This game encourages players to find common ground, which can be really helpful before collaborative sessions. Break everyone up into groups of 3 or 6 and have them separate physically (such as into different meeting rooms) from the other groups. Set a timer for five minutes - that’s how long everyone has to come up with a trait that they all have in common. For example, everyone studied abroad, everyone lived in a certain neighborhood at some point, or everyone dislikes a specific food.
This game encourages players to find common ground, which can be really helpful before collaborative sessions. Break everyone up into groups of 3 or 6 and have them separate physically (such as into different meeting rooms) from the other groups. Set a timer for five minutes - that’s how long everyone has to come up with a trait that they all have in common. For example, everyone studied abroad, everyone lived in a certain neighborhood at some point, or everyone dislikes a specific food.
Brag & boost is an uplifting, in-office activity where one person highlights an achievement, and another praises a colleague’s success. It’s a simple but effective way to foster positivity and recognition within the team.This is a great way to start or end a meeting, spreading good vibes and making sure everyone’s hard work gets noticed.
Brag & boost is an uplifting, in-office activity where one person highlights an achievement, and another praises a colleague’s success. It’s a simple but effective way to foster positivity and recognition within the team.
This is a great way to start or end a meeting, spreading good vibes and making sure everyone’s hard work gets noticed.
For more team bonding activities that strengthen team morale and connection, explore our full guide.
This game is an awesome Icebreaker that encourages leadership skills to be developed. It throws participants into a stranded island scenario where they must navigate challenges and reach rescue. By assigning specific roles and promoting collaboration, it unveils individuals' leadership qualities. Teams strategize, communicate, problem-solve, and make decisions under pressure. Conflicts may arise, but they're resolved through teamwork. It's a crash course in leadership, where participants learn and grow while having a thrilling time.
This game is an awesome Icebreaker that encourages leadership skills to be developed. It throws participants into a stranded island scenario where they must navigate challenges and reach rescue. By assigning specific roles and promoting collaboration, it unveils individuals' leadership qualities. Teams strategize, communicate, problem-solve, and make decisions under pressure. Conflicts may arise, but they're resolved through teamwork. It's a crash course in leadership, where participants learn and grow while having a thrilling time.
Listening is a huge part of communicating, and it’s hard to step back and hear what others say when we get stressed at work. This group exercise encourages teams to practice their listening skills, allowing others to speak and respecting their voice.
Listening is a huge part of communicating, and it’s hard to step back and hear what others say when we get stressed at work. This group exercise encourages teams to practice their listening skills, allowing others to speak and respecting their voice.
Team leaders will choose a topic that will be discussed in subgroups, ideally of two, with an assigned speaker and listener. After the speaker is done, the listener will summarize what they said and subsequently switch roles.
Afterward, the group gets back together to review the process and talk about what it felt like to speak without interruption and what positives came out of that experience. Listeners are also encouraged to give feedback on how it affected them.
Materials you’ll need: Just your team and various seating areas to break them up into groups and a stopwatch/timer.
How many people: Small to large teams (8 to 25+ people)
Get your virtual whiteboards ready for remote sketch-off! One player describes an object in detail, and everyone else has to draw it based solely on the description—no peeking. The results? Often hilarious.It’s a great way to have some fun, practice communication, and see who’s got the best artistic (or interpretive) skills.
Get your virtual whiteboards ready for remote sketch-off! One player describes an object in detail, and everyone else has to draw it based solely on the description—no peeking. The results? Often hilarious.
It’s a great way to have some fun, practice communication, and see who’s got the best artistic (or interpretive) skills.
Looking for more fun team-building activities to try with your remote or in-person team? Browse our full guide for more ideas.
A vital part of effective team collaboration is communication. Yet to be a strong communicator you also have to master the art of listening.That’s one reason Group Counting’s such a popular improv game. Aside from being fun and strangely addictive to play, it requires participants to pay close attention to each other; to get on the same page by listening intently from the outset.
A vital part of effective team collaboration is communication. Yet to be a strong communicator you also have to master the art of listening.
That’s one reason Group Counting’s such a popular improv game. Aside from being fun and strangely addictive to play, it requires participants to pay close attention to each other; to get on the same page by listening intently from the outset.
