10 Best Team-Building Activities in Penang to Boost Morale and Productivity
I volunteer for an organization in my spare time, and recently, we inducted new members. Since I’m part of the team that manages membership, one of my tasks is to find fun team-building activities to help bond us and test our teamwork.
Thankfully, Penang has many team-building activities available. We all ended up enjoying ourselves very much. The activities helped us get to know each other better in a fun and relaxing environment.
Because of the good results, I can’t help but want to share them with you. So if you’re in HR, a team manager, or a volunteer in need of fresh ideas for team building in Penang, you can use this as a guide. Happy planning!
Cook a meal together at Pearly Kee Cooking School
Media Credit: penanghomecookingschool & growcommunitymarket
Address: 488D, Jalan Burma, 10350 George Town, Penang Georgetown, 10350 Pulau Tikus
Business Hours:
- Monday-Saturday (9 AM – 2 PM)
- Closed on Sundays
Contact: +60 16-437 4380
Pricing: $$
Pearly Kee Cooking School offers engaging cooking classes where you’ll learn how to make authentic Malaysian dishes. You get to choose one type of meat dish, one seafood dish, and one vegetable dish, giving you a total of three dishes to prepare.
If you have dietary concerns, you can also opt to cook two seafood or meat dishes and one vegetable dish instead. Each class takes about 3 to 4 hours.
If you schedule your class in the morning, it includes an authentic local market experience with Pearly, where you will buy ingredients with her.
The class is highly informative and would help you see and appreciate Malaysian food in a brand new light. Pearly is a friendly, warm, and passionate teacher who will guide you through the steps and share many fun stories along the way.
This is a fantastic team-building idea because food naturally brings people together. Cooking something together drives you toward one shared goal, plus you get a scrumptious meal out of it!
| Pro Tip: If you have dietary concerns or allergies, you have to tell them in advance. If you don’t like spicy food, there are certain accommodations, but you have to inform them as soon as you book your class. |
Enjoy thrilling rides together at ESCAPE Penang
Media Credit: maticmy & escapemy
Address: 828, Jalan Teluk Bahang, Teluk Bahang, 11050 Tanjung Bungah
Business Hours: Daily (10 AM – 6 PM)
Pricing: $$$
ESCAPE Penang is an outdoor theme park with thrilling rides and water slides. They currently hold Guinness World Records for the longest water slide, zip coaster, and tubby racer. They also have the largest tippick bucket in the world!
Aside from the exciting amenities, they also organize a team-building program called Teamplay. It can cater to groups starting from ten people up to a thousand.
They have a full-day program based on the park’s hours and even a multi-day one that can last for two or three days.
The program allows you to collect points by going on specific attractions within a time limit. It comes with full access to the park, a group facilitator, and an e-certificate that will be sent to your email. If you want something exciting that brings child-like joy, this is the place to go!
Please remember to wear proper swimwear and closed footwear when going to this park. You will also be required to upload your selfies ahead of time because the venue uses a facial recognition ticketing system.
| Pro Tip: If you need to reschedule your team building, you have to do so at least two days ahead of your scheduled visit. |
Be one with nature at Penang National Park
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Address: Pejabat Taman Negara P. Pinang jalan Hassan Abbas, 11050 George Town
Business Hours: Daily (8 AM – 4:30 PM)
Contact: +60 4-881 3530
Pricing: FREE
If you work in the office every day, the routine can be stifling for some people. This is why regularly checking in on each other and having time in nature can be beneficial. This is not purely for personal recreation – recharged people do better work.
Penang National Park can be a good venue for that. You can hike, do nature photography, go birdwatching, and enjoy the tranquility of Pantai Kerachut, also known as Turtle Beach.
The park is one of the smallest national parks worldwide, spanning just 25 square kilometers, but boasting beautiful views and rich biodiversity. It has lush rainforests, mangroves, and fascinating aquatic life.
For hikers, you can go on the Turtle Beach walk. This is a route to the beach, where you can relax, check out the nearby lake, or visit the Penang Turtle Conservation Center. The hike takes almost two hours and is about 3.8 kilometers long.
While an excursion here is free, you’ll have to organize your own set of activities for team building. You’ll have to figure out your own itinerary and transportation. The good thing is that Penang National Park is reachable via Grab!
| Pro Tip: If you want to return from the Turtle Beach Walk, you can book a boat for RM100 per boat. You have to book this before you start the hike at the entrance. |
Get artistic at Artsy Sip Art Center
Media Credit: artsysip
Address: Persiaran Lengkuas, Kampung Belachan, 10470 Tanjung Tokong\
Business Hours: Saturday-Sunday (2:30 PM – 5 PM)
Contact: +60 12-441 7100
Pricing: $$
Creative expression can do wonders for your mental health! At Artsy Sip Center, you can book painting classes for team-building. They even have five class types you can choose from.
The most popular one is the Team Painting Theme Class, where everyone is aiming for the same end result. Each participant gets their own canvas and is given step-by-step painting instructions by the teacher. You get to bring your own work of art home.
Other options include Canvas Swap Rotation, where you will be guided towards one output, but paintings will rotate clockwise among your group every 15 minutes.
It’s a good option if you want to cultivate skills such as flexibility when taking over a project mid-way, needs assessment, and forward thinking.
