Build better workplace relationships using these 10 easy team building activities for small groups. Team building has become a necessary practice in all kinds of places. It allows people to break the ice and get to know the people around them better. When friendships are built and developed in the workplace, it often means better productivity and teamwork. It also creates a positive environment where everyone supports each other. As such, team building activities are built so that employees or groups can learn to depend on and be comfortable with one another. It also gives them a break from the daily grind.
There are so many types of team building activities and each of them can be used in different scenarios. Small groups are generally easier to handle as you can really focus on developing each person and the group as a whole. You’ll find that the activities listed here are best for small groups as they tend to go chaotic as you increase the numbers. If you’re looking for a larger scale, we also have a list of The 6 Best Team Building Activities to Build Workplace Camaraderie. The good thing about these team activities is that you can perform them anywhere and requires little investment of money or resources.
There is no significant ranking of the activities listed here as some people may find one activity easier than the other. It all boils down to preference and you may get to use each of these in your own environments. Let’s go ahead and learn more about these 10 easy team building activities for small groups:
10. Bonding Belt
The goal of this team building activity is for a team to get from point A to point B as quickly as possible. You can treat this as a race and there are many ways to tie a group together. Ideally the best maximum number in a group should be six as to avoid any chaotic events. It is a quick activity that’ll only last 15-30 minutes.
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9. Paper Tearing
A good exercise for both managers and employees, the goal of this activity is to see how well a leader gives instructions. It is also a way to see whether or not members of the group can follow instructions well. Every member of the group is given a sheet of paper. While their eyes are closed or blindfolded the leader then gives instructions on how to tear the sheet of paper.
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8. Two Truths and a Lie
This is a really interesting activity that lets groups get know each other better. Everyone is asked to write down two truths and one lie and try to make all of them subtle or extreme so no one can easily guess what the lie is. It’s a good game for discovering unique and interesting things about a person. It will also give people an idea about the person’s personality.
7. Back-to-Back Drawing
This activity requires a team of two persons with one being a director and one an illustrator. You will give the director a drawing that can’t be shown to the illustrator. The illustrator will then draw the picture only led by the director’s instructions. The illustrator cannot ask any questions and the director cannot see the illustrator’s drawing until it is finished.
6. Photo Challenge
For this activity each group must be given a camera. They are then given a set of scenarios where they must re-enact using their camera. They have to be involved in the picture as well. This is a great activity that promotes creativity.
There are more easy activities to do in the continuation of this list of 10 easy team building activities for small groups.
5. Tarp/Blanket Flip
This is a great activity if you want people to be comfortable with one another. Participants will stand on a blanket or a tarp and must not step outside it at all costs. They will then flip or fold the tarp in half without stepping foot outside the tarp. The tarp will get smaller and smaller promoting people to be in proximity with one another.
4. Your Worst Job/Experience
This is a very easy activity that promotes communication within the group. Each person is given time to talk and tell a story about their worst job or experience. It gives people a chance to communicate and helps create a better environment for sharing experiences.
3. Brainstorming
Most workplaces use brainstorming as a way to come up with creative ideas. It is also a good team building activity as you can designate each person in the group to contribute to the discussion. After which ideas are shared and credit is given to those who gave the best ideas.
2. Pass the Can
For this activity the group must stand in a circle and there will be a can in the middle with a ball, rock or any other object inside it. Each member of the group will have constraints. For example one person must close their eyes, and then one person can only use one leg, etc. The goal of the activity is to pass the can around despite these constraints for each of the members.
1. Electric Fence
For this activity one must tie a rope about waist high in between to objects like trees. Participants will then be on one side and must get to the other side without touching the rope. This activity helps promote coordination and teamwork.
This has been the list of 10 easy team building activities for small groups. Try your hand at a few of these activities.