The game itself couldn’t be more straightforward. The team stands in a circle, closes their eyes, and works together to count to 21. However, there’s a catch: only one person can speak at once. Not only that, but if more than one person says a number at the same time, the group starts again from 1.
It might sound easy enough, but you’d be surprised how long it can take to get to 21! And remember that everyone has their eyes shut, which stops them from using hand signals and other gestures to pick who’ll speak next.
Instead, they’re forced to listen – to try and pick up on verbal cues to see if someone’s about to yell out the next number.
Expect light-hearted frustration mixed with laughs as the team proceeds from 1 to 21, followed by shouts of glee when they finally finish the game. By then, they’ll have bolstered their sense of group mind and become a closer team in the process.
Pair people with different levels of experience in a reverse mentoring relationship. The less experienced individuals mentor the more experienced ones, sharing fresh perspectives and knowledge.It's like flipping the leadership script and giving the underdogs a chance to teach the old dogs some new tricks. By pairing less experienced individuals with seasoned leaders, reverse mentoring unleashes a whirlwind of fresh perspectives, innovative ideas, and the wisdom of youth. It's a leadership shake-up that challenges status quo and ignites mutual learning, making it a win-win for all involved. Perhaps consider involving yourself in this activity and allowing a newbie to mentor you. You never know, you could be mentored by the rising stars of tomorrow!
Pair people with different levels of experience in a reverse mentoring relationship. The less experienced individuals mentor the more experienced ones, sharing fresh perspectives and knowledge.
It's like flipping the leadership script and giving the underdogs a chance to teach the old dogs some new tricks. By pairing less experienced individuals with seasoned leaders, reverse mentoring unleashes a whirlwind of fresh perspectives, innovative ideas, and the wisdom of youth. It's a leadership shake-up that challenges status quo and ignites mutual learning, making it a win-win for all involved. Perhaps consider involving yourself in this activity and allowing a newbie to mentor you. You never know, you could be mentored by the rising stars of tomorrow!

Companies can use milestone celebrations as a way to show gratitude to employees and recognize their contributions. By hosting an event to honor a team member or a group project, here are some ideas companies can use to host a milestone celebration in their community to express gratitude: Anniversaries. Acknowledge employees' years of service with the company, typically done at the 5, 10, 15, or 20-year mark. Personalized gifts, extra time off, and even raises are great ways to honor someone's years of service. Employee of the Month. Recognize outstanding employees by designating them as the Employee of the Month or Quarter. Organize a small ceremony to present them with an award. Employee appreciation. Dedicate a day to celebrating your employees' hard work and dedication. Arrange activities, games, and treats. Company-wide recognition. Recognize milestone achievements by sending a thank you message through a newsletter or social media. Highlight the accomplishments and contributions of the employees and celebrate these successes by offering an incentive like professional development opportunities, flexible work options, Peer-to-Peer appreciation. Encourage employees to appreciate and recognize each other's contributions by letting them offer gifts, public acknowledgments, etc. Recognition programs that celebrate milestones effectively ensure leadership expresses gratitude, letting employees know their hard work does not go unnoticed. Showing appreciation for your team's hard work will boost morale, increase job satisfaction, and foster a positive workplace environment.
Companies can use milestone celebrations as a way to show gratitude to employees and recognize their contributions.
By hosting an event to honor a team member or a group project, here are some ideas companies can use to host a milestone celebration in their community to express gratitude:
Recognition programs that celebrate milestones effectively ensure leadership expresses gratitude, letting employees know their hard work does not go unnoticed. Showing appreciation for your team's hard work will boost morale, increase job satisfaction, and foster a positive workplace environment.


We're gonna dig into past workplace conflicts, learn from them, and maybe even give our past selves a pat on the back. Let's get started!
We're gonna dig into past workplace conflicts, learn from them, and maybe even give our past selves a pat on the back. Let's get started!
Not a lot is needed here, just paper and pens!
Once you're done pouring your heart into your letters, let's gather 'round and chat.
Let's talk about common themes, cool strategies, and any lightbulb moments you had during your reflections.
To wrap things up, think about what you've learned and what you're going to do about it.

