As a Clinical Psychologist and leader of The Trybe Women's Social Club, I'm often asked for advice about fun adult group activities.
It's true that the task of finding and creating engaging group activities (particularly if you're looking to cultivate a sense of camaraderie and teamwork among people who don't know each other well) does often feel "higher stakes" than creating smaller group activities such as friend dates and date nights with our partners.
To help you with this task, in this article, I list 42 of my favorite fun activities for adult groups. These group activities range from sporty to creative, foody to woo and from relaxed to adrenaline charged - ensuring there's something for everyone.
Table of Contents
About the Author - Dr. Angela Caveney
Thanks for Leading Activities for Adult Groups!
Before we dive into specific group activity ideas, I'd like to take a minute just to thank you for stepping up and leading! Organizers like you are becoming more and more rare, at a time when we need you the most.
An epidemic of loneliness is sweeping the USA and other developed nations. Making friends as an adult is hard. Many of us are bored, uninspired, feeling purposeless and like life is passing us by too quickly.
The antidote is community.
By creating fun group experiences and activities for adults, you are part of the solution. You are creating community.
Regardless of whether you are creating group activities for your family, your friends or as a team building exercise for colleagues, you are making a difference.
You are helping.
My own efforts to combat our loneliness crisis revolve around the women's social club that I founded. As the leader of The Trybe, I create group activities and experiences to help members to have fun, try new things and make friends.
For more info on social clubs, check out my article on the benefits of joining a social club and, if you really enjoy bringing people together, perhaps also read this one on the many benefits of starting a social club.
(If you live in or near The Woodlands, Texas, this article provides quite a bit of detail about the in person version of our social club.)
But - again - seriously. Thank you. The world needs more people like you.
Now, let's get to it.
Outdoor Group Activities
In my experience, group activities that give people a chance to get out into nature are always very well attended. A few of the nature-based group activities that my members have enjoyed include:
1. Birding
Whereas it's also a great solo activity, bird watching in groups is surprisingly fun and rewarding. The shared thrill of spotting rare birds combined with the serenity of nature offers a unique kind of group therapy. As we pass around binoculars and guidebooks, we slow down and share information, observations and a few quiet moments of awe and appreciation of the world we live in.
As a bonus, birding also caters to many different interests beyond the birds themselves, including photography and hiking.
2. Forest Bathing
Guided by a popular local meditation leader, our silent forest bathing experience surpassed all of our expectations.
As we wandered silently into the heart of the forest, embracing mindfulness and breathing deeply, we all experienced a profound sense of tranquility. The stresses of our daily lives melted away, and the shared serenity was almost tangible, cultivating a silent camaraderie that simply needed no words.
3. Goat Yoga
With the planning of over 200 adult group activities under my proverbial belt, goat yoga remains one of the most unique I have ever organized. Members of our club are still talking about it more than two years later.
Kudos to whoever thought of blending the soothing practice of yoga with the playful, charming antics of baby pygmy goats! During our goat yoga session, these tiny goats roamed around us, occasionally curling up for a nap beneath our downward dogs and even jumping on our backs from time to time!
If you're looking for a group activity that breaks the ice in unexpected ways, this one is perfect. My group members found themselves quickly letting go of their inhibitions and giving in to the playful spontaneity of the experience.
4. Hiking
Perhaps because of its accessibility and the nearly limitless location options, hiking is one of our group's most requested activities.
I think that the beauty of hiking lies in its simplicity and the natural way it fosters bonding among participants. As we trek through serene trails, the relaxed atmosphere and shared challenges very naturally lead to conversation and connection.
5. Mandala Nature Walk
A group mandala nature walk can be a particularly effective team building exercise for large groups looking to create a more thoughtful and cohesive dynamic.
During our mandala walk, each of us searched for natural materials that "resonated" with us. At the end, we came together to create a community mandala.
This activity proved to be a surprisingly engaging way to spark creativity and mindfulness within our group. It also allowed everyone to contribute uniquely, fostering a sense of individuality while working towards a collective goal.
Foody Group Activities
It's nearly impossible to go wrong when planning a fun activity for adult groups around food and drink. These types of events are nearly universally popular. Beyond classic cooking classes, here are a few of my favorite foody adult fun activity ideas:
6. Charcuterie Class
Offering a delightful blend of culinary education and casual, comfortable social interaction, charcuterie classes are currently trending and are a perfect activity for adult groups looking to bond.
