Collaboration, communication, and a positive atmosphere are crucial elements for a successful team. Fun and creative team building activities are not only a welcome change from the daily routine, but can also significantly improve team spirit and cooperation. In this article, we will take a look at some of the most effective and entertaining workplace games for team building that will help your team to have a blast while working on their collaboration and communication skills. We will also provide you with some helpful tips on how to choose the right activities for your team, and how to make the most out of them.
Right at the beginning, you will find a few important tips on how to make your team building a success. And for each activity, we provide you with the right number of players, the positive effects you can expect, tips on customization, and psychological insights. Have fun! (If you can’t get enough, here’s a list of some more fabulous team building games)
Jump to:
Before you start: How to get people involved
- Tip 1: Ice-Breakers: If the participants do not yet know each other well, so-called “ice breakers” help to lighten the mood.
- Tip 2: Debrief Sessions: Encourage teams to have short discussions before and after each game. Before the game, they could set expectations or goals, and after, they could reflect on what they learned about each other and how it can be applied to their work.
- Tip 3: Enhanced Engagement: Incorporate role-playing elements into the games to make them more immersive. For example, during a problem-solving game, team members could take on specific roles like “The Innovator” or “The Devil’s Advocate,” which could also translate to real workplace roles.
- Tip 4: Create a Themed Series: Suggest themes like “Retro Game Day” or “Around the World” where all the games for that day follow a specific theme. This could tie into company culture or current events, making the games even more engaging.
- Bonus Tip: Reactance Theory: This theory suggests that people experience a psychological reaction when they perceive that their freedom to choose or behave is being restricted. On school trips, students might feel that they are being forced to eat certain foods or participate in activities, leading them to complain as a way of asserting their independence. Similarly, adults may feel that team building games are imposed on them and that they are being treated in a patronizing or infantilizing way, leading to resistance and negative attitudes.
The solution: Put the game to a vote and encourage participants to make adjustments that they think will make the activity more interesting/fun.
1. Office chair racing: Fast-paced fun in the office
The Office Chair Race is a fun and simple workplace game that can be easily implemented during breaks or after work. All you need are a few office chairs and a smooth, flat surface. The rules are simple: Participants start at a certain point and race to a finish line, either individually or in teams. To make the race even more fun, you can set up a slalom course or add obstacles that the participants have to overcome.
This activity is particularly well-suited for larger teams, as it can be easily adapted to accommodate a high number of participants. Additionally, office chair racing promotes a sense of competition and fun, while also encouraging quick decision-making and coordination. By taking part in this activity, team members will improve their ability to work together and communicate effectively, as they will need to coordinate their efforts to win the race.
- Number of participants: 5-20 people
- Positive effects: Fun, competition, cooperation, coordination
- Customization Tip: For smaller teams or limited space, create a relay format where participants tag in and out, adding a collaborative twist. For remote teams, consider a trivia race where each correct answer moves the chair forward virtually on a shared board.
- Psychological Insight: This fast-paced activity taps into the need for movement and novelty in the workplace, which can boost creativity and reduce stress. The playful competition encourages bonding through shared physical exertion and laughter, fostering a sense of camaraderie.
2. Office mini-golf: Strengthening team spirit through precision and creativity
Office Mini-Golf is a creative and entertaining team workplace game that can be easily set up in the office. You can use everyday office items such as cups, folders, or pens to create your mini-golf course. This not only makes the activity cost-effective, but also encourages participants to use their creativity and resourcefulness. The goal of office mini-golf is to get the ball into the hole with as few strokes as possible, similar to regular mini-golf. Participants can play individually or in teams, and the one with the fewest strokes at the end wins.
Office mini-golf is a versatile team building activity that is suitable for teams of all sizes. It promotes precision, patience, and creativity, as participants will need to carefully plan their shots and find creative ways to overcome obstacles. By playing office mini-golf, team members not only improve their individual skills but also strengthen the team spirit within the group.
- Number of participants: 5-30 people
- Positive effects: Fun, precision, creativity, team spirit
- Customization Tip: Personalize the course by incorporating elements from your workspace, such as navigating around desks or using office supplies as obstacles. You can also theme the holes to reflect company projects or milestones.
- Psychological Insight: Mini-golf combines precision with creativity, engaging both the analytical and imaginative parts of the brain. By navigating obstacles and strategizing together, teams enhance their problem-solving skills and build mutual trust through cooperative effort.
