Organizing a team building activity in Calgary, AB? We’re here to help! From interactive museums to outdoor scavenger hunts, art installations and Olympic challenges, Calgary offers organizations a world of unforgettable team-building activities.
Calgary, Alberta is famous for its distinctive blend of modern city life—complete with skyscrapers, vibrant shopping centres, and a thriving arts scene —while remaining deeply rooted in its authentic western heritage that draws rodeo lovers from around the world to its iconic annual Calgary Stampede.
While planning a company team building event in any city can be daunting, we assure you that Calgary has got you covered. In this article, we’ve gathered 10 memorable team building activities that will spark collaboration, boost morale, and ease the strain on your event planning.
Table of Contents
- 1. Studio Bell: Home of the National Music Centre
- 2. The Amazing Chase
- 3. Self-Guided Public Art Tour
- 4. The Olympiad Challenge
- 5. Photography Contest at Prince’s Island Park
- 6. 802 Challenge at the Calgary Tower
- 7. Wild Goose Chase
- 8. The Calgary Zoo
- 9. City Chase: Scavenger Hunt
- 10. Paddle the Bow River
1. Studio Bell: Home of the National Music Centre
Discover Canada’s rich and diverse musical legacy at Studio Bell, home of the National Music Centre. Located in the heart of Calgary’s East Village—an easy ten-minute walk from the Calgary Tower, Studio Bell is a go-to for anyone interested in Canada’s music history.
If you have music lovers in your group, they will have a fantastic time exploring this 160,000-square-foot tribute to all things Canadian music.
With five interactive museum floors, visitors can get blissfully lost in a musical wonderland. From iconic musical artefacts to rare memorabilia to immersive music exhibits, The National Music Centre will surely strike a chord with your team.
2. The Amazing Chase
Looking for an unforgettable team-building adventure? Hit the streets of Calgary for The Amazing Chase—a fast-paced, high-energy race that combines strategy, collaboration, and some friendly competition. Inspired by the hit TV show, The Amazing Chase is an exciting and memorable way to explore the city as teams race against the clock through Calgary’s vibrant city centre.
After splitting into groups, participants will collaborate to tackle dynamic challenges and checkpoints as they dash from checkpoint to checkpoint. Whether deciphering clues, completing physical tasks, or solving riddles, teams must think fast and work together to claim victory. The Amazing Chase is not only an engaging way to have fun with your team, but also a powerful way to strengthen bonds and build momentum on any company trip.
3. Self-Guided Public Art Tour
Downtown Calgary showcases a vast collection of iconic public art installations that captivate locals and tourists alike. Whether it be Stephen Avenue’s ‘The Conversation’, ‘Women are Persons!’ in Olympic Plaza, or the Galleria Trees between The CORE Shopping Centre and Bankers Hall, these pieces will undoubtedly spark curiosity and creativity amongst your team.
Take the activity a step further by engaging your team in a post-tour reflection exercise, using the art to connect ideas surrounding teamwork and shared organizational values. You can ask team members which installations stood out to them the most, which themes they think best reflect your company’s mission, or what kind of art they would create themselves to represent their role and experience within the team.
4. The Olympiad Challenge
Who says you need to be a professional athlete to go for the gold? At Outback Team Building, all we need is a nice open field, fun challenges inspired by the Olympic Games, and a little friendly competition. Head to Prince’s Island Park, Central Memorial Park, or any of Calgary’s many scenic green spaces and get ready to transform an open field into your own personal Olympic arena.
Kick off the Olympiad Challenge by dividing participants into their respective “nations.” Each team will choose their name, design their nation’s custom flag, and take an official Olympic Oath that pledges sportsmanship and fairness. Next, the nations will embark upon a series of high-energy challenges using supplies provided in your team bag. For every challenge completed successfully, teams earn points that bring them closer to Olympic glory.
In the end, the nation with the highest score will be crowned the Olympic Challenge Champions!
5. Photography Contest at Prince’s Island Park
Reconnect with nature and spark artistic creativity at the beautiful Prince’s Island Park. Nestled just north of downtown Calgary, this green oasis offers a refreshing escape from the bustling city streets. While enjoying a leisurely stroll along the park’s scenic trails, invite your team to pair up and capture photos that reflect company mission themes, such as “strength,” “balance,” and “transformation.”
Afterwards, gather the team into a big circle to present their thematic photos and the stories behind them. Not only will this activity provide your team with a relaxing retreat into nature, but it will also encourage employees to reflect on organizational values in a meaningful and engaging way.
6. 802 Challenge at the Calgary Tower
Is your team ready to break a sweat? The 802 Challenge at the iconic Calgary Tower is a fantastic opportunity for fitness-inclined teams to conquer a physical feat, cheer each other on, and gain a collective sense of accomplishment.
Throughout the month of March from 4-7 pm, the tower’s legendary 802-step stairwell is open to the public, offering your team a unique and memorable opportunity to climb their way to the tower’s jaw-dropping 626 ft of panoramic city views. Whether your team chooses to take it one step at a time or race to the top, the 802 Challenge is an excellent way for your team to bond through a shared physical challenge.
7. Wild Goose Chase
Transform the streets of downtown Calgary into an immersive team-building adventure with Wild Goose Chase—a fast-paced, app-led scavenger hunt designed to help your team discover Calgary beyond the major tourist landmarks.
Teams will divide into groups and solve a series of clues and challenges located at various city checkpoints. Wild Goose Chase guides participants off Calgary’s beaten path—with destination checkpoints located amongst the city’s lesser-known landmarks, local hotspots, and hidden gems. As teams race against each other for the win, they will need to utilize problem-solving, quick thinking and collaboration to come out on top.
8. The Calgary Zoo
Lions and tigers and bears, oh my! If you have animal lovers on your team, a trip to The Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo is a must on your Calgary itinerary. From powerful mammals to exotic birds and fascinating reptiles, the Calgary Zoo offers visitors an up-close look at over 4,000 animals from around the globe.
Wondering through the zoo, your team will embark on a journey across the continents and through time, exploring themed sections like Wild Canada, Prehistoric Park, Destination Africa, and Exploration Asia. Be sure to take an aesthetic group photo outside the ENMAX Conservatory and Gardens!
9. City Chase: Scavenger Hunt
Turn Calgary into a series of unique riddles and brain-bending challenges with City Chase: Scavenger Hunt. If you and your team love a good puzzle, this activity will not only offer participants a Calgary-wide playground of riddles but also a high-energy, immersive adventure.
Using a mobile app, teams will be guided through Calgary following a series of riddles and fun tasks that unlock new, hidden city gems. This activity is ideal for teams that love strategy, exploration, and competitive team building experiences.
10. Paddle the Bow River
Head to Calgary’s Bow River and enjoy a day of team paddling for scenic views and a refreshing break from computer screens. Located in the heart of Calgary, Bow River is a picturesque, easily accessible waterway that offers paddlers a unique fusion of the city skyline and surrounding nature and wildlife.
For rentals, Calgary offers several convenient options near the river, such as Lazy Day Raft Rentals, providing renters an array of kayaks and large group rafts for a more social, laid-back water experience.
Learn more about team building activities in Calgary.
If you’ve got questions about how to facilitate unforgettable team building activities in Calgary, Alberta, reach out to an Employee Engagement Consultant.
