Library of teambuilding games & icebreakers

How to play 10 ways to kill a new idea

If you want to be sure everyone really has an open mind and is ready to bring creative ideas to the table, start by having everyone talk about what not to do. You can use a whiteboard or even a poster-size sheet of paper. Ask everyone to share thoughts on the best ways to kill a new idea. Make a comprehensive list and then use discussion to narrow down the top 10.

Then, make a commitment as a group that you will not do these things as you complete the day’s work. This creates an environment where everyone is open to new ideas and ready to work together.

How to play Movie elevator pitch

You may have heard of an “elevator pitch”, where people have a brief summary prepared in advance about what they do, or what their company does. This is an important skill for everyone to have for networking and connecting with other professionals. This game helps workers to practice these skills and get a little creative in the process.

Start by choosing a movie and then asking employees to create a short elevator pitch regarding something present in the movie. For example, they might want to create a pitch based on Batman’s mask or an engagement ring from your favorite rom-com. See how everyone incorporates innovative marketing strategies and descriptions into their elevator pitches.

Explanation:

‍Teams are given a fictional crisis, like a hacked server or a flooded event venue, and they have to come up with solutions to save the day. Remote workers focus on virtual solutions, while in-office workers handle the on-the-ground details.

In this hybrid version, the remote team is tasked with brainstorming virtual fixes—like tech solutions, backup plans, or virtual client support. Meanwhile, the in-office team works on practical strategies to tackle the crisis on-site, whether that’s coordinating logistics, handling communications, or finding last-minute resources. Both teams need to collaborate and stay in sync under time pressure to solve the crisis together.

Finally, everyone shares their strategies to see how they tackled the issue from different angles. It’s a fun, fast-paced way to boost problem-solving skills while bringing remote and office workers together.

How to play Boxes and bells

This is a great one for holiday events! You’ll need five boxes and 15 small round bells. In each box, place between 1 and 5 bells (so 1 bell, 2 bells, and so on). Make sure they are in random order, and then task each player with picking up and shaking the box, then guessing the number of bells. Their ultimate goal is to reorganize the boxes based on the number of bells inside. Have each player try and whoever does it fastest wins.

How to play Balance challenge

Sometimes called the “helium stick” exercise, this game creates engagement in a group and paves the way for more group learning. Have your group break into two groups and form rows. The two rows should be facing each other. Then, ask everyone to hold out their index fingers and place a long, thin rod across everyone’s fingers. They need to ensure it’s level before going further. Then, instruct them to move the rod up or down, but as a group where the rod stays level.

Teams will navigate a web-like course blindfolded, guided only by verbal instructions from their teammates. This task sheds light on the importance of clear communication, active listening, and trust. As participants navigate the course, they'll realize that effective communication is the cornerstone of successful collaboration.

Instructions

• Set up a course with obstacles, twists, and turns.
• Divide participants into pairs – one blindfolded and one giving instructions.
• Teams take turns guiding their blindfolded partner through the course using only verbal cues.
• Encourage descriptive language, patience, and adaptability.
• Evaluate based on successful navigation and the quality of communication.

In speed stack showdown, teams race to stack cups into pyramids and then break them down as quickly as possible. It’s a fast-paced, high-energy competition that tests agility, coordination, and the ability to keep cool under pressure!

This game is perfect for bringing some excitement into the office and getting everyone moving. Plus, it’s a great way to build team spirit with a little bit of chaos.

How to play:

• Split into teams and give each team a set of cups.
• Teams stack the cups into pyramids and then break them down as fast as possible.
• The fastest team to complete the challenge wins!

How to play Keychain Sharing

Sometimes bringing a physical object into play can add a new and more personal element. For this activity, have everyone sit in a circle and then place their keyring in front of them. Everyone should talk about which keys are on their ring and why.

They can also talk about any keychains they have and why they are meaningful. Go around in a circle clockwise or counter-clockwise and make sure everyone has a chance to share uninterrupted. If you want to take things a step further, take another spin around the group and have everyone share one insight they gained by hearing about others’ keys.

Rev up your office adventure with the Desk Dash Dash, a high-energy escapade through the corridors of cubicles and the realms of workstations. Teams must maneuver through a maze of office furniture, execute synchronized chair spins, and complete paperclip toss challenges. The twist? Team members can only use office supplies to communicate and navigate. The rush is on, and the winner takes the title of the ultimate Desk Dash Dash champion!

