Build-A-Boat

This outdoor team building activity is perfect for lighthearted summertime fun. You and your team get to design, build and decorate people-powered boats out of corrugated cardboard and other improbable materials.

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Build-a-Boat: team building's best water game

Ahoy, mateys! It’s time to channel your inner shipwright, rally your crew, and set sail on the ultimate boat-building adventure! In Build-a-Boat, teams will test their creativity, problem-solving, and teamwork as they construct a (hopefully) seaworthy vessel using basic materials. But here’s the twist—extra tools and supplies must be earned through fun, fast-paced challenges. Once the boats are built, it’s all hands on deck for the big moment: a race across the water where teams will either paddle their way to victory… or take an unintentional swim!

But the fun doesn’t stop at the water’s edge! Before setting sail, teams must also impress a panel of judges with a creative sales pitch, earning points for innovation, teamwork, and design flair. Whether you’re crafting the sleekest speedster, waving the wackiest team flag, or just trying to stay afloat, one thing’s for sure—this event is packed with laughs, surprises, and plenty of splashes. So grab your crew, unleash your inner engineer, and get ready to sink… or swim!

Teams launching their handmade cardboard boats into the water during the Build-A-Boat team building challenge on a sunny beach.

Team posing proudly next to their completed cardboard boat during the Build-A-Boat team building challenge.

Team posing with their decorated cardboard boats and flags during the Build-A-Boat team building challenge near the water.

Team poses with their completed cardboard boat on the beach during the Build-A-Boat team building event at sunset.

Team members collaborating to construct a cardboard boat during the Build-A-Boat team building activity.

Team members cutting cardboard to construct their boat during the Build-A-Boat team building activity.

Team members working together to tape and assemble a cardboard boat for the Build-A-Boat team building activity.

Team members laying out blueprints and cutting cardboard during the Build-A-Boat team building activity.

Team member assembling the cardboard structure of a boat during the Build-A-Boat team building activity in a park setting.

Team members celebrating with trophies after successfully completing the Build-A-Boat team building challenge by the water.

Teams constructing cardboard boats on a sunny lawn surrounded by palm trees during the Build-A-Boat team building event.

Team brainstorming and planning their cardboard boat design during a Build-A-Boat team building challenge.

Participants launching their cardboard boats into the ocean during the Build-A-Boat team building challenge.

Teams actively working on their cardboard boats during an outdoor Build-A-Boat team building event.

Participants carrying their completed cardboard boats to the water during the Build-A-Boat team building challenge.

A group of participants collaborating on boat blueprints during the Build-A-Boat team building challenge.

Teams paddling their cardboard boats across the water during the Build-A-Boat team building race.

Two participants assembling the structure of a cardboard boat during the Build-A-Boat team building activity.

Participant selecting decorative items for their cardboard boat during the Build-A-Boat team building activity on a grassy lawn.

Team members constructing a cardboard boat framework during the Build-A-Boat team building challenge on a grassy outdoor space.

Teams paddling cardboard boats on the open water during the Build-A-Boat team building challenge at sunset.

Teams carry their creatively designed cardboard boats during the Build-A-Boat team building event on a sunny day.

Team size

10 – 120

Time needed

UP to 3 hours

Space requirement

Build-A-Boat team building program works great in hotel or resort pools, lakes or any calm, safe water. You’ll also need a section of dry land near the water for building the vessels.

Ideal for

Project kickoffs or wrap ups
Annual meetings
Retreats and celebrations
Social media content

Tailoring

TeamBonding is all about customization. Theme choices for this event include pirate, military and Polynesian. Would you like specific elements of company branding, culture theme and/or mission statement woven into your program? Just let us know what you have in mind.

Build-a-Boat Team Building FAQ

What materials are provided for the Build-a-Boat team building challenge?

Your team gets everything needed for success: sturdy cardboard, duct tape, and plastic coverings to help keep your design afloat. These simple supplies spark creativity and make boat building games both fun and challenging.

Do we actually test the boats in water?

Yes! In this build a boat game, two members from each team take their cardboard creations to the water for a short race with paddles. It’s the highlight of the cardboard boat building challenge and always a crowd favorite.

Is the activity safe for all participants?

Absolutely. Boats are tested in shallow water, and everyone wears life jackets. That means the build a boat team activity is safe, approachable, and fun for all skill levels.

How much space is required for construction?

It depends on group size, but we recommend plenty of outdoor space so teams can spread out and focus on the best cardboard boat design. Open areas give everyone room to collaborate and showcase their design cardboard boat ideas.

Chosen By:

"They really enjoyed the activity and were raving about it to everyone. I hope we can work together in the future again. I am sure this group will want to do it again. Thank you for all the help in making this a hit!"

Cisco

"Everything went perfect, everyone enjoyed the program and had fun. Thank you so much for everything!"

Bacardi

"Very organized, great value - great customer service and options for team building events. Our event went off with no hitches - everyone had a good time."

Apptus Technologies AB

"TeamBonding was the best decision from the start! They were keen to learn my specific team and needs from the beginning, then worked to develop a proposal with those needs in mind. Day of: the event was fantastic, went off without a hitch, and my team are still raving about the fun they had 3 weeks later! I will definitely be using TeamBonding again for future events, and will continue to recommend them to my network."

Victrex

"We loved working with Teambonding! We did the boat build event with them for 50 MBA students and it was a total success - rave reviews and it ran seamlessly! Plus everyone had fun. We would absolutely recommend them"

University of Denver

"Eric was amazing and we all had so much fun. It was the perfect day and we learned so much about one another. I have been talking about it to my other colleagues and would be happy to write a review. Hope to work with you again!"

Philips

"Everyone was super happy with the event. Great job, thank you. We'll be in touch and see how you can bring some more magic in."

Kautex Textron

"We had a great time! Many attendees let me know that this was the best team building activity that they have participated in. We have a high bar for next year! I’ll reach out to you for our next team building activity to see how we can partner together again."

Arjo

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Build-A-Boat

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