Top Team Building Games to Boost Morale and Productivity

Team-building activities foster a positive work environment and enhance employee morale. They break down barriers between team members, improve communication and create a sense of unity within the organization.

Effective team-building exercises can cultivate leadership skills, boost creativity and encourage unique problem-solving approaches.

They provide a platform for employees to showcase their talents and strengths in a non-work setting, allowing managers to gain valuable insights into team dynamics.

That’s not all. These activities can also reduce workplace stress and burnout by providing a much-needed break from daily routines.

Let’s get into some of the best team-building games to improve collaboration in the workplace.

Team-building games for workplace skills

Let’s explore various engaging games to boost morale and foster stronger connections among team members.

These activities cater to different team sizes, preferences and workplace settings, ensuring there's something for everyone.

Let's categorize these activities based on the primary skills they aim to develop. This overview will help you quickly identify which games best suit your team's needs and goals:

1. Communication skills:

Blind drawing (#14)
Watch where you step (#17)
Telephone, on paper (#28)
Conducted story (#37)
Swedish story (#38)

2. Problem-solving and strategic thinking:

Ideas as building blocks (#2)
The barter puzzle (#4)
Use what you have (#5)
Created economy (#6)
Organizational Jenga (#13)
What’s my name? (#16)
Do the math (#29)
Problem family tree (#30)
Carcassonne (#055)

3. Team coordination and trust:

The perfect square (#15)
Magic cane (helium stick) (#33)
Electric fence (#34)
Tied up (#39)
Bounden (#40)
Hole tarp (#44)

4. Creativity and innovation:

Common book (#7)
Mad lib mission statement (#12)
Game of possibilities (#41)
Grab bag skits (#50)

5. Personal sharing and relationship building:

What makes you tick? (#1)
Two truths and a lie (#3)
Show and tell (#10)
Find the common thread (#11)
You get one question (#20)
Hello, my name is (#27)
Triangulate your place (#31)
Penny for your thoughts (#32)

6. Active listening and observation:

Active listening (#24)
Sneak a peek (#36)
Heads up! (#43)

7. Adaptability and resource management:

Scavenger hunt (#8)
Geocache adventure (#9)
Lava flow (#45)
Leaky pipe (#48)

8. Digital and remote team building:

What’s on your desk? (#19)
Evil Apples (#52)
Drawful (#53)
Pandemic (digital version) (#54)
Among Us (#56)
Order & Chaos 2: Redemption (#57)

9. Physical and energizing activities:

Dance party (#42)
Spider web (#46)
Balloon in water (#47)
Group juggle (#49)
Bridge build (#58)

10 . Company knowledge and culture:

Group timeline (#18)
This is better than that (#22)
Company concentration (#25)
Company concentration: Debate version (#26)
All the news (#59)

11. Non-verbal communication:

Reverse charades (#35)
Group order (#51)

12. Role-playing and perspective-taking:

Classify this (#21)
It's your problem (#23)

Many games could fit into multiple categories as they develop several skills simultaneously.

Team-building games your whole team will love

1. What makes you tick?

This introspective game encourages team members to share their motivations and values.

Each participant has a set of cards with various phrases or words related to work motivation, such as "recognition," "autonomy" or "job security."

Players select the cards that resonate most with them and explain their choices to the group.

This activity helps team members understand each other's driving forces and can lead to more effective collaboration.

It also allows managers to gain insights into what motivates their employees, enabling them to create a more engaging work environment.

2. Ideas as building blocks

This creative exercise combines problem-solving with physical activity.

Divide the team into small groups and provide each with building blocks like Lego.

Present a workplace challenge or goal, and ask each group to construct a physical representation of their solution using the blocks.

Once they’ve completed their structures, teams present their ideas and explain their reasoning.

This game encourages innovative thinking, teamwork and communication skills while visually representing abstract ideas.

3. Two truths and a lie

This game is a classic icebreaker, helping team members get to know each other in a fun and engaging way.

Each participant shares three statements about themselves — two truths and a lie. The rest of the group tries to guess which is the lie.

This activity promotes active listening and encourages participants to share interesting facts about themselves.

It can lead to surprising revelations and help team members find common interests or experiences they might not have discovered otherwise.