Instructions

• Form teams with a mix of skills.
• Create a course with obstacles through the office space.
• Teams navigate the course, completing challenges at each station.
• Use only office supplies for communication during the challenge.
• The first team to complete the course wins.

How to play Living map

This is an enlightening game for companies with geographically scattered teams. If you have people working throughout the country (or world), and you have the opportunity to get everyone together, it can be fun to get a visual of where everyone is from. Buy or create a large paper that you can spread on the ground. Challenge everyone to place themselves on the paper according to their location on a map. This requires some creativity and also geographical knowledge. It’s extra fun to see everyone mill around trying to find their “spot”.

How to play:

Provide employees with materials to create storyboards that illustrate a safety scenario and its resolution. Display the storyboards and have a voting process to select the best ones. Offer prizes for the top storyboards.

Safety storyboards combine creativity with safety awareness, making it an engaging way to discuss and visualize safety procedures. It encourages employees to think through safety scenarios and communicate them effectively. Plus, it’s a fun and artistic activity.

How to play Review lottery

If customer service is part of your company culture, reviews are important. One fun way to incentivize more positive reviews and reward your team for great performance is by holding drawings of reviews. Every week, pick the new reviews submitted and print them - both bad and good - and then randomly draw one. If the review is positive, reward your team with a pizza lunch or other small prize. If the review is negative, share the feedback with your team and host a discussion on how to improve.

You might even add some low-stakes repercussions such as having to take out the trash or replace the water filter for non-stellar reviews. Note: this sort of contest tends to work better than simply encouraging employees to ask for reviews. In those cases, the most outgoing and charismatic staff tend to get the most reviews, not necessarily the ones who serve customers best. A random drawing rewards the entire team while still highlighting individuals that might be mentioned. Getting more positive reviews can become an important goal for everyone in the department - more positive reviews equals more chances at fun perks.

Ah, the classic game of Never have I ever. A staple at college parties and now...the office? Yes, that's right. This game can actually be a great team-building activity in the workplace.

How to play:

1. Gather a group of players and sit in a circle.
2. Each player takes turns stating something they have never done.
3. Anyone who has done that thing must take a forefit or lose a point.
4. The game continues with each player taking turns sharing something they’ve never done.
5. The winner is the last player left with points.
   

Now, you may be thinking, Why would we play a drinking game at work? Fear not, my friend. You can swap the drinks for something a bit more appropriate, like standing on one leg or raising both arms. It's a fun way to get to know your colleagues better and find out about their interesting experiences. Plus, it can help break down barriers and foster a more relaxed work environment. Just make sure you keep it professional and stick to appropriate topics. Cheers to that!

This game is another version of story-telling, but with a few twists that make it a little more involved. This game is really more of an improv exercise.

How to play Late for work

1. Begin by choosing a “stage” where the game will play out - it should be a spot that everyone present has a clear view of.
2. The first person will kick things off by entering the space and pretending to be late for work. They should come up with a funny or outlandish reason why they are late, and elaborate.
3. A second person will play the “boss” and ask why they are late. Here again, the more personality they show, the better. Once those two complete their “scene”, they sit down to observe the others, and the process begins again.
4. Two more volunteers will come up and improv the late to work scene, using a new work venue and new excuses. The game is complete once everyone has had a chance to pair off and do the exercise.

Another classic game, the javelin toss, was played alongside the discus. It would be impossible to throw a javelin in the office unless you have extraordinarily high ceilings or none at all.

How to play Pencil toss

Use what you have in the office and grab some pencils to create a miniature version of the javelin.

Like rubber band archery, mark a point where you will throw the pencil. Since the pencil will not stick to the ground, you can establish who has thrown it farthest by marking off the point with tape. Alternatively, the game can use a trash can or open container, and see which team can make the most accurate shots.

If you're a younger team with an appetite for video games, this might be worth a try!

Among Us is an online game where an ‘imposter’ attempts to eliminate members of the ‘crew’ without being discovered.

How to play Among us

The game can only be played by a maximum of ten players, so you might want to consider putting together a league if you have a larger workforce.

Want to get people talking? Get the team’s creative juices flowing? Instigate some laughs and spark some fun into the day? This energizer will be ideal.

How to play Isn’t that crazy?

To play, gather around in a circle and explain that they’ll be working together to tell a story. The catch is that they’re only allowed to say 3 words at a time!

