Discover the Best Arts & Crafts Team Building Activities
Arts and crafts have been a popular hobby for decades. They can be a relaxing and creative way of enjoying your time away from work. They can also be a great opportunity for team building as they’ll unite your team over a common goal while relaxing and expressing their creativity.
Arts and crafts team building activities can be centered on any arts and craft activity: painting, jewelry making, soap making, drawing, terrariums, calligraphy, woodworking, and even gardening. These hands-on group events create an excellent environment for your team to have fun, express themselves, and create stronger bonds.
Benefits of Arts & Crafts Team Building Activities
According to Christiane Strang, a professor of neuroscience at the University of Alabama, making art is an important part of keeping the mind active and healthy. People who regularly engage in creative hobbies feel more connected to themselves and the world around them. This means that your team will grow more connected to one another as they create art together.
Engaging in arts and crafts has been shown in research to increase confidence, promote relaxation, combat anxiety and depression, and prevent cognitive impairment from aging. Art is also a form of communication. Engaging in arts and crafts has been shown to increase communication skills, which leads to a more solid and effective team.
CourseHorse lists events, classes, workshops, and team-building activities. They offer a large variety of arts and crafts team-building activities both virtually and in-person in NYC. According to Forbes, virtual team-building events have increased in popularity by around 2,500% since the COVID-19 pandemic. They can be an excellent way to create team cohesion for remote or hybrid-remote teams.
Top Arts & Crafts Team Building Activities
Virtual Terrariums Workshop (Materials Included)
Your team will be guided through building a gorgeous terrarium and learn the principles of feng shui in Virtual Terrariums Workshop. Everyone will have a beautifully designed terrarium to show off after the event. Everything needed for the workshop is shipped to participants before the event, including a glass terrarium, a succulent, reindeer moss, decorative rocks, organic soil, and decorative crystals.
Virtual Cartooning & Doodling Workshop
This 1.5-hour Virtual Cartooning & Doodling Workshop teaches the basics of cartoon drawing and doodling. It is geared towards beginners so that everyone can participate. The instructor will walk your team from stick figures to drawing realistic faces. They’ll also learn the basics of drawing and begin developing their own artistic style. There will be a time in the event for everyone to draw and share their creations.
Virtual Watercolor Workshop (Materials Included)
Your team will create an abstract painting in this Virtual Watercolor Workshop. Your team will select from a catalog of images and then learn the “wet on wet” technique to create a beautiful, layered watercolor painting. This workshop is intended to be relaxing and fun. All materials will be shipped to participants, including 18 watercolor paint colors, premium watercolor paper, and two paint brushes.
Virtual Clay Hand Building (Materials Included)
This Virtual Clay Hand Building class teaches your team the basics of pottery as they create their own planter or candle holder. This is a great event if you’re looking for something hands-on and beginner friendly: you’ll be working with air-dry clay so that no one needs a kiln. All materials will be shipped to participants, including professional grade clay, a modeling tool, a ribbon tool, a loop tool, Potter’s rib, a metal scraper, a needle tool, and a sponge.
Virtual Acrylic Painting (Materials Included)
Your team will create a beautiful painting and unwind together in this Virtual Acrylic Painting. The class is designed to be fun and relaxing. You will be guided through the painting process step-by-step and develop fundamental painting skills. All materials will be shipped to participants before the class, including acrylic paint, canvas, brushes, a palette, and a wooden easel. A bottle of wine can be included with the painting kit for an additional $30.
Virtual Candle Making (Materials Included)
This beginner-friendly Virtual Candle Making is a low-pressure way to bring your team together. They’ll be guided through the process of making an environmentally-friendly soy/beeswax candle. Everyone will be proud of their creativity and new skills. All needed materials will be shipped to participants, including a pouring pitcher, stir stick, wax chips, candle tins, wicks, wick adhesive, candle labels, and fragrance oil.
Virtual Polymer Clay Jewelry (Materials Included)
Your team will make their own jewelry from clay in this Virtual Polymer Clay Jewelry class. Your team will learn the fundamentals of jewelry design, such as rolling out slabs for earrings and creating clay flowers for keychains. All materials will be shipped to participants, including 42 vibrant bars of oven-bake molding clay, five sculpting tools, and accessories for making earrings and keychains.