4. The barter puzzle

This game focuses on negotiation skills and resource management.

Divide the team into small groups, and give each group a jigsaw puzzle with missing pieces.

Inform the teams that other groups have their missing pieces, and they must negotiate trades to complete their puzzles. Set a time limit to add another element to the task.

The barter puzzle encourages communication, strategic thinking and cooperation between teams. It also simulates real-world scenarios where departments must collaborate and share resources to achieve common goals.

5. Use what you have

This improvised game challenges teams to think creatively with limited resources.

Provide each group with a random assortment of office supplies or household items. Present a hypothetical business problem or product idea and ask them to create a solution or prototype using only the items you’ve provided.

This activity promotes innovation and out-of-the-box thinking. It emphasizes the importance of teams working with available resources and finding creative solutions.

6. Created economy

In this simulation game, teams create mini-economies. Divide participants into groups and provide each with a set of resources (e.g., paper, markers, scissors).

Each group must create products, establish value and trade with other groups to accumulate wealth or achieve specific goals.

This game teaches valuable lessons about resource management, negotiation and economic principles. It also encourages strategic thinking and cooperation within and between teams.

7. Common book

This collaborative storytelling activity involves creating a shared narrative.

Provide a blank notebook or digital document and ask team members to contribute to an ongoing story, with each person adding a few sentences or a paragraph.

Set a time limit for each contribution to keep the story moving.

The common book exercise fosters creativity, builds on others' ideas and creates a sense of shared ownership. It can be a fun, ongoing project for team members to contribute to during breaks or downtime.

8. Scavenger hunt

Organize a scavenger hunt around the office or a nearby area. Create a list of items or clues for teams to find or solve, encouraging them to work together and think creatively. Add a time limit for extra motivation.

Scavenger hunts encourage physical activity and can be a great way to familiarize team members with their work environment or explore a new location together.

These treasure hunts promote teamwork, problem-solving and time management. You can tailor them to include company-specific items or information, making them fun and educational for team members.

9. Geocache adventure

Like a scavenger hunt, geocaching adds GPS coordinates to guide teams to hidden caches.

Create a series of caches around your office or a nearby park, each containing clues or tasks that lead to the next location. Teams use smartphones or GPS devices to find caches.

This outdoor activity combines technology with physical exploration. It promotes teamwork, problem-solving and navigation skills.

It's an excellent way to get teams out of the office and engage in a fun, collaborative adventure.

10. Show and tell

Transfer this childhood favorite to the workplace by asking team members to bring in a special item. Each participant shares the story behind their chosen object with the group.

This activity allows colleagues to learn more about each other's personal lives, interests and values. It can reveal surprising connections between team members and foster a deeper empathy and understanding within the group.

11. Find the common thread

In this game, divide the team into small groups and challenge them to identify as many similarities as possible within their group.

These can range from shared hobbies and experiences to more obscure connections like having the same number of siblings or owning the same brand of car.

Find the common thread encourages team members to dig deeper and uncover unexpected connections with their colleagues. It promotes active listening and curiosity.

This activity can also break down perceived barriers between team members from different backgrounds or departments.

12. Mad lib mission statement

Take a creative approach to understanding your company's values with this word game.

Create a fill-in-the-blank version of your organization's mission statement, removing key nouns, verbs and adjectives.

Have team members work together to fill in the blanks, creating a new, often humorous version of the statement.

This activity provides a fun and lighthearted way to engage with the company's core values and encourages creativity and collaboration.

It can lead to interesting discussions about the organization's purpose and how team members interpret its mission.

13. Organizational Jenga

Adapt the classic block-stacking game to reflect your organization's structure and challenges.

Write different departmental roles, company values or key business elements on Jenga blocks.

As team members play the game, they must explain how the removal or addition of each element would impact the organization.

This game represents how different parts of the company interact and depend on each other.

It promotes strategic thinking about organizational structure and helps team members understand the importance of each role within the company.

14. Blind drawing

This communication exercise involves pairs of team members. One person describes an image or object without naming it directly, while their partner attempts to draw it solely on their description.

The challenge lies in providing clear, detailed instructions without using obvious giveaways.

Blind drawing shows the importance of clear communication and active listening. It also emphasizes the value of asking clarifying questions and providing feedback.

