This creative drawing exercise helps everyone get to know each other better. Have each participant draw their own “coat of arms” that is unique to them, representing the characteristics or important accomplishments that make them who they are. When everyone is finished drawing, they should share with the group. For very large groups, it’s more effective to break people into smaller teams for sharing. For added camaraderie, create a coat of arms gallery in your office where everyone can display their creations.
This creative drawing exercise helps everyone get to know each other better. Have each participant draw their own “coat of arms” that is unique to them, representing the characteristics or important accomplishments that make them who they are. When everyone is finished drawing, they should share with the group. For very large groups, it’s more effective to break people into smaller teams for sharing. For added camaraderie, create a coat of arms gallery in your office where everyone can display their creations.
Ready to put your employee’s engineering skills to the test? Paper Tower challenges your team to build the highest tower using nothing but a few sheets of A4.
Ready to put your employee’s engineering skills to the test? Paper Tower challenges your team to build the highest tower using nothing but a few sheets of A4.
Great for: Problem-solving, communication, collaboration
Duration: 5-10 minutes
Players: 6+
You’ll need: A4 paper
Setup: Divide your group into teams of about 4-6 players and give each team several sheets of A4 paper. It’s up to you how many pieces of paper you hand out, but make sure each team is provided with the same number.
To play: Teams have just five minutes to build the tallest tower possible using the paper provided. Teams are not allowed to use any bonding materials to strengthen their tower. Don’t forget to keep teams updated on the time by announcing how much time is left. Once the five minutes are up, measure the highest tower and discuss with each team what went well and what went wrong.
For this game, you’ll need several different colored candies. Write on the board one question per color, for example purple means “Do you have a pet?” and red means “Did you go to college and where?” Then, have everyone take 3 candies randomly from your supply. The 3 colors they get represent the three questions they’ll ask their neighbor. In this way, people can have fresh conversations and not just repeat the usual getting-to-know-you questions over and over.
For this game, you’ll need several different colored candies. Write on the board one question per color, for example purple means “Do you have a pet?” and red means “Did you go to college and where?” Then, have everyone take 3 candies randomly from your supply. The 3 colors they get represent the three questions they’ll ask their neighbor. In this way, people can have fresh conversations and not just repeat the usual getting-to-know-you questions over and over.
There’s something to be said about being kind and spreading positive vibes. While it may seem like “good vibes” is just tossed around flippantly, there is compelling evidence that being excellent and complementary is good for your health.
There’s something to be said about being kind and spreading positive vibes. While it may seem like “good vibes” is just tossed around flippantly, there is compelling evidence that being excellent and complementary is good for your health.
One person, likely the team leader, gets the ball rolling and asks team members to go around the circle and give a compliment to someone on their team. It can be as simple as thanking someone for being so knowledgeable and helping you figure out a computer malfunction, or more specifically, to a project the whole team is working on together.
Materials you’ll need: Just your team and, ideally, outdoor space
How many people: Small to mid-sized teams (8-16 people)
Picture your team exploring global cultures in a hands-on way. The Cultural Traditions Race isn't your typical history lesson; it's an immersive experience. You'll cook, dance, and dive into traditions from various corners of the world. The catch? You're in it together. As you step into unfamiliar shoes and embrace new customs, you'll learn to communicate across differences, adapt on the fly, and appreciate the beauty of diversity. It's like a crash course in teamwork that leaves you with a deeper connection and a broader perspective.
Picture your team exploring global cultures in a hands-on way. The Cultural Traditions Race isn't your typical history lesson; it's an immersive experience. You'll cook, dance, and dive into traditions from various corners of the world. The catch? You're in it together. As you step into unfamiliar shoes and embrace new customs, you'll learn to communicate across differences, adapt on the fly, and appreciate the beauty of diversity. It's like a crash course in teamwork that leaves you with a deeper connection and a broader perspective.
Host a fashion show where employees model various types of personal protective equipment (PPE). Have participants walk the runway and explain the purpose of each piece of equipment. Judges can score the presentations, and winners receive prizes.A PPE fashion show catwalk adds a fun and creative twist to learning about essential safety gear. It helps employees become more familiar with the equipment they should be using and encourages them to take PPE seriously. Watching coworkers strut their stuff is always hilarious
Host a fashion show where employees model various types of personal protective equipment (PPE). Have participants walk the runway and explain the purpose of each piece of equipment. Judges can score the presentations, and winners receive prizes.