Virtual Calligraphy Workshop (Materials Included)
In Virtual Calligraphy Workshop, your team will learn modern calligraphy techniques that allow for self-expression. No prior experience is required as your team will be guided through learning basic strokes, working with lettering tools, and creating connected letters. All needed materials will be shipped to participants, including calligraphy pens and markers, stationery, and worksheets.
Virtual Group Drawing & Sketching Class
Your team will create a graphite still-life drawing in Virtual Group Drawing & Sketching Class. An instructor will teach cross-hatching techniques, basic shapes, and composition. These skills can be used after the class for relaxation and self-expression. You can select the topic for the class from a list that includes still life, landscapes, botanicals, and faces. You can also customize the event for an additional charge.
Virtual Sun Printing Workshop (with Materials)
Your team will use special paper, household items, and sunlight to create unique prints in Virtual Sun Printing Workshop. Cyanotype is a printing process that uses sunlight to create prints, which feels like magic. All required materials will be shipped to participants, including solar paper, acrylic panels, blank greeting cards and envelopes, and foam letters.
Virtual Macrame Workshop (Materials Included)
In Virtual Macrame Workshop, your team will learn how to create their own plant hangers with knot patterns. Macrame is the practice of tying knots to create textiles. Everyone will end the class with a beautiful hanger for their plants. All materials will be shipped to participants, including the cord.
Virtual Shibori Dye Workshop (Materials Included)
Your team will be guided through learning shibori, a Japanese tie-dying technique, in this Virtual Shibori Dye Workshop. They’ll be twisting, bunching, tying, and binding to create surprising dyed creations. Participants learn six classic shibori styles during this 90-minute class. All materials will be shipped to participants before the workshop, including cotton napkins, a cotton tote bag, RIT indigo dye, two large tin pans, craft sticks, wood squares, and rubber hands.
Virtual Mosaic Tray Workshop (Materials Included)
Your team will decorate a tray with mosaic tiles in this 90-minute Virtual Mosaic Tray Workshop. Working with mosaics is creative, and the puzzle-like nature of working with irregularly-sized tiles will increase your team’s problem-solving skills and sense of accomplishment. Everything needed for the class is shipped to participants, including a wood tray, mosaic tiles, grout, glue, and paint.
Virtual Soap Making Workshop (Materials Included)
Your team is guided through the process of melting and pouring in this Virtual Soap Making Workshop. A professional instructor will guide your team through soap-making techniques and ingredients using different receipts. They’ll also learn about botanicals and how they can help heal your skin. All materials are shipped to participants, including shea butter soap base, fragrances, dyes, molds, a pouring pitcher, a mixing bowl, and soap boxes.
Virtual Wood Burning Workshop (Materials Included)
Your team will learn how to make designs in wood in this Virtual Wood Burning Workshop. They’ll be shown how to prepare wood, transfer designs, add lettering, and use watercolor and colored pencils. Everyone will start by getting familiar with the burner and other tools. All materials will be shipped to participants, including wood, gloss, and paint colors. There are options for wood pieces, including a carving block and natural wood coasters.
Virtual Tote Bag Painting (Materials Included)
Even total beginners will have a beautiful canvas tote bag to show off after this Virtual Tote Bag Painting. An image will be selected from a catalog, and then an instructor will guide your group through painting it onto a tote bag. All materials are shipped to participants, including fabric paints, a tote bag, and brushes. You have the option to add a bottle of wine for $30 per person.
Virtual Watercolor Georgia O’Keefe (Materials Included)
This interactive 90-minute Virtual Watercolor Georgia O’Keefe will teach your team about celebrated artist Georgia O’Keefe. You’ll learn about O’Keefe’s life while painting a piece inspired by her style. This class is fun, creative, and relaxing. All materials will be shipped to participants, including 18 watercolors, premium watercolor paper, and two brushes.