It can be entertaining and enlightening as teams realize how differently people may interpret the same information.

15. The perfect square

For this activity, gather the team in a circle and give them a long rope tied at the ends to form a loop.

Blindfold all participants and instruct them to work together to form a perfect square with the rope without removing their blindfolds.

This challenge requires effective communication, leadership and spatial awareness.

It demonstrates how important clear instructions and teamwork are for achieving common goals, especially when facing hurdles.

16. What's my name?

In this guessing game, write the names of famous people, characters or company roles on sticky notes. Place a note on each participant's forehead without letting them see it.

Team members ask yes-or-no questions to determine their identity, and the group works together to help each person guess correctly.

This activity encourages creative questioning, deductive reasoning and teamwork.

It's a fun way to build rapport among team members, and you can tailor it to include industry-specific or company-related identities for added relevance.

17. Watch where you step

Create an obstacle course in your office or outdoor space using objects like chairs, boxes or cones.

Divide the team into pairs. With one person blindfolded, the other guides their teammate through the course using only verbal instructions.

This exercise builds trust between team members and emphasizes the importance of clear, concise communication.

It also highlights the value of dependability and adapting communication styles to different situations and individuals.

18. Group timeline

Provide a large sheet of paper or whiteboard and ask team members to create a collective timeline of significant events in the company's or team's history.

Encourage everyone to contribute milestones, achievements and even challenges faced along the way.

This collaborative activity helps team members appreciate the organization's journey and their role in its growth.

It can foster a sense of pride in shared accomplishments and provide perspective on how the team has overcome past challenges.

19. What's on your desk?

For this virtual-friendly game, ask team members to grab three items from their desks or workspaces that represent their personality or work style.

Each person shares their chosen items and explains the significance behind each one.

This activity offers insights into colleagues' work habits, interests and values.

It can be particularly useful for remote teams, providing a glimpse into each other's workspaces. This can foster a sense of connection despite physical distance.

20. You get one question

In this thought-provoking exercise, pair up team members and get them to ask their partner one question to get to know them better.

They must consider what information would be most valuable or interesting to learn about their colleague.

This game encourages critical thinking and prioritization. It also promotes active listening, as participants must pay close attention to the single answer they receive.

The activity often leads to deeper, more meaningful conversations than typical small talk.

21. Classify this

Prepare a set of random objects or images and challenge teams to categorize them creatively.

For example, they might group items by color, function or more abstract concepts like "things that make you happy" or "objects that represent company values."

This activity promotes creative thinking and helps team members practice finding connections between seemingly unrelated items.

It can lead to interesting discussions about perception, highlighting how different people may approach the same task.

22. This is better than that

Create a bracket-style tournament featuring various workplace items, processes or concepts.

Teams must debate and vote on which option is "better" in each matchup, advancing items through the bracket until a winner is crowned.

This game encourages critical thinking, persuasive communication and healthy debate.

It can be a fun way to discuss company priorities or evaluate different approaches to workplace challenges.

23. It's your problem

In this role-playing exercise, team members take turns presenting a work-related problem they're facing. The rest of the group assumes the role of the problem-solver, brainstorming potential solutions and offering advice.

This activity promotes empathy, creative problem-solving and knowledge sharing.

It gives people fresh perspectives on their challenges and builds a supportive team culture where members feel comfortable seeking help from colleagues.

24. Active listening

Pair up team members and have one person share a story or experience for a set time.

The listener must recap the story to the group, striving to include as many details as possible. The original storyteller can fill in any missed information.

This exercise emphasizes the importance of active listening in effective communication.

It helps team members develop their listening skills and recognize how much information they may miss if they’re not fully engaged in a conversation.

25. Company concentration

Create a memory game using pairs of cards featuring company-related information, such as product names, department roles or key clients.

Lay the cards face down and get team members to flip them over to find matching pairs.

This game is fun and educational, helping team members learn and retain important information about the company.

It can be beneficial for new employees or when introducing new products or services.

26. Company concentration: Debate version

Building on the previous game, this version adds a debate element.

When players find a matching pair, they must argue why that particular aspect is important or how it contributes to the organization's success. Other team members can challenge or support their arguments.

