For a small team, start by reserving a 90-minute retreat block: approximately one hour for the session, with 15 minutes on either side for getting ready and returning to the programme. Then adjust that allowance around your headcount, venue and the commitments immediately before and after it.
The most useful slot gives colleagues time to enjoy the game without watching the clock for their next meeting. Here is how to build that into a Singapore company retreat.
Reserve the session and its transition time
TeamLabs lists The Furious Pigeon as an approximately one-hour session, with individual rounds lasting 10–15 minutes. Treat that as your starting point when discussing the running order.
The following is a suggested planning template for a small group at the retreat venue. Agree the actual timings with TeamLabs before circulating the agenda.
| Time | Suggested activity |
| 10:15–10:30 am | Assemble, refill water and organise teams |
| 10:30–10:40 am | Safety briefing and equipment demonstration |
| 10:40–10:50 am | First round |
| 10:50–10:55 am | Rest and arena reset |
| 10:55–11:05 am | Second round |
| 11:05–11:10 am | Rest and arena reset |
| 11:10–11:20 am | Third round |
| 11:20–11:30 am | Results and short team reflection |
| 11:30–11:45 am | Freshen up and return to the retreat programme |
This example uses ten-minute rounds. If you want longer matches, additional rotations or prize presentations, ask for a revised allocation. Keep equipment set up outside the participant session and confirm how early facilitators need venue access.
If employees must travel between locations, add a separate transfer allowance covering assembly, boarding, travel and the walk to the arena. A nearby venue can still involve a slow handover when everyone leaves a meeting together.
Choose a slot that supports the rest of the day
For a morning retreat, place the game after the welcome and an initial discussion, then leave room to freshen up before lunch. This allows colleagues to meet before forming teams and gives them something shared to talk about over the meal.
For a full-day programme, choose the slot according to your priority. An early session can introduce colleagues before mixed-department workshops. A later session can provide a change of pace after presentations. Avoid starting directly after a substantial lunch; use that period for a quieter discussion or free time.
For an overnight retreat, an afternoon activity can lead into an informal evening, provided there is enough time to change before dinner. Keep departures and restaurant reservations in view when setting the finishing time.
Calculate participation before fixing the duration
The published ideal is 6–10 participants, with 3–5 on each team. Larger formats need discussion with TeamLabs. See the player numbers and session details.
For a larger company, ask how many people can play simultaneously and how much playing time each employee will receive. A one-hour event window does not automatically give everyone an hour of participation.
For example, if 40 colleagues are divided into groups of ten using one arena, you have four groups to schedule. Confirm whether the plan uses shorter turns, repeated sessions or additional arenas, and how changeovers affect the finish time.
For retreats with 50 or more attendees, TeamLabs recommends mini games on its team building games page. Ask whether The Furious Pigeon can fit within a broader rotation, and obtain the complete timetable before committing.
Select a game mode around one retreat objective
Choose one outcome to guide the session. For colleagues who rarely work together, you might prioritise clear communication. For an established team, you might focus on how people share responsibilities.
In Nest Destruction, teams defend their own nest while attacking the opposing one. Ask the facilitator whether this mode suits a session focused on allocating roles.
Mix departments when building teams, and agree any role changes before play. Keeping a familiar format across rounds gives participants a chance to try a different approach without spending every break learning new rules.
Settle the venue and weather alternative early
TeamLabs states that the activity can run indoors or outdoors, subject to a suitable setup. Its venue guidance is a starting point; have your proposed space assessed before placing it on the agenda.
Singapore has year-round heat and humidity, with rainfall particularly frequent in the afternoon. That makes an indoor option useful when the retreat has fixed timings. See the official Singapore climate guidance.
For an outdoor booking, agree who decides whether to relocate and when that decision must be made. Check that the alternative space is reserved and that moving equipment will fit the schedule. A room elsewhere on the property is only useful if it can actually accommodate the activity.
Give the organiser and facilitator the same running order
Send TeamLabs the full agenda, including the session before the game and the next fixed commitment. Include headcount, venue access arrangements, the participant assembly point and one organiser who can make timing decisions.
Identify a small adjustment you can make if the programme slips, such as shortening your own welcome remarks. If a speaker overruns substantially, discuss the remaining session with the facilitator. Safety instructions and necessary rest should remain protected.
Ask the preceding speaker to finish on time, and give employees a clear meeting point. These details keep the booked session from disappearing into directions, late arrivals and last-minute team selection.
Use the closing minutes to connect the experience
Keep the reflection brief and specific. Ask each team which instruction helped most and what they changed after the first round. Invite one practical suggestion they could carry into the next workshop or their everyday work.
If the retreat is primarily social, let the closing conversation stay light. A favourite moment and recognition for helpful teammates may suit the occasion better than a formal discussion. Agree who leads this closing segment so it finishes cleanly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do employees need to practise beforehand?
No. TeamLabs provides a demonstration for beginners. Ask participants to arrive ready for the scheduled briefing; separate practice time is unnecessary.
What should employees wear and bring?
Recommend comfortable activewear, closed-toe shoes with grip, a water bottle and a towel. Suggest a change of clothes when the retreat continues with meetings or dinner.
Does the organiser need to source game equipment?
No. TeamLabs supplies the game equipment, including catapults, plush projectiles and safety gear. Confirm venue responsibilities separately when arranging the booking.
How should colleagues who prefer less physical participation be included?
Discuss preferences privately beforehand. Ask the facilitator about suitable adjustments or supporting roles, and agree these before the day so nobody faces an unexpected decision at the arena.
How far ahead should the session be confirmed?
TeamLabs asks for reservation confirmation one week in advance. For a retreat involving venue hire and transport, begin planning earlier so those arrangements can be coordinated.
