Team building activities can have a positive impact on the productivity and creativity of an employee base as a whole. But if you are unfamiliar with the process of developing successful team building activities, it can be impossible to know where to begin. Continue reading to find out which team building activities you should try for short-term as well as long-term business success.

1.The Great Egg Drop

If you are looking for a problem-solving team building activity, The Great Egg Drop is a great, albeit messy, solution. It involves dividing the workforce into two distinct groups and assigning each group the task of constructing a vessel that will protect a raw egg from an eight-foot drop. A variety of tools and materials can be provided such as balloons, cardboard tubes, plastic straws, scissors, an egg carton, wooden sticks, tape, paper, and a pen or pencil. Each team must then explain why their invention is unique and is likely to succeed before putting it to the test. This activity has been performed in schools, colleges, and workplaces for decades and can be a great way to teach groups to not only communicate but work together to source a solution to a common goal. 

2. Sneak a Peak

‍Sneak a Peak requires 10 minutes of your time and no more than a set of children’s building blocks. The instructor will kick things off by constructing a small sculpture and hiding it from the rest of the group. Participants should then be divided into teams of three or four with the shared goal of attempting to rebuild the structure from memory. One team member can revisit the sculpture but for no more than five seconds and only at intervals stated by the instructor. This activity is a great way to foster communication between employees, promote listening skills, and aid memory retention. These solutions can then be transferred to real-life problems at work or at home. If you are looking for a fun team building activity for your business, a leading provider, such as Team Tactics, can provide a wide range of exercises guaranteed to suit organisations regardless of size, industry, and niche. 

3. Picture Pieces

‍Picture Pieces is another popular team building activity. The instructor must select a widely recognised cartoon character. It must then be printed and cut into as many pieces as there are participants in the activity. With the pieces distributed amongst participants, the goal is to construct a replica of the original version but considerably larger than the copy of the piece they have been given. With only their own piece of the picture to work from, they must consider how it will impact the larger picture as a whole. Tools and materials required include pencils, pens, markers, paper, and rulers. As the activity comes to a close, each individual portion should be pieced together and compared against the original picture. This problem-solving team building activity can teach employees how to work together towards a shared goal despite a lack of information or shared resources. It also demonstrates what is known as departmental working, or the understanding that the individual efforts of a single person can contribute to a larger, aggregated result.

4. Classification

Classification can be a quick ice breaker or part of a larger, complex activity. The workforce should be divided into teams of four before explaining the definition of pigeon-holing. Participants should then introduce themselves to their fellow team members before classifying themselves, as a team, into two or three subcategories. This can nurture professional relationships and allow employees to get to know one another on a personal level.

Team building activities can be a great way to nurture a positive working environment. Popular examples include The Great Egg Drop, Sneak a Peak, Picture Pieces, and Classification.

by Isabella Goode

UK Careers Fair