Participants enjoy the hands-on experience of selecting and arranging a variety of cured meats, cheeses, fruits, and nuts, which not only teaches them a useful entertaining skill, but also lets them express their creativity through food.
7. Cookie/Cake Decorating
When I first started organizing adult group activities, I was surprised that cookie and cake decorating repeatedly scored very well on my "What do you want to do?" surveys.
I think that people find cookie and cake decorating enjoyable because they combine artistic creativity with the simple pleasure of sweet treats.
During these classes, we typically start with a basic lesson (led by a local bakery artisan), practice our technique on plastic coated paper and then dive in to the "real thing" - all while talking, laughing and licking our fingers.
8. Food (or Food Truck) Tour
Food tours are an excellent adult group activity idea because they offer a unique and enjoyable way for us to explore a city’s culinary landscape as we sample an array of delicious bites from various local eateries, gourmet shops, and (often) food trucks.
The culinary variety of this activity ensures that there is something to please every palate, from savory street tacos and artisanal cheeses to sweet pastries and exotic cuisine. The shared experience of tasting new foods, discovering hidden foody gems and supporting local businesses is memorable and sparks lively conversation.
9. Herb Gardening Class
For many of us, there's something uniquely satisfying about growing our own herbs for use in our kitchens (whether it's adding fresh basil to a pasta sauce or muddling mint for mojitos).
In our group's herb gardening class, we built and planted an herb spiral together while learning about soil and various herbs and their uses. This activity was ideal for our group because it combined literally getting our hands dirty and working together on practical skills that we could each then apply at home (or not).
10. Mixology Class
Our group herb gardening class next morphed into a mixology class where we learned how to use some of the herbs we had just planted to create a variety of hand crafted cocktails.
Whether or not you plant the herbs first, mixology classes are a great adult group activity because they encourage creativity and collaboration as you experiment together with flavors and learn to appreciate the subtleties of various spirits, mixers, and additives.
11. Saké Tasting
Our group's saké tasting class provided a fantastic opportunity to engage our senses as we explored the delicate nuances of this traditional Japanese beverage. Together, we delved into the different types of saké, the brewing process, and its rich history - all while sampling a surprising variety of flavors. Each of us shared our impressions of every taste, which helped us discover new preferences and better understand the complexity of the drink.
12. Sushi Creation
In our group sushi creation class, our instructor guided us through the intricate world of Japanese sushi preparation. Together, we combined fresh ingredients with precise techniques to create delicate and visually appealing rolls. We even learned how to prepare the perfect sushi rice. (Who knew there was so much to know about rice!) This event turned out to be a fantastic group activity because it engaged us all in a hands-on, fun, creative and delicious way.
13. Vineyard and Winery Visit
Visiting a local vineyard can be a great source of group fun. Walking together through rows of lush vines, tasting wines right where they are made, and listening to a vintner explain the wine-making process combines learning with leisure and pleasure. A group vineyard and winery visit offers an engaging and - depending on how much you drink - memorable experience that teaches us all to appreciate the skill and effort behind each bottle.
Pro Tip. To deepen group members' relationships, organize a weekend road trip to "Wine Country", where you stay overnight together in a rented house.
14. Wine Tasting
There is a good reason why wine clubs and wine tastings are some of the most common adult group activities. Wine tastings offer an educational, multi-sensory experience, providing an excellent setting for stimulating conversation and socialization, all with a fun flair of sophistication. Few adult group activities can break down social barriers and create new friendships as quickly as wine tasting.
Sporty Group Activities
When you begin to think of adult group activities, no doubt sports options come immediately to mind. In fact, there are too many great group sports to list them all here, so I'll just provide a few of the more unique options that I recommend based on my group's experiences:
15. Axe Throwing
Nearly two years after our group enjoyed this activity, our axe throwing event is still a common topic of conversation among our members. I'm not sure whether it was the slight sense of danger, the satisfying thunk when our axes hit their targets or the fact that the girls beat the guys in our "battle of the sexes" tournament. Regardless, this group activity definitely hit the mark. (Sorry, couldn't resist.)
