16 Fun Team Building Games to Play with Coworkers

Here is our list of the best team building games.

Team building games are fun activities that promote team bonding amongst coworkers or employees. Examples include Balloon Questions, Tied-Up, and Frostbite. These activities encourage teammates to increase collaboration, develop problem-solving skills and improve communication.

These activities are games for team building and ways to build stronger teams.

This list includes:

• team building games for work
• indoor team building games
• outdoor team building games
• team building games for the office
• quick team building games

Let’s get started!

List of team building games

From Two Sides of a Coin to Paintball to Freeze Tag, here are examples of fun team building games for work.

1. Espionage! (Highly Rated)

Espionage is an exciting challenge that will put your team’s deductive skills to the test! In this immersive adventure, players take on the roles of undercover spies and agents.

Key features of this experience include:

• a 90-minute session guided by a skilled host
• tricky puzzles, challenging obstacles, and strategic maneuvers
• spies and agents who explore a world filled with intrigue
• team discussions to uncover secret identities and decode cryptic messages

To make planning simple, we will bring all the necessary materials to your preferred venue. If you are looking for a fast-paced and competitive way to bring your team together, then check out Espionage!

Learn more about Espionage!

2. Balloon Questions

Balloon Questions is one of the best games to boost team bonding. This activity helps teammates learn more about each other in a fun and interactive way.

To play:

1. Give each teammate a balloon and a small piece of paper
2. The teammates will write a question on a piece of paper, put it into the balloon, and tie it.
3. Players blow up and tie the balloon with the form inside.
4. Participants toss the balloons in the air.
5. Players grab a random balloon.
6. Coworkers will have to answer the questions in the balloons as best possible.

The questions can be about work or personal preferences. For example, teammates can ask, how often do you have a self-care day?

Balloon Questions is one of the best team building games for the office because it allows teammates to share relatable experiences and share their opinions on a variety of topics. This activity is also a gravity way for teammates to interact and engage with each other at work.

Here is a list of icebreaker questions to use for the game.

3. Tied Up

Tied Up is an excellent game for teammates. In this activity, coworkers need to complete a set of tasks with their hands tied up. This game is one of the best quick team building games because it encourages teammates to work together to achieve a common goal within a given time and involves plenty of movement.

To play:

1. Share teammates into groups of four.
2. The teammates will stand facing each other.
3. Each of the players will hold out their hands.
4. Use a ribbon to tie the teammates’ wrists together.
5. The teammates will get 60 seconds to complete a given task. For example, you can ask the teammates to draw a cat or wrap a gift.
6. The teammates must work together to complete the task within the allocated time.

This activity teaches teammates to work together under pressure a d fosters camaraderie between coworkers. This game also lightens the mood at work and creates a fun environment for employees.

4. Two Sides of a Coin

Two Sides of a Coin is a great team building game that teaches teammates to appreciate each other’s experiences. In addition, this game helps teammates loosen up and become more comfortable with themselves. In this activity, each of the teammates will share a past negative experience or struggle.

For this activity:

1. Split teammates into groups of two.
2. One of the teammates will share a negative experience, and their partner will comment positively about that experience.
3. The teammates will switch roles and repeat the exercise.

Note that this exercise may trigger sensitive conversations, and the teammates can only share as much as they are comfortable with.

This activity is a mental health exercise that encourages bonding between teammates. Colleagues can use this exercise as an opportunity to better understand what their colleagues are going through and help each other see the positive side of their experiences.

5. Frostbite

Frostbite is one of the best outdoor team building games that encourage teammates to collaborate and help them develop problem-solving skills. This activity is a scenario-based challenge where the teammates are to play the roles of arctic explorers who cannot find their way. The teammates must work together to build a shelter to protect themselves against a blizzard. The teammates will elect a team leader suffering from severe frostbite and unable to physically help set up a tent. On the other hand, the team members have to deal with snow blindness. Therefore, the teammates must work blindly, following the leader’s directions.

To play:

1. Set up a timer for 45 minutes.
2. The teammates will choose a leader for this exercise.
3. You will blindfold all the players, except the team leader.
4. Provide the teammates with the tools they need to set up a tent.
5. The leader will instruct the teammates on how to build the tent.
6. The teammates will work blindly, following a set of instructions from the leader until the tent is completely set up.

This exercise helps the teammates develop trust in their abilities and teaches the team members to follow given instructions to achieve a common goal. This activity is enjoyable and will result in loud laughter, and the players may not even succeed with setting up the tend but will enjoy the entire process of trying.

6. Freeze Tag

Freeze Tag is an exciting childhood game that can also be a valuable team building exercise for adults. In addition, this game helps teammates develop good listening and cooperation skills.

