We’re aware that team building activities typically induce some eye rolls and groans but they can be a fantastic way to get everyone out of their shell at your office. By taking a break to get to know each other, you can boost morale and productivity. Team members may discover things they didn’t know about each other which will help them work better together in the future.

Here are five fun team building activities to try.

1. Charades

We all know how to play charades which makes it an easy and effective team-building activity. It’s fun to see your co-workers who you might have only seen in a corporate, stuffy setting acting ridiculously. It will also build nonverbal communications skills.

For a more difficult task, play reverse charades and have a group act out a clue while one person guesses. This unique take on the classic game will help the team come up with creative ways to collaborate.

2. Human Knot

Have everyone stand in a circle shoulder to shoulder then reach out one of their hands and grab another random hand across the circle. Then, have everyone grab someone else’s hand with their free hand. Set a timer for 30 minutes and try to get untangled within the time limit without anybody releasing hands. “Human knot” is effective because it helps the group remain calm under pressure and improves communication skills. You will also see who is most comfortable in a leadership role within your group.

3. Coffee or Tea

This is a fantastic activity to boost memory and listening skills. On top of everything, you’ll know your co-workers’ Tim Hortons orders if you ever want to treat them. The way it works is someone says whether they prefer coffee or tea then how they take it (cream, milk, sugar, black etc). The second person has to say the previous person’s preference then add their own. The games continue until everyone has stated other team members’ preferences. To make it extra challenging, start from the beginning if one person messes up.

4. Scavenger Hunt

If you have the time, set aside a morning or afternoon for a scavenger hunt. You can include whatever tasks you want from getting a selfie with a barista to picking up a leaf from a nearby park to getting a business card from a local company. Your team will not only get to know each other better, but they’ll also get to discover the surrounding area. And of course, who doesn’t want to take some time off and get away from their desk.

5. Jigsaw Puzzle

Doing a jigsaw puzzle can be a great long-term team building activity. If you have any free desk space at your office, set up the pieces of a big jigsaw puzzle and spend a little time on it each day. Focusing your attention on a task like putting together a puzzle can help alleviate stress while bonding with your co-workers. Figuring out a complicated puzzle as a group will help with problem solving and communication skills.

Building community in the workplace is very important and can benefit your business in a plethora of ways. Coworking spaces like Project Spaces help strengthen office culture and promote team building. If you want to join a community of like-minded individuals, book a tour at one of our two downtown locations today!

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