The annual company outing is more than just a nice day away from the office – it's an investment in your company culture. A successful corporate outing strengthens team bonds, shows appreciation, and creates shared memories that last far beyond the day itself. But which company outing ideas actually work for your team?
Whether you're planning a relaxed day trip into nature, looking for a culinary experience, or want to energize your team with a sporty challenge – this guide features 20 proven company outing ideas for every budget and group size. Plus: a practical planning checklist so nothing goes wrong.
Active Company Outing Ideas
1. City Challenge with Scavenger Hunt
An interactive scavenger hunt through the city combines sightseeing with teamwork and is one of the most popular corporate outing ideas. Teams solve riddles, master photo challenges, and discover hidden corners – perfect for groups of any size.
Providers like Urban Challenger specialize in exactly this: the app-based city challenge works in Berlin, Munich, Cologne, Hamburg, Frankfurt, and many other cities. The best part: no elaborate preparation needed, works for 10 to 500+ people, and fits flexibly into a full day outing.
2. High Ropes Course Adventure
Overcoming challenges together – at a high ropes course, mutual trust becomes a tangible experience. Most facilities offer special corporate packages with team exercises, belay partner concepts, and a barbecue area afterwards. Ideal for 15–60 people.
3. Canoe or Raft Building Tour
First build a raft together, then ride it down the river – this company outing idea combines craftsmanship, problem-solving, and tons of fun. Many outdoor providers offer packages along popular rivers across Germany.
4. Geocaching Expedition
The modern treasure hunt leads your team through forests and nature. Equipped with GPS devices, small groups search for hidden caches and solve tricky puzzles. A great combination of hiking and interactive experience.
Culinary Company Outing Ideas
5. Group Cooking Class
Cooking together creates bonds – and at the end, there's a self-prepared menu to enjoy. From Italian pasta to Asian street food to regional specialties: cooking schools offer tailored corporate events for groups of 10 to 80 people.
6. Wine Hike or Brewery Tour
Culture meets indulgence: a guided wine hike through vineyards or a behind-the-scenes look at a regional brewery including tasting makes for a relaxed yet unforgettable company outing. Especially popular in Franconia, along the Moselle, or in the Rheingau region.
7. Food Tour Through the City
Discover a city's culinary diversity together – from street food markets to hidden restaurants to traditional specialties. Food tours are now available in every major German city and combine perfectly with a city tour.
8. Grill Master Challenge
Teams compete to create the best three-course grill menu. A professional grill master provides guidance, and at the end a jury rates the results. Perfect as a summer company outing in the open air.
Cultural Company Outing Ideas
9. Guided City Tour with a Twist
Forget boring standard tours. Theme tours like "Crime Tour," "Street Art Safari," or "History of Subculture" show the city from a completely new perspective and guarantee plenty of conversation.
10. Museum with Workshop
Many museums offer exclusive corporate guided tours with a creative workshop afterwards. Whether it's an art museum with painting workshop, a tech museum with VR experience, or a history museum with interactive rally – there's something for every taste.
11. Theater or Improv Workshop
An improv theater workshop gets even the shyest people laughing. Under professional guidance, the team learns spontaneity, creativity, and – as a side benefit – better communication. A joint theater or comedy evening can follow.
Nature Company Outing Ideas
12. Guided Hike with Summit Picnic
Out of the office, into nature. A guided hike with an organized picnic at the summit or a scenic viewpoint is one of the most cost-effective company outing ideas. Hiking guides know the best routes for different fitness levels.
13. Bike Tour Through the Region
Explore the surroundings by bike – along a river, through vineyards, or across the countryside. E-bikes make the tour doable even for less sporty colleagues. A beer garden or restaurant stop at the destination rounds off the day.
14. Stand-Up Paddling or Kayaking
Growing together on the water: SUP or kayaking is excellent for an active summer company outing. Most rental providers offer group packages including instruction, so beginners can jump right in.
Winter Company Outing Ideas
15. Christmas Market Rally
A team challenge across multiple Christmas market stalls: mulled wine blind tasting, gingerbread decoration contest, and a photo scavenger hunt through the wintry old town. Can also be wonderfully run as an app-based challenge with a leaderboard.
16. Alpine Hut Party with Program
A rustic alpine hut or country inn as the venue – plus a supporting program of quiz night, karaoke, or casino night. Especially popular in Bavaria and the Alpine regions as a classic winter corporate outing idea.
17. Indoor Experience World
Trampoline park, indoor go-kart track, or a combination of escape room and laser tag – indoor experience worlds are weather-independent and offer action for every age group. Many providers have special corporate packages with exclusive time slots.
Budget-Friendly Company Outing Ideas
18. Olympics in the City Park
Sack races, egg-and-spoon races, tug of war – a self-organized company Olympics in the nearest park costs almost nothing but guarantees the most fun. Simply set up a few stations, divide into teams, and off you go. The only costs: drinks and a few small prizes.
19. Photo Challenge Through the City
Each team gets a list of creative photo tasks and has two hours to shoot the best pictures. At the end, everyone reviews and awards prizes together. Costs nothing more than a smartphone charge – and the results are always hilarious.
20. Picnic with Outdoor Games
Sometimes less is more: a big shared picnic in the park, plus Kubb, frisbee, bocce ball, and great conversations. The charm lies in the simplicity – and in the fact that the best conversations often happen during a relaxed picnic.
Planning Your Company Outing: The Ultimate Checklist
To ensure your corporate outing runs smoothly, here are the key planning steps:
3–4 months before:
- Set the budget (guideline: €50–150 per person)
- Coordinate the date and communicate early
- Survey employees: what kind of outing do they want?
- Consider accessibility and special needs
6–8 weeks before:
- Book the location and activity
- Organize transportation (bus, group train ticket, carpooling)
- Reserve catering or restaurant
- Clarify insurance coverage
2 weeks before:
- Confirm final participant count
- Create and share detailed schedule
- Prepare a Plan B for bad weather
- Account for allergies and dietary restrictions in catering
On the day itself:
- Have a contact person and emergency number ready
- Create a good atmosphere – but don't force anyone into anything
- Take photos for memories (and the intranet)
Conclusion: The Perfect Company Outing Starts with the Right Idea
Whether culinary, active, cultural, or nature-focused – the best company outing is one that fits your team and where everyone feels comfortable. Take the time to gather your colleagues' preferences beforehand, and plan generously enough so the day can unfold in a relaxed manner.
Our tip: an interactive city challenge is often the perfect compromise – it's active but not too strenuous, outdoors in the fresh air, and combines teamwork with sightseeing. Whether 10 or 500 people, whether Berlin, Munich, or Cologne – planning takes just a few minutes.
Try it out and make your next company outing the highlight of the year!