3. The helium stick: a challenging exercise to improve team work
The Helium Stick is a challenging but highly effective team building exercise that helps improve team work and communication. The “helium stick” is a long, thin rod (e.g. a wooden stick or a PVC pipe) that is passed from hand to hand by the participants. The catch is that the stick must always be held by the participants with their index fingers, and the participants’ hands must be in contact with the stick at all times. The goal of the exercise is to lower the stick to the ground as a team, which sounds simple, but can be surprisingly difficult due to the natural tendency of the stick to rise.
The helium stick exercise is particularly effective for smaller teams, as it requires close coordination and communication between the participants. It promotes patience, precision, and above all, team work. By completing this challenging task, team members will improve their ability to work together and communicate effectively, as they will need to coordinate their movements and make joint decisions.
- Number of participants: 5-10 people
- Positive effects: Team work, communication, precision
- Customization Tip: Adjust the challenge by varying the size or weight of the stick, or by setting time limits.
- Psychological Insight: The Helium Stick exercise highlights the importance of synchronization and communication in teamwork. It teaches patience and collective focus, as teams must align their actions perfectly to succeed, mirroring the coordination needed in complex projects.
No worries, our team’s here to help, and there’s zero obligation. Reach out today!
4. Office scavenger hunt: A fun way to promote team spirit
An Office Scavenger Hunt is a fun and versatile workplace team building activity that can be easily adapted to your team’s goals and the available resources. You can create a list of tasks or riddles that lead the participants to various locations or objects in the office, and the team that solves the most tasks or finds the most items within a certain time limit wins. The tasks can be designed to promote specific skills, such as creativity, problem-solving, or collaboration. For example, participants may be asked to take creative photos or videos, solve riddles, or work together to overcome challenges.
The office scavenger hunt is suitable for teams of all sizes and can be easily tailored to the available time and resources. It promotes team spirit, creativity, and problem-solving, as participants will need to work together to solve tasks and find the right solutions. By taking part in this activity, team members not only get to know each other better, but also strengthen the cooperation within the team.
- Number of participants: 5-50 people
- Positive effects: Team spirit, creativity, problem-solving, collaboration
- Customization Tip: Tailor the hunt to your company by including items or clues related to your industry, or incorporate digital elements for remote teams, such as finding online resources or completing quick virtual tasks.
- Psychological Insight: Scavenger hunts stimulate both competition and collaboration, as teams work together to solve clues and find items. This activity engages problem-solving skills and promotes quick thinking under pressure, strengthening the team’s ability to work cohesively in dynamic environments.
5. Paper plane contest: Fun and competition in the office
The Paper Plane Contest is a simple and entertaining workplace game that requires little preparation. Participants are tasked with building paper planes from standard A4 paper and then competing in various disciplines, such as who can throw their plane the farthest, who can perform the best stunts, or who can land their plane in a specific target. This activity encourages creativity and at the same time promotes a sense of competition and fun. Participants can work on their planes individually or in teams, and then compete against each other in the different disciplines.
The paper plane contest is suitable for teams of all sizes and is particularly well-suited for larger groups, as it can be easily adapted to accommodate a high number of participants. It promotes creativity, precision, and team spirit, as participants can exchange ideas and learn from each other while working on their planes. By taking part in this activity, team members will strengthen their sense of togetherness and have the opportunity to have fun in a relaxed atmosphere.
- Number of participants: 5-30 people
- Positive effects: Fun, creativity, precision, team spirit
- Customization Tip: Encourage creativity by allowing teams to use different materials or designs, then have them explain their choices before the flight test.
- Psychological Insight: Designing and testing paper planes taps into creativity and innovation, allowing team members to experiment with ideas in a low-risk environment. The competitive element adds excitement, while the simplicity of the task encourages everyone to participate, boosting morale.
6. Office Olympics: A diverse and entertaining team building event
Office Olympics are a series of fun and varied workplace games that can be held in the office. You can choose from a wide range of disciplines and games, such as chair relay races, office basketball (using a wastepaper basket and crumpled paper balls), or desk push-ups. The games can be designed to promote certain skills, such as coordination, team work, or creativity. Participants compete against each other in the different disciplines, and points are awarded for each game. At the end, the team or individual with the most points wins the Office Olympics.
The Office Olympics are a highly entertaining and team-oriented activity that is particularly well-suited for larger teams. It promotes a sense of competition, fun, and at the same time team spirit, as participants can cheer each other on and support their teammates. By taking part in the Office Olympics, team members have the opportunity to strengthen their working relationships, have fun together, and improve their collaboration in a playful way.