Limbo Contest adds a fun and interactive element to the picnic. It encourages flexibility, balance, and friendly competition. It creates an atmosphere of excitement and laughter, bringing joy to both participants and spectators.
Instructions: Set up a limbo pole using a long stick or pole. Participants take turns attempting to pass under the pole by leaning backward without touching it. Gradually lower the pole after each round. The person who can go the lowest without touching the pole wins.
Materials needed: Limbo pole or stick.
Limbo Contest adds a fun and interactive element to the picnic. It encourages flexibility, balance, and friendly competition. It creates an atmosphere of excitement and laughter, bringing joy to both participants and spectators.

The classic team-building game Egg Drop works just as well with large groups as it does with small ones. In fact, when working in larger groups, your employees will be forced to delegate more tasks and come to decisions quickly—even when not everybody agrees!
It’s one small drop for an egg, one giant leap for team creativity.
The premise of an Egg Drop Challenge is to build a structure that stops a raw egg from cracking when dropped from a height.
In a large group, it feels like part science experiment, part creative brainstorm (while being fully entertaining to watch). This simple but surprisingly strategic team activity is perfect for developing some of the key skills you need in the office.
It’s a fast and creative way to watch teams plan, test, and occasionally mourn their brave little eggs in the name of innovation.
Let’s break down the challenge for you:
The Egg Drop Challenge doesn’t require any fancy equipment, just a few common materials and the courage to watch your creation fall from the sky.
Follow these steps to set up the challenge, brief your teams, and watch as their creativity takes flight:
Announce the mission loud and clear: each team must design a device that will protect their raw egg from cracking when dropped from a set height. Tell them they’ll need to combine planning and construction, both against the clock, as they’re working to a countdown. The
Depending on the number of people, create your teams of equal size. We tend to find four to five works best. Give each team the same supplies, so the playing field is completely even (no last-minute swap-outs or sneaky bubble wrap here!)
Tell your teams they have 20 minutes to plan, test and build their structure. You could encourage teams to quickly sketch their designs first, before getting hands-on. Any method is allowed; wrapping, suspending, cushioning, just as long as it's made with the given materials (you’ll probably hear a few debates on gravity and air resistance here)
Now comes the fated drop test. Choose your drop zone; a stairwell, balcony or step ladder will do the trick. Get everyone around and start the countdown. Each team gets just one shot to drop their creation. Here you could add a drumroll, or mock space-launch music if you want to turn up the tension.
Once every egg has made its descent, it’s time for the grand reveal. Unwrap each structure carefully to see which designs survived and which ones got scrambled. Applaud the survivors, console the fallen, and don’t forget to take a photo of the mess (thankfully on the top of your tarp sheet).
Make a point for teams to test early and adapt quickly. The most successful designs usually come from trial and error, not from overthinking.
And one pro move could be: don’t reveal the exact drop height until the building time is over. A slight surprise element means designs need to be a bit flexible, and you’ll add a touch of suspense, too.
Once your teams have mastered the standard version, try mixing things up with a few fun twists:
On the surface, the Egg Drop Challenge looks like a lighthearted game, but beneath the laughter and flying tape is a perfect snapshot of teamwork in motion. After the cleanup (and any tears for fallen eggs), take a few minutes to reflect on what teams practiced:
Wrap up by asking teams how these lessons mirror their day-to-day projects (because, much like the egg, good ideas also need careful handling).
Teams must use only the provided materials to build a device that protects a raw egg from breaking when dropped from a height. Each team gets one attempt, and a surviving egg means victory.
Generally, soft padding will best absorb impact. On top of that, a structure that is designed to slow the fall can help, meaning you could try folding card as a material, too.
Start with a moderate height (around 1.5 metres) and raise it after each round for more challenge. Outdoors or high ceilings give you more flexibility (and less chance of keeping the egg in one piece!).
You absolutely can. You just need to make sure you’ve got enough space and protective sheets (for the inevitable eggsplosions). If you’re limited for space, go for lower drops or use a stairwell.