Virtual Tapestry Loom Weaving (Materials Included)
This beginner-friendly Virtual Tapestry Loom Weaving workshop teaches how to make a simple DIY loom, set up thread, weave stitches, add fringe, and work with different fibers. Everyone will have leftover materials and tools to use after the class. All materials will be shipped to participants, including three types of yarn,
Virtual Clay Marbling Workshop (Materials Included)
Your team will make their own decorative dishes out of marbled clay in this Virtual Clay Marbling Workshop. A professional artist walks your group through working with polymer clay in this fun, creative, and accessible class. All materials will be shipped to participants, including fifteen blocks of Sculpey Clay, a knife, gloss glaze, a roller, and an oil-based Sharpie.
Virtual Modern Embroidery Art (Materials Included)
Your team will learn the basics of embroidering by hand in Virtual Modern Embroidery Art. In this two-hour workshop, your team will be guided through prepping the hoop, selecting thread, and starting and ending an embroidery project. You’ll also learn about the fundamentals of stitches used in embroidery, such as floral stitches, woven wheel roses, fishbone leaves, and stem stitches. All materials will be shipped to participants, including hoops, a tote bag, premade patterns, threads, and needles.
NYC In-Person: Modern Calligraphy
This two-hour NYC In-Person: Modern Calligraphy class introduces your team to the basics of calligraphy, an ancient and beautiful art that can still be used today. No prior experience is required for this brush lettering class. Everyone will create a hand-drawn greeting card and participate in an icebreaker session. All materials will be provided to participants, including a brush pen and calligraphy workbook.
NYC In-Person: Painting Party in Chelsea
Socialize, drink, and paint at NYC In-Person: Painting Party in Chelsea. An accredited painting instructor will guide your team through mixing colors, blending, and painting techniques in this two-hour class. Everyone will leave with a finished painting. Food and drink are not included but are available for purchase during the event.
NYC In-Person: Private Ring Making Party
This two-hour NYC In-Person: Private Ring Making Party takes place in a hip Brooklyn jewelry studio. The party kicks off with a provided cheese and fruit plate and a little socializing. It’s also BYOB, so your team is invited to sip beer or wine while creating at least three stackable sterling silver rings. Some of the silversmithing techniques taught during the party include hammering, filing, annealing, forming, shaping, soldering, and polishing.
NYC In-Person: Terrarium Making
Your team will build their own succulent garden to show off in the office in NYC In-Person: Terrarium Making. Each person will pick out a succulent from a provided selection, and then an instructor will guide your team step-by-step to use their creativity to build a beautiful terrarium in this 90 minute class. Everything needed to build terrariums will be provided to your team at the event, including a plant container, soil, plants, rocks, and decorative elements.
NYC In-Person: Design Your Own Candles Workshop
During NYC In-Person: Design Your Own Candles Workshop, everyone on your team will create two beautiful, customized container candles. Each participant will choose and mix natural scents, colors, and additives, such as flowers and botanicals. Each member of your team will leave the event with two custom-made coconut and soy wax candles.
NYC In-Person: Paint and Pot Succulents
Your team will be painting, potting, and drinking at this BYOB NYC In-Person: Paint and Pot Succulents. Each person will get to paint two terracotta pots and then plant charming succulents in them. The class is friendly to people who are total beginners or don’t think they have a green thumb. The event takes place at a gorgeous plant studio on Manhattan’s charming Sullivan Street, and all needed materials, including pots and plants, will be provided.
NYC In-Person: Paint and Sip Workshop: Midtown (BYOB)
In NYC In-Person: Paint and Sip Workshop (BYOB), your team will paint in a relaxed social environment while enjoying the beer or wine of their choice. This workshop is designed to be social and fun, so your instructor will keep the conversation flowing as they lead everyone in the creative fun of painting.
NYC In-Person: Color Worship - Ink Dripping Art
Everyone will create a beautiful work of art using drips and drops in NYC In-Person: Color Worship - Ink Dripping Art. Your team will be blown away by the results of dripping alcohol-based inks on yupo paper. In addition to making beautiful paintings, your team will socialize and receive hands-on instruction from a professional artist.
