Are you in search of some creativity team building activities?
Today, fostering a culture of creativity in the workplace is more important than ever. As a leader, you should encourage your employees to be innovative and think outside the box.
In this article, let’s see 10 team building exercises that can boost the creative thinking skills of your employees. These activities can help your employees to be innovative and contribute to the success of your organization.
10 Creativity Team Building Activities
Here are some fun and engaging activities that can help your team to be more creative:
#1. Collaborative Drawing
This is a dynamic exercise that emphasizes the power of collective creativity and idea development. It highlights how diverse perspectives can come together to create a unified and innovative outcome, fostering a sense of open-mindedness.
Time: 15-20 minutes
Materials: Paper and markers
Participants: Small groups of 3-8 people
Instructions
- Start with one group member drawing a simple line or shape on the paper. Example: A circle.
- Then, they should pass the paper to the next person in the group. The second person can add a new element to the drawing. For example, they turn the circle into a sun.
- Continue the process until everyone has contributed to the drawing at least once.
- Finally, each group can come up with a final drawing that is cohesive and reflects everyone’s input.
Debrief
Find out how each participant viewed the collaboration and creativity aspect of this activity. Discuss how the activity mirrored real-work scenarios of building on each other’s ideas and the importance of diverse perspectives in achieving creative outcomes.
#2. Puzzle with a Twist
This activity champions the fusion of creativity and teamwork, tasking groups with solving a puzzle under unique constraints. It underscores the importance of diverse thinking and collective problem-solving in a fun and engaging way.
Time: 10-20 minutes
Materials: Puzzles
Participants: Groups of 3-6 members
Instructions
- Split the participants into groups and distribute a puzzle to each. For example, a jigsaw puzzle or a Rubik’s cube.
- Inform participants that they can only use one hand to contribute towards solving the puzzle.
- Encourage communication and teamwork as they work together to successfully complete the puzzle.
- The first group to complete their puzzle wins.
Debrief
Reflect on how the limitation of using only one hand forced them to think creatively and rely on each other’s strengths. Emphasize the value of diverse perspectives in problem-solving and achieving creative outcomes.
#3. Storytelling Circle
This activity fosters creativity, quick thinking, and teamwork through a cooperative storytelling exercise. It underscores the importance of listening and building on others’ ideas, celebrating diversity of thought in a dynamic and engaging way.
Time: 15-20 minutes
Materials: None
Participants: Any number of individuals per group
Instructions
- Start the storytelling by providing an opening sentence. For instance, “On a stormy night, a mysterious figure appeared at the door.”
- Each team member adds a sentence to the story, building upon the previous contribution.
- Encourage creativity and quick thinking; there’s no wrong answer.
- Continue until everyone has contributed or the story comes to a natural end.
Debrief
Discuss how this exercise highlighted the power of collective creativity and the diversity of thought within the team. It’s a reminder that listening is just as important as speaking in effective communication.
#4. Improv Challenge
This is one of the popular creativity team building activities. It encourages communication and teamwork through unscripted performances.
Time: You decide
Materials: None
Participants: Small groups of 3-6 individuals
Instructions
- Present a scenario, for example, “Your team finds a treasure map in the office.”
- Each group has a few minutes to prepare a short skit based on the scenario.
- Encourage them to use their imagination and work together cohesively.
- Performances are followed by applause, celebrating creativity and effort.
Debrief
Reflect on how this activity encouraged the employees to think on their feet and work under pressure. Highlight the importance of teamwork and supporting one another’s ideas in a fast-paced environment.
#5. Cook-off Challenge
This activity spices up teamwork and innovation by turning cooking into a friendly competition.
Time: You decide
Materials: Kitchen space, cooking tools, and random ingredients
Participants: Small groups of 3-6 individuals
Instructions
- Divide your participants into small groups and present each with a unique set of ingredients.
- Challenge them to create the most innovative dish within a set time frame.
- Judge the dishes based on creativity, taste, and presentation.
- Take photos of each dish for added fun and memory.
