Whether it's a corporate event, a work retreat, or a daily meeting, breakout sessions offer a structured approach to discussions within a more significant event, fostering direct communication, creativity, problem-solving, and numerous other benefits:
- Encouraging participation,
- Deeper discussion
- Collaboration
- Focused environments
- Opportunities to brainstorm
Breakout sessions are a crucial component of any team-oriented event, offering a dynamic platform for employees to interact and collaborate. Let’s dive in!
40 Team breakout session ideas to get the creative juices flowing
Before jumping in, leadership and their teams should ask: How will breakout sessions help reach business goals and enhance communication in the workplace? If you’re a remote team, a Zoom brainstorming session might be the perfect choice to get the conversation flowing. If you’re focusing on team-building, an evening of agility games with the whole team at the office might be just what you need.
Fun and creative breakout sessions
1. Role reversal
Help colleges get to know one another better by having them switch roles within their usual team structures. Role reversal sessions will allow everyone to experience different perspectives and challenges, which can lead to increased empathy and better understanding among team members.
These sessions are great for:
- Corporate retreats
- Leadership training sessions
- Team development workshops
2. Art jam
Rent a third space, like a meeting hall or studio, for a relaxed painting or crafting session. This break-out session discusses creativity and offers a mental break from more structured conference content.
These sessions are great for:
- Team building events
- Wellness retreats
- Creative workshops
3. Historical retrospective
With this breakout session, teams delve into their company's or industry's history. Led by an expert on the team, this session aims to bring workers closer to their workplace.
These sessions are great for:
- Corporate anniversaries
- Team building events
- Educational workshops
4. Resource allocation game
An engaging simulation in which teams must decide how to allocate limited resources best to achieve project goals, teaching strategic decision-making and prioritization.
These sessions are great for:
- Project management training
- Team development workshops
- Strategic planning sessions
5. Agile games
Teams participate in games designed to teach and reinforce agile principles and practices in a fun and engaging way. Training sessions or team-building exercises are often used to help participants understand Agile concepts hands-on and engagingly.
Here are some examples of popular Agile games:
- The Ball Point Game
- Paper Airplane Game
- The Marshmallow Challenge
- User Story Mapping
- Estimation Poker
These sessions are great for:
- Agile training sessions
- Product development meetings
- Team development workshops
6. DIY lab
For a hands-on workshop that promotes problem-solving, this breakout session asks teams to use various materials and tools to create prototypes of potential products or solutions to existing problems.
These sessions are great for:
- Innovation workshops
- Maker fairs
- Product development meetings
7. Escape room
Teams work together to solve puzzles and find clues to "escape the room" virtually or physically. This activity builds teamwork and problem-solving skills under pressure.
These sessions are great for:
- Team building events
- Corporate retreats
- Employee engagement days
8. Emotional intelligence workshops
In today’s workplace, especially for remote teams, soft skills are important to building a strong team culture. Emotional intelligence breakout sessions focus on developing self-awareness, empathy, and effective communication skills. These sessions also focus on intimate conversation and helping participants learn how to manage their and colleagues' emotions, improving interpersonal relationships and team dynamics.
- Leadership development programs
- Team meetings
- Communication skills workshops
9. Design sprint
Everyone knows a good design goes a long way when planning a new project or refining a marketing strategy. To help teams generate ideas, break them into groups and have them go through a five-phase process to design, prototype, and test ideas for new products or improvements to existing ones.
These sessions are great for:
- Product development meetings
- Innovation workshops
- Entrepreneurial boot camps
10. Photo safari
A perfect breakout session for an outdoor team-building event, this session promotes teamwork and exploration. Groups are given a list of items or themes to photograph within a specific area and time limit, asking teams to rely on creative thinking and having fun!
These sessions are great for:
- Team building events
- Corporate retreats
- Employee engagement days
Breakout sessions to inspire new ideas
11. Idea-storming
For events with limited extra time in a busy schedule, try out rapid-fire brainstorming sessions, where participants get into groups and throw out ideas on a given topic without judgment or discussion, recorded by facilitators.
These sessions are great for:
- Conferences
- Innovation workshops
- Team warm-up events
12. Project autopsy
If you’ve just finished a major project or are almost at the finish line, break coworking into teams to analyze completed projects to identify successes and areas for improvement, fostering a culture of transparency and continuous improvement.
These sessions are great for:
- Corporate retreats
- Project management training
- Post-project review meetings
13. Dragon's Den
To avoid stagnation, get the creative ideas flowing by splitting coworking into teams and have them pitch a new project or innovation to a panel of 'dragons' or judges who assess viability, creativity, and impact ideas.
