Team building activities for small work groups are an essential component of a successful team, as they can improve communication, trust, and collaboration among team members. However, organizing a successful team-building activity is not always an easy task.
From setting clear goals and objectives to choosing the right activity, planning logistics, and communicating effectively with your team, there are many factors to consider.
In this post, we’ll provide you with a step-by-step guide on how to organize a successful team building activity. We’ll recommend software tools to help you along the way and share actionable advice based on our experience with organizing team building activities.
Additionally, we’ll give you a list of amazing team building activities you can explore and adapt to your team’s needs. Whether you’re a team leader, a manager, or a member of a team looking to improve teamwork, this post is for you.
By the end of this post, you’ll have a clear understanding of how to plan, execute, and evaluate a successful team building activity that will bring your team closer together.
Quick Takeaway For Team Building Activities for Work
If you only need a quick list of ideas then here you go. Later in this post we will explore each of them in more detail!
Scavenger Hunt
Escape Room
Cooking Challenge
Board Game Tournament
Volunteer Day
Outdoor Adventure
Creative Workshop
Office Olympics
Team Retreat
Team Building Workshops
Define the Goals and Objectives of the Team Building Activity
Before you start planning your next team building event or activity, it’s essential to define clear goals and objectives.
This step will help you determine the type of activity that will best serve your team’s needs and measure the activity’s success.
Additionally, it will help you communicate the purpose of the activity to your team, which will motivate them to participate and engage fully.
Examples of common goals and objectives for team building activities include:
Improving communication: Activities that focus on improving communication can help team members learn how to listen actively, express themselves clearly, and understand each other’s perspectives.
Building trust: Activities that focus on building trust can help each team member develop a sense of psychological safety, which allows them to take risks and be vulnerable with one another.
Enhancing problem-solving skills: Activities that focus on problem-solving can help team members learn how to work together to solve complex problems and make decisions collaboratively.
Fostering creativity: Activities that focus on fostering creativity can help team members develop new ideas and approaches to their work, which can lead to innovation and improved performance.
Software Tool: Trello
Trello is a project management tool that can help with setting and tracking goals and objectives.
You can create boards and cards to keep track of your team building activity’s goals and objectives and monitor progress.
Use Trello to create a board for your team building activity and add cards for each goal or objective you want to achieve. You can assign tasks, set due dates, and track progress using Trello’s intuitive interface.
By defining clear goals and objectives and tracking your progress using Trello, you’ll be able to ensure that your team building activity is on track and achieving the desired outcomes.
Choose the Right Team Building Activity
Choosing the right team building activity is crucial to its success. The activity you choose should align with your team’s goals and objectives, be enjoyable, and promote teamwork and communication. Here are ten great small group team building activities suitable for small teams:
Scavenger Hunt
A scavenger hunt is a fun and engaging activity that can help team members learn more about their coworkers, improve their problem-solving skills, and foster teamwork. Split the team into smaller groups and give them a list of items to find around the office or city. The first group to complete the list wins.
Escape Room
An escape room is a challenging and exciting activity that can help team members improve their communication, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills. The team is locked in a room and must solve puzzles and riddles to escape before time runs out.
Cooking Challenge
A cooking challenge is a fun and creative activity that can help team members improve their communication, problem-solving, and collaboration skills. Split the team into smaller groups and challenge them to cook a meal using limited ingredients and a time limit.
Board Game Tournament
A board game tournament is a fun and low-pressure activity that can help team members build camaraderie, improve their communication, and have fun. Choose a selection of board games and divide the team into smaller groups to compete in a tournament.
Volunteer Day
A volunteer day is a meaningful and rewarding activity that can help team members build a sense of purpose and improve their teamwork skills. Choose a local charity or non-profit organization and spend a day volunteering together.
Outdoor Adventure
An outdoor adventure is an exhilarating and challenging activity that can help team members build resilience, improve their problem-solving skills, and foster teamwork. Choose an outdoor activity such as hiking, rock climbing, or rafting and spend a day exploring the great outdoors.
Creative Workshop
A creative workshop is a fun and engaging activity that can help team members improve their creativity, problem-solving, and communication skills. Choose a creative activity such as painting, pottery, or jewelry making and spend a day creating together.
Office Olympics
An office Olympics is a fun and competitive activity that can help team members build camaraderie, improve their communication, and have fun. Choose a selection of office-based games and divide the team into several smaller teams or groups to compete in a tournament.
Team Retreat
A team retreat is a relaxing and rejuvenating activity that can help team members build trust, improve their communication, and foster teamwork. Choose a location outside of the office and spend a day or weekend together, engaging in team-building activities and team bonding.
