Experience one of the quirkiest countryside pastimes with a duck herding session designed for teams who want something genuinely different. With guidance from an expert handler, you’ll work in small groups to guide a lively flock through a bespoke obstacle course, quickly discovering just how spirited and entertaining these feathered friends can be. Light-hearted and full of personality, it’s a playful way to enjoy the outdoors together and create memorable moments your group will be talking about long after the event.
In small groups, team members take on the roles of shepherd and sheepdog, working together to move a spirited flock of ducks around our course. Success depends on encouraging the ducks to keep moving without touching or frightening them, using positioning, gestures, and clear communication to influence their direction.
The ducks have their own ideas about where to go. They might pause to explore, wander off, or suddenly decide the wrong direction looks more interesting. Teams quickly learn that rushing or forcing them rarely works. The best results come from staying calm, adjusting tactics on the fly, and encouraging the flock with patience and clear communication, all while sharing plenty of laughs along the way.
Each session starts with simple routes, giving teams a chance to get used to their roles and the ducks’ unpredictable personalities. The course then builds in complexity, challenging groups to plan, adapt, and refine their approach. It’s a practical, feel-good exercise in teamwork, problem solving, and trust building, all wrapped up in a fun, outdoorsy activity that leaves everyone with memorable experiences.
Teams develop practical communication and leadership skills that make a real difference. Guiding the ducks relies on clear signals, gestures, and shared understanding within the group. Success comes from observing each other, coordinating movements, and guiding our little pack of ducks as a team. It’s a hands-on exercise in teamwork, influence, and group leadership.
The activity also encourages adaptability under light pressure in a playful, outdoor environment. Ducks don’t always follow the plan, so groups need to think on their feet, adjust tactics, and respond calmly to surprises. It’s a fun way to build resilience, patience, and problem-solving skills while keeping everyone engaged and laughing along the way.
Fun and Unusual – Duck herding is memorable, entertaining, and genuinely different, giving teams stories they’ll be talking about long after the event.
Duck Welfare Comes First – We work with small groups of friendly Indian Runner ducks, rotate them regularly, and reward them with their favourite treat, peas, at the end of each session.
Beautiful Countryside Venues – The activity is delivered in stunning rural settings, making the most of the grounds and gardens at some of our favourite recommended venues, creating a relaxed, scenic environment.
Practical Leadership Lessons – Combines fun with hands-on opportunities to develop communication, problem-solving, and leadership skills in real time.
Duck herding works beautifully as a standalone activity or as part of a wider team day, especially when combined with other countryside challenges. It’s inclusive, easy to run, and consistently delivers moments teams connect over.
If you’re planning a rural retreat or looking to add something genuinely different to your event, get in touch! We’ll handle the details and delivery, so your team can simply enjoy the experience together.
Outdoor Activity
Duck herding is an outdoor activity that requires a suitable venue with a flat lawned area of garden which is accessible but secure. The setup time is 1 hour and this activity typically runs for around 1 hour, 30mins.
As a standalone activity this can accommodate groups of 10 - 35. For greater numbers this can be included as part of a larger activity package or could be adapted to suit so please get in touch.
“Events Made Simple were fantastic from start to finish. Ben helped me plan the team building event and ensured that the activities suited everyone involved and that it all fitted with the timings we had to work with. Events Made Simple team on the day were great fun, helpful and professional. If you are looking for a company to organise your team building event, then Events Made Simple are definitely the company to contact.”
Leanne Mottram
Head of Customer Service, LEHVOSS UK
