Birthday Line Up
OBJECTIVE: This simple team-building exercise instils qualities like leadership, communication,
collaboration, and problem-solving skills.
TIME: 10-12 minutes
TOOLS: None required
PARTICIPANTS: 12-20
HOW TO PLAY: Pair participants into teams of 8-12 and ask them to stand side-by-side. Now ask
them to stand in order of their birthday (month and day). The catch to this simple game is that
employees have to complete the entire task without talking to each other. They must use signs and
symbols to get into order.
The team which is able to get into order successfully the earliest wins.
RESULT: This game is highly effective if you want to foster great communication and interpretation
among your employees. Consequently, it also gives every employee to hone their leadership skills
while giving out directions to their team members on how to solve the task.
Helium Stick
OBJECTIVE: A great team-building exercise that aims to enhance teamwork and communication
among mid-sized groups.
TIME: 15-20 minutes
TOOLS: A light-weight bamboo or plastic cane
PARTICIPANTS: 8-10
HOW TO PLAY: This game can be conducted with 8-10 people. Ask the team to split into two groups
and stand facing each other. Ask them to hold their arms out in front of them and point their index
fingers.
Lay the cane down on their fingers.
The stick has to be horizontal, and everybody’s index fingers must be touching the cane at all times.
The challenge is to lower the stick to the ground without dropping it and touching it only with the
index finger. Teams will be disqualified if any team member tries to hold it with any other finger or
removes their index finger.
RESULT: This task can be accomplished only if teams have complete cooperation among themselves.
Other outcomes that can be achieved are problem-solving in a group, communication, and
leadership.
Tied Together
OBJECTIVE: To get employees to focus on teamwork, problem-solving, and listen to each other’s
opinions.
TIME: 20 minutes
TOOLS: Shoelaces, cloth strips, or zip ties.
PARTICIPANTS: 10-12
HOW TO PLAY: Make all the participants stand in a circle facing inwards. Ask them to hold out their
hands to their sides and tie them with their neighbour’s hand. Alternatively, you can also tie ankles.
Once everyone is tied up together, present them tasks that they must complete in a set time.
Here are some ideas-
Wrap a present
Build a bridge
Pour a cup of water for everyone in the room
Group walk (if the ankles are tied together)
Build a lego structure
RESULT: Some outcomes of this activity will be goal setting, leadership, collaboration, active
listening, and problem-solving.
Blind Retriever
Blind Retriever is a great game for improving communication within small teams that will have
everybody laughing in no time.
Great for: Having fun, strengthening communication and listening skills
Duration: 5-10 Minutes
Players: 4+
You’ll need: A random object, at least 2 blindfolds
How to play Blind Retriever
To play Blind Retriever, separate the players into teams and have them stand together behind a start
line. Then, one member from each team must put on a blindfold while somebody places a random
object somewhere in the room. Use something that’s soft and doesn’t have any sharp edges.
After hearing “Go!” The teams must guide their blindfolded teammate to the random object before
the opposition gets there first. The players giving instructions may not pass the start line and can
only give commands verbally. The first team to get their hands on the random object wins.
Paper Chains
Paper Chains is a simple game that can be played by small and large groups. The game highlights the
importance of communication and asks employees to work together to solve a problem.
Great for: Communication skills, problem-solving
Duration: 5-10 minutes
Players: 6+
You’ll need: Sheets of paper, sticky tape, scissors
How to play Paper Chains
To play Paper Chains, divide your players into equal-sized groups and ask them to allocate a leader.
Once a leader has been chosen, ask them to leave the room, where you will then explain the rules of
the game in private.
The rules of the game: The aim of the game is to make the longest paper chain possible using the
recourses provided. Players may use ONLY their dominant hand and no talking is allowed once the
timer starts.
Once the rules have been explained, the leaders can re-enter the room where they now have 30
seconds to explain the rules to their team. After the 30 seconds have elapsed, the teams have three
minutes to complete the challenge. The team with the longest paper chain at the end of the three
minutes wins.
Minefield
Minefield is a fantastic game for energising the room and testing your employee’s communication
and listening skills. The rules are simple, you just need to find a large open space in your office.
Great for: Listening skills, communication skills, energisation
Duration: 10 minutes
Players: 6+
You’ll need: Soft objects (balloons, cups, soft toys, etc.), a large open space
How to play Minefield
To play minefield, scatter your soft objects randomly on the floor then separate your players into
teams and ask one of them to put on a blindfold.
When the game starts, the other players must stay behind the starting line and call out verbal
instructions to their blindfolded teammate. Whichever team’s blindfolded player reaches the finish
line first without touching any of the objects wins. If all blindfolded players touch an object then the
one who has travelled the furthest wins.
