Teambuilding games help build rapport and promote an effective work environment.
Fun teambuilding games are an effective way to develop creative problem solving skills and promote innovative thinking. Teambuilding games can be a means to brainstorm for new ideas as well as to build rapport among coworkers. The following are three different teambuilding games that are fun, challenging, and encourage meaningful discussion as a part of the follow up and debriefing process.
Multi-Way Tug-of-War
This game requires some physical strength, but is ultimately successful with the use of creative and effective problem solving strategies. Set up the game with one steel ring, four steel connectors and four pieces of equal length rope. Attach the connectors to the ends of each piece of rope and to the steel ring. Lay the ropes out straight to form a perfect "X." Make four finishing lines--an equal distance from the center ring--with colored tape or spray paint. Divide the group into four teams of equal number and physical strength. Give the teams five minutes to strategize before you start round one. To begin the game, have the teams lift their ropes and pull just enough to remove any slack. Be sure the center ring is not moved in any direction to create an advantage for one team over the others. Next, sound a whistle and let the teams attack the challenge. You may want to do several rounds with a few minutes in between for the teams to evaluate and strategize again. Debrief with a discussion about how their strategies could be applied to other situations in the work environment.
Keypunch
This game requires team cooperation and evaluation to improve performance. Prepare the game by creating 30 cards labeled with the numbers 1 through 30. The numbers should be large enough to see easily and heavy enough to not slip or be blown around by the movement. Sheets of 8 ½ x 11-inch cardboard cut into quarter sections works well. Set up the game by placing the numbers randomly in a predefined area of the room. You may want to mark off the keypad area with a boundary rope. Divide the group into teams and have them gather several yards away from the keypad area. You can define the gathering area with another boundary rope.
The object of the game is for the players to touch all the numbered "keys" in ordered sequence, i.e., 1 through 30, as quickly as they can. If any number is touched out of order, they have to start over. Note that only one person may be in the keypad area at a time, but all members of the team must participate. Time each team’s attempt and record it visibly so everyone can see the scores. Give each team at least three attempts.
This game is more fun if you set up a scenario. For example, there is a computer virus and the team has to disinfect it by coding in the correct numbers. Build tension with your storyline such as if the ordering of the numbers is incorrect, all the data will be lost, etc.
Debrief with a discussion about the skills and strategies that worked best and how well the teams worked to solve the problem.
Toxic Waste
The object of this game is to figure out move a small container full of "toxic waste" to a neutralization container within various limitations. Set up the scene with a circle defined by a rope that is eight feet or more in diameter. This is the toxic waste radiation zone. No one is allowed inside this zone, but if they do enter it, they will suffer physical damage or even death. Place another, larger bucket, as far away from the circle as possible (but keep it in the same room). This is the neutralization center. Place bungee cords and shorter pieces of rope randomly outside the circle. Make sure you have enough for each person in the group to have one set.
Next, set the group to the challenge. Explain that they have only 20 minutes to neutralize the toxic waste by transferring it from the small bucket to the larger bucket and that after 20 minutes, the toxic waste will explode and everyone will be killed. No one can enter the toxic zone without severe physical damage or even death. If someone’s body parts cross the rope line, create a handicap for him such as blindfolding him, tying his hands behind his back, etc. If someone crosses over the line completely, have him "die" by sitting out for the rest of the game. Give the group five minutes to plan before you start the clock.
Solution: Attach the cords to the bungee loop and then guide the bungee to grab onto the bucket. With everyone coordinating the tightness on their ropes, they can move the bucket to the neutralizing space and transfer the water. Debrief them with a discussion at the end of the game.
Tags: keypad area, This game, with discussion, area with, away from, before start, boundary rope