With so many team-building game types for different categories out there, it can get confusing putting a particular activity into a particular team-building type. For example, if you want to improve brainstorming ideas, a trust fall isn’t probably going to cut it…

That’s why today, we’re looking at 4 different categories of team-building games and activities, with 12 juicy suggestions for you to indulge in!

The 4 categories we’ll be looking at today are:

1. Problem-solving exercises
2. Trust-building activities
3. Brainstorming sessions
4. Company-wide retreat activities

Let’s get into this!

Problem-solving exercises

Problem-solving games? They're like the ultimate brain gym for your team. These games and activities aren’t just about finding the answers, either. It’s about how you all come together, throw ideas around, and have those lightbulb moments. It totally shifts the vibe, making everyone more open to bouncing ideas off each other back at work.

1. Mr.Beast’s Grocery Challenge!

Now, this one takes a bit of planning, but if you nail it, it could go down as one of the best problem-solving games ever to grace your company! 

This game takes inspiration from Mr. Beast’s ‘live in a grocery store’ challenge, where each day spent in there would earn the person $10k. But, apart from living in the store, the participant aimed to find items in the supermarket that were worth $10k. This would then unlock the earnings of each day.

Here’s how we can do it at a team level on a much smaller budget!

Objective: Teams must strategize to 'live' in a simulated grocery store environment, manage resources, overcome challenges, and earn 'money' through creative problem-solving and teamwork.

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Game Setup:

• Participants: Split into teams of 3-5 members.
• Materials: Simulated currency, item cards (representing grocery items), challenge cards, a 'store layout' area, and a timer.
• Environment: A room set up with different 'departments' (e.g., food, camping, electronics) marked with tape on the floor or tables designated for each.

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Game Phases:

• Planning (10 minutes): Teams plan how they will 'spend' their initial budget to 'purchase' items from the store that they think will be valuable for the challenges ahead.

• Earning (20 minutes): Teams face a series of timed challenges (drawn from challenge cards), simulating living in the store and using items they've 'purchased'. Challenges can include:

1. Creating the most valuable bundle of items from a specific department within a time limit.
2. Solving puzzles to 'unlock' additional resources.
3. Team trivia questions on survival skills, with correct answers earning more currency.

• Reflection and Donation (15 minutes): Teams calculate their total 'earnings' and reflect on their strategies. The team with the most 'money' wins. Optionally, teams can 'donate' their earnings to a chosen charity or cause, mimicking the charitable aspect of MrBeast's challenge.

2. Soma Cube

The Soma cube is this fascinating 3D puzzle that was dreamed up by Piet Hein, a Danish scientist, back in 1933. 

The cube is made up of seven quirky pieces, each formed by joining three or four little cubes together in ways that are anything but ordinary. These pieces come together to form a perfect 3x3x3 cube, but here's the catch - the configurations avoid the straightforward line of four cubes and another shape that's a bit hard to describe but equally unique.

Now, what makes the Soma cube really stand out is not just its ability to entertain. It's a brain teaser that has found its way into classrooms and offices, helping kids and adults alike sharpen their spatial reasoning and problem-solving skills. Don’t be fooled by its size either, the Soma Cube will draw in crowds all giving their 2 cents on how to solve it!

3. Rubik’s Cube Relay

Imagine taking the classic Rubik's Cube, a puzzle that usually has you scratching your head on your own, and turning it into a lively, team-focused challenge. That's exactly what the Rubik's Cube Relay is all about. 

Here, it's not just about the person's knack for solving puzzles but how well team members can work together, each taking a turn to crack one side of the cube before passing it on. This relay race of sorts transforms a solo mission into a shared adventure, where laughter, strategy discussions, and the occasional high-five are all part of the game. 

It's a clever spin on team building that encourages not just quick thinking but also clear communication and a collective determination to reach a common goal. Beyond the fun and excitement, it's a fantastic way to forge stronger connections among team members, showing how every individual's contribution is vital to the team's overall success.

Trust-building activities

Trust-building games are the real deal for team bonding. Imagine everyone ditching their work hats for a bit and diving into these fun activities. It's not just playtime – it’s about getting real with each other, tearing down those invisible walls we put up. 