To play:

1. The teammates will spread out in an open space.
2. You can decide on any form of movement, such as hopping, running, or walking.
3. The teammates can only move around using the selected movement.
4. The teammates will move around and shout “freeze” as soon as they touch a player.
5. To “unfreeze” a player, another teammate must give the frozen player a double high-five.
6. The teammates cannot tag a player while unfreezing another teammate.

Freeze Tag is a fun activity that teaches teammates to help each other out and also helps coworkers develop relevant relationships and friendships in the workplace. This game will teach teammates to watch out for each other and learn to work together to achieve a common goal.

7. Act of Kindness

Act of Kindness is a philanthropic activity that challenges teammates to perform acts of kindness within the community, making it one of the best team-building games for work. The team members will also discover more about the community, have fun with each other, and develop a closer bond.

To organize this activity:

1. Splits teammates into groups of four.
2. The groups will need to perform acts of kindness in the community. These acts may include buying strangers lunch, helping older citizens cross the road, or helping strangers carry their groceries to the car.
3. The teammates can also choose more serious philanthropic exercises by volunteering at local NGOs or orphanages.
4. The teammates will need to record or take photos of their acts of kindness and show how their efforts impacted the individuals they helped.

This activity teaches teammates the importance of helping and giving back to the community. The team members will also learn to appreciate each other and value individual contributions to the team. This exercise will also create stronger bonds among teammates and develop camaraderie within the workplace. Although groups compete against each other to do the best deeds, everyone wins during this exercise because underprivileged groups and individuals get help, and participants gain the satisfaction of making the world a slightly better place.

8. Paintball

Paintball is a fun and thrilling team building game that boosts teamwork and communication. In this challenge, the players will work in teams to defeat other groups or players using compressed paint guns.

To play:

1. Split participants into small groups.
2. Give each of the teammates a paintball gun and ammunition.
3. Give the teammates safety gear like helmets, goggles, knee pads, and safety masks.
4. Find a good environment to play, preferably an open space where the splashes of paint will not be a problem.
5. The teammates will begin the game and work together to eliminate other teams.
6. Any teammate that gets shot will have to leave the field.
7. The team with all players intact or with the highest number of players left standing will win the game.

This activity teaches teammates to work together and creates a fun work environment for employees. This game lightens the mood and promotes healthy work relationships between teammates while stoking friendly competition.

9. Tug Of War

Tug of War is an exciting activity that challenges the strength and wits of teammates. This exercise encourages coworkers to work together and put in their best efforts to achieve a goal. In this game, the teammates in opposing teams will tug a rope. You will need just a long string and red tape to play.

To play:

1. Divide teammates into two groups.
2. Set the tape between the groups as a goal line for the teams to cross.
3. Each team will stand in a single file on either side of the line.
4. Give the teams a few minutes to set up their strategy.
5. When the teams are ready, participants will stand beside the rope. o
6. Each player must hold a part of the rope.
7. At the blow of a whistle, the teammates will begin tugging on the rope to drag the opposing team across the red line.
8. The first team to drag the opposing team across the line wins.

This game teaches the teammates that they are part of a unit and must work together to achieve goals. The teammates will also learn to appreciate and value each team member’s efforts and contributions at work.

10. Volleyball

Volleyball is one of the best outdoor team-building games for coworkers. You can choose to share the teams into male and female groups or have different departments in the office play against each other in the form of a tournament.

To organize this activity:

1. Split the teams into two groups.
2. Each group must have at least six players.
3. Set up a net in the middle of an open field then each team will stand on either side of the net.
4. Three players will stand on the front row and three at the back to increase the teams’ defenses.
5. The players must hit the volleyball with their hands alone, ensuring the ball does not hit the ground.
6. The players must ensure that they do not hit the ball twice while serving.
7. A team wins a point when they successfully hit the4 ball across the net and into the opposing team’s court.
8. The first team to win 25 points with a two-point margin wins the game.

This activity is perfect as a beach day activity for teammates. The game allows teammates to develop working strategies that help them win and encourages every teammate to work actively to ensure the team’s success.

11. Pottery Contest

Pottery Contests are one of the best indoor team building games for small groups. You can organize this game after work hours or on special game days at the office. For example, you can set this activity up during staff appreciation days. This game allows teammates to be creative, boosts their self-esteem, and helps to reduce stress.

To play:

1. Invite a ceramic artist to host a live pottery contest at the office or any area where the teammates can explore their talents and creativity.
2. Split teammates into groups and encourage the team members to work together to create a masterpiece.
3. Organize a group workstation for the contest.
4. At the end of the contest, the group with the best pottery craft wins the game.

At the end of the event, the teammates can take home the result of their efforts, whether perfect or not. This exercise is easy for teammates to relax, have fun and show off their skills. You can make this event even more fun by sharing glasses of wine with your teammates and playing soothing music as the team members work. To make the game even more competitive, you can choose the project or set a specific theme, for instance, “make a mini statue of the company mascot” or “sculpt the most epic possible work coffee cup.”

