Creating a strong, cohesive team is essential for any business seeking better productivity and a positive workplace culture. One simple, low-cost way to bring employees together is to introduce a dart board in the office. It’s a fun, informal activity that can produce measurable benefits for team dynamics when implemented thoughtfully.
Why Team Building Matters
Team building goes beyond occasional social events: it strengthens communication, trust and collaboration. When colleagues interact outside their usual roles, they learn about one another’s strengths and working styles. That shared understanding makes it easier to solve problems creatively and to support each other in day-to-day work. Research and best-practice guidance from organisations such as CIPD highlight the link between social connection at work and improved wellbeing and performance.
The Dart Board Advantage
A dart board provides a quick, accessible break from work and creates natural opportunities for colleagues to connect. It’s easy to install in a common area and doesn’t require a full event or specialised staff. Darts encourages light, friendly competition and shared laughs, which help build rapport and a positive team culture without disrupting working hours.
You don’t need professional-grade gear to get started—an affordable setup is sufficient for casual workplace play. Retailers such as Darts Australia and Darts Online NZ offer a range of boards and accessories suited to office settings.
Benefits of Using Darts for Collaboration
Encourages Communication
Darts creates a relaxed environment where employees can chat informally—during lunch breaks or short, scheduled pauses. These casual conversations build rapport and make collaboration at the desk more natural and effective.
Builds Healthy Competition
Light-hearted competition can boost motivation and morale without the pressure of KPIs or deadlines. Organise inclusive formats—such as team rotations, handicapped scoring or round-robin play—to ensure everyone can participate and enjoy the experience regardless of prior skill.
Boosts Mental Health
Short breaks that combine movement and social interaction help reduce stress and prevent burnout. A quick game of darts can refresh focus and energy, improving productivity when employees return to work. For guidance on stress reduction and recovery, see resources like Mind and practical advice on stress management from the Mayo Clinic.
Promotes Inclusion
Darts is accessible to a wide range of people—fitness level, age and prior experience are rarely barriers. That inclusivity makes it an excellent option for diverse workplaces that want activities everyone can join. Consider simple accommodations, like adjustable throwing lines and mixed-skill teams, to keep play welcoming for all.
Setting Up an Office Dart Corner
Setting up an office dart corner is straightforward and inexpensive. Choose a safe, open area away from desks and high-traffic walkways. Install the board at regulation height and ensure it is mounted securely. Mark a clear throwing line and allow sufficient clearance behind and to the sides of the board.
Provide a scoreboard, good lighting, and a protective floor mat if needed. Post basic safety guidelines—such as waiting behind the throwing line, retrieving darts only when everyone has finished throwing, and supervising play with reusable tips for soft-tip boards—to minimise accidents. For general workplace safety principles, see guidance from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).
To encourage participation, run a weekly ladder or round-robin competition with small prizes or recognition during team meetings. Rotate formats (singles, pairs, team play) to keep things fresh and inclusive. Over time, these casual rituals help build camaraderie and strengthen team spirit.
Choosing the Right Equipment
For office use, a sisal bristle board is a durable, low-maintenance choice; a cabinet can protect the board when not in use. Keep a selection of darts with different weights and tip types so players can find what’s comfortable. If you prefer a quieter option for open-plan offices, electronic dart boards reduce noise and automatically track scores.
Consider hygiene and storage: provide a small container for darts when not in play, clean or rotate equipment regularly, and keep spare tips and batteries for electronic boards. If you need reliable equipment and expert advice, vendors such as Darts Online NZ and Darts Australia offer a variety of boards, cabinets and accessories to suit different budgets and spaces.
Putting It Into Practice
To get the most value from a dart corner, treat it as an inclusive resource rather than an occasional novelty. Set clear etiquette and scheduling rules, encourage voluntary participation, and integrate brief tournaments or social sessions into the weekly rhythm. Solicit employee input on formats and timing to maximise engagement and avoid excluding remote or shift-based staff—virtual social events and rotating schedules can help include those not on-site.
Final Thoughts
Adding a dart board to the workplace is more than a perk—it can be a practical tool for building connection and improving collaboration. By encouraging casual conversations, fostering inclusive competition and providing a quick mental reset, darts can help transform the office into a place where teamwork thrives. When planning how to bring staff together, consider making darts one element of a broader, evidence-based team-building and wellbeing strategy, informed by research and best practice.