Early spring is a surprisingly good time for your company to hold team building activities. The days start to feel lighter, staff are coming out of winter mode, and many businesses are refocusing on goals for the year ahead.
But in the UK, February and March also bring one big question when planning an event: should we head outdoors or indoors?
The truth is, there is no single right answer. The best choice depends on your objectives, your team, your location and how much flexibility you want on the day. Working with experienced experts like Firebird Events, however, makes the process much easier.
So, let’s explore the pros and cons of outdoor and indoor activities in early spring.
Why Early Spring Is a Key Time for Team Building
February and March often mark a reset point. New strategies are rolling out, teams may have changed the way they work and motivation can dip after the long winter. Company team building activities at this time of year can:
- Re-energise your team after quieter months
- Improve communication and collaboration ahead of busy periods
- Reconnect colleagues who may feel disengaged
- Set the tone for the rest of the year
The Case for OutdoorTeam Building Activities in Early Spring
Outdoor activities can be hugely effective, even before summer arrives. Fresh air, space and exercise often help teams relax and interact more naturally.
Benefits of Going Outdoors
Outdoor team building activities in early spring can:
- Boost energy levels after months indoors
- Encourage problem-solving under mild pressure
- Break down barriers between colleagues
- Create memorable shared experiences at your company
Activities that involve physical challenges or creative problem-solving often work well outdoors, particularly when teams are ready to shake off winter routines.
Things to Consider
Let’s face it, the weather in spring in the UK is unpredictable. That’s why Firebird Events plans outdoor activities with flexibility in mind. Our facilitators are used to adapting on the day, adjusting pacing and ensuring everyone stays involved, regardless of the conditions.
Best Outdoor-Style Activities for Early Spring
Some activities work particularly well in cooler months because they focus on teamwork rather than endurance. For example:
- Bear Grylls Survival experiences are engaging without requiring everyone to be extremely fit. Teams learn practical skills while working together under expert guidance.
- Outdoor problem-solving challenges inspired by shows like our Treasure Hunts can also be delivered with parts outdoors and indoors, combining movement with strategic thinking.
These types of activities suit teams that enjoy practical challenges and want a sense of achievement without relying on perfect weather.
The Strength of Indoor Company Team Building Activities
Indoor team building activities come into their own during early spring. Your teams can focus on their creativity and communication fully, without worrying about the weather at all.
Why Indoor Events Work So Well
Indoor activities are ideal if you want:
- Everyone to be be comfortable
- A strong focus on communication and teamwork
- Creative or developmental outcomes
- Easy integration with meetings, conferences or dinners
They are also often more inclusive, making them suitable for mixed-ability teams or organisations with a wide age range.
Creative and Engaging Indoor Activities
Firebird Events offers a wide range of indoor team building activities that feel anything but corporate. For example:
- Animation challenges allow teams to create a short Wallace and Gromit–style film. This is a brilliant way to encourage creativity, planning and collaboration, even among teams who do not see themselves as “creative”.
- Art Masterpiece brings colleagues together to create large-scale artwork. Each team contributes part of the whole, reinforcing shared goals and communication.
- Escape Room. Forget about the gloom of the British weather and be transported into our escape room instead, where you have to solve a wide range of problems together.
Because these activities take place indoors, they are ideal for February and March when teams want something uplifting without worrying about coats, umbrellas or cold hands.
Evening and Hybrid Options for Early Spring
Not all company team building activities need to fill a full day. Early spring is also a popular time for evening events or combined formats.
Indoor Evening Activities
Activities such as the Antique Auction or Big Pub Quiz work perfectly around a dinner or conference schedule. They offer relaxed competition, encourage networking and suit teams that prefer a social setting.
For teams who enjoy performance and energy, options like Beatbox Workshops, Boomwhackers, Bollywood Dancing or Brass Class inject fun while still reinforcing listening skills, timing and teamwork.
Combining Elements of the Indoors and Outdoors
One of the advantages of working with Firebird Events is our flexibility. Many organisations choose a hybrid approach, starting with a short outdoor energiser and moving indoors for the main activity.
Matching the Activity to Your Team Goals
The most important factor is not whether an activity is indoor or outdoor, but whether it supports your objectives.
Choose outdoor company team building activities if your goal is to:
- Energise your teams physically
- Encourage resilience and adaptability
- Create a sense of shared challenge
Plump for indoor activities if your focus is on:
- Communication and collaboration
- Creativity and problem-solving
- Inclusion and accessibility
Find out more about our team building activities.