You can also opt for the Pair Painting Project, Paint Your Mate, and Teamwork Art Interpretation classes, depending on your organizational needs.
All of the classes don’t just aim to relax you, but really develop and build on everyday skills you can incorporate in your work.
| Pro Tip: The studio’s capacity is 85 people, so that’s something to keep in mind! |
Reach new heights at Project Rock Climbing Gym
Media Credit: projectrockpenang
Address: 170-07-12A, Plaza Gurney, Persiaran Gurney, 10250 George Town
Business Hours: Daily (10 AM – 10 PM)
Contact: +60 4-228 3300
Pricing: $$
If you want to do something challenging, sporty, and fun, rock climbing might be a good bet. Project Rock Climbing Gym has a team-building program available with guided activities. The activities last for two and a half hours, so it’s perfect if you have limited time.
It includes the facilitation of activities and games, debriefing with lessons, rental of safety gear such as shoes and harness, all-day gym access, and a participation gift.
| Pro Tip: You’ll have to wear rock climbing shoes. These are best suited to step on the climbing holds. |
Have a karaoke night at Red Box Karaoke 1st Avenue
Media Credit: Red Box Karaoke Malaysia
Address: Lot 8-11, 8th Floor, 1st Avenue Mall, 182, Jalan Magazine, 10300 George Town
Business Hours: Daily (11 AM – 3 PM)
Contact: +60 4-263 2922
Pricing: $
Sometimes you just need a chill night, singing karaoke, eating good food, and having a few drinks. If you’re looking for something casual, light, and fun, this can be a fantastic way for you to let down your hair and form closer bonds with your team.
Red Box has themed rooms, colored lights, and thick songbooks with every tune, old and new, for you to choose from. The rooms are clean, comfortable, and come in different sizes, with a capacity of up to 50 people.
| Pro Tip: Make sure to check Red Box’s page for available promos! |
Bike through local villages together with Matahari Cycle Tours & Travel Sdn. Bhd.
Media Credit: mataharicycletours
Address: 3000D Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah Century Garden GELUGOR
Business Hours:
- Monday-Friday (9 AM – 6 PM)
- Saturday (9 AM – 5 PM)
- Sunday (10 AM – 2 PM)
Contact: +60 19-241 4480
Pricing: $$$
Matahari Cycle Tours & Travel offers a three-hour countryside bike tour in Balik Palau. You’ll be able to immerse yourself in the culture and everyday life of the villages. What we love most about this tour is the warmth of the people and the beautiful views.
You’ll see plantations, rice fields, and hidden beaches. It’s a wonderful way to reflect, be close to nature, and enjoy each other’s company. It’s a good break from the hustle and bustle of the city.
The tour includes return transfers, bicycle rentals, safety gear, tour guide fees, water bottles, coffee, tea, and local delicacies.
| Pro Tip: They also offer hiking tours! Check out their offerings here. |
Enjoy water activities at Batu Ferringhi Beach
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Address: Jalan Batu Ferringhi Batu Ferringhi, 11100 George Town
Business Hours: 24/7
Pricing: $$
Batu Ferringhi Beach is known among locals and tourists for its beautiful views and fun water activities. If you want to enjoy beach activities with your team, this is a great option.
Aside from swimming, you can ride a jet ski, go parasailing, or even ride a banana boat together with your team. Imagine being high up in the sky with your hair blowing in your face when you’re parasailing – it’s amazing!
While there are many vendors along the beach where you can book these activities, we highly suggest that you book them in advance through official channels such as Klook.
| Pro Tip: Worried about changing into dry clothes after? Don’t worry, they have a clean bathroom! |
Play laser tag at Pado Fantasyland
Media Credit: pado_fantasyland
Address: 1st, Avenue Mall, Level 4, Lot 4-01A, 182, Jalan Magazine, 11300 George Town
Business Hours: Daily (10 AM – 10 PM)
Contact: +60 11-1321 6132
Pricing: $$
Laser tag can help employees strategize better, improve teamwork, and recharge after busy seasons. Pado Fantasyland offers laser tag, but it doesn’t stop there. They have trampolines, karaoke, bowling, and arcade games for your team to play.
They regularly host team-building sessions, hangouts, parties, and even school trips. So they’re well-versed in handling large groups. So your team-building session won’t just be fun, it will flow smoothly as well!
| Pro Tip: Follow their social media pages to be updated on their promos and discounts. |
Play a game or two at Penang Pickleball Club
Media Credit: penangpickleballclub
Address: PT815, Jalan Bukit Tambun, Juru, 14000 Bukit Mertajam
Business Hours: Daily (8 AM – 12 AM)
Contact: +60 13-952 1559
Pricing: $$
Pickleball has become the newest sports craze recently, and for good reason! It’s a paddle sport for two to four players that seems to combine badminton, ping-pong, and tennis. It’s relatively easy to learn, competitive, and fun.
Penang Pickleball Club is an indoor pickleball facility that can accommodate team-building activities.
They have six courts that are spacious, complete with professional-grade netting and amenities for players. The place is clean, well-maintained, and the staff is friendly.
| Pro Tip: Smoking is not allowed on the premises. You also can’t bring pets. |