Costume races are fast-paced, hilarious, and ideal for both small and large groups. To give them a try, you’ll need: A briefcase for each team Enough old/used clothes for each member of the team to get fully dressed, such as hats, dresses, shirts, skirts, pants, and jackets. You then fill each briefcase with clothes and mark a track with a start and finish line. Next, put the briefcases at the end and line up the teams (each should have the same number of people, if possible) at the start. When the whistle blows, one person in each team races to the briefcase opposite them and gets fully dressed as quickly as possible, pulling the clothes over the top of whatever they’re already wearing. They then rush back to the start in their costume, at which point the second person in their team has a turn. The first team where everyone is dressed in a costume and back at the start line wins! However, if you want to make this game even more memorable, design it so each briefcase follows a certain theme. You could have one team dressing up as pirates, for example, another as famous Disney characters, and so on.
Costume races are fast-paced, hilarious, and ideal for both small and large groups.
You then fill each briefcase with clothes and mark a track with a start and finish line. Next, put the briefcases at the end and line up the teams (each should have the same number of people, if possible) at the start.
When the whistle blows, one person in each team races to the briefcase opposite them and gets fully dressed as quickly as possible, pulling the clothes over the top of whatever they’re already wearing. They then rush back to the start in their costume, at which point the second person in their team has a turn.
The first team where everyone is dressed in a costume and back at the start line wins! However, if you want to make this game even more memorable, design it so each briefcase follows a certain theme. You could have one team dressing up as pirates, for example, another as famous Disney characters, and so on.
Think of this as your team's time-traveling adventure. The Historical Timeline Quest takes you to historical sites, but there's a twist. You'll decipher clues that unlock stories from the past. It's like solving history's riddles together. By working as a team, you'll connect the dots, piece together the timeline, and unveil the bigger picture. Through shared "aha" moments and collaborative detective work, you'll appreciate each other's unique knowledge and skills. It's not just history; it's a journey that brings your team closer, one clue at a time.
Think of this as your team's time-traveling adventure. The Historical Timeline Quest takes you to historical sites, but there's a twist. You'll decipher clues that unlock stories from the past. It's like solving history's riddles together. By working as a team, you'll connect the dots, piece together the timeline, and unveil the bigger picture. Through shared "aha" moments and collaborative detective work, you'll appreciate each other's unique knowledge and skills. It's not just history; it's a journey that brings your team closer, one clue at a time.

Who would have made the best 1950s receptionist? You can find out with this fun activity. Anyone who is interested should gather in one space with their keyboards or laptops. Announce the words that people should type (or write them on a white board) Set a timer and see who can get the typing done the fastest. This is helpful for developing typing skills and is also a great refresher for hand-eye coordination during a monotonous day.
Who would have made the best 1950s receptionist? You can find out with this fun activity. Anyone who is interested should gather in one space with their keyboards or laptops. Announce the words that people should type (or write them on a white board) Set a timer and see who can get the typing done the fastest. This is helpful for developing typing skills and is also a great refresher for hand-eye coordination during a monotonous day.

Put on your thinking caps for code breakers! Teams are given a series of cryptic riddles and challenges to solve, with each solution leading to the next clue. It’s a mental race to crack the final code and declare victory.This game is perfect for testing problem-solving skills and teamwork. Plus, there’s nothing like the thrill of solving that final puzzle before the other teams.
Put on your thinking caps for code breakers! Teams are given a series of cryptic riddles and challenges to solve, with each solution leading to the next clue. It’s a mental race to crack the final code and declare victory.
This team-building game is perfect for testing problem-solving skills and teamwork. Plus, there’s nothing like the thrill of solving that final puzzle before the other teams.
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!
Teams are given a random office item and must come up with a full marketing campaign and product launch strategy for it within one hour. It’s fast-paced, creative, and hilarious as teams scramble to sell everyday objects as the next big thing.In the hybrid version, both remote and in-office teams are handed the same random office item, like a stapler or sticky notes, and they must collaborate to create a complete product launch strategy. Remote workers can handle the digital aspects, like designing an online ad or social media campaign, while in-office workers take on in-person tasks like creating a mock product display or filming a funny promo video. At the end, each team presents their campaign virtually, showcasing how they turned something ordinary into the next office must-have. It’s a great way to get everyone thinking on their feet, no matter where they are.
Explanation:
Teams are given a random office item and must come up with a full marketing campaign and product launch strategy for it within one hour. It’s fast-paced, creative, and hilarious as teams scramble to sell everyday objects as the next big thing.