These sessions are great for:
- Innovation workshops
- Entrepreneurial boot camp
- Corporate strategy meetings
14. Future forecasting
Teams use scenario analysis, a technique often used in planning, especially to forecast and evaluate the financial implications of strategic decisions under uncertain conditions, predict future trends in their industry, and develop strategies and set goals that address these potential changes.
These sessions are great for:
- Strategic planning sessions
- Industry conferences
- Leadership retreats
15. Mock trials
Sometimes, a bit of friendly debate is what you need to get a new idea to come to fruition. Participants engage in a simulated trial to debate and resolve a fictional or real issue, sharpening analytical and legal reasoning skills.
These sessions are great for:
- Law school events
- Corporate compliance training
- Leadership workshops
16. Social media sprint
Perfect for an upcoming campaign or outreach program, they devise strategic plans for enhancing their company's social media presence, focusing on engagement, content, and branding.
These sessions are great for:
- Marketing workshops
- Corporate strategy sessions
- Entrepreneurial boot camps
Skill-based breakout sessions
17. Skill swap
One of the best ways to exchange knowledge is a skill swap. Individuals can teach a particular skill they possess to others, fostering a learning environment and promoting a culture of knowledge sharing and personal development.
These sessions are great for:
- Professional development seminars
- Corporate training days
- Team building events
18. Client co-creation
Invite clients to participate in developing solutions that directly affect them, enhancing client satisfaction and engagement. Seating arrangements should be considered to encourage connection between employees and clients who may not know one another yet.
These sessions are great for:
- Customer feedback sessions
- Product development meetings
- Client appreciation events
19. Tech tutorials
For a practical session, participants will be taught how to use new software or technology implemented in their work.
These sessions are great for:
- Corporate training days
- Technology rollouts
- Professional development seminars
20. Sustainability hackathon
Plan a weekend team-building event and break team members into groups to work on innovations that could help the company become more environmentally friendly, promoting corporate responsibility.
These sessions are great for:
- Corporate sustainability days
- Innovation workshops
- Environmental conferences
21. Peer coaching
Small groups provide each other with feedback and coaching on specific skills or goals, building a supportive peer learning environment.
These sessions are great for:
- Professional development seminars
- Employee engagement programs
- Leadership training sessions
Breakout sessions to enhance well-being and connection
22. Values workshop
Communicating the company's values and ethos is vital to building a solid company culture. A values workshop session helps clarify the team's most essential values, aiding in creating a cohesive group culture.
These sessions are great for:
- Team building events
- Corporate retreats
- HR development days
23. Appreciation station
Encourage regular positive reinforcement to ensure your team culture is happy and healthy. Offer a break-out session where team members can express gratitude or appreciation for each other's efforts and qualities, strengthening team bonds and morale.
These sessions are great for:
- Team building events
- Corporate retreats
- End-of-year parties
24. Memory market
Participants share memorable experiences from their personal or professional lives, promoting bonding and a deeper understanding of colleagues.
These sessions are great for:
- Team building events
- Corporate retreats
- Onboarding sessions
25. Conflict resolution workshop
Teams learn strategies for managing and resolving conflicts, which is crucial for maintaining a healthy work environment.
These sessions are great for:
- HR training sessions
- Leadership retreats
- Team development workshops
26. Health and wellness workshops
To promote overall well-being, get the whole team together for focused physical and mental health sessions, such as yoga, meditation, or a spa day. Wellness sessions are an excellent option for team retreats, as hotels and vacation posts often have saunas and spas and additional services like massages and acupuncture.
These sessions are great for:
- Corporate wellness days
- Health and safety events
- Employee engagement programs
27. Digital detox challenge
It's always a good idea to take a break from your phone and be in the moment, whether at work or home. For this session, participants pledge to stay off digital devices for a certain period to focus on in-person interactions and mindfulness exercises.
These sessions are great for:
- Wellness retreats
- Team building events
- Corporate retreats
Breakout sessions to get the conversation started
28. Language lunch
For remote international teams, this breakout session celebrates diversity and language in a casual and comfortable environment. Team members go out for lunch or eat together in the office and practice speaking a foreign language with each skill and cultural appreciation.
These sessions are great for:
- Multicultural events
- Language training programs
- International team meetings
29. Debate club
Participants are divided into groups and assigned positions to defend or oppose relevant topics, fostering critical thinking, public speaking, and persuasion skills.
These sessions are great for:
- Conferences
- Educational workshops
- Leadership training sessions
30. Speed networking
Perfect for onboarding new team members, speed networking allows participants to get to know each other in quick sessions (typically 5-10 minutes) to introduce themselves and share professional backgrounds and goals, maximizing networking opportunities.
