2025 Christmas Team Building Activities at Art Play
As the festive season draws near, companies and teams begin to look for ways to bring everyone together, unwind, and celebrate the year’s successes. Christmas is a special time to reflect, reconnect, and recharge before heading into a new year. One of the most memorable ways to do that? Through creative Christmas team building activities at Art Play in London.
Art Play is already well known for immersive adult workshops - think sip & paint, pottery, candle making, terrariums, silver jewellery, mosaics, free-flow painting and more. Their ethos is all about mixing creativity with social connection, and with their private and corporate offerings, they’re an ideal venue for year-end team events.
In this blog, I’ll walk through a variety of Christmas team building ideas for adults you can run at Art Play in 2025, show how they encourage team bonding, and offer practical tips for making your event run smoothly.
Why Choose Creative Workshops for Christmas Team Building?
Before diving into specific activity ideas, let’s briefly review why creative or artistic workshops are such strong choices for festive team building:
Low stress, high engagement: You don’t need to be an artist to enjoy these sessions - Art Play positions many of their workshops for beginners.
Conversation and connection: Working on tactile, colourful projects encourages relaxed chatter, collaboration, and laughter - much more so than a typical meeting room exercise.
Take-home mementoes: Everyone leaves with something tangible - a decorated bauble, a candle, a mini terrarium - so the memory lingers after the day.
Flexible scale: Art Play handles groups from small teams to full corporate events.
All materials provided: You don’t need to source paint, clay or tools - the venue stocks what you’ll need.
Festive theming is straightforward: Because many of the art forms are modular (e.g. bauble painting, wreath making, candle making), you can weave in Christmas motifs easily.
Given those advantages, here are seven standout Christmas team building activities you can run in 2025 at Art Play, along with sample formats, how they support team cohesion, and tips for success.
1. Christmas Wreath Making Workshop
What it is
In this seasonal favourite, teams or individuals create a decorative wreath using foliage, ornaments, ribbons, dried elements, wire and berries. Art Play already offers a Christmas Wreath Making Workshop as one of their holiday offerings.
Why it works as a team building activity
It’s hands-on, tactile, and allows natural collaboration (sharing materials, exchanging ideas).
Each wreath is unique - differences can spark conversations.
It evokes a warm, holiday vibe and looks great displayed in a workspace or at home.
Suggested format
Introduction & Demo (15 minutes): A lead instructor shows basic techniques, options for layout, wiring methods.
Team creation time (45–60 minutes): Teams of 3–5 people gather materials and build.
Gallery walk & sharing (10 minutes): Everyone displays their wreaths, shares inspirations, for fun voting (e.g. “most festive,” “most creative use of ribbon”).
You can also do a twist: “swap a wreath wreath” where halfway through, each team exchanges partially built creations and adds a surprise element from another team’s design.
Logistics & tips
Provide an inspiration board or small printed ideas to spark creativity.
Supply more foliage or ornament options than strictly needed, so people have choice.
Ensure adequate work surfaces and space, especially for groups larger than 20.
For a finishing flourish, supply tiny fairy lights or battery LEDs for wreaths to glow.
2. Group Christmas Bauble Painting Workshop
What it is
Decorating Christmas baubles (glass or plastic) with paint, glitter, stencils, text or motifs. Art Play currently offers a Group Christmas Bauble Painting Workshop among their seasonal workshops.
Why it works as a team building activity
It’s low barrier: anyone can pick up a brush and start.
Because baubles are small, it encourages detail and care.
It’s personal: team members might write names, messages, or inside jokes on ornaments.
These ornaments can later be hung on a company Christmas tree - literal fruits of the event.
Suggested format
Warm-up sketching (10 mins): Ask each person to sketch a simple festive idea.
Painting session (30–40 mins): Each designs 2–3 baubles.
Sharing & stringing (10 mins): Display baubles on a shared Christmas tree or take-home boxes.
Optionally, add a “mystery theme bauble” where each person draws a small note out of a hat (e.g. “snowflake theme,” “multicolour dots,” “festive slogan”), promoting playful constraint.
Logistics & tips
Use baubles with good surfaces (matte finish) that accept paint well.
Provide fine brushes, sponges, glitter pens, stencil sets.
Lay down protective covering (newspaper or disposable sheets).
Allow drying time or provide a space to leave baubles to dry before packing up.
3. Candle Making with a Festive Twist
What it is
Participants create their own scented and decorated candles, choosing fragrance, colour, and decorative elements (e.g. dried petals, glitter, embeds). Art Play offers a Candle Making Workshop in its repertoire.
Why it works as a team building activity
It appeals to the senses (smell, touch, sight) which is inherently calming.
Each person’s decision on scent or decoration reflects personal choice - great conversation starter.
Groups can collaborate on fragrance blends or décor themes (e.g. “winter spice,” “forest pine”).
Participants leave with a functional, beautiful candle as a keepsake.
Suggested format
Intro & safety briefing (10 min): Explain wax, fragrance, wicks, and safety.
