6 Ideas for Healthy Team-Building ActivitiesDitch the sweets, the chips and the beers. Help your employees bond instead with potlucks, team sports or charity work.

ByNatasha Withers

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

Shutterstock

You see your employees almost every day, and some of you probably spend more time with them than with your family, friends or significant other.

Related:Barbara Corcoran's Quirky Team-Building Trick: Your Weekly Tips Roundup

除了所有这些公司的头脑风暴会议s, marathon meetings and group lunches, you still may not know much about your employees. To change that -- to break the ice and create some common ground -- many companies turn to activities to help their staffs bond and build camaraderie.

The trouble is that those activities foster strong relationships -- an important part of building a successful team -- at a price. Reason: Many of these bonding activities involve snacks and meals that are less than nutritious, and many revolve around alcohol.

And, sure, junk food feasts and trips to the local bar may put your team at ease and facilitate conversation, but there are many alternative activities that can inspire collaboration and bonding without sacrificing health. Here are a few ideas that are fun, productive and healthy.

1. Host healthy office potlucks.

Rather than order a pizza or stock the office kitchen with chips and sweets, consider hosting a monthly office potluck and encourage employees to prepare nutritious homemade dishes and share those wholesome eats for lunch. Kick off a conversation by having employees talk about their culinary contributions, and motivate them to come up with creative, healthy options for the whole group.

2. Volunteer together.

Volunteering can be a great way to bond with colleagues in support of an important cause or worthy organization. Take a poll of employees' interests and vote on an opportunity that can unify the team and benefit others. Websites likePoints of LightandWorld Visioncan help you find an event or opportunity that works for your team.

3.Start a sports league.

What better way to relieve stress, boost morale and have some fun than to team up for a group sport? Pick activities everyone can participate in: From kickball to bowling, team sports can motivate employees to work toward a common goal and experience together the highs and lows of competition. Form an office team and join a local recreational league, or simply create smaller intra-office teams to spark some friendly rivalry.

Related:8 Team-Building Mistakes Richard Branson Would Never Make

4.Participate in a walk-a-thon.

Walk-a-thons are an ideal way to bond with coworkers, squeeze in some exercise and contribute to an important cause. If organizing an offsite volunteer opportunity isn't feasible, your organization can still do some good by planning or joining a charity walk and encouraging friends to pledge donations. Organize your own walkathon or check outthis list of charity walksand sign up as a team. (helpful note: October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.)

5. Organize group fitness classes.

Hitting the gym after work for a solo sweat session can seem like a chore, but group fitness is a lot more fun -- especially with friends. Many gyms now offer an array of group classes ranging from cardio kickboxing to cycling to dance. Calendar a weekly or monthly meet-up for employees to get together for a healthy sweat session either during lunchtime or after hours.

6. Plan a field trip.

The excitement of field trips shouldn't be reserved for the under-12 set. Getting out of the office and heading to a destination that's educational, historic or just plain fun can be a great way to engage in new learning opportunities and experiences. Visit a museum, sign up for a city tour or head to your nearest amusement park to give your team a day to bond and get to know one another better.

Related:6 Ways to Build a Happy Startup Culture the Scrappy Way

Wavy Line
Natasha Withers

Physician at One Medical Group

Dr. Natasha Withers is a New York City-based physician atOne Medical Group. She has expertise in all aspects of primary care as well as extensive training in osteopathic medicine.

Editor's Pick

Related Topics

Business News

How One Couple Became Multi-Unit, Multi-Brand Franchise Owners

When Matt and Anne Evers took the leap to buy a franchise, they never imagined they'd grow to 13 locations across two brands just eight years later.

Thought Leaders

So, You've Been Hacked. These are the Best Practices for Business Leaders Post-Hack

The lasting effects of a cyber incident can impact an organization's reputation, customers, workforce, databases and network architecture.

Business Process

This Department Might Be Holding Your Business Back. Here's How to Change That.

Human resources has become too often disconnected from the bottom line. Here's how to deftly integrate the two to address 21st-century challenges.

Data & Recovery

Store More With 20TB of Cloud Storage Space, Just $99.99 for Life

Keep more of your data organized in the cloud for a one-time fee.

Money & Finance

Want to Become a Millionaire? Follow Warren Buffett's 4 Rules.

企业家是不能过度指狗万官方望太多a company exit for their eventual 'win.' Do this instead.