Team-Building Activities to Foster Bonding

“Team-building activities”

Do your coworkers roll their eyes and reach for the nearest exit when they hear this phrase? The majority of team-building activities cause discomfort rather than excitement. The sheer unwillingness of your team members to participate in them undermines whatever influence they could have. There are, however, some team-building games that your coworkers will enjoy. Some of them will take only a few minutes, while others may take several hours.

When you have a small group of 10 or fewer people, you have a lot of options for team-building exercises. You have enough people to make hybrid team activities and contests entertaining, but not so many that you can’t afford an off-site event or something more involved. You may accomplish nearly anything and also ensure that the most crucial aspects of team building, such as communication, cooperation, and companionship, are experienced by everyone.

What aim is achieved by team-building activities?

Team-building exercises are based on the notion of empowering employees to contribute to a common objective. The capacity of workers to operate as a team, understand each other’s strengths and limitations, take an interest in each other’s interests, and produce the quality work that is requested and is crucial to project management is crucial to making team-building activities successful.
The perks that an organization may enjoy when they establish a team with a strong purpose and aim are manifold:

• Higher levels of efficiency
• Increased team spirit and enthusiasm
• Intrinsic motivation
• Employees are happier in their jobs
• Work quality improves

Do team-building exercises actually work?

• There is plenty of data to show that team-building exercises have good impacts in the workplace, whether statistically or scientifically. They’re especially useful for project teams searching for methods to enhance how they work with one another.
• The advantages of team building games and activities influence not just how teams function but also how participants’ personas improve. What’s fascinating about this is that there are team-building activities for everyone. That means that if you don’t like one activity, there are hundreds of others that will undoubtedly pique your interest.
• Simple games and activities have the power to help employees step outside of their comfort zone and learn, which is one of the main reasons why they bring significant improvements to a workplace. They give team members a way to break the ice in a non-threatening way, allowing them to push their teamwork to greater levels.
• Virtual activities for teams have the added advantage of fostering team spirit among members, especially when they are physically separated from one another for long periods of time.

What are some of the most effective team-building activities?

Now since you know what team building activities are and how arranging some simple team building activities may be quite beneficial in the long run, it’s time to explore what’s currently trending. The following list provides a brief overview of some of the most popular team-building games and activities throughout time.

Do you want to spice up your regular work routine with a little bit of fun? Here are a few fun ideas for you to try. Some of them can even be done remotely!

Indoor team-building activities

Indoor and outdoor activities, in general, maybe separated into two groups for team-building games. Because they are done indoors, indoor activities have a completely different character from outside ones. These activities can take place during regular business hours or on weekends.

Consider the following indoor team-building exercises for your next team meeting:

1. Code of ethics:

A simple yet effective exercise for setting the tone for a gathering and fostering unity around shared ideals. On a whiteboard (physical or digital), teams write down what is important to them. This activity is ideal at the beginning of a class or event.

Number of participants: 10 to 30

Objective of this exercise: To build mutual trust and group values among team members

• Write the words “meaningful” and “pleasant” on a whiteboard.
• Make a list of what will make this session important and enjoyable for everyone in the room.
• In the form of a mind map, document each participant’s idea.
• Ascertain that all participants have the same understanding of each recommendation. If not, revise the proposal until it receives official agreement from all participants.
• Go over each suggestion with the attendees and ask how they would guarantee that the concept is implemented during the session. Make a list of them on the whiteboard.
• The group’s Code of Conduct is made up of all concepts that are collectively acknowledged to be “pleasant” and “meaningful.” Throughout the rest of the session, the group is responsible for upholding this code.

Reason:

For any team-building exercise to be effective, the participants must share a set of values and ideas about what constitutes a good meeting. If these values are established early in a workshop/team meeting, the rest of the session will flow much more smoothly.

