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A team outing doesn’t have to cost a fortune to be fun, original and bring people together. In fact, with a bit of creativity and planning, you can organise an unforgettable day for your colleagues on a modest budget. Here’s how to arrange an affordable team event that everyone will remember. You’ll find practical tips, a budget-friendly alternative to escape rooms, and you can download a free, handy checklist.
Why an Affordable Team Outing Doesn’t Have to Be Boring
Many companies think of costly workshops, lavish dinners or hiring an external agency to organise a team day. But organising it yourself can:
- Save a significant amount of money.
- Encourage creativity and collaboration.
- Increase team engagement.
- Improve communication and boost morale.
A cost-effective team-building activity doesn’t have to compromise on fun or impact. You don’t need to spend hundreds of pounds per person to create meaningful connections and enjoyment.
Original and Affordable Idea: Play a Detective City Game
One of the most enjoyable and budget-friendly options is playing a city game you can arrange entirely yourself. Think of an interactive detective challenge where you and your team explore the city, solve puzzles and eliminate suspects.
Why it’s perfect for an affordable team outing:
- No facilitator required; everything runs via our app.
- You choose when, where and what time to start.
- Suitable for small and large teams alike.
- Fun, competitive and active, all outdoors.
- Affordable: from just €4.25 (excl. VAT) per person.
- Available in multiple cities and languages.
We had an amazing time playing the city game! The route was clear and just the right length. It was a lovely walk past a variety of hotspots in Eindhoven. You get to experience the city in a different way and visit places you wouldn’t normally discover. The challenges were fun and varied, and the teamwork element makes it perfect for team building. Highly recommended for an enjoyable afternoon out! (Translated from Dutch)
A Budget-Friendly Alternative to Escape Rooms
Escape rooms are fun but often expensive and limited in capacity. A city game is the perfect, affordable alternative:
| Escape Room* | Detective City Game |
|---|---|
| Max. 8 people at once, up to 24 per half-day. | Max. 24 people at once, up to 150 per half-day. |
| From €25 pp | From €4.25 pp |
| Fixed location | In the city of your choice |
| Fixed start & end time | Flexible start time and pace |
| Rescheduling often not possible | Free rescheduling to another day |
*Based on an average escape room price.
Combine a city game with drinks, lunch and/or dinner
You can pair a city game with drinks or lunch nearby at a restaurant you find and book yourself. On the Tripadvisor and The Fork websites, you can easily search for budget-friendly restaurants for large groups.
On Tripadvisor, simply select the ‘Large groups’ filter under the ‘Ideal for’ tab in the search results to find suitable venues. On The Fork, you can book directly at budget-friendly restaurants with space for up to 30 people.
Tips for Organising an Affordable Team Outing
- Plan Early
The earlier you start, the more choice you’ll have in locations, deals and activity slots. Aim for off-peak seasons or weekdays. - Choose a Self-Organised Activity
Activities without expensive facilitators save significantly. Examples:- Picnic with games such as cards or badminton
- A cycling route with challenges
- A detective city game
- Set a Clear Budget
Decide on your maximum spend per person and factor in:- The activity itself
- Food and drinks
- Travel and parking costs. Save on travel by carpooling or cycling to the venue.
- Communicate Clearly
Send invitations, schedules and a list of what to bring well in advance. Think comfortable shoes, charged phone and a rain jacket if needed. - Capture the Memories
Assign a ‘photographer’ or ask participants to take pictures. Share them later via email, intranet or LinkedIn.
Organising a Team Outing Yourself? Download Our Checklist
To make it easier, we’ve created a free checklist to guide you step-by-step in arranging a successful outing. Perfect for HR managers, coordinators or colleagues in charge of planning.
Simply enter your details to receive the checklist directly in your inbox.
Request a No-Obligation Quote
Interested in our city games for your affordable team outing? Get in touch for a free quote. We’ll gladly help with larger groups, multiple teams or special requests.
Our standard ticket includes the full detective city game, but you can also opt for the Plus Package, which keeps your outing affordable but adds a special touch.
The Plus Package includes:
- Personal leaderboard with your logo in the app.
- Certificate for the winning team and personalised results via email (PDF).
- In-game chat support.
Read more about our Plus Package on our team-building page.
Get your free, no-obligation quote here, or contact us with your questions via email or WhatsApp.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is a city game suitable for smaller teams?
- Yes, our games work from 1 to 6 players per team. Up to 4 teams (24 people) can start at the same time, and we can accommodate up to 25 teams (150 people) per half-day.
- Do I need to prepare anything?
- Almost nothing. You’ll receive everything digitally. Simply share the game instructions and team login details in advance so everyone knows what to do on the day.
- Is it suitable for international teams?
- Yes. All our city games are available in Dutch and English, making them ideal for international or mixed-language groups.
- Which cities is it available in?
- Our City Detective game is available in an expanding list of cities, including Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague, Utrecht, Groningen, Breda, Nijmegen, Haarlem and Zwolle. See all cities here.
Conclusion: An Original Team Outing Doesn’t Have to Be Expensive
You don’t need a big budget to make a big impact. By choosing an affordable team activity that allows for creativity and collaboration, you can organise a day that energises and inspires. Our City Detective game is affordable, fun, flexible, and brings people together.
And with our free checklist, you can easily plan a cost-effective team day your colleagues truly deserve!
Checklist at a glance:
- Choose an affordable activity, such as a city detective game.
- Arrange the communication and location yourself.
- Add your own personal touch with lunch, drinks, and photos.
- Download our free checklist to help you organise an affordable team outing.
More information & request a quote
Ready to give your team a truly memorable day? Discover how our City Detective game fosters connection, fun, and teamwork. Available in cities across the Netherlands. Read all the details here or request your free, no-obligation quote here.