Debrief
Discuss how this activity nurtured creativity and collaboration under unique constraints. It’s a perfect example of how diverse inputs and teamwork lead to delightful outcomes.
#6. Creative Writing Exercise
This exercise taps into your team’s creativity and communication skills through the art of storytelling. It is one of the amazing creativity team building activities.
Time: You decide
Materials: Paper and pen
Participants: 3-8 individuals in a group
Instructions
- Invite each group to pick a theme or use a prompt provided by the facilitator.
- Set a time limit for each group to write their own story.
- Each member should contribute at least one sentence to the story.
- Once the time is up, have each group share their story with the rest of the groups.
Debrief
Discuss how this exercise allowed your team to think outside of the box and come up with unique ideas together. Identify any challenges or successes during the writing process and how they relate to teamwork.
#7. Brainstorming Blitz
This fast-paced, creative session encourages the team to devise a multitude of solutions for a given problem.
Time: 10-20 minutes
Materials: Paper, pen, and timer
Participants: Groups of 3-6 individuals
Instructions
- Set a clear, specific problem or question for the team to tackle.
- Start the timer and challenge the team members to write down as many solutions or ideas as possible before time runs out.
- Create a supportive atmosphere where all suggestions are welcomed.
- Once the time is up, review all ideas collectively, acknowledging the diversity of thought and creativity.
Debrief
Discuss the vibrant array of solutions generated, emphasizing the value of unrestricted thinking. Recognize the importance of collaboration and how each team member’s unique perspective led to a more comprehensive list of solutions.
#8. Idea Relay
This dynamic activity builds on the momentum of collaborative creativity, pushing teams to evolve ideas in an energetic, relay-style format.
Time: 15-30 minutes
Materials: Sticky notes, markers, and whiteboard
Participants: Groups of 4-8 members
Instructions
- Divide participants into small groups. Provide each group with sticky notes and markers.
- Introduce a broad topic or issue relevant to the team. The first member writes an initial idea on a sticky note and passes it to the next person.
- Subsequent members add, modify, or expand the idea. Continue until all members have contributed.
- Display the final ideas on a whiteboard for everyone to see.
Debrief
Reflect on the collaborative innovations highlighted during the relay process. Discuss the evolution of ideas, noting how contributions built upon one another to create richer, more developed solutions.
#9. The Constructive Feedback Circle
This activity is designed to foster open communication and constructive feedback within a team.
Time: 10-20 minutes
Materials: Notepads and pens
Participants: Whole department
Instructions
- Arrange chairs in a circle to include every team member.
- Each person writes down one strength and one area for improvement about their own performance on their notepad.
- Taking turns, each member shares their self-reflection while others listen attentively without interruption.
- After sharing, teammates provide positive feedback and suggest strategies for improvement in the mentioned area.
Debrief
Encourage a group discussion on the importance of self-awareness and the ability to accept constructive feedback positively. Highlight how this practice not only helps in personal growth but also strengthens creative thinking and problem-solving as a team.
#10. The Visionary Blueprint
This activity is aimed at harnessing the power of visualization to set clear, achievable goals for the team’s future projects.
Time: You decide
Materials: Large poster paper, markers, and sticky notes
Participants: Any number of people in a group
Instructions
- Divide the participants into groups. Provide each with poster paper and markers.
- Ask each group to envision where they see their department in the next year. Encourage them to consider achievements, innovations, and the impact of their work.
- They can sketch their vision on the poster paper, using words, diagrams, or both. Sticky notes can be used for additional ideas that come up during the discussion.
- Once completed, each group presents their visionary blueprint to the other groups.
Debrief
Highlight the common themes and unique ideas that emerged. Discuss actionable steps that can help turn these visions into reality, emphasizing the importance of collective effort and alignment toward shared goals.
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Final Words
Creative thinking is one of the skills that differentiates a company that thrives and one that struggles. By practicing these activities regularly in your workplace, you can foster a culture of innovation. Remember, self-awareness and open-mindedness are key here. So, keep pushing boundaries and exploring new perspectives – the possibilities are endless!
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