Are you looking for something for team building in Belfast that actually excites everyone? Prison Island Belfast is exactly what you need. This fun mix of laughs, challenges, clever puzzles and a healthy dose of friendly competition will have your colleagues laughing and bonding from the get-go. We took our team and spent the day exploring the venue and trying out all of its main activities. Here’s our lowdown.
Why Prison Island Belfast is Great for Team Building
Some team building events can feel forced or awkward with people a bit hesitant to get involved. Not at Prison Island Belfast. The whole place is designed to get people moving, thinking, laughing and working together without it feeling like work. The mix of mental, physical and skill-based activities is brilliant. You’ve got something for every type of personality. The quieter team members get a chance to shine as much as anyone else.
You can see your team’s points stack up against others in real time, which encourages friendly rivalry. It’s the perfect blend of collaboration and competition for a corporate group looking to build bonds.
Prison Island Challenge Cells
The signature activity is the challenge cells and they don’t disappoint. There are 31 rooms, each with its own task, puzzle, or physical challenge. Some rooms test your brain, some test your agility and others are all about teamwork. The great thing is that you can move between them at your own pace so everyone can contribute and have fun. There’s a brief description of the skills you need on the wall outside each room which is very helpful.
We booked an hour session but felt like 90 minutes or two hours would be the ideal length to give you more time to try more rooms without feeling rushed. Some rooms were all about dexterity, like hitting sensors in the right order, while others tested your problem-solving skills.
For team building, these cells are pure gold. They naturally encourage communication, team work and quick decision making in a fun environment. Colleagues who rarely speak to each other suddenly had to cooperate to beat the clock, and by the end of the session, everyone was smiling from the shared sense of achievement.
Quiz Boxing
Once we’d finished up at the challenge cells, we moved on to Quiz Boxing. This quiz night and gameshow hybrid included a TV-worthy set with light-up podiums for each of us, complete with buzzers and touch screens. We were able to personalise our quiz topics, including pop culture, history, geography and sports, then went head to head to answer questions, steal points from opponents, and climb the scoreboard.
For team building in Belfast, Quiz Boxing is brilliant because it mixes brainpower with banter and teamwork. Even the shyest team members got involved, whether it was buzzing in at the right moment or shouting encouragement from the sidelines. The competitive element is just right. Nobody feels left out, but everyone gets a moment to shine. By the end of an hour, everyone was buzzing, wherever they came on the leaderboard.
ThinkBox
Next up was ThinkBox. It’s a room with 12 locked boxes, each containing multiple challenges, and the aim is to unlock as many as possible to collect tokens. The team with the most tokens at the end wins. It’s a great team challenge, encouraging them to collaborate, strategise and manage their time well. The best teams communicate, delegate and stay calm under pressure, which mirrors the skills you want in a work environment.
The laughter was the roof. Someone will always overcomplicate a simple lock, insist they’ve got it or get distracted by their own clever idea. Watching colleagues scramble, shout hints and finally crack a box is both hilarious and rewarding.
Axe Throwing
To round off the day, we enjoyed some axe throwing. This is where the competitive juices seriously start to flow. Everyone gets a proper safety briefing and the instructors teach you all about the best grip and stance, making this activity suitable for all abilities.
Axe throwing is surprisingly addictive. Once you land your first axe, you’ll be strutting around like a Viking. The interactive targets add another layer of fun, so you’re not just hitting the same board over and over. You can play games like Hangman, Connect Four and even try moving targets.
It’s hilarious watching colleagues go from cautious to completely overconfident in seconds. For team-building, axe throwing works so well because it’s safe, highly engaging and encourages healthy competition. It’s also a brilliant way to release stress and get everyone laughing together, which is exactly what you want from a team building day.
Tips for Team Building Groups at Prison Island Belfast
- Book at least a 90 minute slot for the Prison Island challenge cells to give your team plenty of time to explore.
- Wear comfortable clothes and trainers with closed toes as you’ll be crawling, stretching and moving around.
- Divide into small teams for each activity so everyone has a role. Pick a fun team name before you get to the venue.
- Embrace the banter. The laughter is as important as the challenges themselves.
- Listen carefully during axe throwing. A proper stance and grip make all the difference.
- ThinkBox works best if you assign roles based on people’s strengths. Divide and conquer.
- A short break, drink or snack helps your team to maintain focus.
Why Prison Island Belfast is Good for Team Building
The fun of team building in Belfast at Prison Island is that it combines mental challenges, physical activity and silliness. Everyone gets involved, nobody feels left out, and the activities encourage collaboration in a relaxed environment. You’ll see colleagues you didn’t know were competitive get fired up, while others shine in the puzzle solving rounds. It’s a great way to identify your team’s strengths.
By the end of the day, your team will feel closer with improved communication and a tighter bond. It’s a fresh and fun alternative to traditional corporate events, and the mix of challenges ensures the day is exciting from start to finish.
If you’re organising a team building day, Prison Island Belfast ticks all the boxes. The challenge cells, Quiz Boxing, ThinkBox and axe throwing provide a perfect balance of mental, physical and interactive activities. It’s the ultimate way to make team building in Belfast fun, memorable.
