayTours offers flexible pricing plans based on active devices, making it a budget-friendly choice for teams of all sizes. Large groups running multiple sessions can take advantage of cost-saving options, ensuring a seamless and affordable team-building experience. The platform supports teams of all sizes, ensuring that your team-building event is both fun and cost-effective.

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Book a Free Demo & Consultation

To create a scavenger hunt that aligns with team-building goals, simply contact PlayTours for a free demo and consultation. Their team of experts will assist in planning the perfect adventure for your group. They will provide step-by-step guidance on how to bring ideas to life and ensure a seamless, exciting event for the team.

2. Team Cooking Classes in NYC with Selfup

When it comes to team-building activities, cooking classes in New York City provide a unique and interactive way to bond with colleagues, learn new skills, and have a great time. Selfup offers a variety of team-building cooking events that are perfect for corporate teams, private groups, and those looking for a fun, engaging activity. From pizza-making challenges to mystery basket competitions, these cooking classes are designed to bring out creativity, collaboration, and teamwork within any group.

cooking class in NYC

Hands-On and Engaging Experiences

The team-building cooking classes at Selfup are more than just cooking; they’re an experience that focuses on teamwork and creativity. Participants are guided by professional chefs who walk them through each step of preparing a variety of dishes, from appetizers to desserts. The chefs also add a fun twist with interactive challenges, such as blindfolded ingredient identification and timed cooking competitions, making the experience more exciting and engaging for the entire team.

Types of Classes Available

Selfup offers customizable cooking classes that blend learning and fun, helping teams bond in a relaxed setting. There are four types of culinary skills your team can master: Italian cooking, French cuisine, sushi rolling, and baking workshops. Additionally, Selfup offers nine types of team-building classes designed to suit different needs and preferences.

Pricing and Location

Classes are priced between $120 and $140 per person. Located in the heart of Manhattan at 16 Beaver St, it’s easy for teams across the city to join the fun. Whether you're looking to enhance your team’s culinary skills or just have a great time together, Selfup’s cooking classes offer the perfect solution.

3. Escape Room Challenge at Mission Escape Games

For companies looking to strengthen teamwork in a fun and engaging way, Mission Escape Games NYC is a must-try experience in 2025. Located in Midtown Manhattan, this escape room venue offers thrilling, immersive challenges that push teams to think critically, communicate effectively, and solve problems under pressure.

escape room in NYC

Available Escape Room Themes

Mission Escape Games NYC offers three escape room themes. Each game lasts 60 minutes, providing an immersive and exciting experience.

1. Operation: End of Days A & B (Sci-Fi Adventure)  - Teams race to prevent a disaster in this high-stakes sci-fi challenge. With up to 10 players per room, it’s perfect for corporate groups.

2. Escape the Hydeout (Mystery Challenge) - A detective-style escape room where teams uncover secrets and solve mysteries, ideal for those who love suspense.

3. Cyberpunk Carbon: 3708 (Futuristic High-Tech Escape) - A cyber-themed challenge requiring teams to crack codes and outsmart AI security in a fast-paced setting.

Since these are ready-to-play physical escape rooms, you can only choose from the available themes and games. Customization of themes and puzzles may not be an option.

escape room in NYC

Pricing 

One of the best things about Mission Escape Games NYC is based on the number of players, with a minimum of two participants per game. However, for the best experience, most games are designed for 4-6 players, allowing teams to collaborate and strategize effectively.

For corporate teams, larger groups may qualify for discounts, making it an affordable option for company outings. Since weekends are in higher demand, the rates are slightly higher. 

Standard pricing varies depending on the day of the week:

- Weekday Pricing start from $35 – $40 per person

- Weekend Pricing start from $40 – $45 per person

4. Museum Mystery with PlayTours

For teams looking to mix culture, strategy, and adventure, PlayTours' Museum Mystery Hunt offers one of the most engaging team-building experiences in New York City. Unlike traditional museum visits, this interactive challenge transforms world-class museums into thrilling playgrounds of discovery, where teams must collaborate, solve puzzles, and uncover hidden secrets—all while exploring some of NYC’s most iconic cultural institutions.

Museum tours with playtours scavenger hunt app

Top Museum Locations in NYC for Exploration 

PlayTours’ flexibility means this adventure can take place in a variety of museums across NYC, making it ideal for corporate groups, team building, or social gatherings.

1. The Metropolitan Museum of Art (NYC)  

One of the largest and most famous art museums in the world, The Met is perfect for an immersive exploration game. With PlayTours, teams can hunt for hidden details in famous paintings, solve puzzles about historical artifacts, or complete photo challenges inspired by different art movements.

