10 Team Building Strategy Games for the Workplace
Are you in search of some team building strategy games for the workplace?
Using strategy exercises in the workplace can be an effective way to improve teamwork, communication, problem-solving skills, and overall morale. Not only do these games provide a break from the daily routine, but they also encourage employees to work together towards a common goal.
In this article, we have compiled a list of 10 strategy team building activities you can try in your workplace. These games are suitable for all types of teams, from small startups to large corporations.
10 Team Building Strategy Games for the Workplace
Here are some team building strategy exercises that you can try with your employees.
#1. The Egg Drop Challenge
In this activity, the goal is to build a contraption that will protect a raw egg from breaking when dropped from a designated height. It promotes creativity, problem-solving skills, and collaboration.
Time: You decide
Materials: Raw eggs, and various building materials such as straws, popsicle sticks, rubber bands, tape, cotton balls, etc.
Participants: Groups of 3-8 people
Instructions
- Divide the participants into small teams and provide each team with the necessary materials.
- Explain the challenge: Each team must construct a protective structure using the provided materials to prevent their raw egg from breaking when dropped from a specific height.
- Set a time limit for the teams to plan and build their structure.
- Once the structures are complete, have each team present their design and test it by dropping the egg from a designated height.
Debrief
Discuss the different strategies and designs used by each team. Encourage the participants to share their learnings, challenges faced, and how they collaborated to find solutions.
#2. The Marshmallow Challenge
In this exercise, teams must build a tower using only spaghetti sticks, tape, and string, with a marshmallow placed at the top. It promotes critical thinking skills and teamwork.
Time: 15-20 minutes
Materials: Spaghetti sticks, tape, string, and marshmallows
Participants: Groups of 3-8 people
Instructions
- Divide the participants into small teams and provide each team with the necessary materials.
- Explain the challenge: Each team must build the tallest possible structure using only spaghetti sticks, tape, and string. Then, the marshmallow must be placed on top of the structure, and it must be able to stand on its own for at least 10 seconds.
- Set a time limit for the teams to plan and build their structure.
- Once the time is up, have each team present their tower and test it by placing the marshmallow on top.
Debrief
Discuss the different strategies used by each team. Encourage the participants to share their learnings, challenges faced, and how they collaborated with their group members.
#3. Blindfolded Obstacle Course
This activity promotes trust, communication, and leadership skills. It requires one member to be blindfolded while the rest of the group guides them through an obstacle course using only verbal instructions.
Time: 15-20 minutes
Materials: Various objects to create an obstacle course
Participants: 3-6 individuals per group
Instructions
- Set up a simple obstacle course using various objects in the room.
- Divide the participants into small groups and have one group member volunteer to be blindfolded.
- The other group members must guide their blindfolded teammate through the obstacle course using only verbal instructions.
- Set a time limit for each group to complete the course.
Debrief
Discuss the importance of communication, trust, and leadership in completing this challenge. Encourage the participants to share their experience as the blindfolded person and how they had to rely on their group members.
#4. Escape Room
This game requires teams to solve puzzles and riddles to escape a locked room within a specific time frame. It promotes problem-solving skills, collaboration, and teamwork under pressure.
Time: 15-20 minutes
Materials: Escape room kit or online escape room platform
Participants: 3-6 individuals per group
Instructions
- Set up an escape room using a kit or an online platform.
- Divide the participants into small teams and explain the objective: to solve all the puzzles and escape the locked room within a specific time frame.
- Start the timer and let each team work together to solve the puzzles and riddles.
Debrief
Discuss how each team worked together, delegated tasks, and used critical thinking skills to escape the room. Encourage the participants to share their favorite moments from the game.
#5. Group Juggling
This is a fun activity that promotes teamwork, coordination, and communication. It requires groups to work together to keep multiple objects in the air without dropping them.
Time: 10-15 minutes
Materials: Various objects (such as balls, bean bags, or paper cups)
Participants: Teams of 3-6 members
Instructions
- Provide each team with a set of objects and explain the objective: to keep all objects in the air for as long as possible by passing them between team members.
- Set a time limit for each round.
- After each round, remove one object from play until there is only one object left and see how long the team can keep it in the air.
Debrief
Discuss the importance of communication, coordination, and teamwork in completing this challenge. Encourage the participants to share their strategies and how they adapted as the game became more challenging.
#6. Blind Drawing
This activity promotes communication, trust, and creativity. Here one team member must draw a picture by listening to the verbal instructions of their partner.
Time: 10-15 minutes
Materials: A picture, blank paper, and pencils
Participants: Pairs
Instructions
- Divide the participants into pairs, with one person as the “describer” and the other as the “artist”.