Team Building Workshops
Team building workshops are designed specifically to help teams improve their communication, collaboration, and problem-solving skills. They are led by facilitators who use a variety of interactive and engaging activities to help team members learn and grow together.
Team Building Planning & Logistics
Planning the logistics of your team building activity is a critical step in ensuring that everything runs smoothly on the day of the team building event. Here are some key considerations to keep in mind:
Determine the Location, Date, and Time
When choosing a location for your team building activity, consider the following factors:
Accessibility: Make sure the location is easily accessible to all team members.
Size: Choose a location that can comfortably accommodate your team and any equipment or materials you may need.
Activities: Consider the activities you have planned and make sure the location is suitable for them.
Once you have chosen a location, decide on the date and time of the event. Consider the other team member’s schedule and choose a date and time that works for everyone.
Budget and Resource Allocation
Budgeting for a team building activity can be challenging, but it’s essential to ensure that you have enough resources to execute your plans.
When budgeting for a team building activity, consider the following:
Venue rental fees
Transportation costs
Food and beverages
Equipment rental fees
Facilitator fees (if applicable)
Once you have determined your budget, allocate resources accordingly. Consider which resources are essential to the success of the event and prioritize them accordingly.
Obtain Necessary Permissions or Permits
If your team building activity involves activities that require permits or permissions, such as outdoor activities, make sure you obtain them in advance.
Check with local authorities to determine what permits or permissions you need and ensure that you have them before the event.
Software Tool: WhenIWork
WhenIWork is a scheduling and time tracking software that can help you coordinate logistics and scheduling for your various team building events.
You can create schedules, assign tasks, and monitor attendance to ensure that everything is in order.
Use WhenIWork to schedule team members for specific tasks, set reminders for important deadlines, and ensure that everyone is on the same page. By using WhenIWork, you’ll be able to manage logistics more efficiently and ensure that your team building activity runs smoothly.
Communicate with the Team
Communicating with your team about the team building activity is essential to its success. Here are some key considerations to keep in mind:
Provide Details of the Team Building Activity
Make sure to provide your other team leaders with details of the team building activity, including the date, time, location, and activities planned. This will help team members prepare for the event and ensure that everyone is on the same page.
Explain the Purpose and Goals of the Activity
Explain the purpose and goals of the team building activity to your team. Help them understand why the activity is important and how it will benefit them individually and as a team. This will help motivate them to participate and engage fully.
Answer Any Questions and Address Concerns
Be available to answer any questions and address any concerns your team may have about the team building activity. Encourage an open dialogue and make sure everyone feels comfortable participating in person together.
Software Tool: Slack
Slack is a communication platform that can help you easily communicate with your team and keep everyone informed.
You can create channels for different aspects of the team building activity, such as logistics, activities, and goals, and use them to share updates, answer questions, and address concerns.
Use Slack to stay connected with your team and ensure that everyone is informed and engaged. By using Slack, you’ll be able to improve communication and collaboration, making the entire team building activity more successful.
Conduct the Activity
Conducting the team building activity is where the rubber meets the road. Here are some key considerations to keep in mind:
Provide Clear Instructions and Rules
Make sure to provide clear instructions and rules for the team building activity. This will ensure that everyone understands what is expected of them and how to participate fully. Take the time to explain the rules and instructions before starting the fun team building activity.
Encourage Participation from All Team Members
Encourage participation from all team members and make sure everyone feels included. Ensure that quieter or more introverted team members have the opportunity to contribute, and avoid singling out any team members or making anyone feel uncomfortable.
Monitor Progress and Provide Guidance as Needed
Monitor progress and provide guidance as needed to ensure that everyone is on track and engaged. Be available to answer any questions or concerns that may arise, and provide guidance if anyone is struggling or needs help.
Software Tool: Kahoot
Kahoot is a fun game-based learning platform that can be used to create interactive quizzes and activities to engage and motivate your team.
You can use Kahoot to create quizzes related to the team building activity, and use it to test knowledge, encourage participation, and foster healthy competition.
Kahoot is an excellent tool to use during breaks or as a fun way to reinforce key concepts related to the team building activity. By using Kahoot, you’ll be able to engage and motivate your team, making the team building activity more successful.
Evaluate the Results
Evaluating the results of your team building activity is crucial to determining its success and identifying areas for improvement. Here are some key considerations to keep in mind:
Solicit Feedback from the Team
Solicit feedback from your team about the team building activity. Ask them about what they enjoyed, what they didn’t enjoy, and how they feel the activity helped them achieve their goals. Feedback can help you identify what worked well and what needs improvement.