This variation encourages critical thinking about the company's various elements and how they interconnect.

It promotes a deeper understanding of the organization's structure and values while improving debate and persuasion skills.

27. Hello, my name is

For this icebreaker, give team members blank name tags and ask them to write down three words that describe themselves instead of their names. Encourage creativity and avoid obvious descriptors like job titles.

As participants mingle, they must guess their names based on the descriptive words.

This game helps team members learn about their colleagues' personalities and interests beyond their professional roles, fostering a more personal connection.

28. Telephone, on paper

Arrange the team in a circle and give each person a sheet of paper. Start by having everyone write a simple sentence at the top of their paper. Then, pass the papers to the right. The next person must draw a picture representing that sentence without using words.

Once finished, they fold the paper to hide the original sentence and pass it on. The next person must write a sentence describing the picture they see, and so on. Continue until the papers make a full rotation. At the end, unfold the papers and see how the messages evolved.

This game highlights the challenges of information transfer and interpretation.

It's a fun way to show how messages can change as they pass through multiple people, highlighting the importance of clear communication in the workplace.

29. Do the math

Create a series of math problems that require teamwork to solve.

For example, you might give each team member a number and challenge the group to arrange themselves to form specific equations or reach a target sum.

This activity promotes problem-solving, communication and collaboration. You can adapt it to different skill levels and incorporate company-specific numbers or data for added relevance.

30. Problem family tree

Present a significant challenge facing the organization and ask teams to create a "family tree" of related issues.

The main problem forms the trunk, with branches representing sub-problems or contributing factors. Leaves can represent potential solutions or areas for further investigation.

This visual brainstorming exercise helps teams break down complex problems into manageable chunks. It encourages systemic thinking and can reveal unexpected connections.

31. Triangulate your place

In an open space, designate three points as "corners" representing different traits, such as work styles (e.g., planner, doer, dreamer) or communication preferences (e.g., email, phone, face-to-face).

Ask team members to think about their traits and go to the points that represent them. This physical representation of personal characteristics can spark interesting discussions about team dynamics and individual strengths.

It also provides a visual way for team members to see similarities and differences within the group.

32. Penny for your thoughts

Gather a collection of pennies (or other coins) with various years stamped on them.

Have each team member randomly select a coin and share a personal story or significant event from the year on their coin.

This activity encourages personal storytelling and helps team members learn about each other's backgrounds and experiences.

The penny game can reveal interesting coincidences or shared experiences among team members.

It also provides a structured way for people to share personal anecdotes, which can build empathy and understanding within the group.

33. Magic cane (helium stick)

For this seemingly simple but challenging activity, put team members in two lines facing each other. Place a long, light rod (like a tent pole) on their outstretched index fingers.

The goal is to lower the rod to the ground as a team, but there's a catch: everyone's fingers must stay in contact with the rod.

This exercise often results in the rod initially rising instead of lowering as people try to keep their fingers in contact.

It demonstrates the importance of coordination, clear communication and working together towards a common goal. The activity also highlights how individual actions can impact the whole team's performance.

34. Electric fence

Create an imaginary electric fence using a rope or string tied between two points at about waist height.

The team’s aim is to get everyone over the fence without touching it. If anyone touches the "fence," the entire team must start over.

This physical challenge requires careful planning, teamwork and trust. It encourages creative problem-solving and highlights the importance of supporting team members with different physical abilities or strengths.

35. Reverse charades

In this twist on the classic game, one team member guesses while the rest of the team acts out the word or phrase. This reversal of roles creates a unique dynamic where the team must coordinate their actions to effectively convey the concept.

Reverse charades promotes teamwork, non-verbal communication and quick thinking. It can be especially useful for groups that rely heavily on collaborative problem-solving.

36. Sneak a peek

Create a small structure using building blocks or other materials, and hide it from view. Divide the team into small groups, each with their own set of identical building materials.

One member from each group can look at the hidden structure for a few seconds before returning to their team to guide them in recreating it.

This game tests memory, communication skills and the ability to work under pressure.

It simulates situations where team members must rely on secondhand information to complete a task, emphasizing the importance of clear instructions and attention to detail.

