10 Team Building Card Games for the Workplace
Are you in search of some team building card games for the workplace?
Team building is an essential aspect of a productive and harmonious workplace. When employees connect effectively, it can lead to better communication, stronger relationships, and enhanced problem-solving skills. One fun and engaging way to bring your team closer is through card games.
In this article, let’s see 10 great card games to foster teamwork, creativity, and laughter in the workplace. These activities are simple and can be played during lunch breaks, staff meetings, or training sessions.
10 Team Building Card Games for the Workplace
Here are some of the best card games that are suitable for your teams.
#1. Memory Match
This is a classic game that encourages focus, recall, and teamwork. Here the teams compete to match the pairs of cards, working together to test their memory.
Time: 10-15 minutes
Materials: A standard deck of cards or customized cards with workplace-related terms or images
Participants: 3-10 people per group
Instructions
- Shuffle the cards and lay them face down in a grid format.
- Ask the teams to take turns flipping over two cards to find matching pairs.
- If a match is found, allow the team to keep the pair and take another turn.
- Use cards relevant to workplace concepts, such as company values, to make the activity meaningful.
Debrief
Discuss how well the team communicated during the challenge and what strategies were used to remember card locations. Highlight the ways this skill could enhance problem-solving in the workplace.
#2. Reverse Charades
Reverse Charades is a twist on the classic game where the entire team acts out a word or phrase while one person guesses. This game promotes creativity, quick thinking, and effective communication.
Time: 15-20 minutes
Materials: A set of index cards or paper slips with workplace-related phrases
Participants: 3-8 people per group
Instructions
- Split the participants into teams.
- One person from the team will be the guesser, while the rest act out the word or phrase.
- Each team takes turns selecting a card and acting out the phrase without speaking.
- The guesser has a time limit (e.g., 1-2 minutes) to correctly guess the word or phrase.
Debrief
Reflect on how well the team collaborated to communicate the word or phrase. Consider discussing the importance of non-verbal communication in workplace interactions.
#3. Poker Face Challenge
This game tests the team’s ability to read each other’s expressions and communicate without words. It is a fun way to improve non-verbal communication skills, which are essential in the workplace.
Time: 15-20 minutes
Materials: A deck of playing cards (without jokers)
Participants: 3-10 people per group
Instructions
- Each player picks a card from the deck without showing it to anyone else.
- Players can then mingle, making eye contact and trying to form groups of four matching cards without speaking. For instance, cards of the same suit, rank, or consecutive numbers.
- Once the players find their group, they can sit down and reveal their cards.
- The team that successfully completes the challenge wins the round, and players can switch up the cards to continue playing.
Debrief
Discuss the importance of accurately reading body language and facial expressions in workplace communication. Highlight how this game can help team members improve their non-verbal communication skills.
#4. Human Bingo
This game is a fun way to get to know colleagues and break the ice on a new team. It promotes teamwork as well as communication and encourages conversations about shared interests.
Time: 15-20 minutes
Materials: Human Bingo cards with different statements or descriptions (e.g., “Has traveled to five different countries”)
Participants: Any number of people per group
Instructions
- Distribute the Human Bingo cards to each player. Each card has a grid with statements like “Plays an instrument” or “Has won an award.”
- Players must find colleagues who match the statement on their card. Once they find someone that fits the description, they can have that person sign their card.
- The first player to get a full row or column signed wins.
Debrief
Discuss the unique traits or surprising facts about colleagues discovered during the game. Highlight how this activity helps foster connections and create a fun, engaging atmosphere.
#5. Storytelling Challenge
This game encourages creativity, listening skills, and teamwork as participants work together to tell a story using a deck of cards as prompts.
Time: You decide
Materials: A deck of storytelling cards or customized cards with images or words related to your workplace
Participants: 4-10 people per group
Instructions
- Each player takes turns picking a card from the deck and incorporating it into a story.
- The next player must continue the story with the new card they pick, adding to the plot.
- The game continues until all the players have had a turn or when the group decides to conclude the story.
Debrief
Discuss how well the team members were able to listen and contribute to building a cohesive story together. Consider discussing how this activity can translate into teamwork in problem-solving situations.
#6. Fact or Fiction
This game is an excellent way to get coworkers talking and sharing information about themselves while also testing their ability to spot false statements. It encourages communication, trust, and builds connections within teams.
Time: 10-15 minutes
Materials: Pre-written statements (half true and half false) about team members on cards or pieces of paper
Participants: Groups of 3-6 individuals
Instructions
- Each person takes turns reading a statement about themselves aloud, and the rest of the group must guess if it is fact or fiction.