16. Bowling and Arcade
(I'm combining these two classic adult activities because they are often housed in the same building.)
It may have been a while since you bowled or checked out an arcade, but these activities are worth a new look as you consider your next group adventure because they strike (get it?) a great balance between casual fun and friendly competition.
The playful atmosphere of bowling alleys and arcades makes these activities comfortable for everyone, regardless of skill level. At our event we discovered different sides of each other, with usually quiet individuals surprising us with a hidden competitive streak, while the more outgoing ones showed unexpected patience and encouragement.
17. Jazzercise
I actually had no idea that Jazzercise still existed until I went looking for some new activity ideas for our group and stumbled upon this old gem. Yes - Jazzercise, the energetic dance-based fitness class that has been around for over 50 years, is still going strong!
For our activity, we created a costumes encouraged, "Jazzercise Through the Decades" experience, featuring music from the 70s through today!
Jazzercise is great fun for our group as it levels the playing field and breaks down barriers because everyone feels a bit silly - together. It also offers a rare chance to see friends and colleagues in a completely different light as they reveal formerly hidden "talents"!
18. Kart Racing
Kart racing is a thrilling group activity that combines high-speed, adrenaline charged excitement with friendly competition. Whether your group members are seasoned racers or complete novices, the rush of navigating sharp turns and speeding along the track ensures that everyone has an exhilarating and memorable experience.
19. Laser Tag
Laser tag is a fantastic activity for adult groups because it blends strategic thinking, teamwork, and endorphin spiking physical activity in a fun and engaging way.
During our laser tag experience, as we immersed ourselves in a high-tech game of cat and mouse, we coordinated and communicated with our team members to outmaneuver our "foes". The excitement generated by sneaking around and tagging our opponents fostered team spirit and bonding.
20. Paintball
Similar to laser tag, but taking things up a notch or two, paintball is an ideal activity for adult groups looking to create a strong sense of teamwork through a combination of strategy, physical exertion and excitement. The intense nature of paintball pushes people out of their comfort zones, which is a classic recipe for quickly bringing them closer together as a group.
21. Pickleball
I almost didn't consider pickleball as a group activity for my club because I like to plan brand NEW experiences. (The Trybe's motto is "Trybe New Things!") I honestly just didn't think there was a person in the entire USA who hadn't tried it already. 😂
But I was wrong. Many of our members hadn't already tried pickleball and many of those who had, wanted to do it again - and again - and again.
Beyond its trendiness, pickleball works well as an activity for adult groups because it's suitable for all ages and skill levels, making it easy for everyone to participate. It also fosters opportunities for strategic thinking, communication and teamwork. Plus, the game isn’t overly complicated, allowing beginners to grasp it quickly.
Creative Group Activities
I am continually amazed by my members' strong interest in creative group activities, especially those that involve crafting. Here are some of my club's top picks that are particularly well-suited for adult group gatherings:
22. Acrylic Pour Painting
Acrylic pour painting sessions are ideal activities for adult groups because, with just a bit of guidance, it is incredibly easy for everyone to create something visually stunning, regardless of their artistic skills.
Also, unlike many other forms of painting, acrylic pour art comes together rather dramatically and quickly. Watching the colors slide and blend into unpredictable designs is mesmerizing, and many of us could watch it over and over again without growing bored.
It's fun to see how each person's canvas turns out uniquely different, and what a huge difference personal expression through small choices in paint colors and quantities, as well as subtle movements, can make.
23. Candle Making
Our candle making class was a well loved adult group activity because it gave us all something tangible to take home to enjoy and remember our time together.
The class began with learning the science behind choosing the right combination of waxes, wicks and vessels. We then moved into an engaging, hands-on sensory group experience as we chose and blended scents and began crafting our candles.
One of the social highlights of this group activity was the hour we spent casually chatting while waiting for the candles to set.
24. Flower Arranging
Another adult group activity that is consistently requested by our group members is flower arranging. I think everyone enjoys this activity because it allows us all to tap into our creativity and break away from our routine tasks, all while creating something beautiful together that we are proud to take home and show off.
25. Mandala or Ornament Painting
Here, I am combining mandala plate and ornament painting into one group activity, however, our club has experienced both as individual classes with great success. I think their success is due to the fact that the processes are engaging enough to keep us absorbed, but also simple enough to be accessible to everyone, regardless of artistic ability.