2. Create a memory wall:

A physical or virtual (on a digital whiteboard) team-building exercise that helps the team develop and relive common experiences. Teams create sketches of their shared memories and post them on a wall. Throughout the event, the wall (or digital whiteboard) provides a focal point for the team’s togetherness.

Number of participants required: 6 to 50 coworkers

Objective of this exercise: Foster relationships among team members through promoting togetherness

• Distribute sheets of paper, markers, and tape to each person.
• Request that each individual take a look around the room. While working together, take 15 minutes to jot down good recollections of shared events and occasions.
• After the participants have listed a few memories, have them draw a couple of them on fresh pieces of paper. Abstract representations of the “memory scene” are possible. To make this artwork, they can enlist the help of partners who have shared the recollection. Allow them up to 30 minutes to complete this task.
• When the timer goes off, have everyone tape their memory sketches to the wall.
• Invite volunteers to come up to the wall and share the memories they just put on it with the rest of the group.

Reason:

A graphic “memory wall” provides an inviting workplace while also reinforcing strong team connections. Making each recollection into a sketch, either individually or in groups, lends much-needed humor and companionship to the process.

3. Mystery dinner:

Number of participants required: 8 to 10 coworkers

Objective of this exercise: The goal is to encourage employees to step outside of their comfort zones and collaborate.

• This entertaining game can be played at any restaurant.
• What you must do is invite a bunch of employees from various teams to dinner at a restaurant or at somebody’s home.
• Expenses will be incurred by the firm.
• The mystery is that workers are only given the date and time of the meal in advance, not the address.
• Finally, on the night of the event, everyone gets an email with the address of the restaurant and who they will be dining with.

Reason:

It allows your employees to get out of their comfort zones and interact with new people. It enables them to comprehend the job that other departments and teams perform. It will prepare individuals to work with people from other groups who they have never met before in the office. Also, who doesn’t enjoy a night of free food and merriment?

4. Stories from the campfire:

A traditional activity that encourages storytelling and strengthens team bonds. Employees form a circle (or join remotely via virtual meeting) and discuss their career experiences. They learn new things about one another and jointly experience old memories.

Number of participants required: 6 to 20

Objective of this exercise: Encourage individuals to share their experiences to establish common ground

• Make a list of terms that can be used to start the storytelling process. Consider phrases like “first day,” “work travel,” “collaboration,” “side project,” and so on. Put them on post-it notes.
• Divide a whiteboard (physical or virtual), into two parts. Place all of the sticky notes from the previous section on one part of the board.
• Request that each participant chooses one new phrase from the sticky notes and uses it to describe an event (for example, his or her first day at the firm). Shift the sticky note picked to the opposite side of the whiteboard.
• Ask others to scribble down phrases that remind them of similar work-related experiences while the participant recounts his or her experience. These words should be written on sticky notes and pasted on the whiteboard.
• Repeat until you’ve created a “wall of words” with interwoven stories.

Reason:

The communal experience revolves around storytelling. It’s also how unofficial information is shared around. A group of people may loosen up and share their experiences by participating in a storytelling workshop focusing on job anecdotes. It can also serve as a sort of employee development, with job experiences being passed down from one member to the next.

5. Sneak a peek:

Number of participants required: 10 to 20

Objective of this exercise: The major goal of this team-building game is to learn how each employee’s job contributes to the team’s overall performance. Problem-solving, planning, and memory sharpening are some of the abilities that are cultivated through this activity.

• Build an artwork out of blocks and hide it from all of the teams before the action begins.
• Divide the teams into groups of two to eight people and give them equal but sufficient building materials.
• Request that one team member “take a look” at the artwork for around 10 seconds.
• Then they return to their teammates and have 25 seconds to explain to them how to recreate an identical item.
• After 25 seconds, another team member is dispatched to inspect the artwork.
• These steps are followed until one of the teams has built a successful copy of the original sculpture.

Reason:

By the end, every team will understand how important each team member’s contribution is to the company’s performance. When they work as a team, employees discover new ways to address the challenge at hand, and their trust in one another grows.