- Number of participants: 10-50 people
- Positive effects: Fun, competition, team spirit, collaboration
- Customization Tip: Create events based on your team’s interests or office environment, such as keyboard typing speed races or coffee cup stacking. For remote teams, organize online competitions like timed puzzles or virtual relay races.
- Psychological Insight: The diversity of events in Office Olympics caters to different strengths within the team, promoting inclusivity and recognition of varied skills. The playful competition fosters a sense of achievement and pride, which can translate into greater confidence and collaboration in work tasks.
7. Team karaoke: Strengthening team spirit through shared fun
Team Karaoke is a fun and entertaining workplace activity that not only promotes team spirit but also helps to reduce inhibitions and create a relaxed atmosphere. The idea is simple: Participants form teams and choose their favorite songs to perform together. Karaoke can take place in the office or at a karaoke bar, depending on your preferences and resources. The teams then take turns performing their songs, and the performances are judged by a jury or the other participants. You can also add a competitive element by awarding prizes for the best performance or the most creative interpretation.
Team karaoke is a versatile activity that can be adapted to teams of all sizes and compositions. It promotes self-confidence, team spirit, and at the same time fun. While some participants may be enthusiastic performers, others may initially feel insecure. Team karaoke offers an opportunity to leave your comfort zone and strengthen your working relationships in a relaxed and fun way.
- Number of participants: 5-50 people
- Positive effects: Fun, team spirit, self-confidence, collaboration
- Customization Tip: Customize the playlist with songs that reflect your team’s culture or recent projects. To include remote workers, use a karaoke app that allows for virtual duets or group performances.
- Psychological Insight: Karaoke breaks down social barriers, as singing in front of peers requires vulnerability and courage. This shared experience can increase empathy and understanding within the team, leading to stronger interpersonal connections and a more supportive work environment.
8. Escape the office: An exciting team building challenge
“Escape the Office” is an exciting and increasingly popular team building activity that puts participants’ problem-solving and collaboration skills to the test. The concept is similar to that of an escape room: Teams are locked in a room or a series of interconnected rooms in the office and must work together to solve puzzles, find clues, and ultimately escape within a certain time limit. The puzzles can be of different types, such as riddles, logic tasks, or physical challenges, and are designed to require a variety of skills from the participants.
“Escape the office” is a challenging but highly rewarding team building activity that is particularly well-suited for teams that are already familiar with each other and have a good basis for collaboration. It promotes problem-solving, collaboration, and team spirit, as participants must work closely together to solve the puzzles and overcome the challenges. In addition, it provides an exciting and immersive experience that strengthens the team’s working relationships.
- Number of participants: 3-8 people per team, possibility for multiple teams
- Positive effects: Problem-solving, collaboration, team spirit
- Customization Tip: Design the escape challenge around real office scenarios or tasks, adding a layer of relevance. For remote teams, create a virtual escape room using online tools and industry-specific puzzles.
- Psychological Insight: Escape room challenges mirror complex work tasks, requiring critical thinking, time management, and teamwork. By engaging in a high-pressure, problem-solving scenario, teams practice working together efficiently under stress, improving their collaborative resilience.
9. Virtual team building: games and activities for remote teams
In the increasingly digital working world, virtual team building is becoming more and more important. Virtual team building activities offer the opportunity to strengthen the cohesion and collaboration of remote teams. There is a wide range of online games and activities that are specifically designed to promote team spirit and communication in virtual teams.
Some examples of virtual team building games and activities include travel quizzes, get2know games, online team quizzes or trivia games or virtual team challenges (e.g. building virtual structures together). These activities are not only fun, but also promote the important aspects of virtual team work, such as effective communication, coordination of efforts, and a sense of togetherness despite physical distance.
Virtual team building is particularly well-suited for teams that work remotely or have members in different locations. It helps to create a positive team culture and strengthen relationships between team members, even if they can’t meet in person.
- Number of participants: Depending on the activity, usually 5-50 people (we’ve done 1k+)
- Positive effects: Fun, communication, team spirit, virtual collaboration
- Customization Tip: Tailor the games to fit the team’s working style, such as using collaborative tools for problem-solving games or social platforms for casual, fun activities. Incorporate elements of your company culture into the game design.
- Psychological Insight: Virtual games and activities help bridge the physical distance between remote team members, fostering a sense of belonging and connection. By engaging in shared experiences online, teams can maintain cohesion and trust, which are crucial for effective remote collaboration.