A PPE fashion show catwalk adds a fun and creative twist to learning about essential safety gear. It helps employees become more familiar with the equipment they should be using and encourages them to take PPE seriously. Watching coworkers strut their stuff is always hilarious
Heads-up! No, we’re not talking about a safety warning, we’re talking about the app game that's taken the world by storm. And guess what? It's not just for playing with friends on a night out. This game can also be a hoot in the office.
Heads-up! No, we’re not talking about a safety warning, we’re talking about the app game that's taken the world by storm. And guess what? It's not just for playing with friends on a night out. This game can also be a hoot in the office.
Heads-up! is a fantastic opportunity to promote better communication and teamwork, as well as help to break the ice among new colleagues. Current members will also benefit as it's a welcome change to ordinary office chit-chat.
TV gameshows are not just for the TV! In this adaptation of the classic show Family Feud, your employees will be able to showcase their quick decision making skills, as well as their general knowledge and intelligence.
TV gameshows are not just for the TV! In this adaptation of the classic show Family Feud, your employees will be able to showcase their quick decision making skills, as well as their general knowledge and intelligence.
Surveys could be taken internally or taken from national survey websites to involve a whole range of different topics.
Remote workers solve clues sent by in-office colleagues to identify specific office landmarks or objects, using virtual walk-throughs or photos.In-office workers come up with cryptic clues about various spots or objects in the office (like a quirky poster on the wall or the location of the best coffee machine), and remote workers have to figure out the location using virtual office walk-throughs, photos, or even quick video tours. The remote team submits their guesses, and the in-office team reveals the answers. It’s a fun, puzzle-solving challenge that makes both in-office and remote workers feel like they’re part of the same environment.
Remote workers solve clues sent by in-office colleagues to identify specific office landmarks or objects, using virtual walk-throughs or photos.
In-office workers come up with cryptic clues about various spots or objects in the office (like a quirky poster on the wall or the location of the best coffee machine), and remote workers have to figure out the location using virtual office walk-throughs, photos, or even quick video tours. The remote team submits their guesses, and the in-office team reveals the answers.
It’s a fun, puzzle-solving challenge that makes both in-office and remote workers feel like they’re part of the same environment.
Another worldwide classic game that has stood the test of time is “Story Cubes.” There are hundreds of variations of stories available, from simple daily scenarios to extravagant and epic fantasies. The game is open-ended and revolves around a collection of cubes. Each side of a cube has an idea that continues a story, in a chain of events. Scour online resources for some templates, or create your own. Sometimes, the more random, the better!
Another worldwide classic game that has stood the test of time is “Story Cubes.” There are hundreds of variations of stories available, from simple daily scenarios to extravagant and epic fantasies.
The game is open-ended and revolves around a collection of cubes. Each side of a cube has an idea that continues a story, in a chain of events. Scour online resources for some templates, or create your own. Sometimes, the more random, the better!
For remote teams, staying fit and healthy can be a challenge. No longer do we need to walk or cycle to work, we just roll out of bed and place ourselves at our desks.Sometimes, a little healthy competition is enough to give people the incentive they need.
For remote teams, staying fit and healthy can be a challenge. No longer do we need to walk or cycle to work, we just roll out of bed and place ourselves at our desks.
Sometimes, a little healthy competition is enough to give people the incentive they need.
To play this game, think of a challenge like ‘run 1 kilometre every day.’ Everybody needs to prove that they completed the challenge each day (by showing a GPS route, for example). Every time the challenge is completed/failed it gets marked on a calendar. At the end of the month, the team member with the most completed days wins a prize!
It’s time to see who’s the office know-it-all with trivia smackdown! Split into teams, answer rapid-fire trivia questions, and see who can come out on top. You’ll cover everything from history to pop culture—and probably learn who’s been secretly binge-watching obscure documentaries.This is a laid-back way to get the team thinking and laughing, and maybe stir up some friendly rivalry.
It’s time to see who’s the office know-it-all with trivia smackdown! Split into teams, answer rapid-fire trivia questions, and see who can come out on top. You’ll cover everything from history to pop culture—and probably learn who’s been secretly binge-watching obscure documentaries.
This is a laid-back way to get the team thinking and laughing, and maybe stir up some friendly rivalry.
In What's My Name?, team members use clues to help a participant guess the famous person's name on their forehead.