6. Social network using low-tech:

On a whiteboard (physical or digital), draw links between team member names. Teams build their “personas,” then draw lines between them to demonstrate how they know one other. This will be a wonderful way to break the ice at events where the team members are unfamiliar with one other.

Number of participants required: 5 to 50

Objective of this exercise: The goal is to acquaint coworkers with one another and for them to develop relationships.

• If meeting physically, distribute markers, index cards, and tape to the participants. If feasible, utilize a variety of colored markers.
• On the index card, have participants sketch their “portrait” or their “profile picture” on this social media network if you will. Include their names and responsibilities on each card.
• On a big whiteboard, place each portrait card. Make sure there’s enough space between each card.
• Draw lines on portrait cards of persons they already recognize in the room for each member. Also, state how they came to know them (“worked on a project together”, “lunch buddies”, “studied in the same college”).

Reason:

If you are working with employees who don’t know each other, this “social network” works well. The ice will be broken through establishing relationships amongst them. It will also assist others in establishing relationships amongst attendees for the duration of the event and beyond.

7. Blind drawing:

Number of Participants required: 2 coworkers can play this team-building game at a time.

Objective of this exercise: Blind drawing allows you to assess how well two people can connect, think, and improvise.

• Blind drawing necessitates two players sitting side by side.
• An image of an object or a word is supplied to one participant.
• The person has no idea what it is, therefore they must describe the visual using terms that will aid in the identification of the thing.
• The object is drawn by the other person based on the spoken description and their own guesswork.

Reason:

Blind drawing is a fun, easy team-building game that may help participants think about how they choose to interact and thus explain themselves more effectively in the future.

8. Spectrum mapping:

By arranging them into a spectrum, you may visualize the range of viewpoints on a given issue. This can lead to new ideas and demonstrate a team’s diversity of viewpoints. It may also inspire those who might not usually speak out to join, such as those with unusual viewpoints.

Number of participants required: 5 to 10

Objective of this exercise: The goal of this team-building activity is to express and exchange different points of view.

• Begin by choosing a few important issues on which you’d want the participants’ input and thoughts.
• In the center of a whiteboard (physical or virtual), write a topic. Then, using sticky notes, encourage employees to jot down their thoughts and viewpoints on the issue. Place these notes in a horizontal line on either side of the topic.
• Work with the group to arrange the notes as a “range” of ideas once everyone has spoken up. To the left, group thoughts that are related. Outlying thoughts should be placed to the right.
• Continue until you’ve organized all of your ideas into a “spectrum,” with the most popular ideas on the far left and the least popular ideas on the far right.

Reason:

Building a spectrum map reveals the range of opinions held by your team on a given issue. This little team development activity may show a surprising amount of unorthodox thinking if you select a topic that is relevant to your organization.

9. Magazine story:

Who wouldn’t want to be on the cover of a magazine? Each team must develop an imaginary magazine cover article on a great project or company achievement for this exercise. They must obtain the appropriate photos, create headlines, develop quotations, and so on. This is a fantastic exercise in creativity.

Number of participants required: The number of participants can be according to your choice.

Objective of this exercise: The goal of this team-building game is to help participants see future achievements, motivate themselves, and think large.

• The objective of this game is to have participants produce a magazine cover narrative about your business or idea (choose either). The participants just need to compose the headlines and add photos, quotations, and sidebars, and not an entire article. Like some of the other activities on this list, this activity can be done virtually too.
• Participants should be divided into groups of 3-6 players. Give them markers, pens, and any other materials they’ll need to create a convincing magazine cover.
• Create a number of templates for various aspects of the magazine story. The following elements should be present: a) the magazine cover, b) the cover story heading, c) quotations from leaders and team members, d) project highlights subheadings, and e) photographs.
• These templates should be sent to each team. Assign them the task of writing a magazine piece, filling in each form, and focusing on the project or company.
• Choose the most attractive magazine cover.