NYC In-Person: Wearable Art Workshop: Sneaker Painting
Your team will have fun with fashion at a popular Chelsea studio in NYC In-Person: Wearable Art Workshop: Sneaker Painting. Everyone will start with socializing at the bar while waiting to receive sneakers in their size. Then they’ll paint their own sneakers while sipping on drinks and getting to know each other better. At the event, there will be a wine and beer bar with drinks available for purchase. Your team can also bring their own wine/beer for a $5 per bottle corkage fee.
NYC In-Person: Acrylic Paint & Sip BYOB
This two-hour NYC In-Person: Acrylic Paint & Sip BYOB party is all about painting and mingling. Your team will be guided by a professional artist to each produce their own masterpiece using acrylic paints. Everything your team needs will be provided at the event, including canvas, paints, brushes, a smock, and small snacks, such as chips and crackers. There will be wine and beer available for purchase at the event; however, your team members are also welcome to bring their own beer and wine.
NYC In-Person: Glass Etching
In this beginner-friendly NYC In-Person: Glass Etching class, your team will unleash their inner artist by designing glasses to later share drinks from. Everyone will be provided with two glasses, an etching solution, brushes, and stencils. Your team will learn how to make designs on glass, work with stencils and X-acto knives, and work with etching creme. The class takes place at the CraftJam studio on the West Village’s whimsical Sullivan Street.
NYC In-Person: Design Your Own Soapmaking Event
NYC In-Person: Design Your Own Soapmaking Event invites your team to make three unique glycerin soaps while providing them with empowering knowledge about customizing their own health and beauty products. Each person will choose their own fragrances, colors, and botanicals to make a totally custom bar of soap. All of the materials required will be provided at the event.
NYC In-Person: Bling + (BYO)Booze
Your team will make their own jewelry while sipping wine in a hip Brooklyn jewelry studio in NYC In-Person: Bling + (BYO)Booze. This class teaches basic silver-making techniques, such as hammering, filing, annealing, forming, shaping, soldering, and polishing. Each participant will leave with three self-made sterling silver bands: hammered, twisted, and polished. A cheese and fruit plate will be provided at the beginning of the event, but your team is encouraged to bring their own wine and beer to enjoy.
Other Creative Team Building Activities
One of the greatest benefits of arts and crafts team-building activities is that they encourage creativity. However, there are other kinds of team-building activities that encourage creativity, such as cooking, gardening, meditation, and solving puzzles, like in an escape-room game.
Studies show that creative activities can also be very relaxing. Relaxing activities can be a great choice for teams that do high-stress work or seem to be under a lot of pressure.
Virtual Grow Your Own Home Garden (Materials Included)
Your team will love the fun and relaxation that comes with planting and growing their own herbs. Virtual Grow Your Own Home Garden is guided by two green-thumbed hosts who will teach your teams how to create their own miniature herb garden. All materials will be shipped to participants before the event, including starter pots, planting markers, peat discs, and seeds: cilantro, parsley, tarragon, chives, and thyme.
Virtual Art & Meditation (Materials Included)
Mix creativity with relaxation in Virtual Art & Meditation. The class begins with a simple breathing meditation designed so that everyone can do it from their chair: it can then be used anytime that you’re sitting at your desk and you need to destress. Then, everyone will be guided through a coloring workshop designed to promote creativity, relaxation, and conversation. Everything will be shipped to participants before the event, including a coloring book and a set of gel pens.
Virtual Brick Building Team Challenge
Your team will go Lego crazy in this fun Virtual Brick Building Team Challenge. They’ll express their creativity and competitive spirit while competing in a series of team and individual Lego-building challenges. Each round will include a prompt that requires teams to work together to complete a Lego challenge, with the winning build decided by popular vote. Some sample challenges include building a zoo scene, building the largest tower, lego self-portraits, and competing to build identical structures the fastest. Everyone in your group will be shipped a Lego kit to use during the challenge.
Virtual Vision Board Workshop (Materials Included)
This one-hour Virtual Vision Board Workshop will teach your team a valuable skill for goal setting and inspiration. Vision boards are a powerful way to make far-away goals seem more attainable. The instructor will provide your team with different prompts to help them in the creative process while encouraging lively interaction among your group. All materials will be shipped to participants before the event, including cork boards, push pins, and a picture book with inspirational images.