37. Conducted story

Have the team sit in a circle and designate one person as the "conductor." The conductor points to team members who must add to an ongoing story, one sentence at a time. The conductor can switch between people rapidly or allow for longer contributions.

This activity encourages creativity, active listening and quick thinking. It also helps team members practice building on others' ideas — a key skill in collaborative work environments.

38. Swedish story

Similar to the conducted story, this game involves collaborative storytelling.

However, in this version, each person adds just one word to the story at a time. The goal is to create a coherent narrative despite the fragmented contributions.

This exercise highlights the importance of paying attention to context and thinking ahead. It also demonstrates how small individual contributions can create something larger, much like in a team project.

39. Tied up

Use a long rope to loosely tie all team members together in a circle.

Give the group simple tasks to complete while remaining tied together, such as retrieving objects from around the room or solving puzzles.

This physical challenge requires coordination, communication and adaptability. It simulates working under constraints and emphasizes the need for teamwork to overcome obstacles.

40. Bounden

This activity uses a smartphone app called Bounden, which guides pairs through a choreographed dance routine while holding the phone.

This unique exercise promotes physical coordination, trust and the ability to work closely with others. It's a fun way to break down personal space barriers and encourage teamwork in a lighthearted setting.

41. Game of possibilities

Provide each team member with an ordinary object, such as a pen or a paperclip.

Without speaking, each person must demonstrate a creative, non-traditional use for their object while the rest of the team tries to guess what they're mimicking.

This game encourages creative thinking and the ability to look at familiar objects in new ways. It can foster innovation and out-of-the-box problem-solving skills within the team.

42. Dance party

Host a short dance party during a break or at the end of a meeting. Choose upbeat music and encourage everyone to participate, even if it's just simple movements or swaying to the beat.

This energizing activity can reduce stress, boost morale and promote camaraderie among team members.

It's particularly useful for breaking up long meetings or injecting some fun into the workday.

43. Heads up!

Based on the popular app and game show, one team member holds a card with a word on their forehead without seeing it.

The rest of the team gives clues to help the person guess the word without saying the word itself or using rhymes.

This fast-paced game improves communication skills, encourages creative thinking and promotes teamwork. You can adapt it to include industry-specific terms or company-related concepts for added relevance.

44. Hole tarp

Provide the team with a large tarp or sheet with several small holes cut into it. The goal is for the team to maneuver a ball across the tarp and through each hole in a specific order without letting the ball fall off the tarp.

This challenge requires coordination, communication and strategic thinking. It emphasizes the need for all team members to work together and adapt their approach to achieve a common goal.

45. Lava flow

Designate an area as "lava" and provide the team with limited stepping stones (e.g., pieces of cardboard).

The team must work together to cross the lava using only the stepping stones without anyone touching the ground.

This problem-solving activity encourages strategic thinking, resource management and physical coordination.

It simulates overcoming obstacles as a team and highlights the importance of planning and execution.

46. Spider web

Create a "spider web" using string or rope between two trees or poles. The web should have gaps of various sizes.

The team's goal is to get every member through the web without touching it, with each opening used only once.

This physical challenge requires careful planning, communication and trust. It emphasizes individual strengths and supporting one another to achieve a common goal.

47. Balloon in water

Fill a large container with water and place a small balloon inside. The team must work together to remove the balloon without using hands or tools, relying only on their breath to move it.

This unique challenge encourages creative problem-solving and teamwork. It demonstrates how combining individual efforts can lead to success in tackling seemingly impossible tasks.

48. Leaky pipe

Provide the team with a bucket of water and a pipe with holes drilled along its length.

The goal is to transport water from one container to another using the pipe, working together to cover the holes and minimize water loss.

This activity simulates problem-solving under pressure and resource management. It highlights the importance of quick thinking, coordination and adapting strategies as a team.

49. Group juggle

Have the team stand in a circle and pass a ball among the group in a set pattern.

Gradually introduce more balls into the mix, challenging the team to keep them all in motion without dropping them.

This energetic game improves concentration, coordination and the ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously.

It's a great metaphor for managing various responsibilities in a fast-paced work environment.

50. Grab bag skits

Divide the team into small groups and provide each with a bag containing random objects.

Challenge each group to create and perform a short skit with all the items in their bag.