Everyone ends up understanding each other better, which means back at work, communication is smoother, teamwork is tighter.

4. Goldenballs

"Golden Balls" is a game show where contestants blend strategy, psychology, and luck. They navigate rounds of cash-filled and penalty "killer" balls, aiming for a cash prize. The climax, "Split or Steal," tests trust: partners choose to share the jackpot or betray for all, risking leaving with nothing if both betray.

In our adaptation, your team gets to handle a mix of "Golden Balls," some filled with goodies, others with tricky challenges, encouraging everyone to work together and plot their strategy. 

The real tough part is the "Split or Steal" moment, where trust is put to the ultimate test. Teammates secretly decide whether to share a reward or sneakily try to grab it all for themselves. 

If both choose to share, they split the prize; if one gets greedy, they snag the whole pot, but if both get greedy, they end up with zilch. 

This game is not just about building trust; it's a playful way to get better at spotting fibs, super useful for navigating the complexities of office life. It's a brilliant mix of fun, strategy, and life lessons, all rolled into one!

5. Silent line-up

Silent Line-Up is a simple yet powerful, quick team-building activity where everyone lines up according to a certain trait, like who's tallest or who was born first, but here's the catch: you can't talk. Instead, you use hand signals or other silent cues to figure out where you belong in the line. It's like a game of charades, but you're sorting yourselves out without a word.

Example:

Participants try to line up in order of their birth dates from January to December. They might use hand gestures to signify months and days, like holding up four fingers for April or seven for the seventh day.

This game is great for teams because it makes you work together in a new way. You have to pay close attention to each other's non-verbal hints, which can be a fun challenge. It's not just about the task itself, but about learning to understand and trust your teammates without relying on words. Plus, it levels the playing field—everyone's equally important in getting the line right.

6. Skill Swap Workshop

Skill-share workshops are like a show-and-tell for grown-ups at work. Imagine your team taking turns leading mini-classes on what they do best. It could be anything from a coder sharing tips on debugging to a marketing whiz breaking down how to write a catchy slogan. Or even someone teaching how to meditate or make the perfect cup of coffee. 

This mix-and-match learning fest does more than just skill up the team; it brings everyone closer. Seeing your teammates in their element, passionate and teaching something they love, naturally builds a ton of respect and trust. It's like discovering hidden gems in people you thought you knew.

Brainstorming sessions

Group brainstorming techniques in a fun setting aren't just about having a blast; it's the ultimate team workout but with laughs and lightbulb moments instead of sweat. Think of it like this: when business throws a curveball (and oh, it will), having these fun brainstorming sessions under your belt means your team has already got their problem-solving groove on. It's like you've all been secretly training for the brainstorming Olympics.

7. Two Truths and a Lie: Brainstorm Edition

This works by getting everyone to jot down two wild, yet plausible, ideas they've been cooking up, along with one totally out-there lie, all about our current project. We circle up and take turns playing detective, trying to sniff out the fib. 

In the middle of hashing out our next big thing, Sarah throws out, "How about we blend virtual reality into our app, get AI to guess what our users will want next, or, hear me out, invent a teleport for our products?" We all crack up, tossing guesses back and forth, which unexpectedly leads us down some pretty cool rabbit holes of what's actually doable.

This game is all about mixing fun with creativity, making sure everyone's ideas get a moment in the spotlight, all while keeping the vibe light and breezy. It's a great way to loosen up, open up, and get those creative juices flowing without the pressure of being right all the time.

8. Idea Speed Dating

Think of this as mini brainstorming blind dates. Everyone pairs off, and you've got 5 minutes to hit your brainstorming partner with your best shot - an idea, a solution, a wild guess, anything goes. When time's up, we shuffle, and you're onto your next brainstorming rendezvous, maybe even spreading good ideas like juicy gossip.

For instance, John and Lisa might start off trying to crack the code on stepping up our customer service game. Time's up, John moves on to brainstorm with Alex, maybe bringing a spark of inspiration from his chat with Lisa. It's like musical chairs, but with ideas.

This method makes sure we're hearing from everyone, mixing up thoughts and building on them fast. It's a whirlwind of collaboration that not only gets the creative momentum going but also strengthens our team vibe.

