Are you in search of the perfect team building games for small groups? If you’re dealing with a small team of employees, it is quite difficult to find the appropriate activities. Don’t worry.
In this article, let’s see 12 team building activities you can try with small groups. These games can help improve communication, collaboration, and teamwork in your workplace.
How to Choose the Right Game for Small Groups?
A small group typically consists of 3-10 individuals who work together towards a common goal. So, when choosing a team building game for small groups, it is essential to consider the following factors:
Time Constraints: The game should not take up too much time as small teams usually have tight schedules. So, choose activities that can be completed within 30 minutes.
Group Dynamics: Understand the personalities and dynamics of your team members. Choose activities that will suit their strengths and weaknesses.
Available Resources: Consider the resources available, such as space, and materials. Make sure the game can be easily set up and does not require too many resources.
Overall Objectives: The game should align with the overall objectives of your team. It should help improve the soft skills such as communication, problem-solving, and trust-building.
12 Team Building Games for Small Groups
Here are some effective team building exercises that are perfect for small groups.
#1. Story Starters
The goal of this game is to create a story step-by-step. It encourages creativity, teamwork, and communication.
Time: 15-20 minutes
Materials: Paper and pen
Participants: 4-10 individuals per group
Instructions
- Get some small pieces of paper and write the opening lines for stories. For example, once upon a time, when I was a child, etc.
- Ask a member from each team to pick one piece of paper and continue the sentence.
- Once they say one sentence, the next team member can add another sentence. Then, move on to the next member.
- This process repeats until the story is completed.
Debrief
Discuss how listening and building off of others’ ideas can lead to a more cohesive and imaginative story. Reflect on any challenges faced when trying to work together as a team to create a story.
#2. React and Act
The goal of this game is to role-play a particular scenario through animated expressions and guess it correctly. It promotes creativity, teamwork, and communication.
Time: 10-15 minutes
Materials: None
Participants: 4-8 individuals per group
Instructions
- Divide the participants into smaller groups.
- Request each group member to act out a particular scenario without speaking. This can be anything like winning the lottery, going for a job interview, etc.
- The rest of the group has to guess what the scenario is within a given time limit.
- Rotate roles so that everyone gets a chance to act.
Debrief
Reflect on how non-verbal cues can be useful in understanding and connecting with others. Discuss how communication without words can be effective in certain situations.
#3. Scavenger Hunt
The goal of the Scavenger Hunt is to find a list of hidden items within a certain time limit. It promotes teamwork, creativity, and problem-solving skills.
Time: 15-20 minutes
Materials: List of items and a timer
Participants: 3-8 people per group
Instructions
- Give each group a list of items that they need to find within a specific time limit.
- The items can be hidden throughout the workplace or in a designated area.
- The team that finds the most items within the given time wins!
For scavenger hunt ideas, you can read this article: Top 10 Team Building Scavenger Hunt Ideas.
Debrief
Identify how effective communication, collaboration, and strategy played a role in finding the items. Discuss any challenges or obstacles that the team faced and how they were overcome.
#4. Two Truths and a Lie
The goal of this game is to identify the lie out of a few statements. It encourages honesty, trust, and communication within the team.
Time: 10-15 minutes
Materials: None
Participants: 3-8 individuals per group
Instructions
- Have each group member come up with two true statements about themselves and one false statement.
- Tell them not to reveal the lie to anyone.
- Then, the rest of the members should try to identify the lie by asking different questions.
Debrief
Discuss how being vulnerable and sharing personal information can help build stronger relationships within a team. Reflect on how this game can improve trust and understanding among employees.
#5. The Great Egg Drop
The goal of this game is to build a structure that protects the eggs while dropping from a certain height. It promotes teamwork, problem-solving, and creativity.
Time: You decide
Materials: Raw eggs, straws, paper, and tape
Participants: 4-8 people per group
Instructions
- Divide the participants into smaller groups.
- Give each group some materials and an egg and ask them to create a structure that will protect the egg when it falls from a certain height.
- Once they are done building, test their structures by dropping them from a specific height.
- The winning team is the one whose egg doesn’t break!
Debrief
Discuss what strategies worked the best and why certain designs succeeded or failed. Focus on how teamwork and creative problem-solving contributed to the outcomes.
#6. Coin Logo
The goal of this exercise is to create a logo using coins and explain its meaning. It encourages creativity, problem-solving, and communication.
Time: 10-15 minutes
Materials: Coins (different denominations), paper, and pen
Participants: 3-6 members in a group
Instructions
- Give each team a set of coins and ask them to create a logo using the coins within a specific time limit.
- Once done, have each team present their logo and explain its meaning.
- The winning team is chosen based on the best design and explanation.
Debrief
Reflect on how working together as a team can bring out different strengths and talents among employees. Discuss how different perspectives can lead to unique solutions and ideas.
#7. Blind Drawing
The goal of this game is to draw a specific object while blindfolded and have others guess what it is. It encourages communication, trust, and teamwork.
Time: 10-15 minutes
Materials: Paper, pen, and blindfolds
Participants: 2 individuals per group (one drawer and one guesser)
Instructions
- Pair up the participants and have one person wear a blindfold.