Assess Whether the Goals and Objectives Were Met
Assess whether the goals and objectives you set for the first team- building activity were met. Evaluate the progress made and consider whether any adjustments need to be made to ensure that future team building activities are more successful.
Identify Areas for Improvement and Future Team Building Activities
Identify areas for improvement and future team building activities. Consider what went well and what didn’t go well, and use this information to plan future team building activities for work small groups that are more successful.
Software Tool: SurveyMonkey
SurveyMonkey is an online survey tool that can help you gather feedback from your team and assess the success of your team building activity. Use SurveyMonkey to create a survey to gather feedback from your team about the team building activity.
You can ask questions about what worked well, what didn’t work well, and how the activity helped them achieve their goals. SurveyMonkey is an excellent tool for gathering feedback quickly and easily, making it an essential tool for evaluating the success of your team building activity.
Team Building – FAQ
What are team building activities?
Team building activities are activities that are designed to improve communication, collaboration, leadership skills and teamwork within a company. They can take many forms, including outdoor adventures, team building games, workshops, and more.
Why are team building activities important?
Team building activities are important for improving communication, collaboration, and teamwork within a company. They can help build trust and camaraderie among team members, and can lead to increased productivity and employee engagement.
How do I choose the right team building activity for my team?
When choosing a team building activity, it’s important to align it with your team’s goals and objectives, make it enjoyable, and promote teamwork and communication. Consider the size of your team, their interests, and the activities they enjoy when choosing an activity.
How do I plan a team building activity?
To plan a team building activity, define the goals and objectives for winning team, choose the right activity, plan the logistics, communicate with your team, conduct the activity, and evaluate the results.
Use software tools such as TeamBonding, WhenIWork, Slack, Kahoot, and SurveyMonkey to help you plan, execute, and evaluate team building activities more efficiently.
How do I evaluate the success of a team building activity?
To evaluate the success of a team building activity, solicit feedback from your team, assess whether the goals and objectives were met, identify areas for improvement, and plan future team building activities. Use software tools such as SurveyMonkey to gather feedback from your team quickly and easily.
What are some team building activities for remote teams?
Some team building activities for remote teams include virtual game nights, online trivia contests, virtual escape room challenges, and virtual cooking classes. Be creative and adapt fun team building activities to suit the needs of your remote team.
How often should we have team building activities?
The frequency of team building activities will depend on the needs and goals of group members on your team. Consider having team building activities at least once a quarter to keep your team engaged and productive.
What are some low-cost team building activities?
Some low-cost team building activities include office potlucks, board game tournaments, photo scavenger hunts, and group art projects. Be creative and adapt activities to suit the budget and needs of your team.
How can I get buy-in from management for team building activities?
To get buy-in from management for team building activities, emphasize the benefits of improved communication, collaboration, and teamwork, and present data on the impact of team building activities on employee engagement and productivity.
Offer a range of activities that suit different budgets and interests.
Can team building activities be customized for specific teams or departments?
Yes, team building activities can be customized for specific teams or departments. Consider the unique needs and goals of each team or department, and tailor the activities accordingly.
Wrapping things up
Organizing a successful team building activity requires careful planning, creative thinking, clear communication, and effective execution. Here are the key points to keep in mind:
Define the goals and objectives of the team building activity.
Choose the right activity for your team.
Plan the logistics of the team building activity.
Communicate with your team about the activity.
Conduct the activity with clear instructions and rules, and encourage participation from all team members.
Evaluate the results of the activity and identify areas for improvement.
Team building activities are crucial for improving communication, collaboration, and teamwork within a whole company culture.
By encouraging team building activities, companies can improve employee engagement and productivity.
To help organize successful team building activities, consider using software tools such as TeamBonding, WhenIWork, Slack, Kahoot, and SurveyMonkey. These tools can help you plan, execute, and evaluate team building activities more efficiently.
By following the key points discussed in this blog post and utilizing the suggested software tools, you can organize a successful team building activity that meets your team’s goals and objectives.
Bonus Content: 20 More Team Building Activities
Still struggling to come up with an idea that works for your team? Here’s another 20 suggestions to get your creative juices flowing.
Laser Tag
Paintball
Improv Comedy Workshop
Team Trivia Contest
Escape Game Challenge
Amazing Race-Style Scavenger Hunt
Karaoke Night
Wine Tasting
Beach Volleyball Tournament
Office Potluck
Group Art Project
Photo Scavenger Hunt
Game Show-Style Contest
Bubble Soccer
Yoga or Meditation Class
Movie Night
Pottery Painting Workshop
Go-Kart Racing
Outdoor Movie Screening
Outdoor Adventure Obstacle Course
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