During these painting sessions, we gather to transform simple wooden slices and ceramic plates into personalized masterpieces of self-expression. It’s always fun to see how our creations turn out so differently from each other, even though we are using the same techniques.
26. Vision Board Class
A vision boarding class is a fun adult group activity that will be particularly well attended if you plan it in January.
During a vision boarding class, the goal is to transform our abstract dreams and goals into a tangible, visual display of inspiration. At our vision boarding event, after everyone finished their boards, we shared our hopes and ambitions with the group. Months later, I still hear club members checking in on each other about the dreams they discussed that day.
Gaming Group Activities
There are nearly unlimited options of fun games you can play with adult groups. Here are a few of my favorites based on how well they have been attended and enjoyed by my group's members:
27. BINGO Night
Dating back to the 16th century, BINGO might have the greatest staying power of all activities ever created for adult groups.
Despite this fact, I honestly didn't think it would be a hit with my group...but I tried it anyway. Let's just say... I. WAS. WRONG. - More people signed up to play BINGO than many of my other events.
Maybe it's the blend of lighthearted competition with the simple joy of anticipation with every number called. I'm not actually sure, but it is really fun to see how BINGO brings out the animated side of some of the quieter folks and the playful side of the competitive ones.
28. Game Nights
Game nights might be the adult group activity that I, personally, enjoy the most. Party games always bring out a unique energy and a lot of literally laugh out loud (sometimes roll on the floor) laughter. I find that if I go more than a few months without organizing a game night, I hear about it from club members: they miss them.
Some of our favorite party group games include Guesstures, Incohearent and, for a spicy twist, Telestrations After Dark.
29. Poker, Euchre, Yahtzee (or other) Tournament
Tournaments for games, such as poker, Euchre and Yahtzee, offer next level healthy competition opportunities for adult group activities. Since these games require a blend of strategy, luck, and skill, they are highly engrossing and much loved by players.
Tournaments are also excellent ways to "break the ice" if you have a group of adults who don't know each other well, because throughout the evening, with the changing of tables (and sometimes even partners), everyone has a chance to sit down and spend some time with everyone else.
Spiritual and Wellness Group Activities
There's almost no limit to the fascinating activities for adult groups that you can create when you delve into the worlds of spirituality and wellness. Just open your mind, start talking to people and let the ideas flow. A few of my favorites in this category are:
30. Cold Plunge with Breathwork Class
Deliberately immersing myself in near-freezing water while practicing controlled breathing techniques is honestly the stuff of my nightmares. However, I've planned this as a group activity for my club for later this year.
From what I've heard, if done correctly, this can be a surprisingly transformative experience. The idea is that the intensity of the activity will push everyone to their limits, creating a bonding experience that underscores our resilience and adaptability. As we challenge our fears, we will emerge stronger, both individually and as a group.
(I guess we will see about that! haha)
31. Mystic Readings
I once organized a group activity with a mystic who claimed to be able to channel our ancestors. Believers and non-believers all agreed that the experience was truly captivating and gave us a profound and personal glimpse into our pasts that we hadn't considered before.
This this highly memorable group activity evoked very powerful emotional responses in all who attended. It wasn't just about bonding. Rather, the experience made us think differently about our own stories and the stories of those around us. The mystic challenged our perspectives and beliefs and encouraged intriguing conversations.
32. Shamanic Spirit Animal Journey
During our group shamanic spirit animal journey, we each searched for our personal spirit animal guides. It was a memorable and deeply introspective experience that offered us a fresh perspective on ourselves and our connection to the natural world. At the end of the journey we shared our experiences, leading us all to view each other in new and enlightening ways.
33. Zendoodling/Zentangles
Zendoodling (or Zentangles) is a normally solo activity that translates very well to groups because it creates an accessible doorway to mindfulness for everyone involved. The intricate, repetitive patterns require focused attention, creating a pleasant meditative state.
During our Zendoodling event, the collective creative energy in the room was both calming and somehow also exhilarating. Sharing our creations at the end of the session sparked conversation and unexpected insights.
