Team building exercises can go a long way to help develop and strengthen a team of individuals.  Activities focus on trust, oneness, listening, sharing, caring, service, honoring, acceptance, and love.  They help the team learn about each other — how each person thinks, works, solves problems, and has fun.  And it helps everyone to learn to tolerate, love and accept each other!

Truth, Truth, Truth, Lie

Players need to write down (or think up) 3 truths about themselves and 1 lie.  They should take a couple minutes to formulate a strategy for how they can deliver these without giving away the lie.  Each player takes a turn presenting their 4 thoughts (in any order) while trying to conceal the lie.  The other players, acting as one team, have one guess as to which the lie is and give a reason why they think it is so.  Repeat this for each player in the group.

Objectives: Getting to know all the team members, thinking together as a team.

 

My New Object

Gather a number of random (odd) objects together in a box.  Each player takes a turn pulling an object out of the box and trying to "sell" the object as a new gadget to the team, but they are selling it as something other than it actually is!  For instance, the player pulls out a pencil and tries to sell it to them as a tool to create seed holes for gardeners.

Objective: Inspires spontaneous creativity and innovation.

 

Scavenger Hunt

Create two or more teams. Make a list of goofy tasks to do and/or items to obtain for each team. Give each team a list (same or different) and a time limit to complete their list.  Designate to location for everyone to gather at the set time.  Create a point system for the tasks/items.  Review the results as a group and award a winning team.

Objective: Encourages people to work with others, problem solving, organization skills, creativity, and execution as a team.

 

"The best teamwork comes from men who are working independently toward one goal in unison."

--JC Penney

What You Have

Divide the group into teams and give each team a difficult task to perform along with a list of restrictions. For instance, have them place a phone call without using their hands, or have them create something from a pile of craft supplies with only using one hand.  Set a time limit and watch the fun unfold!

Objectives: Teamwork, creativity, group thinking and execution.

 

Mine Field

Gather the group in an empty office area or outside at a defined zone.  Use markers if needed to show the enclosed area.  Place random objects (cones, balls, small boxes, etc.) inside the open space. Create teams of two and make one person put on the blindfold for each team. The other person will lead their teammate from one side of the open space to the other without stepping on the objects by using only the verbal instructions. The blindfolded person cannot talk.

Objectives: Trust, communication and listening.

 

The Trader's Puzzle

Divide the group into teams and give each team a different jigsaw puzzle with the same difficulty level. The teams battle to complete their jigsaw puzzle the fastest. But, some of the pieces will be mixed around in other group’s jigsaw puzzle box. The teams have to come up with a way to get their pieces back through negotiating, trading, exchanging, etc.  Whatever they decide to do, they must decide as a group.

Objectives: Problem solving and leadership skills.

 

"Keep away from people who belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great." - Mark Twain