- The describer is given a picture, which they describe to the artist without showing it to them. The artist draws the picture based only on the describer’s verbal instructions.
- After a set time limit, compare the original picture with the artist’s drawing.
Debrief
Discuss how challenging it was to draw effectively without being able to see the picture. Highlight the importance of clear and specific communication in achieving a common goal.
#7. Two Truths and a Lie
This lighthearted activity encourages participants to get to know each other better while building trust and fostering connections. Here each participant shares two truthful statements and one lie about themselves, and the group must guess which one is the lie.
Time: 10-15 minutes
Materials: None
Participants: 3-6 people in a group
Instructions
- Gather the participants in a circle or seated arrangement.
- One by one, have each participant share three statements about themselves—two truths and one lie.
- The group must discuss and vote on which statement they believe is the lie.
- Repeat until every participant has had a turn.
Debrief
Discuss how this activity helps build trust and connections by encouraging the participants to share interesting or surprising facts about themselves. Highlight the importance of listening and observation in identifying the lie.
#8. Human Knot
This classic activity focuses on problem-solving, collaboration, and communication. Here the participants must work together to untangle themselves from a “human knot” without letting go of their teammates’ hands.
Time: 10-15 minutes
Materials: None
Participants: 5-10 members in a group
Instructions
- Have the participants stand in a circle and extend their hands toward the center.
- Each participant grabs the hand of two different people across the circle, forming a “knot.”
- Without letting go of their teammates’ hands, the group must work together to untangle themselves.
- If needed, allow limited guidance from a facilitator to assist with safety or clarify the rules.
Debrief
Discuss how the team approached problem-solving and worked together to untangle the knot. Highlight the importance of patience, listening, and cooperation in achieving a shared goal.
#9. Balloon Tower Challenge
This hands-on activity is designed to boost creativity, teamwork, and problem-solving skills. Here the groups must work together to build the tallest free-standing tower using only balloons and tape.
Time: 15-20 minutes
Materials: Balloons, and masking tape
Participants: Teams of 3-8 people
Instructions
- Provide each team with an equal number of balloons and a roll of masking tape.
- Explain the objective: to build the tallest free-standing tower within the given time limit.
- Allow teams some time to strategize and construct their towers.
- At the end of the time limit, measure each team’s tower and announce the winner.
Debrief
Discuss the strategies used by different teams and how they utilized creativity as well as problem-solving skills. Highlight the dynamics of collaboration and how the group members contributed to achieving the goal.
#10. Scavenger Hunt
This activity promotes teamwork, communication, and creativity. Here the teams work together to complete a list of tasks and find specific items within a given time limit.
Time: You decide
Materials: Scavenger hunt list (A list of tasks and items)
Participants: Teams of 3-8 people
Instructions
- Prepare a list of tasks to complete and items to find (e.g., take a photo with a stranger, find an object that starts with the letter “T”, etc.).
- Divide the participants into small teams and give each team a copy of the scavenger hunt list.
- Set a time limit for the teams to complete as many tasks and find as many items as possible.
Debrief
Discuss the team’s strategies for completing the scavenger hunt, communication styles, and how they worked together to accomplish their goals. Encourage the groups to reflect on how they can apply teamwork, communication, and creativity in other aspects of their lives.
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Final Words
Remember, the purpose of these games is not only to have fun but also to strengthen relationships, enhance communication, and develop essential skills that contribute to a positive work environment. Incorporating these strategy games into your workplace can foster a more cohesive and engaged team, leading to improved collaboration as well as productivity. So, gather your colleagues, embrace the spirit of friendly competition, and watch your organization thrive!
FAQ: Team Building Strategy Games
You might have these questions in mind.
How often should these activities be conducted?
It is recommended to incorporate these activities at least once every month or whenever there are significant changes within the team (e.g., new members, new projects, etc.). However, it ultimately depends on the needs and dynamics of each individual team. As a leader, it is essential to regularly assess the team’s progress and morale to determine the frequency of activities needed.
What if some team members are not comfortable with physical or competitive activities?
It is essential to consider the preferences and comfort levels of all the members when planning group activities. If some individuals are not comfortable with physical or competitive games, provide alternative options that still promote teamwork, communication, and collaboration. It is crucial to create a safe and inclusive environment for everyone to participate in these activities without feeling pressured or excluded.
Can virtual teams also benefit from these activities?
Absolutely! With the rise of remote work arrangements, it is crucial to find ways to build connections and strengthen teamwork among virtual teams. Many traditional group activities can be adapted for online platforms, such as video conferencing tools or virtual collaboration apps. It takes a bit more creativity and effort, but virtual teams can also benefit greatly from these activities. So, don’t forget to include your remote colleagues in these fun and engaging games!