This improvisational activity encourages creativity, quick thinking and public speaking skills.

It also helps team members become more comfortable with each other and can reveal hidden talents within the group.

51. Group order

Ask the team to line up in order based on various criteria, such as birthdate, alphabetical order of middle names or number of siblings.

The catch is that they must do this without speaking, relying only on non-verbal communication.

This exercise promotes problem-solving, non-verbal communication skills and the ability to work together under constraints.

It can be handy for teams that need to improve their non-verbal cues and body language awareness.

52. Evil Apples

Based on the popular card game, this digital version allows teams to play together remotely.

Players complete fill-in-the-blank statements with humorous or outrageous answers, and a rotating judge selects the best response each round.

This game encourages creativity, humor and friendly competition among team members. It's an excellent option for remote teams or as a fun break during virtual meetings.

53. Drawful

Part of the Jackbox Party Pack, Drawful is a digital drawing and guessing game. Players receive prompts to draw on their smartphones, and others try to guess what the drawings represent.

This game promotes creativity, quick thinking and the ability to interpret others' ideas.

It's a great way to inject laughter and friendly competition into team-building sessions, especially for remote teams.

54. Pandemic

Pandemic is a cooperative game where players work together to save the world from disease outbreaks. It's available in physical and digital formats, making it suitable for in-person or remote teams.

This strategic game emphasizes collaboration, resource management and long-term planning.

It's an excellent way to practice decision-making under pressure and learn to balance individual actions with team goals.

55. Carcassonne

Another board game adaptable for team building, Carcassonne involves players taking turns placing tiles to build a medieval landscape.

While traditionally competitive, you can modify it for cooperative play, where the team works together to create the largest possible city or road network.

This game encourages strategic thinking, spatial awareness and adapting plans to changing circumstances. It can help teams practice long-term planning and resource allocation.

56. Among Us

This popular online multiplayer game puts players in the role of crewmates on a spaceship. One or more players secretly work as impostors to sabotage the mission.

Crewmates must work together to complete tasks and identify the impostors.

Among Us focuses on communication, deductive reasoning and working under pressure. It can be a fun way for teams to practice trust-building and collaborate in high-stakes situations.

57. Order & Chaos 2: Redemption

This mobile multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) game can be great for team building as employees can form teams and compete against each other.

Each player chooses a character with unique abilities, and teams must work together to achieve objectives and defeat the opposing team.

While not a traditional team-building game, Order & Chaos 2 can improve communication, strategic thinking and the ability to work together under pressure.

It's ideal for tech-savvy teams or those interested in gaming.

58. Bridge build

Divide the team into two groups and provide each with building materials such as paper, tape and straws.

Challenge them to build half of a bridge that will connect in the middle without being able to see or communicate with the other team.

This engineering challenge emphasizes the importance of planning, communication and attention to detail.

It simulates real-world scenarios where different teams or departments must work on separate parts of a project that ultimately need to come together seamlessly.

59. All the news

Divide the team into small groups and provide each with various newspapers and magazines.

Challenge them to create a collage that represents the company's vision, mission or current projects using only images and headlines from the provided materials.

This creative exercise encourages teams to think about the company's goals and values visually.

It promotes collaboration and creative thinking, and it can lead to interesting discussions about how team members perceive the organization's direction.

The last card

Team building games are invaluable tools for fostering a positive work environment, improving communication and boosting morale.

Engaging in these activities helps teams develop stronger bonds, enhance their problem-solving skills and cultivate a more collaborative culture.

At Pip Decks, we understand the importance of effective team management and the role that team building plays in creating high-performing teams.

Instantly upskill your team with Pip Decks' Team Tactics Deck, uniquely designed to help you grow and nurture effective teams.

Check out our website for more insights, tips and tools to enhance your team's performance and create a more engaging work environment.

FAQs

What are the 7 Cs of team building?

The 7 Cs of team building are:

Clarity: Ensuring all team members understand their roles and objectives
Communication: Fostering open and effective dialogue within the team
Collaboration: Encouraging teamwork and mutual support
Creativity: Promoting innovative thinking and problem-solving
Commitment: Building dedication
Contribution: Ensuring team members contribute fairly
Coordination: Working together on a common goal

59 team building games to boost morale