10. “Werewolves” (also known as “Mafia”): A classic team building game for improved social interaction
“Werewolves” (or “Mafia”) is a classic team building game that is not only entertaining, but also helps to improve the social interaction and communication of the participants. The game is played in a group, usually with at least 8-10 participants. In “Werewolves”, the group takes on the role of a fictitious village, in which werewolves are among the inhabitants. The goal of the game is to find and eliminate the werewolves through discussion and voting. The werewolves, on the other hand, try to remain undetected and eliminate the villagers one by one.
“Werewolves” is a versatile game that can be adapted to different group sizes and dynamics. It promotes social interaction, communication, and at the same time strategic thinking, as participants must discuss and make joint decisions to uncover the werewolves. The game is not only fun, but also helps to strengthen the relationships between the participants and create a lively and cooperative group atmosphere.
- Number of participants: 8-50 people
- Positive effects: Fun, social interaction, communication, team spirit, strategic thinking
- Customization Tip: Adapt the game by including roles or scenarios that mirror your workplace dynamics or project teams. For remote play, use video conferencing features to enhance the suspense and interaction.
- Psychological Insight: The social deduction aspect of “Werewolves” enhances team members’ ability to read non-verbal cues and understand different perspectives. It encourages strategic thinking and communication, as players must navigate alliances and suspicions, skills that are valuable in managing team dynamics.
Bonus-Tip no. 1: CARRERA MARIO KART™ BATTLE
“Mario Kart Battle” is a teamazing original, where participants experience the thrill of the classic “Mario Kart” video game in a real-life, in a team-oriented competition. Teams will be equipped with remote-controlled cars, each with two balloons attached to the rear. The goal is to protect your own balloons while trying to burst the opponent’s balloons. Participants work together to outmaneuver their opponents, protect their team members, and strategically attack to win the battle.
This real life Mario Kart Battle is not only a unique and fun team building activity, but also a test of coordination, strategic planning, and team work. Participants must communicate effectively, coordinate their movements, and make quick decisions to gain the upper hand in the competition. The element of competition combined with the playful and nostalgic “Mario Kart” theme creates an exciting and memorable experience for the participants.
“Mario Kart Battle” is best suited for teams with a sense of fun and adventure, as well as a willingness to engage in active and dynamic team building. It is a great way to strengthen team spirit, promote friendly competition, and create lasting memories together.
- Number of participants: 6-10 people
- Positive effects: Fun, much fun and a lot of fun!
- Customization tips: Teams are free to style their cars to their liking. Whether it’s “Office Mad Max” or “The IT Crowd”.
- Psychological Insight: If you have ever played Mario Kart, you know the saying: “Play at your own risk!”.
Of course you can play Mario Kart with any remote-controlled car. But it’s more fun with our originals!
Bonus-Tip no. 2: Monax Island
“Monax Island” is an immersive team building adventure we created to challenge and engage remote teams through a unique virtual experience. Set on a mysterious island, in this browser game teams must collaborate to solve a series of puzzles and complete challenges in order to “survive” and ultimately uncover the secret of the island. The tasks are diverse, ranging from logic puzzles to interactive problem-solving, requiring participants to leverage their collective skills and communicate effectively. The virtual nature of the experience makes it perfect for geographically dispersed teams as well as different departments within an office, providing an opportunity to strengthen bonds and improve collaboration in a fun, dynamic environment.
“Monax Island” offers a blend of challenge and reward, ideal for remote teams looking to enhance their teamwork and communication skills. This adventure not only encourages strategic thinking and problem-solving but also fosters a sense of camaraderie as participants navigate the island’s mysteries together. The interactive and engaging format ensures that teams are fully immersed in the experience, making it an excellent tool for building stronger, more cohesive remote teams.
- Number of participants: 2-5 people per team, possibility for multiple teams
- Positive effects: Strategic thinking, problem-solving, communication, team cohesion
- Customization Tip: Try to put together teams from different departments (see cross-functional teams).
- Psychological Insight: Virtual survival scenarios like Monax Island simulate high-stakes environments, pushing teams to collaborate under pressure. This mirrors real-world challenges, helping teams develop resilience, adaptability, and a stronger sense of unity.
Effective team building is a crucial factor for a positive work environment and the success of a team. However, it doesn’t have to be a serious or boring matter. Workplace games and activities offer an opportunity to improve team dynamics while having fun. From office chair racing to virtual team challenges, the possibilities are diverse and can be adapted to the specific goals and preferences of the team. By integrating fun and team building, teams can strengthen their collaboration, communication, and overall team spirit. So why not give it a try and see how workplace games can make your team more productive and enjoyable?