Reason:

The high point of any organization is seeing your project or company’s accomplishments published in a magazine. This imaginative activity encourages your team members to think large and see their future achievements. It may also be an important tool for motivation and creativity.

Outdoor team-building activities:

Outdoor team-building exercises differ significantly from their indoor versions. For one thing, these activities are typically done at team retreats. The atmosphere is more comfortable and easygoing at these getaways than it is during an indoor weekend course.
Because everyone is in a good mood, the activities you pick should capitalize on it. As a result, outdoor team-building activities are usually more enjoyable and energetic. As you emphasize more on helping the team get together for a good time, work disappears into the background.

10. Back-to-back drawing:

This short and enjoyable exercise is a spin-off of Pictionary. You may perform it either outdoor or indoors. However, its physical nature lends itself to more relaxing outside settings. Use it as a break between lengthier events or to get people in a relaxed mood at the start of an event.

Number of participants required: 6 to 20

Objective of this exercise: The goal is to develop communication skills.

• Print a number of vector shapes on different sheets of paper from your favorite stock photography site. Signs, objects, and even abstract shapes might be used as examples. Consider the “Statue of Liberty,” “Formula 1 automobiles,” and so on.
• Participants should be divided into two-person teams. Make them sit next to each other.
• A pen and a piece of paper are given to Team Member A. One of the printed forms is delivered to Team Member B.
• The goal of the game is for Team Member A to draw a picture using just Team Member B’s vocal guidance. B can’t say what the thing is; he or she can only explain its uses or offer drawing directions.
• Allow two minutes for each team to sketch the shape.
• The teams with the most correct shapes win.

Reason:

This game promotes communication skills such as providing and receiving directions. At the conclusion of each game, assess what went wrong and what went well in terms of communication. This is not only a fantastic way to get others engaged, but it may also reveal weaknesses in your team’s verbal communication.

11. Body of words:

This is a straightforward, enjoyable game that gets everyone fully involved. Your team’s aim is to construct letters and words solely with their bodies. At a team retreat, it’s a wonderful approach to get everyone to loosen up and have some fun.

Number of participants required: 6 to 24

Objective of this exercise: The goal is to learn how to plan, think creatively, and collaborate.

• Look for a large open space with no impediments.
• Participants should be divided into groups of four to eight persons. Each group elects a team leader.
• On index cards, write a lot of words that are one letter less than the number of individuals in each team (for example, if there are 5 people in each team, choose terms like “book,” “cats,” and so on).
• Pick a random term. Each team must then make the word only with their body. Each team member’s shape may be contorted to make a letter, which can then be combined to form words. The team leaders have the authority to lead their groups.
• Set a time restriction for each word of 5-7 minutes.
• The team that can make the most words in the shortest amount of time wins.
• In each round, have the team select a new captain.

Reason:

One of the most difficult aspects of planning a team trip is getting people to relax. Rejuvenation may be achieved by a physical exercise that involves the entire team. Selecting a leader and working together to produce various letters helps to develop leadership, planning, and collaboration.

Final Word

While having a good time, remember that the goal of team-building activities in work is to strengthen personal bonds that make everyone in your team easier to connect to. With the help of team management software, make sure your team-building activities are easy, educational, and regular. Your team’s work coordination will improve as a result of your efforts.

While team-building activities help teams gel, what also helps is an intuitive project management app with a host of project management templates to fit your team’s needs. We’re talking about the Kissflow Project of course!

With Kissflow Project, it is

• is simple and intuitive to use,
• project tracking software to free you from constantly tracking teammates,
• offers multiple views to visualize projects
• provides “Done”, “In-Progress”, and “On Hold” states for clarity on status,
• gives your team access to powerful project reports to make data-driven decisions, and
• reminds you when tasks near their deadlines.

There’s a whole lot more to Kissflow Project. Sign up for free today to get acquainted with its simple yet powerful capabilities! Begin by choosing a simple template that suits your needs.