Are you in search of some cultural diversity team building activities?
Building an effective team that celebrates cultural diversity is necessary for any organization. This can boost collaboration in the workplace. So, you should ensure that everyone feels included in your diverse workplace.
This article discusses some cultural diversity training activities that can help you bring your teams closer together.
Why is Cultural Diversity Important in the Workplace?
Companies that promote cultural diversity can have a respectful work environment for everyone. When employees from different backgrounds collaborate, organizations can develop creative solutions to intricate problems. Also, it fosters innovative ideas that can be beneficial in the decision-making process.
10 Cultural Diversity Team Building Activities
Here are some of the best cultural diversity team building activities you can conduct with your employees.
#1. Cross-Cultural Quiz
The cross-cultural quiz is an interesting activity that tests the employees’ knowledge of different cultures.
Time: 15-30 minutes
Materials: Quiz questions
Participants: Any number of people per group
Instructions
- Divide the participants into teams.
- Give each team a set of questions about different cultures around the world.
- Ask them to discuss the questions and come up with the correct answers.
- The team with the most correct answers wins!
Debrief
During the debrief, figure out which teams gained a better understanding of different cultures and how they can encourage cultural diversity in their workplace.
#2. Multicultural Arts & Crafts
This exercise encourages employees to work together in order to create multicultural artwork.
Time: You decide
Materials: Art supplies for every participant, such as paper, paint, markers, etc.
Participants: Any number of members per group
Instructions
- Divide the participants into groups.
- Give each group art supplies and encourage them to create a multi-cultural artwork. It could be a mural, collage, or another type of artwork.
- Provide examples of multicultural artworks for inspiration.
- Once the groups have finished the artwork, ask them to present their work to the other teams.
Debrief
Discuss the importance of celebrating different cultures. Encourage employees to consider ways to incorporate cultural diversity into their workplace activities and tasks.
#3. Cultural Restaurant
This fun team building activity challenges employees to create a culturally-inspired restaurant of their choice.
Time: You decide
Materials: Paper and pens/markers
Participants: Groups of 3-6 members
Instructions
- Divide the participants into groups of 3-6 people each.
- Assign each group a different culture to research—this could be Japanese, Mexican, Indian, etc.
- Instruct them to create a restaurant design according to their chosen culture. This includes cuisine, decor, music, etc.
- After completion, ask them to present their designs to the rest of the groups.
Debrief
Talk about how cultural diversity can bring different ideas and perspectives to the table. Also, discuss the ways to foster a workplace that celebrates diverse cultures.
#4. Language Practice
This exercise helps teams to practice basic language phrases, commands, and greetings from various cultures around the world.
Time: 15-30 minutes
Materials: None
Participants: Any number of people per group
Instructions
- Divide the participants into groups.
- Assign each group a different culture and ask them to research basic language phrases, commands, and greetings used in that culture.
- Have each group practice their chosen phrases with one another.
- Finally, they can share their findings with the rest of the groups.
Debrief
Discuss how learning new languages can help the employees get a better understanding of multiple cultures. Plus, encourage the groups to share examples of how they could use the new phrases in their work environment.
#5. Global Dance Party
This team building exercise helps participants to learn about different cultures through music and dance.
Time: You decide
Materials: Access to a variety of music from around the world
Participants: Any number of people per team
Instructions
- Gather the teams in an open space, such as a meeting room or outdoor area.
- Play a variety of music from around the world, and have the teams create their own dances for each song.
- Encourage everyone to move freely and let their creativity flow.
- The dance moves can be as simple or complex as participants like, so long as everyone is having fun!
Debrief
During the debrief, discuss how the activity helped to encourage cultural understanding and appreciation. Also, ask the participants what they learned and how their experience can be used in the work environment.
#6. Cultural Traditions
This activity allows employees to learn about cultural traditions in different countries or regions.
Time: You decide
Materials: None
Participants: Any number of people
Instructions
- Ask each team member to present a cultural tradition from their country or region.
- Encourage them to talk about how it has been passed down through generations.
- Provide time for questions and discussions.
- Ask all the participants to share their experiences with the group.
Debrief
Reflect on the significance of valuing diversity in order to promote inclusivity. Additionally, inspire teams to explore ways they can incorporate various cultural practices within the workplace.
#7. Food Tasting
This exercise allows participants to explore different cultures by tasting various dishes.
Time: You decide
Materials: A variety of dishes from different cultures
Participants: Any number of people
Instructions
- Ask each team member to bring in a dish from their culture or region.
- Give everyone a chance to taste and discuss the different foods.
- Ask all the participants to share what they learned about the culture or region.
- Provide time for questions and discussion.
Debrief
Discuss how food is a way to explore different cultures, as well as the importance of celebrating diversity in the workplace. Moreover, encourage teams to think of ways they can embrace different cultures in their workplace.
#8. Cultural Exchange
This activity encourages employees to learn more about other cultures by finding information about a country of their choice.
Time: You decide
Materials: Presentation slides and blank paper
Participants: Any number of members per group
Instructions
- Have each team member pick a country and research its customs, beliefs, values, language, food, etc.
- Prepare a presentation to share their findings with the rest of the team.
- Have each participant present their country and its associated culture in front of the group.
- Encourage discussion by inviting questions and comments from other team members.
Debrief
During the debrief, discuss what each participant learned about cultural diversity and how it can be applied in the workplace. Additionally, identify any opportunities for further learning and creating a more inclusive work environment.
#9. Global Photo Hunt
This exercise encourages employees to take pictures that depict various cultural elements.
Time: You decide
Materials: Digital cameras, and a list of photos to take
Participants: Any number of people
Instructions
- Divide the participants into teams, and provide them with a list of photos they must take. For example, food from a local restaurant, clothing from an international market, monuments from a popular tourist spot, etc.
- Give each team a digital camera and some time to take the photos.
- Once the time is up, have each team upload their photos to a shared platform for all the participants to view.
- Have the teams vote on which photo they believe best depicts cultural elements.
Debrief
Discuss what participants learned about cultures from the photos taken, and encourage them to create a more inclusive work environment.
#10. Town Hall
This activity encourages employees to think critically about cultural issues and come up with solutions.
Time: 15-30 minutes
Materials: Discussion topics and whiteboard
Participants: Any number of members per team
Instructions
- Gather the teams in a comfortable space for discussion and provide each person with a list of relevant cultural issues and their background.
- Ask everyone to pick one of the topics, read it thoroughly, and come up with potential solutions or ideas on how to address the issue.
- Have each participant present their chosen topic and share their proposed solution or idea in front of the group.
- Encourage an open conversation by asking questions and inviting comments from other team members.
- Capture the solutions and ideas in writing on a whiteboard.
Debrief
During the debrief, discuss the implementation of these ideas, and come up with an action plan to move forward. Also, ask each team member to commit to taking one actionable step towards achieving this goal.
Looking for Unique DEI Activities?
If you want some new activities on diversity, equity, and inclusion, you can get my short e-book:
Or Want Unique Activities for All the Stages of Team Building?
If you want some unique activities for all the team building stages, you can get my main e-book:
Final Words
Cultural diversity team building activities are a great way to promote understanding and acceptance of different cultures in the workplace. With these activities, employees can acknowledge their diverse cultures and strengthen their bonds. So, try some of these activities with your teams and see the magic!