After designating a direction (e.g. counter-clockwise), one person begins by saying “Isn’t that crazy?” Whoever’s next then continues the tale with 3 words of their own – a process that continues until the story reaches a natural conclusion. The wackier, wilder, and more random the story, the better. For instance:

• Person 1 “Isn’t that crazy?”
• Person 2 “That the team”
• Person 3 “Has a big”
• Person 4 “Bad wolf waiting”
• Person 5 “In the cupboard”
• Person 6 “That loves to”
• Person 7 “Eat lazy receptionists”
• Person 8 “But dislikes it”
• Person 9 “When people sing”…

How to play Shout Out

In this game, members collaborate and contribute by shouting out some ideas. You’ll need some sort of white board or flip chart, and plan for 3 - 10 people in a group. First come up with a problem that you want to discuss. For example, “How can we reduce waste in our production process?” or “How can we bring that new product to market one week faster?” Give each person the opportunity to yell out an idea so that the whole group can hear. Once everyone has had a chance to speak, ask the group to come to a consensus on the best option, and then hold a discussion about it. Why is it the best idea? What makes it workable, etc? Also, did everyone feel listened to? How did the results from this process differ from just speaking to each other?

This gives your employees a chance to learn more about problem solving processes and cooperation, in addition to potential solutions to real business issues.

How to play Who Said It?

For this game, you’ll need to have several quotes from famous individuals prepared. Start by giving everyone a quote and challenging them to guess who said it. Whoever submits the first correct answer wins. It’s easiest to have pieces of paper with the quotes printed on them, that you can just hand out as people enter the room.

Boost creativity, spontaneity, and teamwork through engaging improv exercises.

Materials needed:

• A spacious room for movement
• No props required – just the team and their imagination

Instructions on how to play:

1. Gather the team in a comfortable space.
2. Lead the team through various improv exercises, encouraging creativity, quick thinking, and collaboration.
3. Focus on activities that require participants to build on each other's ideas and support one another.
4. Reflect on the experience afterward, discussing how the skills learned can be applied to the workplace.

Why it's a great team building game:

• Think on your feet: Improv sharpens creative thinking and adaptability.
• Team harmony: Encourages teamwork as participants must rely on each other's ideas.
• Fun factor: Injects a dose of laughter and enjoyment into the team dynamic.

Top tip to help the game run smoothly:

• Create a comfortable and non-judgmental environment. The goal is to have fun and build camaraderie, so ensure everyone feels supported and encouraged to participate.

21 Questions is the perfect game for passing the time, learning more about each other, and exercising critical thinking skills. Here’s how it works:

One person in the group thinks of an individual (e.g. a celebrity), a place, an animal, or an object. Then everyone else takes turns asking “yes/no” questions to work out what it is! The aim of the game is to work together to find the answer as quickly as possible. If they don’t succeed within 21 questions, they lose.

Here’s an example where Player One is thinking of an elephant:

• Player Two: “Is it an animal?”
• Player One: “Yes.”
• Player Three: “Does it fly?”
• Player One: “No.”
• Player Four: “Is it a large animal?”
• Player One: “Yes.”
• Player Two: “Does it live in Africa?”
• Player One: “Yes.”
• Player Three: “Is it a giraffe?”
• Player One: “No.”
• Player Four: “Is it an elephant?”
• Player One: “Yes.”

They’d then swap roles, with Player Four (i.e. the person who guessed the answer) thinking of something for everyone else to guess.

Letter game masters will enjoy this one. Wordwheel is a vocabulary game that really gets your brain into gear. Wordwheel relies on quick thinking and seeking the jackpot word. You need to look up some 9-letter words beforehand. These words will be used inside your wordwheel.  

How to Play:

Draw a wheel on the board that has 8 segments on the outside, and one circle in the middle for the 9th key letter. 2 teams need to create as many as possible using the middle letter and any of the others. Set a timer and see how many words your teams come up with. Remember: there is one 9-letter word that’s worth 5 points, so encourage your teams to find this one too!

How to play Family portraits

A group of people creates a tableau of a specific group member. Everyone must work together to put together an image that closely resembles the subject.

Throwing the discus was one of the first Olympic sports introduced in ancient Greece, so it’s a must-add to your Office Olympics roster. Frisbee is also an easy game to play in and out of the office, should you decide to use a sunny day and have access to outdoor space.

How to play Paper plate frisbee

If you’re stuck inside, there’s no reason to give up the game; instead, get creative, and instead of buying a frisbee, use a paper plate from the office kitchen. There will be less risk of breaking anything in the office, and it’s using materials used, hence being true to the event's purpose.  

Mark off where each team member’s frisbee lands and the team that threw the furthest distance is the winner.