34. Zen Sound Bath Meditation
A zen sound bath meditation can be a profoundly effective group activity, and is one that my group has enjoyed multiple times. During our sound bath sessions, we are all immersed in sound frequencies from instruments such as singing bowls, drums, and chimes. These instruments produce pulsing, harmonic vibrations that we can literally feel surrounding us, leading us to a very deep collective meditative state.
Party Group Activities
In your search for activity ideas for adult groups, don't overlook the simple joys of a good party. Sometimes, groups of adults just want to get loose in a loud and ridiculous way.
Although they don't typically cultivate moments of deep reflection, parties do create lasting memories and a treasure trove of inside jokes. Here are a few of our tested and approved adult party group activities.
35. Decade Theme Party
Decade theme parties are fantastic activities, particularly for midlife adult groups, because they allow us all to indulge in a nostalgic trip down memory lane as we relive the cultural highlights of a specific decade - whether it's the groovy '70s, the neon-lit '80s, or the grunge-filled '90s.
Since decade themed parties encourage guests and hosts to be creative with their outfits, hair, makeup, music selections, and decorations, entertaining conversations about favorite songs, fashions, and moments from the past are sure to be sparked.
36. Drunk Shakespeare
Drunk Shakespeare is a highly entertaining activity for adult groups because it blends the timeless appeal of classic literature with the fun and unpredictability of a social drinking game. For those unfamiliar with the concept, here's how it works: during each performance, a small ensemble of professional actors presents a Shakespeare play, but with a twist—one cast member performs while completely inebriated.
This drunken approach adds a layer of humor, spontaneity and audience participation, turning a traditional theater experience into an unforgettable, interactive event.
37. Dueling Piano Bar
As far as group activities in bars go, dueling piano bar experiences are the number 1 favorite of my midlife club members. We love the interactive nature of the performances, the nostalgia of favorite, old singalongs and just the fun of watching an entire bar of strangers turn into longtime friends as we sing and laugh into the wee hours.
38. Masquerade Ball
There's something about masquerade balls that adults find particularly alluring and intriguing. I'm not sure if it's the dash of sophistication and elegance, or the mystery and intrigue of not being entirely sure who is behind the masks, but, if you're looking for a crowd drawing activity for a group of adults, you can't do much better than a masquerade ball.
39. Murder Mystery Party
In case you've never had the pleasure of experiencing one, a murder mystery party is basically an interactive, role playing game where everyone in the group plays a character, and someone, secretly playing the villain, has committed a "murder". As the game unfolds, players gather clues and try to piece together the mystery. This type of activity is perfect for encouraging strangers to quickly begin to interact.
40. Silent Disco
Imagine a silent room where everyone is wearing headphones, rocking out and moving in totally different ways. A silent disco looks crazy to outsiders, but it's an absolute blast to those in the know. It's a perfect activity for large groups of adults (even those shy about dancing in public) because it's impossible to be too serious and not to laugh at each other and ourselves.
Cerebral Group Activities
41. Escape Room
Escape Rooms remain very popular and can be found almost anywhere. This type of group adult activity (as with any when we all have to work together toward a common goal under time pressure or "difficult conditions") is among the best options for bonding. As we combine our skills and rely on teamwork, there's an exhilarating rush of success when we crack a code together just before time is up!
42. Author Led Book Club
There's a reason why book clubs are the most common of all interest clubs. Many of us love literature and enjoy the challenges of reading and discussing something both entertaining and intellectual.
If you're looking to take your book club up a notch and spice things up a bit, invite the author to join your next meeting! Having the author present to answer questions and provide insight into their work adds an exciting and memorable twist to a traditional book club meeting.
Final Thoughts
I hope the above ideas inspire you to try some of these activities as well as to come up with more of your own.
Rather than simply summarize all the text above, I'd like to use this space to thank you one final time for bringing people together.
Whether you are a social club leader like myself, working to build a more cohesive corporate team, or simply organizing a fun activity for a group of family or friends, you are making a difference in people's lives and helping them feel a little less alone.
Few things are more important than this.
About the Author
Angela Caveney, Ph.D. is a Clinical Psychologist, Neuropsychologist and Founder of The Trybe Women's Social Club. Her absolute favorite things to do are to help women find their people, rediscover themselves and thrive throughout midlife. She can be reached directly at angela@the-trybe.com.
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