- Give the non-blindfolded member an object to describe to their partner without saying its name.
- The blindfolded person has to draw the object based on their partner’s description. After a certain amount of time, have the pairs switch roles.
- The team with the most accurate drawings wins!
Debrief
Discuss how effective communication is important for completing a task successfully, even when there are challenges. Reflect on any difficulties faced during the exercise and how they were overcome as a team.
#8. Life Highlights
The goal of this game is to think about the important life moments and discuss the best ones. It promotes self-reflection, connection, and communication.
Time: 10-15 minutes
Materials: None
Participants: 3-8 individuals per group
Instructions
- Instruct the group members to close their eyes for one minute and think about the best moments in their lives.
- Once they are done, ask them which moment they want to relive if they only have 30 seconds left in their life and the reason for it.
- Encourage open and positive discussions among team members.
Debrief
Reflect on how this exercise can strengthen relationships within a team. Discuss how understanding and sharing personal experiences can lead to a better understanding of each other.
#9. Minefield
The goal of this game is to walk through a minefield being blindfolded. It encourages trust, effective communication, and teamwork.
Time: 10-20 minutes
Materials: Obstacles (chairs, cones, etc.), and blindfolds
Participants: 2 individuals per group (one guide and one blindfolded)
Instructions
- Set up the obstacles in a designated area to create a “minefield.”
- One team member will be blindfolded while the other is their guide.
- The guide must verbally instruct their partner on how to navigate through the minefield without touching any of the obstacles.
- If they touch an obstacle, they have to start over. The first team to successfully guide their partner through the minefield wins!
Debrief
Discuss how trust and effective communication are essential for completing a task successfully, even when there are obstacles. Reflect on any challenges faced during the exercise and how they were overcome as a team.
#10. All Aboard
The goal of this game is to make everyone stay within a ship until its size is completely reduced. It encourages teamwork, problem-solving, and communication.
Time: 15-20 minutes
Materials: A designated area or marked-off space for the “ship”
Participants: 3-8 people in a group
Instructions
- Instruct all the group members to stand within the designated area (the ship).
- Tell them that the ship is starting to shrink, and they must find a way to stay within it without anyone falling off.
- Every few minutes, decrease the size of the ship until it is small enough for only one person to fit.
- The last person standing on the “ship” wins!
Debrief
Reflect on the importance of teamwork and collaboration, especially when facing challenging situations. Discuss any strategies used by the group to stay on the ship together until the end.
#11. Tag Team Game
The goal of this game is to create a “virtual teammate” by combining all the qualities and strengths of team members. It encourages creativity, problem-solving, and teamwork.
Time: 15-20 minutes
Materials: Paper and pen
Participants: 3-6 people per group
Instructions
- Divide the participants into small groups.
- Ask everyone to write down their qualities as well as strengths on a piece of paper. Then, they should share it with their teammates.
- Instruct the group to combine all their assigned qualities and strengths to create a “virtual teammate.”
- Have them name this virtual teammate and share its characteristics with the rest of the group.
Debrief
Highlight the importance of teamwork and how combining different qualities can lead to a strong and effective team. Discuss any challenges faced while creating the virtual teammate and how they were overcome as a group.
#12. The Paper Tower
The goal of this game is to build the tallest free-standing structure with the help of paper. It encourages problem-solving, teamwork, and creativity.
Time: 15-20 minutes
Materials: Paper (newspaper or construction paper works best)
Participants: 3-8 people per group
Instructions
- Give each team a stack of paper and ask them to build the tallest structure they can in a specific amount of time.
- The only rule is that the tower must be free-standing, without any support.
- After the allocated time, have each team present their towers and measure which one is tallest.
Debrief
Discuss how collaboration and effective communication are essential for completing a task successfully. Reflect on any creative ideas used by teams to build their towers.
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Final Words
When you deal with small groups, it is necessary to come up with a variety of exciting and fun activities. These games not only promote teamwork but also improve communication skills, trust, and problem-solving abilities within the group. By engaging in these activities, employees can learn how to work together effectively and develop a stronger bond. Remember to have fun and be open-minded during these exercises as they are meant to bring people closer together!
FAQ: Team Building Games for Small Groups
You might have these questions in mind.
How often should these games be implemented?
It is recommended to schedule the games at least once a month to promote continuous communication and bonding within the group. However, the frequency can be adjusted based on team dynamics and availability.
Do these games have to be work-related?
Not necessarily. While some games may have a work-related theme, the primary focus is on promoting teamwork, communication, and problem-solving skills. These activities can be tailored to fit the interests of the group and do not have to relate directly to work tasks. However, it is always beneficial to debrief after each game and discuss how the skills learned can be applied in a work setting.
Can these games be played virtually?
Yes! Many of these games can be adapted for virtual settings through video conferencing platforms and online collaboration tools. Just make sure to test the activity beforehand to ensure that everyone can participate effectively. It is also essential to establish ground rules for virtual games, such as muting microphones when necessary and using features like chat or hand raising for communication.