Blending & pouring (20 min): Teams mix essential oils, colours, and pour into moulds or jars.
Decoration & finishing (20 min): Add touches like dried botanicals, glitters or tags.
Sharing & naming (10 min): Each names their candle (e.g. “Frosted Cranberry”) and describes scent choice.
For fun, you might run a candle scent blind test beforehand (guess cinnamon vs clove vs orange) to spark discussion.
Logistics & tips
Use soy wax or other non-toxic wax that’s easy to work with.
Supply multiple fragrance oils and colorants.
Pre-position wicks and jars so participants don’t scramble for basics.
Ensure ventilation and cover surfaces.
Make extra jars so participants can make two versions (one as gift, one to keep).
4. Pottery Hand-Building: Festive Shapes or Mugs
What it is
Using air-dry (or kilnable, if available) clay, participants hand-build small pots, mugs, ornaments, or festive shapes. Art Play offers a private Hand Building Pottery Class for corporate groups.
Why it works as a team building activity
Clay is forgiving and intuitive, so even beginners can shape something pleasing.
The process invites conversation (“Why did you choose that shape?”).
For Christmas, participants can make themed mugs (holly, reindeer), mini Christmas trees, or even tiny nativity scenes.
You can add a painting/glazing phase afterward (if materials permit) to extend collaboration.
Suggested format
Demonstration (10 min): Show pinch pot, coil pot, slab technique, simple ornaments.
Construction phase (30–40 min): Participants sculpt their chosen items.
“Clay games” (10 min optional): quick mini-contests (e.g. who can make the tallest “clay Christmas tree” in 2 minutes).
Dry & decorate plan (5 min): Decide who will glaze or paint, and schedule a return session if kiln glazing is involved.
If your group is large, have assistants on hand to help with tricky parts (joining clay, smoothing).
Logistics & tips
Use air-dry clay if firing is not available.
Provide clay tools: shaping takes, smoothing sponges, wire tools.
Cover surfaces and wear aprons.
Allow drying time before painting or delivering pieces back to participants.
Consider split sessions: e.g., build on day one, paint on day two.
5. Terrarium Making - Miniature Winter Worlds
What it is
Teams or individuals build small glass-enclosed gardens (terrariums), using plants, moss, substrate, decorative elements like pinecones or faux snow. Art Play offers terrarium classes as one of its creative workshop options.
Why it works as a team building activity
It merges nature with creativity, which many find relaxing and inspiring.
The “miniature world” theme fits well with a winter/Christmas motif (e.g. “snowy forest in a jar”).
As terrariums evolve over time, they become living reminders of the team’s shared experience.
Working in layers (substrate, plants, decoration) invites planning and coordination among team members.
Suggested format
Intro & structure (10 min): Explain layers (drainage, charcoal, soil, moss, plants).
Team building (25–35 min): Teams build their terrariums.
Decorative finishing touches (10 min): Add small Christmas figurines, faux snow, fairy lights.
Share & name (10 min): Each terrarium gets a name and short description of design thinking.
You could also run a “mini-competition” (e.g. best use of natural texture, most “wintery,” most creative micro landscape).
Logistics & tips
Use clear containers (glass or acrylic).
Provide small tools: tweezers, small spoons, spray bottle for water.
Use small plants suited to terrariums (e.g. ferns, succulents, moss).
Pre-measure substrate layers if necessary to save time.
Provide decorative miniatures (mini reindeers, tiny houses, faux snow, LEDs).
6. Silver Jewellery or Pendant Workshop - Festive Keepsakes
What it is
Participants fashion simple silver one-off jewellery pieces (rings, pendants) or decorative charms. Art Play lists silver ring or pendant classes among their adult workshop options.
Why it works as a team building activity
Jewellery work lends itself to fine motor challenges and creativity.
It’s personal: participants can design motifs with festive elements (e.g. snowflake pendant, star, holly).
Peers can admire each other’s craftsmanship and exchange tips.
The results are immediate keepsakes that staff can wear or gift.
Suggested format
Materials & technique demo (15 min): Introduce wire bending, stamping, polishing.
Design & create (35 min): Each participant works on their piece.
Polishing & finishing (10 min): Buffing, adding chains or attachments.
Sharing & story (5 min): Participants explain their design, inspirations.
You could also include a “secret charm swap” at the end, where each participant leaves their pendant in a box and takes home someone else’s (or pairs up).
Logistics & tips
Use soft silver or other workable metal suited for beginners.
Provide tools: pliers, files, stamps, polishing cloths.
Clearly explain safety and handling of sharp edges.
Pre-cut some templates or blank shapes to help those less confident.
Offer storage pouches or small boxes for participants to take their jewellery away safely.
7. FreeFlow or Guided Sip & Paint with a Christmas Theme
What it is
Paint your Christmas-themed artwork (snowy scenes, ornaments, reindeer, nativity, or abstract seasonal designs) in a relaxed, unguided FreeFlow session or a guided Sip & Paint. Art Play offers both FreeFlow unguided painting sessions and Sip & Paint classes.