2. The American Museum of Natural History 

From towering dinosaur skeletons to outer space exhibits, this museum offers an adventure through time and space. Players can hunt for prehistoric creatures, solve riddles about extinct species, or complete a mission inside the planetarium.

3. The Whitney Museum of American Art

Focusing on modern and contemporary American art, the Whitney provides an exciting mix of exhibits. PlayTours can enhance the visit with interactive missions, such as finding specific art styles, interviewing staff for hidden insights, or solving art-related trivia.

4. The Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum

For those who love history, technology, and adventure, this museum is housed on a massive aircraft carrier and offers an action-packed exploration. Teams can search for secret military artifacts, answer aviation-related trivia, or race to complete a PlayTours mission aboard a real submarine.

An Unmatched Team-Building Experience with PlayTours Scavenger Hunt App 

What makes PlayTours stand out is its unmatched flexibility and customization. No other service allows teams to personalize their experience based on the museum’s layout, exhibits, and themes. 

From photo, video, and trivia-based challenges to real-time leaderboards and AI-assisted game judging, PlayTours offers the ultimate museum adventure, something no generic scavenger hunt provider can match.

Museum Mystery Hunt with PlayTours is more than just a game, it’s an opportunity for teams to bond, think creatively, and explore in an entirely new way. The combination of competition, collaboration, and exploration makes it one of the best team-building activities in NYC for 2025. 

museum scavenger hunt with playtours scavenger hunt mobile app

5. Drink & Sculpt (BYOB) with CourseHorse

For teams looking to tap into their creativity and enjoy a fun, hands-on experience, Drink & Sculpt with CourseHorse is the perfect team-building activity. 

CourseHorse, a team-building platform, offers a variety of activities, from ‘90s nostalgia games to culinary workshops and holiday-themed events. 

The platform provides a seamless booking process, allowing you to easily secure your spot for any event while CourseHorse handles all the logistics. With a focus on team bonding and creativity, CourseHorse is known for delivering memorable experiences that foster collaboration and connection.

team building activities in NYC

Details About the Drink & Sculpt Workshop

This up to 3-hour workshop offers a unique opportunity for team bonding through the art of sculpture. All materials are provided, and participants will have a private event space where they can focus on creating their artwork. An entertaining instructor will guide your team throughout the process, making sure everyone feels comfortable and engaged as they sculpt lifelike figures from clay.

Teams will have the choice to sculpt either a male or female model, allowing for creative freedom while learning new skills. The BYOB (Bring Your Own Beverage) option adds an extra layer of enjoyment, as participants can sip on their favorite drinks while they create.

With up to 3 hours of sculpting fun, this private workshop allows teams to work together, relax, and create unique art pieces. It’s perfect for corporate events or any group looking to experience something fun and memorable together. 

Located in the heart of Chelsea, Drink & Sculpt offers a unique experience for teams looking to bond creatively. The cost is $945 for up to 7 people, with additional guests priced at $135 per person. While this may be a bit on the higher side for larger groups, the experience is truly one of a kind in NYC. It's perfect for corporate events, team-building exercises, or simply a fun outing with your team.

6. Therapeutic Team Bonding with Make-Believe Works

For teams seeking a unique and emotionally engaging bonding experience, Make-Believe Works delivers an immersive approach that blends creativity, trust-building, and playful interaction. Unlike traditional team-building exercises, their programs focus on storytelling, movement, and artistic expression to deepen team connections.

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Their sessions typically last 60-90 minutes but can be expanded into full-day or multi-day experiences. With 10 distinct activities, each designed to encourage creativity and emotional well-being, Make-Believe Works ensures a refreshing alternative to corporate team-building norms.

For example, Unblinking Line is a fun, low-pressure drawing activity that encourages participants to embrace imperfection. It’s a great way to break the ice, relax, and spark creativity in a lighthearted, enjoyable setting.

team building activities in NYC

Location and Pricing

Make-Believe Works is available across multiple locations in New York City, including Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, and The Bronx and as well as in other cities too. Pricing depends on group size and activities, so you’ll need to request a quote. If your team is looking for a bonding experience in NYC that goes beyond the typical icebreakers and challenges, this could be a great choice.

Conclusion

To wrap it up, New York City isn’t just a concrete jungle, it’s the ultimate playground for teams ready to bond, laugh, and unleash their creativity. With activities designed to foster creativity, collaboration, and problem-solving, NYC provides the perfect backdrop for strengthening team bonds. From interactive scavenger hunts to hands-on creative workshops, these unique experiences promise to leave a lasting impact on your team, making them the perfect choice for any corporate outing or team-building event in 2025.

That's it! If you need help, do email us at hello@playtours.app