In today’s competitive work environment, collaborative skills and teamwork are highly encouraged. However, this doesn’t come naturally to employees from different cultures and backgrounds. Team play and collaboration must be nurtured.

One way to encourage teamwork is through team building activities. Whether you’re looking to improve communication in the workplace or enhance problem-solving skills, team building activities are proven to do all that and more. Here are three of the most fun and challenging team building activities that are great for all ages:

1.  The Bird Box Challenge

The Bird Box Challenge, when done in a safe and controlled environment, improves trust, communication, and effective listening.

With the buzz surrounding Sandra Bullock’s latest movie, Bird Box, we might as well make a team building activity out of it.

Do the Bird Box challenge in an open space such as an empty parking lot, park, or at the beach. Place various handheld objects like bottles, cones, balls, etc. across the open space. Pair everyone up and have the other person put on a blindfold. The person without a blindfold must stay on the side andverbally lead their partner across the open space to the finish line without stepping on the scattered objects. The one with the blindfold must not speak at all. To make it more challenging, create specific routes for the blindfolded partner.

What You Need:

Time: 15 – 30 minutes
Number of Participants: 4 – 10 people, but it has to be in even numbers
Tools Needed: Various objects and blindfolds

2.  Charades

This game aims to spark creativity among employees and improve innovative ideas.

Charades only take at least five minutes to complete. The game master must create a list of objects or names players can demonstrate. One at a time, someone must randomly choose an object or name from the game master. The person must then pantomime the word to other players without speaking a word. The rest of the team members must guess what the player is demonstrating in front.

What You Need:

Time: 5-6 minutes
Number of Participants: One or multiple small groups
Tools Needed: Any random objects

3.  Tell Me What You See

Tell Me What You See challenges the team’s interpretation and communication skills.

Pair up the number of participants and have them sit back to back. Give one person a picture and the other person a pen and paper. The partner with the picture must describe the picture without saying what it is. For instance, if the picture is of a boy holding a fish, don’t say, “Draw a boy holding a fish.” The person with the pen and paper must try their best to draw the picture based on what the other person’s description. To take it up a notch, set a time limit of five to ten minutes.

What You Need:

Time: 10 – 15 minutes
Number of Participants: Two or more people
Tools Needed: A picture, pen, and paper

Business owners are always looking for ways to improve their workplace environment. If you’re interested in growing, expanding, or improving your business, SMB Compass can help! We specialize in helping small businesses succeed in their endeavors. Don’t hesitate to contact us at (888) 853-8922 or via email at [email protected].