9. The Idea Marketplace

Here's where we get a bit "Shark Tank". Everyone scribbles their brainwave on a slip of paper and pins it up for all to see. Then, armed with a handful of stickers (or digital thumbs-up), we all play venture capitalist, investing in the ideas that grab us. After the market closes, the ideas with the most 'backers' get the spotlight for a deeper dive.

Say we're brainstorming the next big marketing push. Everyone's ideas hit the board, and then we wander, ponder, and stick our stickers on the campaigns that make us think, "Yes! This!" The cream of the crop ideas naturally bubble up to the top, ready for us to take on.

It's a great way to make sure we're all on the ground floor of decision-making, visually showing us where our collective excitement lies. Plus, it adds a dash of competition to keep things interesting, without losing that collaborative spirit.

Company-wide retreat activities

Company-wide retreats are the grand slam of team building. The aim is to get the whole company stepping out of the office, ready for some epic bonding. But here’s the thing—it’s all about the planning. Imagine landing at this amazing retreat spot, and the only thing on the agenda is a midday snack bar. Talk about a waste of resources!

Without those engaging activities and games lined up, you’re basically just taking a pricey snack break together. So, here’s three activities to get the creative juices flowing!

10. Grabbing a Bite at a Local Gem

Imagine the whole team gathered around a big table, with laughter in the air and delicious aromas wafting from the kitchen. Dining out isn't just about the food; it's about the stories shared over each dish and the memories made. It's a chance to step away from the hustle of work and see your colleagues in a new light, all while supporting a local eatery.

Meals have a way of bringing people together like nothing else. As everyone loosens up, you'll find conversations flowing more freely, bridging gaps between departments and hierarchies.

Pro Tip: Mix up the seating! Encourage everyone to draw names to decide on seating arrangements. It's a simple trick to nudge people out of their comfort zones and spark new friendships.

11. Beach Olympics

If you’ve chosen a resort near the beach, these ones are for you! Beach Olympics is all about laughter, teamwork, and a little bit of healthy competition. Whether it's a spirited game of volleyball, a tug-of-war showdown, a quirky relay race, crafting the ultimate sandcastle, or a splashy water bucket relay, there's something for everyone.

It's the teamwork that makes the dream work here. Each game demands communication, strategy, and collaboration. Plus, the shared goal of having fun over winning helps strengthen bonds.

Pro Tip: Keep the focus on fun and inclusion. Ensure there's a variety of activities that cater to different interests and physical abilities. Celebrate the effort as much as the achievement to keep spirits high.

12. Wandering the Wilds Together

Now, envision the team stepping out into the calm of nature, following a trail that winds through the beauty of the outdoors. A nature walk is an outdoor team-building activity that allows everyone to breathe, relax, and connect on a deeper level, away from the screens and schedules.

There's something about nature that strips away the formalities and fosters genuine connections. Conversations become more heartfelt, and the shared experience of exploring the beauty around can create lasting bonds.

Pro Tip: Encourage everyone to truly immerse themselves in the experience. Suggest a digital detox during the walk to fully embrace the sounds, sights, and smells of nature. Maybe even introduce a fun element like a photo challenge or a scavenger hunt to keep things lively.

Love these ideas but not sure how to organize a company-wide retreat? Let Surf Office help!

There’s no denying it, organizing one of these bad boys retreats isn’t a walk in the park. This is why you should certainly consider allowing Surf Office to lend a hand. So why are we so confident? Well, we’ve had the pleasure of organizing over 700+ team-building retreat experiences, including for all-hands meetings, for many different companies. Here’s how what we offer:

• Stress-free transfers? We got you! ✅
• Quality-assured accommodations? Check! ✅
• Engaging team-building activities? Our speciality ✅
• Restaurant reservations? That's on us! ✅
• Expert retreat planning assistance? Of course, we have this covered! ✅
• Onsite support, tailored to your needs? Absolutely ✅

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Not only this but we also have access to 130+ locations around Europe, APAC and the US, meaning the sky is your limit when it comes to choosing the right location for you and your team.

Make team building a breeze and leave the annoying logistics to us! Book now, spaces are limited!