These sessions are great for:
- Industry conferences
- Corporate events
- Professional development workshops
31. Mind mapping
For this breakout session, groups create visual diagrams representing tasks, words, concepts, or items linked to and arranged around a central concept, facilitating better understanding and ideas.
These sessions are great for:
- Strategic planning sessions
- Brainstorming sessions
- Team building events
32. Feedback speed dating
Save this breakout session for a post-presentation or feedback session. Set up stations to give and receive quick feedback on their ideas or performance, promoting a culture of openness and continuous improvement.
These sessions are great for:
- Performance review meetings
- Team development workshops
- Leadership training sessions
33. Listening lounge
Create a quiet space where participants practice active listening skills by sharing and receiving personal or professional stories without interruptions. Find a third space with quiet rooms like a local coworking center, or for your next company retreat, make sure there’s space for quiet conversation and getting-to-know-you sessions.
These sessions are great for:
- Team building events
- Communication workshops
- Wellness retreats
34. Pitch perfect
Even if you have a dedicated sales team, training all employees to speak confidently will help them excel in their roles. Participants get together to develop and deliver a sales pitch to one another for a product or service, which helps improve communication, persuasion skills, and confidence.
These sessions are great for:
- Sales training sessions
- Marketing conferences
- Entrepreneurial workshops
35. Problem-solving tree
When approaching a large and complicated project or new team structure, this breakout session provides a structured approach to breaking down a specific problem into manageable parts and developing solutions for each component.
These sessions are great for:
- Problem-solving workshops
- Team development days
- Strategic planning sessions
36. World café
For this breakout session, on-site teams can meet in a casual setting like a cafe or the office, and virtual teams can grab a cup of coffee in their home office and enjoy a chat in the Zoom breakout rooms. Small groups discuss questions that matter to them, with individuals switching tables periodically to cross-pollinate ideas across the group.
These sessions are great for:
- Conferences
- Strategic planning sessions
- Community forums
37. Leadership fishbowl
Leaders share their thoughts and challenges in an open session in an easy and effective breakout session that can be done virtually anywhere. While leadership shares, team members listen, followed by a Q&A that provides insights into leadership perspectives.
These sessions are great for:
- Leadership development programs
- Team building events
- Corporate retreats
38. Storytelling workshop
Storytelling is an integral part of our lives, whether we are a marketing director or regaling our friends about our adventures from a past vacation. Gather the team together and encourage everyone to share stories related to a theme, building narrative skills and personal connections through the power of storytelling.
These sessions are great for:
- Team building events
- Leadership retreats
- Communication skills workshops
39. Ethics roundtable
In the name of transparency and honesty, this conversational session lets team members discuss ethical dilemmas pertinent to their industry or company, fostering a moral thinking and decision-making culture.
These sessions are great for:
- Corporate governance meetings
- Compliance training sessions
- Leadership retreats
40. Cross-cultural exchange
If your team is fully remote and has colleagues spread out around the world, it's essential to prioritize bonding and connection. Cultural exchange sessions are dedicated to exploring and understanding the diverse cultural backgrounds of team members, enhancing global teamwork.
These sessions are great for:
- International team meetings
- Diversity and inclusion workshops
- Global strategy sessions
Breakout sessions are designed to be flexible and suit various events and purposes. They help teams and organizations achieve their objectives while promoting a dynamic and collaborative environment.
Incorporate breakout sessions at your next team retreat
As you can see, breakout session ideas can be customized to meet the specific needs and culture of the participating group, ensuring that they are relevant and practical. Leadership should consider these sessions an integral part of office events designed to bring coworkers closer, such as off-site retreats.
When planning your next team retreat, whether a casual team bonding event after a busy quarter or a learning-focused getaway, incorporate some (or all!) of these breakout sessions.
For a city escape, plan a culture walk, breaking teams into groups to explore their surroundings and get to know one another better while they learn more about the local history. If you’re preparing the next big project and are using your off-site retreat to generate new ideas and fresh perspectives, consider one of the many brainstorming and conversation breakout sessions.
Let the Surf Office help you plan the perfect retreat with breakout sessions
At Surf Office, we know what it takes to make an unforgettable retreat. We have planned hundreds of team-building retreats, organizing all the details, from daily schedules to accommodation and activities, including knowing exactly where to place breakout sessions to make your retreat relaxing and productive. We will work closely with your team to identify specific goals and budgets to ensure you maximize your time out of the office and return to work refreshed and inspired. Ready for a retreat that actually delivers? Reach out to Surf Office now!