Why it works as a team building activity
Painting is meditative yet social.
Some people will lean on creativity, others will play it safe - diverse participation is comfortable.
The “sip” (beverage, soft drinks or non-alcoholic options) adds a social, celebratory touch.
A guided session ensures everyone has a base structure, while leaving room for personal flair.
Suggested format
Opening & prompt (10 min): Show sample Christmas-themed paintings or sketch ideas.
Painting time (40–50 min): Participants paint on canvas or panels.
Gallery walk (10 min): Display all and have a sharing circle: each describes their piece.
Optional vote & prize (5 min): Lighthearted awards, e.g. “most festive colour palette,” “most abstract snowflake.”
Alternatively, run a Paint-Your-Partner Challenge variant with a Christmas twist - participants paint a fun portrait of a teammate in a Santa hat or winter setting.
Logistics & tips
Give participants a range of Christmas-themed prompts or templates if they feel stuck.
Provide good quality acrylic paints, brushes, palettes, water jars and protective sheets.
Encourage participants to stray from literal themes: abstract winter blues, festive red strokes, typography.
Allow time for drying or provide takeaway boxes.
If you're having drinks at the same time, be clear about break times or spaces for refreshment.
Sample 2025 Christmas Team Building Packages at Art Play
To help you visualise how you might organise a full event at Art Play in December, here are two sample packages (half-day and full-day) combining several of the above ideas:
Package A: Half-Day Festive Creativity (2½ – 3 hours)
Welcome & warm-up exercise (15 min)
Christmas bauble painting (30 min)
Candle making (40 min)
Mini gallery & sharing circle (15 min)
Festive refreshments / toast (20 min)
This shorter format is ideal for an afternoon wind-down or as part of a larger day’s agenda.
Package B: Full Day “Create & Celebrate” (5–6 hours)
Morning Session
Intro / ice-breaker (10 min)
Pottery hand-building (50 min)
Terrarium building (40 min)
Coffee break (15 min)
Midday Session
Lunch (flexible, catered or break to local eateries)
Afternoon Session
Candle making (35 min)
Bauble painting + ornament decorating (30 min)
Jewellery / pendant design (30 min)
Gallery walk, storytelling & awards (20 min)
Final refreshment toast + group photograph (15 min)
You can adjust which activity takes more or less time depending on group size, venue availability, or team preferences.
Tips for Running a Smooth Christmas Team Building at Art Play
Book early - December is peak season. Secure your preferred date and workshop combination well in advance (ideally by October or November).
Communicate group size and needs - Art Play handles groups from 8 up to larger corporate events. They also offer private bookings so your entire group can have a dedicated space.
Select a mix of high-energy and relaxed activities - So you cover both people who want to focus deeply and those who prefer lighter creativity.
Consider pacing and breaks - Avoid fatigue by inserting short breaks between sessions.
Provide a “creative prompt pack” - A simple set of inspirational images or word cards (e.g. “snowflake,” “evergreen,” “candlelight”) to help when people hit blankness.
Plan for display and take-home - Ensure you have room to display works for a gallery walk, and boxes or packing materials for participants to take creations home safely.
Include a social element - Pair with a small festive reception (mulled wine, non-alcoholic punch, mince pies) either before or after the creative sessions.
Capture memories - Ask Art Play or your internal team to photograph the event so participants have visual memories and internal comms can highlight the event.
Follow-up - After the session, solicit feedback and perhaps use the creations in the office (display wreaths, hang baubles, light the candles) to prolong the positive effects.
Accessibility & accommodation - If any participant has mobility or sensory needs, notify Art Play when booking so they can prepare infrastructure.
Why These Ideas Stand Out Among “Christmas Team Building Activities”
When people search for Christmas team building ideas for adults or Christmas team building activities, many default suggestions tend to be predictable: escape rooms, pub quizzes, festive dinners, or office-based scavenger hunts. But creative workshops at a venue like Art Play offer something deeper:
They engage right-brain thinking and allow for novelty, which tends to stimulate fresh ideas as teams head into the new year.
They foster shared vulnerability - when people try something new side by side, barriers drop.
The tangible, beautiful takeaways (baubles, wreaths, candles, pots) act as reminders of connection and camaraderie long after the event.
They invite reflection, personal expression, and gentle collaboration (ideal for closing a year and opening a new one).
In short, creative Christmas team building activities offer both fun and meaning, which is exactly what teams remember most.
Final Thoughts
Christmas 2025 is the perfect moment for your team to pause, reflect, and connect in a memorable way - and Art Play is an ideal venue to make that happen.
Whether your team chooses wreath making, bauble painting, candle crafting, terrariums, pottery, jewellery, or a festive sip & paint, the result will be more than just an afternoon’s diversion. It’ll be a moment of shared laughter, creativity, and lasting memories ... and you'll have your own gallery of artworks that bear witness to your year together.
