🔶Team Building Idea of the Week: Mosaic Making
When you're looking for a fresh, creative team building activity that brings people together (literally and figuratively!), mosaic making offers something really special. Whether your team is full of seasoned creatives or folks who haven’t picked up a tile in their life, it’s a fun, inclusive way to collaborate, destress and generate something beautiful.
I recently came across Art Play’s Private Mosaic Class in London and it’s just the kind of experience that ticks a lot of boxes. Here’s a sketch of how mosaic making works for team building, why it’s a brilliant choice and what to expect - including specifics from Art Play to help you plan.
What’s a Mosaic Class All About?
In a mosaic class, participants learn how to assemble colourful tiles, broken pieces of ceramics or glass, or other materials to create a design or image. You might work individually on your own small piece, or the group might contribute tiles to a communal mosaic. There’s often an instructor to guide you through the techniques, give tips and help you when pieces don’t quite fit or the grout goes a bit wobbly (we don’t judge!).
Why Mosaic Making Works Well as a Team Building Activity
Here are a few reasons why mosaic making hits the sweet spot for team bonding:
Creativity, but no pressureYou don’t need prior art skills. Mosaic making is forgiving...small mistakes can even add character. This lowers anxiety and encourages people to experiment.
Everybody can contributeWhether somebody is precise, visual, methodical, or spur‑of‑the‑moment, there’s a way to contribute. Some people will enjoy choosing colours, others more the physical work of cutting or placing tiles.
Encourages conversation and connectionIt gives natural pauses to chat: what colours people like, how to deal with tricky spots, what design to go for. It’s collaborative without needing to build from scratch a plan or structure (which sometimes gets tense in more formal problem‑solving tasks).
Sense of achievement and something to show for itAt the end of the session, everyone has made something tangible - a tile or piece of art they can take home, or a shared mosaic the whole group watched come together. That’s satisfying and memorable.
Mindfulness, stress relief, funWorking with hands, choosing colours, concentrating on pattern or texture - all of that is quite absorbing. For many people it’s calming in a way unlike a standard meeting or brainstorming session.
What to Expect from Art Play’s Private Mosaic Class
Here are the details from Art Play’s offering, so you know what organising one looks like:
Duration & Price The class runs for 2 hours. Rates are about £50 per person, though there are off‑peak discounts: under‑20 people pay around £45 each, over‑20 pay approx £42 per person during off‑peak hours.
Location There are two venues in London: Shoreditch (near Spitalfields / Liverpool Street) and Chelsea. Or you might arrange for “Off Site – We Come To You” if you want the class at your own workplace or venue.
What’s provided All materials are covered - tiles, tools, workspace. You don’t need to bring anything except enthusiasm (and maybe a notebook if you’re someone who likes to sketch ideas first). Drinks are available to buy at the venue.
No experience needed It’s explicitly beginner‑friendly. You’ll be guided step by step by an artist, but there’s room to go off‑piste (i.e. add your own design flourishes) for those who want more freedom.
Group size and logistics They accept groups “under 20” or “over 20”, with different pricing. Off‑peak times are generally 11am–4pm Monday–Friday. Peak times are evenings and weekends.Also, arrive on time: if you're more than 10 minutes late, they ask that you don’t come in, so as not to disrupt the rest of the class.
Other practical bits The class can be cancelled or rescheduled if the minimum number of participants isn’t met. There’s a cancellation policy (e.g. private sessions require a 50% non‑refundable deposit).
How to Make It Work Best for Your Team
If you decide to try mosaic making as your next team building event, here are some tips to make sure it’s smooth, fun and gets the most out of it:
Plan ahead for time & numbers Make sure you know how many people are coming, what the budget per head is and whether everyone can attend during off‑peak times (could save money). Also check travel time so people arrive punctually.
Set a shared goal Are you all making separate tiles to keep, or contribute to one big mosaic? A shared group piece sharpens collaboration. Maybe design it around something that reflects your company values or team identity (colours, logos, themes).
Mix up teams (if it’s a larger group) If you have more than 10–15 people, you could break into smaller subgroups that work on different portions of a mosaic, then bring them together. This builds inter‑team communication and you can compare styles.
Embed reflection After making the mosaic, take some time to talk: What did people enjoy? What was surprisingly hard? How did you problem‑solve when tiles didn’t fit or when you ran out of a colour? Reflection solidifies the bonding.
Celebrate the result Display the finished mosaics somewhere (offices, common areas), or take photos. If each person has their own, encourage them to share on social media or bring them in. Recognising their work adds value.
Possible Variations & Extensions
To keep things fresh, you could consider:
Themed mosaics – e.g. nature, abstract, company values, team motto
Competition twist – small challenge for most inventive design, or fastest worker, or best use of a limited set of colours
Mosaic + food – combine the art session with catering or casual food & drink to make it more social
Off‑site/onsite hybrid – using the “we come to you” option if available; sometimes bringing the class to your workplace adds convenience and novelty
Final Thoughts
Mosaic making is a team building idea that’s hard to beat when you want something different: creative, hands‑on, inclusive, satisfying. It lets people relax into the process, connect with each other over small choices (which tile, which colour), and walk away with something they’re proud of.
If you’re in or near London, Art Play’s Private Mosaic Class looks like a particularly good option. They handle all the logistics, supply the materials, welcome beginners, and offer flexibility with group size and location.
So why not mix things up next time your team needs a boost? Grab some tiles, bring your colleagues and see what beautiful thing you can build together...one piece at a time.