12. The Barter Puzzle

The Barter Puzzle is an excellent game that enhances problem-solving, negotiation, and leadership skills among teammates.

To play:

1. Divide teammates into groups of four to six.
2. Give each group a jigsaw puzzle to solve within 60 minutes.
3. Mix up a few pieces of the puzzle into the other group’s puzzles before the handout.
4. The teammates must find a way to get their puzzle pieces from other groups and complete the exercise within the allocated time.
5. The groups must negotiate or trade by barter to get their puzzle pieces.
6. The first team to complete its puzzle within the allocated time wins.

The Barter Puzzle helps teammates communicate and encourages coworkers to interact and engage. The game also allows players improve their negotiation skills which may help them relate better with clients.

13. Trivia

Trivia is a brilliant way for teammates to engage and learn. In this game, coworkers work together in teams to answer quiz-style questions. Questions can be work-related or not, and you can play trivia on one particular theme or mix up the categories. This game is a great way for team members to show off various expertise, talk through their reasoning, and learn about new topics while having fun and getting competitive.

To play:

1. Share the teammates into groups.
2. Create a set of trivia questions to ask the teammates. For example, you can ask, “how many cards make up a hand in the game of Poker?” or “What is the longest river in the world?”.
3. The first team to answer the question correctly within 30 seconds gets a point.
4. The game will continue until the teammate answers all the questions.
5. At the end of this event, the team with the highest point wins.

This activity prompts teammates to learn about a variety of topics and also encourages teamwork.

14. Watch Where You Step

Watch Where You Step is an exciting game that urges teammates to communicate and learn to trust each other. The teammates will have to follow instructions to complete a task.

To play:

1. Create a polygon on the floor with masking tape. The polygon will be at least 12 feet long and six-feet wide.
2. Place a set of squeaky toys inside the shapes at different points.
3. Write a large “X” on pieces of paper and place them randomly within the polygon. These markers will serve as landmines.
4. Choose two teammates to take part in the game.
5. The chosen teammates will enter the polygon and try to make it to the end while blindfolded.
6. The players will follow prompts from the rest of their teammates as they make their way to the end of the game.
7. Any player who steps on a landmine will freeze
8. To unfreeze the teammate, the other player must step on a squeaky toy inside the polygon while evading or jumping over other landmines.
9. The players must ensure that they do not step outside the shape’s borders as they make their way to the finish line.

This game teaches teammates to appreciate their coworkers and also trains employees to follow the guidance of their colleagues or superiors.

15. Spider Web

Spider Web is a fun and strategic game that teaches group members to understand leadership, support, and teamwork. In this game, the teammates will score points for passing through holes in a spider web without touching the strings.

To play:

1. Create webs using large balls of string and tape between two pillar posts or poles.
2. The teammates will need to pass through the openings in the web without touching the strings.
3. The teammates will score a point for each time they carry out the task successfully.
4. Once a player goes through the hole, it closes, and no other player can go through.
5. If a player passes through the hole without touching the string, the hole remains open for other players to go through.
6. If a player touches the strings, the score sheet goes down to zero, and all the players have to start afresh.
7. Each teammate is responsible for the success of the others.

Spider Web is an inclusive game that teaches the teammates to carry every single member of the team along. Furthermore, the game teaches the teammates to understand that every member plays a role in ensuring the team’s success and seeking various solutions to single problems.

16. Sac Race

Sac Race is a fun and exciting team building game for employees. The teammates will need to run across an open field in a sac twice to move balloons to a colleague on the other side of the field.

To organize this activity:

1. Split the teammates into pairs.
2. Hand one teammate a sac and two blown-up balloons, then hand the other teammate a pin.
3. The teammates with the sac will run across the field in a sac as soon as the whistle blows and hand one ballon to their teammate.
4. The teammate must pop the balloon before the other player runs back into the sac to get the other balloon.
5. The first team to pop their balloons wins the game.

This game works great during team field days.

Conclusion

Team building games are fun games that boost trust, communication, problem-solving skills, and decision-making skills among colleagues or teammates. These activities also help teammates develop leadership skills and motivate teammates to work together. The purpose of these activities is to encourage collaboration and teamwork among workers. These exercises also encourage fun and relaxation and can foster joy and goodwill among groups of colleagues. Games give teammates a chance to practice critical collaborative skills in low-stakes environments. These challenges can be quick yet highly effective. For best results, take time to play games as a group regularly. Playing together periodically will ease awkwardness, reluctance, and hesitance to engage in these activities and normalize team collaboration. Not to mention, games are a great source of stress relief and connection for coworkers!

Next, check out top tips for team building.