- After everyone guesses, the person reveals the truth behind the statement.
- Players can discuss and share more details about their experiences related to the statements.
Debrief
Discuss how this game helped the team members learn more about each other and build trust through honest communication. Highlight how this skill can enhance teamwork in problem-solving situations, where honesty and open communication are crucial.
#7. Card Tower Builders
This is a challenging activity that encourages problem-solving, collaboration, and patience. Here the teams must work together to build the tallest card tower possible without it toppling over.
Time: 10-15 minutes
Materials: A deck of playing cards for each group (without jokers)
Participants: 3-6 people per group
Instructions
- Each team receives a deck of cards and has 3-5 minutes to plan their strategy.
- Once the time is up, they have a set amount of time to build their tower.
- At the end of the time limit, teams measure their towers to determine the winner.
Debrief
Discuss how well the teams communicated, collaborated, and problem-solved during the activity. Reflect on the importance of teamwork and patience in achieving a common goal.
#8. Team Poker
This is a fun twist on the traditional poker game that promotes decision-making and collaboration. Instead of individual players, teams work together to create the best hand and strategize collectively.
Time: You decide
Materials: A standard deck of cards and poker chips (optional)
Participants: Two or more teams of 2-5 people each
Instructions
- Deal a standard hand of poker to each team.
- Allow the teams to discuss their cards and decide which cards to keep or discard.
- Proceed with the game as a typical poker round, focusing on team decisions rather than individual moves.
- Use chips or points to track wins across multiple rounds.
Debrief
Talk about the importance of collaboration in decision-making. Discuss how pooling ideas and communicating effectively can lead to better outcomes in workplace scenarios.
#9. New Shapes
This game focuses on communication and problem-solving skills as teams work together to arrange a set of cards in a specific triangle pattern. Here the teams must work together and communicate clearly to successfully complete the challenge.
Time: 10-15 minutes
Materials: A deck of playing cards for each team (without jokers)
Participants: 3-6 people per team
Instructions
- Give each team a deck of cards and explain that they have 5 minutes to arrange the cards into a perfect triangle, with one card at the top, two in the second row, etc.
- Teams must communicate and collaborate to figure out how to make the triangle using their remaining time.
Debrief
Discuss how well the teams communicated and collaborated during the activity. Reflect on how effective communication can lead to successful problem-solving in various workplace scenarios.
#10. Card Negotiation
This game promotes negotiation and strategic thinking. Here the teams work together to build the best hand possible by trading cards with other groups.
Time: You decide
Materials: A standard deck of playing cards for each team (without jokers)
Participants: Three or more teams of 2-4 people each
Instructions
- Each team receives a set of cards and has a few minutes to plan their strategy.
- Teams can then negotiate with other groups to trade cards, working towards building the strongest hand possible.
- At the end of the time limit, each team can reveal their hands. The team with the best hand wins.
Debrief
Discuss how the teams communicated and negotiated during the activity. Reflect on how these skills can be applied in real-life situations, such as working towards a common goal or resolving conflicts in the workplace.
Tips for Successful Team Card Game Activities
- Set Clear Expectations: Ensure everyone understands the rules and objectives to avoid confusion.
- Create a Safe Atmosphere: Foster inclusivity and humor, ensuring it remains light-hearted.
- Rotate Roles: If applicable, rotate participants in leadership roles during gameplay to build confidence and adaptability.
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Final Words
Card games are not only a fun addition to team building but also a great way to enhance workplace culture. These games create space for employees to connect, share laughs, and develop bonds that carry over into professional tasks. Give these card games a try at your next staff meeting, and watch your groups thrive!
FAQ: Team Building Card Games
You might have these questions in mind.
Can these card games be adapted for virtual teams?
Absolutely! With some modifications, these card games can also be played virtually through video conferencing platforms or online team building tools. For example, instead of physically trading cards, teams can communicate and negotiate card trades through messaging or chat features. Additionally, virtual team members can use their own deck of cards or digital card games to participate in the activities.
Are there any safety concerns with these activities?
As with any physical activity, it’s important to ensure that participants are aware of any potential risks and take necessary precautions to avoid injuries. Encourage teams to communicate clearly and work together safely during gameplay. Also, consider assigning a designated safety officer for each team to monitor and address any potential hazards.
How many people can play these card games at once?
These card games can be played with anywhere from 2-6 teams, depending on the specific game instructions and materials available. Adjust the number of participants per team to accommodate the size of your group. Additionally, consider having teams rotate players during gameplay to give everyone a chance to participate and develop their skills.
