January 2026 Team Building Activities & Ideas

There’s nothing more exciting than the first month of the year. Plan your team-building activities for the month with your team.
January 2026 Team Building Activities & Ideas
There’s nothing more exciting than the first month of the year. Plan your team-building activities for the month with your team.

January 1 - New Year

Celebrate the new year with our Virtual Holiday Party with your team. This is probably what's on everyone's mind as THE party of the year. You can make it small, uniquely you, or make it grand. There are a lot of options to mix for both virtual and hybrid holiday party events. If you're looking for help, check out Teamland's Virtual Holiday Party.

  • Best for: Kicking off the year, reconnecting after holidays, global or remote teams.
  • Why this works in January: After time off, teams need a low-pressure way to reconnect and reset. A New Year celebration helps rebuild social bonds and sets a positive tone for the year ahead.
  • Facilitator tip: Keep it light and celebratory rather than agenda-heavy — January events work best when they feel energizing, not mandatory.
  • Remote-friendly: Fully virtual or hybrid-friendly with breakout rooms and shared activities.

January 3 - Drinking Straw Day

This is your perfect excuse to drink that cocktail you’ve been craving for. You can also join Teamland for a  virtual cocktail class to celebrate this day with your team. Our bartenders will help you through a recipe step-by-step so that you can follow along and create the perfect at-home cocktail. There are different experiences you can choose from to make that perfect drink. Time to use that straw and bottoms up!

  • Best for: Small to mid-sized teams, casual culture, end-of-week events.
  • Why this works in January: Interactive experiences like cocktail-making help teams ease back into collaboration after the holidays while keeping things fun and informal.
  • Non-alcoholic option: Mocktail versions are available so everyone can participate comfortably.
  • Pro tip: Schedule this as a Friday wind-down or virtual happy hour to boost attendance and engagement.

January 4 - Lemon Caramel Day

Got a sweet tooth? Teamland got you and your team covered with our virtual baking class. You will not only get to learn how to create them, but you also get to eat them! A win-win situation indeed.

  • Best for: Teams that enjoy hands-on activities, remote teams, and morale-boosting sessions.
  • Why this works in January: Baking together encourages focus and creativity, a great counterbalance to post-holiday fatigue.
  • Facilitator insight: This works especially well for teams that want a shared experience without forced conversation.
  • Outcome: A relaxed environment that naturally encourages connection and conversation.

January 10 - Clean Off Your Desk Day

Having a clean and organized workspace gives a new perspective and boosts our motivation. Join Teamland for our Home Office Design for you and your team. Our team of experienced commercial and residential designers will help you create a home office setup that will inspire your work and support your well-being.

  • Best for: Remote workers, hybrid teams, productivity-focused organizations.
  • Why this works in January: A new year is the perfect moment to reset routines and environments that support better focus and well-being.
  • Added value: Participants leave with practical design tips they can apply immediately.
  • Ideal format: Live, interactive session with Q&A for personalized workspace advice.

January 15 - Hot Pastrami Sandwich Day

Are you a Pastrami lover? Pastrami is usually made from beef but you can create it with pork, mutton, or turkey. Learn the skills to impress everyone at work with our Around The World Cooking if you’re up to making one on this day. Our ingredients are sourced locally and freshly delivered to your door.

  • Best for: Food-loving teams, cross-cultural groups, longer team sessions.
  • Why this works in January: Cooking together helps teams reconnect while learning something new, perfect for rebuilding momentum early in the year.
  • Customization tip: Recipes can be adapted for dietary preferences and regional availability.
  • Team benefit: Encourages collaboration without the pressure of traditional team exercises.

January 18 - Thesaurus Day

A Thesaurus is probably the most helpful tool whenever we’re looking for a more accurate word on our reports and day-to-day work activities. Play a game with your team and increase your vocabulary with our trivia game. Challenge the team and see who gets the most points to win!

  • Best for: Knowledge-based teams, large groups, quick energizers.
  • Why this works in January: Trivia-style games re-engage analytical thinking while keeping things competitive and fun.
  • Facilitator tip: Use breakout rooms to encourage collaboration rather than individual competition.
  • Time commitment: Short and effective, ideal as a mid-week reset.

January 20 - Cheese Lover’s Day

Feast your palates with cheese! On this day, enjoy some cheese with your lunch or as a snack. Take it to the next level with our Create Your Cheese Platter and learn about different kinds of cheese, put together a charcuterie platter that you can enjoy with your team.  

  • Best for: Client-facing teams, leadership teams, celebratory events.
  • Why this works in January: Tasting experiences create shared moments that feel special without being overwhelming.
  • Learning element: Participants gain knowledge about cheese varieties, pairing, and presentation.
  • Great for: Teams looking for a refined but relaxed experience.

January 22 - Popcorn Day

Popcorn is a staple snack around the world. If you’re looking to learn how popcorn is made from different places, try our virtual cooking class that you can take with your team. And of course, you get to eat a delicious snack at the end of this unique experience!

  • Best for: Casual teams, global teams, all-hands events.
  • Why this works in January: Light, fun experiences help sustain engagement during the quieter winter months.
  • Facilitator tip: Pair this with a short team discussion or movie-themed trivia for added interaction.
  • Outcome: High participation with minimal effort required from attendees.

January 25 - Irish Coffee Day

One coffee isn’t just enough. With the rush of everything going on, coffee tends to be a necessity to get our day going. We at Teamland have a Coffee Masterclass that you or your team can take to have a new experience when it comes to coffee. You don’t just get to smell that nutty, smoky, and herby aroma of the coffee, you also get to learn how different types of coffee are made, just like how Irish Coffee is made!

  • Best for: Morning or mid-day sessions, coffee-loving teams.
  • Why this works in January: Coffee experiences combine learning and comfort, perfect during colder months.
  • Non-alcoholic option: Coffee-only versions are available.
  • Takeaway: Teams walk away with practical knowledge they can use beyond the event.

January 28 - Inner Child Awakening Day

Growing old is mandatory, growing up is optional. Release your inner child and have fun on this day! It’s a great way to release that stress and just enjoy the day with the fun activities you can have with your team: Edible Paint & Pouring Paint Art Class

  • Best for: Creative teams, stress relief, end-of-month re-energizing.
  • Why this works in January: Play-based activities help reduce stress and encourage creative thinking as teams settle into the new year.
  • Facilitator insight: These sessions work best when positioned as optional fun rather than structured performance.
  • Outcome: Boosts morale, creativity, and psychological safety.

How to Choose the Right January Team Building Activity

When planning a January event, consider your team’s energy level, goals for the year, and preferred level of interaction. Whether you’re looking to reconnect, realign, or simply recharge, facilitated experiences can help teams start the year strong.

Author Details

Written by:
Najeeb Khan
Role:
Head of Training & Events
Expertise:
Leadership Development, Team Training, Belonging, Diversity & Inclusion, & Innovation
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What you should do now

Whenever you're ready...here are a few ways we can help you:

1. Book a team social event. If you'd like to work with us to have more engaging team events, book an event.

Don't know what activity to pick? Use the Team Building Idea Generator for options.

2. If you'd like to learn remote work strategies for free, head to our blog where you'll find several guides and posts.

3. If you'd like to create a offering for companies for a skill that you have, then contact us and let us know.

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