Why School Sports Day Is the Ultimate Corporate Team Building Event
Let’s be honest. Most company socials fall into one of two categories: awkward drinks in a noisy bar, or well-meaning ‘team building’ which people spend more time avoiding than enjoying.
Enter: School Sports Day for adults. A team building event which really puts the fun back into team bonding. It’s a throwback to simpler times, packed with light-hearted competition, big laughs, and just enough chaos to keep things interesting.
But don’t let the silliness fool you…behind the skipping ropes and bean bags lies a powerful opportunity for connection, communication, and culture-building.
If you’re planning a summer team event, this is the one people will actually want to attend.
What Is a Corporate School Sports Day?
A corporate sports day is exactly what it sounds like: a nostalgic, fun-filled celebration of the games you loved (or mildly dreaded) as a kid. The only difference is, they’re now repackaged for your grown-up team!
It’s a vibrant, hosted event where your team can throw on some colourful bibs and compete in races like the egg & spoon, tug of war, hula hoop relays and more. There’s music, cheering, medals, and just a genuine, all-round, good time.
Our School Sports Day version is all about creating a shared, memorable experience that doesn’t take itself too seriously, but still delivers serious results.
Why It Works So Well for Team Building
It Sparks Real Connection (Without the Icebreakers)
There’s something powerful about play. Put a few colleagues on an inflatable sausage and suddenly, job titles disappear. People laugh. They connect. They forget about hierarchies and start building real relationships.
This is especially valuable for:
- • Teams that don’t know each other well
- • Remote or hybrid staff coming together IRL
- • Departments who rarely interact but should
It’s Built for Inclusivity
Not everyone wants to run a 5K or solve riddles in an escape room. School Sports Day is different. The races are light-hearted, the format is flexible, and the vibe is inclusive from start to finish.
People can choose how they want to engage. Some go all in. Others cheer from the sidelines, help strategise, or support their team in quieter ways. It’s low pressure, high energy, and adaptable to a variety of personalities and physical abilities.
It Boosts Morale (and Actually Feels Like a Reward)
There’s a difference between team building and a genuine morale boost. School Sports Day falls firmly into the latter.
Laughter, shared effort, sunshine (hopefully), and the chance to be a little bit silly. It’s a winning combination for stressed teams in need of a lift.
Plus, let’s not underestimate the sheer joy of watching your finance director attempt the bean bag balance (check out our video below to see our finance director attempt it!)
Here’s How It All Comes Together
When you book a School Sports Day event with us, everything is taken care of. You just show up with your team, and we run the show.
From the moment your group arrives, our professional event hosts set the tone: energetic, inclusive, and just the right side of competitive. Teams are given bibs and a quick warm-up before the games begin.
Expect up to a dozen different classic sports day races, including:
- • Egg & Spoon Race
- • Bean Bag Race
- • Hula Hoop Relay
- • Hockey Slalom
- • Sprint Relay
- • Tug of War
- • Javelin
- • Inflatable Sausage Race?
- • And More!
Each race is run relay-style, meaning everyone has a role. Scores are kept throughout, building tension in the best way. And at the end? A winners ceremony with medals and bubbly for those all-important photo ops.
Why Summer Is the Perfect Time for a Company Sports Day
As the weather warms up, so does the appetite for getting out of the office. School Sports Day is built for summer – literally.
It’s designed to be run outdoors (on grass or artificial 3G / 4G pitches) and pairs brilliantly with follow-on activities like BBQs, drinks or a picnic.
It’s the kind of event that:
- • Kicks off Q3 with energy
- • Celebrates a big company milestone
- • Acts as a mid-year morale boost
- • Brings hybrid teams back together
What Teams Love About It (In Their Own Words)
“Our event included the Sports Day and Office Games. I couldn’t thank the team enough for firstly, putting up with us and also keeping everything engaging and fun! I have only heard good feedback from my peers and am so grateful for how everything panned out. So well organised and tailored to our experience. Thank you!”
“Team Building Experiences hosted a School Sports Day for our corporate team building day. When the news went out that we we’re going ‘back to school’ for a sports day there were quite a few grumbles from some employees who assumed it would be too hard/embarrassing/physical. I’m pleased to say that all of those fears were totally unnecessary. We had a fantastic time and so many people commented after the event on what a fun time they had. We would definitely use them again. Good work guys.”
“Absolutely brilliant day out. The company was great at getting everyone involved, lots of energy going and lots of laughs. They were set-up and ready for us on time and it was just good fun all around. It was a great way to spend our afternoon, we will definitely be using this company again.”
Is It the Right Fit for Your Team?
If you’re still unsure whether this kind of event is for your company, here’s the short answer: if your team can laugh together, they can do this.
School Sports Day works particularly well for:
- • Offices with mixed energy levels and interests
- • Teams that haven’t had an in-person event in a while
- • Groups that thrive on connection more than competition
- • Managers looking for something fresh, easy to run, and effective
You don’t need to be an athlete. You just need to be willing to have fun.
FAQs
Do we need to find a venue?
Not necessarily. If you have access to an outdoor space (even half a football pitch), we can bring the event to you. We’re also happy to suggest great local venues with suitable space.
Can it be run indoors?
Due to health and safety, School Sports Day is best run outdoors on grass or artificial pitches. The last thing we want is any accidents on slippy sports hall floors, let’s face it, none of us are kids anymore so the bounce back up may take a little longer!
What if some team members don’t want to race?
That’s absolutely fine. We always say to please only do what you’re comfortable with. If anyone doesn’t want to race in particular races or wants to sit out, we always welcome spectators to cheer everybody on. Sometimes, it’s as much fun to watch as it is to take part!
How long is the event?
Most sports days run between 90 minutes and two hours, depending on your group size and preferred format.
Can we theme the event?
Absolutely. Want to represent fictional Hogwarts houses or famous football nations? We’re in.
Planning Tips for a Smooth Sports Day
To get the most out of your School Sports Day, keep these tips in mind:
- • Book early. Summer dates get snapped up quickly.
- • Encourage friendly rivalries with fun team names.
- • Suggest comfortable clothing. Think trainers, sports gear, anything loose. We don’t recommend skirts, dresses or open-toed shoes.
- • Let your team know it’s low-pressure, high-fun
- • Consider follow-up drinks, snacks or prizes to make it feel like a full celebration
Ready to Bring Some Real Energy to Your Summer?
If your team has been stuck behind screens, bogged down by meetings, or simply deserves a reward that doesn’t involve a lanyard and conference room, School Sports Day is your answer.
It’s fun. It’s surprisingly impactful. And it might just be the easiest win you’ll have this quarter.
Let’s make this your team’s favourite day of the year.
Get in touch today to plan your School Sports Day