In What's My Name?, team members use clues to help a participant guess the famous person's name on their forehead.
Instructions on how to play:
Why it's a great team building game:
Top tip to help the game run smoothly: Choose a diverse list of famous people to cater to different interests within the team. Encourage creativity in providing clues and celebrate the humor that arises from the game.
Instead of one person acting out a word or phrase, the entire team acts it out while one person guesses. This will definitely encourage team work!
Instead of one person acting out a word or phrase, the entire team acts it out while one person guesses. This will definitely encourage team work!
Materials needed: None
Benefits:
Here’s a game that demands timing and cat-like reflexes. It’s a rework of musical chairs, something that we’ve all played in childhood at least once. The game is fast-paced and competitive, making it a perfect team energizer. You’ll need a group of 4 to 10 people, a table and an amount of cups that is one less than the number of players you have. Basically, one person is going to be eliminated each round!
Here’s a game that demands timing and cat-like reflexes. It’s a rework of musical chairs, something that we’ve all played in childhood at least once. The game is fast-paced and competitive, making it a perfect team energizer. You’ll need a group of 4 to 10 people, a table and an amount of cups that is one less than the number of players you have. Basically, one person is going to be eliminated each round!
Cups can be full or empty as people play, and as with our other drinking games, choose a beverage that’s easy to clean up and applies to your work setting. Organize it during a work happy hour to get the party started. We’ll say cheers to that!
They say you can learn a lot about someone by looking at their home, which is probably why workspace tours are such good ways to build trust in remote teams!
They say you can learn a lot about someone by looking at their home, which is probably why workspace tours are such good ways to build trust in remote teams!
There’s absolutely nothing complicated about this activity. It’s as simple as giving each employee a chance to show their colleagues where they work. They pick up their laptop, smartphone, tablet, or webcam, giving the team a quick tour of their office – or wherever they happen to be working that day.
It’s surprisingly fun though! Employees learn new things about each other, discover mutual interests, reveal their quirks and eccentricities, and gain a much clearer picture of who they work with.
Expect giggles, jokes, friendly banter, and fresh camaraderie to ensue.
You can do these tours at any time. However, we think they’re most enjoyable when saved for morning meetings or the final group video call of the day. Take that approach and you either start or finish the workday with something light-hearted. It’ll set a positive tone and put a smile on people’s faces.
What you need:
One of the most popular sales training activities and a simple workplace competition, in this game you simply hand each person a pen and have them take a turn selling it to the larger group. What is the sales pitch? What are the questions and objections? Who has the best selling points? After the activity, have a discussion about what stuck out to everyone - what worked and what didn’t. Not only does this force people to get more comfortable with public speaking, but everyone can learn some new tricks, too.
One of the most popular sales training activities and a simple workplace competition, in this game you simply hand each person a pen and have them take a turn selling it to the larger group. What is the sales pitch? What are the questions and objections? Who has the best selling points? After the activity, have a discussion about what stuck out to everyone - what worked and what didn’t. Not only does this force people to get more comfortable with public speaking, but everyone can learn some new tricks, too.
Fun Field Day games for adults don’t get much better than wheelbarrow races. It’s another activity you may remember fondly from childhood – a silly, light-hearted, and surprisingly physical race where teams of two use their bodies to form the shape of a wheelbarrow! Here’s how it works: The group divides into pairs, with one player as the “wheelbarrow” and the other as the “driver” Whoever is the wheelbarrow lies face down on the ground as if they’re going to do a push-up Whoever is the driver then takes the wheelbarrow’s feet in their hands, lifting their legs up at the same time as their partner pushes up with their hands The resulting pose resembles someone pushing a wheelbarrow! However, instead of having wheels, the person in front (i.e., the wheelbarrow) uses their hands/arms to move while the driver walks forward normally. As for the race itself, you set a start and end point and get everyone to line up in position. When the whistle blows, they have to walk/run together as fast as possible to the finish! Once there, they swap roles and then race back to the start. The first pair to complete both journeys wins.
Fun Field Day games for adults don’t get much better than wheelbarrow races. It’s another activity you may remember fondly from childhood – a silly, light-hearted, and surprisingly physical race where teams of two use their bodies to form the shape of a wheelbarrow!
The resulting pose resembles someone pushing a wheelbarrow! However, instead of having wheels, the person in front (i.e., the wheelbarrow) uses their hands/arms to move while the driver walks forward normally.
