You don’t even have to worry about the weather with these 10 indoor team building games for employees. Team building activities have become a common practice for any group that’s working together. Whether it’s for work, school, seminars, workshops, etc. You’ll find that there are numerous activities that can help build teamwork and help people socialize.
There are a lot of team building activities available on the internet, but a good deal of them are done outdoors. Indoors group activities are also great, especially if you don’t have enough finances to support an outdoor activity or if the weather isn’t comfortable. As long as you have enough space to support your group, then it’s likely you can do these team building activities. If you’re looking for something specific for small groups, then check out the 11 quick and easy team building activities for small groups.
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We have searched numerous websites that detail indoor team building activities and one thing that we noticed is just the sheer amount of activities available for one to do. Choosing activities to include in this list mainly leaned on preference though the games we listed here are some of the most popularly mentioned online.
Do take into account that you have to think about other factors such as space and group size to ensure that the activity is optimal. Also, you don’t have to follow these games as they are and you can alter various aspects of each game. Let’s learn more about the 10 indoor team building games for employees.
10. Swaying Willow
Requirements: Blindfolds
Best for: Groups of 5 or 6
In swaying willow activity, groups form a closely knit circle that aims to keep another person in the center from swaying too far. A group member stands in the middle and plays as the willow, swaying while blindfolded. The other group forming the circle then tries to control the willow and hopes not to let the willow fall. Everyone gets a chance to be the willow, and the game’s aim is to develop trust, responsibility, and teamwork.
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9. Newspaper Bridges
Requirements: Newspaper, Tape, Paper, Pens, Tape Measure, Sheet
Best for: 8 to 16 people divided into 2 groups
We are continuing our list of indoor team building games for employees with the game number – at the start of the activity have a location where you can easily divide the group and have them not see the others’ work easily. Then, you explain to the group that they have to split into two sub-teams with each creating half of a bridge. Once the teams have been given the materials, have them generate ideas for around 10 minutes so they can formulate a design. Then give them around half an hour to construct their halves of the bridge and see how close the bridges resemble each other. The game aims to develop cooperation, creative thinking, and communication.
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8. Minefield
Requirements: Various objects, blindfolds
Best for: 4 – 10 people
You’ll need an open space for this one so it’s great to do in a larger room. Place various objects in the room such as cones, balls, bags, and the like. You don’t have to put them in a pattern as long as they’re put all over the place. Then have the group members pair up with one person on the blindfold. The other person must then guide the blindfolded partner to the other side of the room without stepping on the objects. The catch is you can only use verbal instructions. The game builds trust, listening, and communication skills.
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7. Murder Mystery
Requirements: Clues, Character Information Sheets, Thematic Set-Up (optional)
Best for 20-60 people
While this will probably take more time to create, murder mystery games are always fun for a group. They encourage communication, problem-solving, and cooperation. You can set-up a fictional murder at your location (for example, your office), and have your characters be given their own personal info sheets which they may act out. One of the characters will be the murderer and participants will have to solve various clues which can lead to the culprit. The game allows for a lot of variables that can be put in depending on your preferences.
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6. Bonding Belt
Requirements: Rope, Tape, or Film
Best for: groups of 6 to 10
The goal of this game is the have each group get from point A to point B while being stuck together with the tape or rope. The game’s goal is to ensure that they cooperate and unite their movements so that they can reach the finish line as quickly as possible. You can give the team time to discuss their strategy and you can also repeat the exercise hoping that they can beat their previous times. Since this can easily be done indoors, it makes it as part of the 10 indoor team building games for employees.
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5. Coin Logo
Requirements: Coins
Best for: Groups of three to five people
Have each person bring out the coins or other small items from their pockets. You can also opt to give them additional items such as pens, wallets, etc. The goal of the game is for each group to construct their own personal logo just using the items they have in front of them. Task them to make a logo within two minutes then have each group explain their logo. The game promotes creative thinking, teamwork, and communication.
4. Drawing Sheet
Requirements: Picture, Sheets of Paper, Pens
Best for: Pairs
We are continuing our list of indoor team building games for employees with the game number 4. When the group has been divided into pairs, have them sit with their backs to each other. One member of the group will hold a pen and paper while the other holds a picture. The one with the picture then has to describe the photo to the other without directly giving the picture away. The game focuses on communication and language. The game gives an idea of how communication can easily alter the interpretation of each person.
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3. Movie Making
Requirements: Cameras (optional), various props
Best for: Large groups
One of the best ways to get people working together is to create their own movie. While it’s probably expensive to use movie-making equipment, you can opt to have a “stage” production instead. First, have each group separated into their production teams. A group will write the script, direct, act, and produce. You can then have the group perform their production and see how they fare as a team. Movie making promotes creative thinking, decision-making, and problem-solving.
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2. Picture Pieces
Requirements: Drawing materials, Picture
Best for: 6 to 50 people
Have the larger group separated into six smaller groups, each with their own drawing materials. Then have a picture ready and cut it into six equal pieces with each group getting a piece. Then ask each group to make a larger version of the picture you have given them. The goal is for each group to accurately make a copy and complete the larger picture. The game promotes teamwork, collaboration, and communication. And now, let’s see the number one in our list of indoor team building games for employees.
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1. Drumming
Requirements: Instruction, percussions (both optional)
Best for: Larger groups
If you’re a bit musically inclined, then you won’t have to worry about getting an instructor. In this activity, each member of the team has to learn their own beat and then you should combine the beats to make a larger sound. If you don’t have the budget for renting drums, then you can opt to have various human sounds done by each individual. The game promotes working together to fulfill a larger goal. Drumming is often mentioned as a good indoor team building activity, making it one of the 10 indoor team building games for employees.