In the hybrid version, both remote and in-office teams are handed the same random office item, like a stapler or sticky notes, and they must collaborate to create a complete product launch strategy. Remote workers can handle the digital aspects, like designing an online ad or social media campaign, while in-office workers take on in-person tasks like creating a mock product display or filming a funny promo video.
At the end, each team presents their campaign virtually, showcasing how they turned something ordinary into the next office must-have.
It’s a great way to get everyone thinking on their feet, no matter where they are.
This is a fun competition that can be interactive and bring out everyone’s creativity. Host a contest where everyone can submit photo entries for the chance to win a prize. Start with a theme such as hometown history, sci-fi, or any other subject that your coworkers would find interesting. Invite employees to post photos on social media either in a private group you created, or on your public pages with a special hashtag. This way staff can see other entries and gauge their competition! Award prizes based on the number of likes for each photo. You could also come up with some separate prizes like “most creative”.
This is a fun competition that can be interactive and bring out everyone’s creativity. Host a contest where everyone can submit photo entries for the chance to win a prize. Start with a theme such as hometown history, sci-fi, or any other subject that your coworkers would find interesting. Invite employees to post photos on social media either in a private group you created, or on your public pages with a special hashtag.
This way staff can see other entries and gauge their competition! Award prizes based on the number of likes for each photo. You could also come up with some separate prizes like “most creative”.
Similar to traditional charades, but with a creative twist. Instead of acting out specific words or phrases, participants must convey abstract concepts, emotions, or even entire stories through gestures and expressions.
Similar to traditional charades, but with a creative twist. Instead of acting out specific words or phrases, participants must convey abstract concepts, emotions, or even entire stories through gestures and expressions.
Example: Team is given a well known, short story that they need to act out without using words.
Materials needed: None
Benefits:
Discover more team building activities for small groups to strengthen connection and communication within your team.
By diving into diverse cultures and sharing insights, this game unearths hidden gems of wisdom from around the world. Discover unique leadership practices, tackle cross-cultural challenges, and become a culturally savvy leader. Buckle up for a leadership journey that transcends borders and unlocks a treasure trove of intercultural leadership know-how.
By diving into diverse cultures and sharing insights, this game unearths hidden gems of wisdom from around the world. Discover unique leadership practices, tackle cross-cultural challenges, and become a culturally savvy leader. Buckle up for a leadership journey that transcends borders and unlocks a treasure trove of intercultural leadership know-how.
Prepare your taste buds for a tantalizing adventure in the Culinary Exploration Challenge. Your team will explore diverse cuisines, test their culinary skills, and learn the art of teamwork in the kitchen. From preparing exotic dishes to mastering cooking techniques, this challenge is a feast for the senses. As you whip up delectable creations, you'll not only bond over food but also discover the recipe for effective collaboration.
Prepare your taste buds for a tantalizing adventure in the Culinary Exploration Challenge. Your team will explore diverse cuisines, test their culinary skills, and learn the art of teamwork in the kitchen. From preparing exotic dishes to mastering cooking techniques, this challenge is a feast for the senses. As you whip up delectable creations, you'll not only bond over food but also discover the recipe for effective collaboration.
This game involves going through the alphabet and finding words that fit a specific category. For example, you could choose animals as a category. You would start with the letter “A” and the circle would be responsible for coming up with different animals that begin with A, then B, and so on (so relevant answers could be ant, beaver, etc).
This game involves going through the alphabet and finding words that fit a specific category. For example, you could choose animals as a category. You would start with the letter “A” and the circle would be responsible for coming up with different animals that begin with A, then B, and so on (so relevant answers could be ant, beaver, etc).
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!
Scrabble is a household classic that has brought people together for years. After building a word, countless people have scrambled to check their dictionary, and shout to their opponent “There’s no such word!” It’s a word-building game that comes with more than a handful of strategic play.
Scrabble is a household classic that has brought people together for years. After building a word, countless people have scrambled to check their dictionary, and shout to their opponent “There’s no such word!” It’s a word-building game that comes with more than a handful of strategic play.
Get your thinking-caps on and your dictionaries on standby for this classic letter game!