As for the race itself, you set a start and end point and get everyone to line up in position. When the whistle blows, they have to walk/run together as fast as possible to the finish! Once there, they swap roles and then race back to the start. The first pair to complete both journeys wins.
Present a challenging problem or scenario to the team and ask them to generate as many creative solutions as possible within a given time limit.Example: A customer is complaining about a refund they are not entitled to. How do you convey the bad news without losing her custom?
Present a challenging problem or scenario to the team and ask them to generate as many creative solutions as possible within a given time limit.
Example: A customer is complaining about a refund they are not entitled to. How do you convey the bad news without losing her custom?
Materials needed: Whiteboard or flipchart, markers
Benefits:
Another activity utilizing an online whiteboard, the Four-Step Sketch develops scrum skills and rapid ideation as teams work together to find solutions.
Another activity utilizing an online whiteboard, the Four-Step Sketch develops scrum skills and rapid ideation as teams work together to find solutions.
Step 1: Present a challenge (e.g., design an app dashboard). Each member sketches their own solution.
Step 2: Break into teams, share and discuss sketches in breakout rooms.
Step 3: Teams combine the best ideas into one refined design.
Step 4:Reassemble to present and explain final solutions, focusing on iterative improvement.
Scrum values are promoted when everyone comes together to share their sketch and innovate a new solution.
Example challenges:
a. Design a user-friendly app dashboard
b. Sketch a creative marketing campaign
c. Design a remote team-building activity
d. Visualize our sprint workflow
In this energizing game, everyone stands in a circle. One person stands in the middle and their job is to find a “target” within the circle. They take turns looking around the circle and choosing one person to point to. Then, they’ll point to a person and they should try to jump out of the way or crouch in time to be “missed” by their pointing. If the leader does miss them, they stay in the game. If they’ve been “hit”, they leave the circle. This game is sure to lead to a lot of laughs. For more fast, minute-to-win-it games, check out our past post.
In this energizing game, everyone stands in a circle. One person stands in the middle and their job is to find a “target” within the circle. They take turns looking around the circle and choosing one person to point to. Then, they’ll point to a person and they should try to jump out of the way or crouch in time to be “missed” by their pointing. If the leader does miss them, they stay in the game. If they’ve been “hit”, they leave the circle. This game is sure to lead to a lot of laughs. For more fast, minute-to-win-it games, check out our past post.
In this fast-paced game, players try to steal flags from each other's territories. The game is helpful for strategic thinking and promotes togetherness. You’ll need two to four teams with between 4-8 players. Each team should spend a few minutes creating their flag, and then find an open space where the teams can each hide their flag and have everyone attempt to come steal their flag.
In this fast-paced game, players try to steal flags from each other's territories. The game is helpful for strategic thinking and promotes togetherness. You’ll need two to four teams with between 4-8 players. Each team should spend a few minutes creating their flag, and then find an open space where the teams can each hide their flag and have everyone attempt to come steal their flag.
Most likely everyone is familiar with the old game Pictionary. This activity puts a spin on the traditional game, focusing on adaptability and quick-thinking. Adaptability is highly important in agile practices, with most teams needing to respond to changes while mid-task.
Most likely everyone is familiar with the old game Pictionary. This activity puts a spin on the traditional game, focusing on adaptability and quick-thinking. Adaptability is highly important in agile practices, with most teams needing to respond to changes while mid-task. This game helps with that, so here’s how to set it up:
Get everyone into pairs or small groups, with one person from each group starting out as the “artist.” The artist draws a prompt that you give them, such as “team goal” or “product feature.” Halfway through, introduce a new element to what they need to draw, like “user feedback” or “project roadblock.” They need to adjust the drawing on the fly, while everybody else throws out their guesses.
Do you have some gamers in your crew? If so, set up a large projection screen, some comfy seating, snacks, and drinks, and let everyone go nuts. Make sure you have a variety of controllers and games available and plenty of space for everyone who is not actively playing a game at the moment. Keep things really comfortable and casual. This is a great activity for an office-takeover type of event or a fun Friday activity to close out the week.
Do you have some gamers in your crew? If so, set up a large projection screen, some comfy seating, snacks, and drinks, and let everyone go nuts. Make sure you have a variety of controllers and games available and plenty of space for everyone who is not actively playing a game at the moment. Keep things really comfortable and casual. This is a great activity for an office-takeover type of event or a fun Friday activity to close out the week.