GAMES for Teambuilding training

Session 1 NAME GAME I

Name tag mania
(Introduction part, to get everyones name)
Time: 05 minutes
Participants are given a name tag and a magic marker. They are asked
to print their name on the upper portion of the name tag and then to
draw three objects that represent who they are on the bottom portion
of the tag. After completing the activity, participants are then asked to
share their names and what they drew on the tags. (i.e. My name is
Jess. I drew a sailboat, a dolphin, and a paint brush.)
Session 1 ICE-BREAKING GAME I
Introduction as Groups
Aims: Warming up, first acquaintance, co-operation
Numbers: 10 - 20 participants
Time: 30 minutes
The group divides into groups of three or four. These have about 10
minutes to decide how they should introduce themselves as a group to
the others. Finally the groups come back together and present their
introduction.
Both the method and contents of the performance are left up to the
group. They may decide on e.g. a little sketch, a short song, a mime,
etc. about e.g. the trip there, their first meeting, their own names etc.
Session 2 TEAM BUILDING GAME I
Time: 15 minutes
Materials: ball
The task for participants is as quick as possible to transfer the ball
through each hand. We should encourage them to do it in less then 5
seconds.
Session 3 TEAM BUILDING GAME II

Cotton reel cars

creativity)

(team

building,

planning,

organizing,

Time: 60 minutes
Teams need an hour or two to do this justice. Give each team a set of
materials - the more the better within reason (the exercise becomes
more complex and longer lasting with more materials). Materials could
be anything that could be used to make a small car - for example:
shoe box or egg box, sticky tape, some wheels - from Lego or cotton
reels, plus the basic drive-unit components, (ie at least one cotton
reel, a couple of matchsticks and at least one rubber band - and if you
don't know how to make a cotton-reel 'tank' see the exercise below).
The objective is to build a self-propelled (rubber-band-powered) car
that covers the greatest distance.
A variation on this theme is simply to issue each team with a box of
mixed vegetables - fresh not frozen please - (eg., cucumber is good for
a chassis; sliced carrots make reasonable wheels) and some cocktail
sticks, and there being no obvious vegetable-based drive-unit, each
vegetable car must be launched from a slope. The furthest distance is
the winner.
or
Session 3 TEAM BUILDING GAME IIa
Newspaper towers
(Team building, planning, organizing,
management, creativity, lateral thinking)

problem

solving,

time

Time: 15 minutes + 10 minutes group discussion

Many variations to this one. Adjust to suit group and time available.
Basic exercise:
Split group into pairs or threes (four or more will create 'passengers', who
do not get involved). Issue each group an equal given of newspaper sheets
(the fewer the more difficult, 20-30 sheets is fine for a 10-15 minute
exercise), and a roll of sellotape (Scotch tape in the US). Task is to construct
the tallest freestanding tower made only of newspaper and sellotape in
allotted time. Point of the exercise is to demonstrate importance of planning
(time, method of construction, creativity), and the motivational effect of a
team task. Facilitator will need tape measure. Instructions need to be very
clear (for instance does tower have to be free standing at completion of

time, or can it be measured before - it doesn't matter which, it matters only

that any issues affecting a clear result are clarified.
Questions for discussion afterwards (some propositions, there can be
much more questions):
How did you feel during game?
How do you think that other members feel?
Please, explain process during game.
Who was the leader?
How did you feel and react because of that?
Did other members accept leader?
Are satisfied with outcomes of your group?

Session 5 HIGH-ENERGY GAME

Banana relay
Time: 15 minutes
In this game, a banana is placed between the knees of the first person,
and it must be placed between the next persons knees - without using
any hands. If the banana drops, it starts with the first person in line.
First team to finish successfully wins.
AND
Second option for Session 5, instead of exercise SIMULATION:
Life-raft
(group selection recruitment game, negotiation and presentation,
relationships, appreciating other people's strengths, team-working
and decision-making)
A simple, but sophisticated game for a team of six to ten people. The
scenario is that the team is stranded in a life-raft which is too small to
hold everyone without sinking. Someone (or you could say two or
three people - it's flexible) must to be thrown overboard (or eaten, if
you prefer the really macabre version) - the group must decide who
is/are to be the unfortunate victim(s). First delegates have the
opportunity to present their reasons why they should stay (the
facilitator can decide what media is to be used, but watch out for the
time - this part needs to be reasonably brief). Delegates can be
directed either to base their presentations on their own real selves, or
if a less emotive approach is required, to adopt the personality of a
character from history, or a TV soap, etc. The facilitator must decide

how best to instruct the team on this aspect. After presenting their
own cases, the group then debates people's relative values and
strengths. Within this debate individuals can continue to argue their
own cases if they wish, after which the group makes its decision. Set a
time limit for each presentation, the debate and the decision, for
example 2 mins per presentation; 20-30 mins for the debate; 5 mins
for the decision or vote. The facilitator can guide the group as to the
decision method, for example secret ballot, show of hands, or
preferably to leave the group to decide the decision process, as this
highlights other interesting behaviours and capabilities within the
team. This is also an interesting exercise to use in group selection
recruitment as an interaction game. Points to review if used in other
than a group selection context:

Quality and effect of individual presentations

How individuals behave and respond to threat and possible
rejection.
How different personality types within the group react in different
ways to the debating and decision process.
How the group organised itself to manage the difficult discussion
process.
The different perceptions among the team of relative strengths,
weaknesses, values, etc.
The way the group decided on how to make the decision (unless
told how by the facilitator).
The reaction of the team members and colleagues of the
victim(s) after the vote - balance between relief and sympathy.

Other points to observe, especially if using this as an interactive group

selection recruitment game:

Individual behaviour and style.

Participation levels.
Constructive, supportive input ("How can we best approach
this...?") versus negative contributions ("This is a stupid
game...")
Natural leaders.
Natural process checkers.
Results driven players.
Compassion and empathy.
Presentation skills.
Negotiation skills.
Awareness of process and consensus principles.
Logical and objective assessment of relative values and
capabilities.
Integrity.
Awareness of need to preserve mix of team abilities.

Bullying, ganging-up, and defence and reaction to these.

Sexism, racism, prejudice, and defence and reaction to these.

Session 7 TEAM BUILDING GAME III

Who Will Cross the Line First?
Objectives: This short on-your-feet activity helps team members
realize that theyll be more successful working together toward the
same objectives rather than standing apart letting their egos get in the
way.
Preparation: Place masking tape on the floor to divide the room in
half Say Everyone please stand on one side of the line, opposite
another person. (Allow for participants to take their places.) You have
15 seconds to convince the person opposite you, without force, to
cross the line. Begin. (Announce that time is up after about 15
seconds.)
Discussion Questions: How many of you got the other person to
cross the line? How did you do it? What did you try that didnt work?
How many of you offered to cross the line if the other person crosses
if you cross, so will I? That way who wins? (Both people). How do you
feel about the following statement: Together well be considerably
more successful reaching for the same objectives rather than standing
apart concerned about who will be first. How does this apply to our
workplace and team? How does our ego sometimes get in the way of
our success? How can we work together to ensure greater
collaboration? What can you do personally to increase the collaboration
on our team? How will this help our team?
Materials Required: Masking tape
Comments: This is a very simple activity, but dont let that fool you
it can stimulate a great discussion about what it takes to get the most
collaboration from team members.