Teambuilding+Games

Mine Field
 Read more: [|Games for Teambuilding | eHow.com] [|http://www.ehow.com/info_8129021_games-teambuilding.html#ixzz1X8N1Jd2Y]  
 * In this game many objects are arranged on the floor and are designated as mines. A path is created through the mines. The group members are then blindfolded and one leader is assigned. The leader has to guide the team on the path from one end to the other. There will be a penalty for any group member touching a mine. The team that can complete the game the fastest with the least penalties wins the game. The point of the game is to foster coordination and trust between the team members and the leader.

Pictorial Story Making
 Read more: [|Games for Teambuilding | eHow.com] [|http://www.ehow.com/info_8129021_games-teambuilding.html#ixzz1X8NUWTOL]  
 * In this game 20 random pictures are given to each team and they are asked to make a story out of them. The story must be sequential and all the random pictures must be featured in the story. The team that makes the best story in the shortest time wins the game. This game develops cooperation skills. Team members discuss and collaborate on the best story.

Survival
 Read more: [|Teambuilding Activities for Work | eHow.com] [|http://www.ehow.com/info_8096980_teambuilding-activities-work.html#ixzz1X8Nw7zM7]  
 * This activity can help you build better communication skills as the team works together for its survival. Pretend you are on a __ [|cruise] __ ship when it begins to sink near a desert island. There is a lifeboat that can hold everyone plus 12 items they will need to survive on the island. Provide a list of items that they must choose from and then have them rate the items according to their level of importance for survival.

Scavenger Hunt
 Read more: [|Teambuilding Activities for Work | eHow.com] [|http://www.ehow.com/info_8096980_teambuilding-activities-work.html#ixzz1X8OGfamw]   > > ==Flip the Tarp== > > ==Balloon Drop== > > ==Follow the Leader==  Read more: [|Elementary Teambuilding Activities | eHow.com]  
 * A scavenger hunt can help build better relationships between team members. The hunt can start at the office and finish up at a restaurant for lunch or a snack. Divide the employees into small groups to find 10-20 items on a list. Pass out cameras with instructions to take pictures of specific locations the group went or tasks they needed to complete. Set a time limit of 30-45 minutes to finish the activity.
 * 1) ==Back-to-Back==
 * Have each pupil select a partner and sit on the ground back-to-back. When you say "Go," the players must work together to stand up without using their hands. They must press their backs together while working to stand up. The first team to stand up wins the game. Have the players switch partners and play again.
 * Place a tarp on the ground and have the children stand on the tarp. Tell the children they must work together to flip over the tarp without anyone stepping off the tarp. They must squeeze together and figure out a way to flip the tarp over little-by-little. Time the children and have them try to beat their fastest time on each repeated attempt.
 * Blow up several balloons and give each child a balloon. Tell the children to hit their balloons in the air and keep them in the air. Once all the children have the concept down, throw in a couple more balloons. The children will have to work together to keep the balloons from hitting the ground. If a balloon hits the ground, the game is over. Time the children and have them try to beat their record each time they play the game.
 * Choose one pupil to go out of the room, then select a leader from the remaining players. All players must stand in a circle facing in toward the center. The leader should start clapping, stomping his feet, patting his head or making another movement and all the children must follow suit. Bring the child from outside the room back inside and put him in the circle. The leader will continue to change movements and the children in the circle will follow him. The child who was outside the room has three chances to guess who the leader is. Tell the children in the circle to try not to give away the identity of the leader. If the child from outside the room is able to guess correctly, he gets to select the child who leaves the room for the next round. If he guesses incorrectly, he must go out of the room and try again.

Building Project

 * Teach your students to work together creatively by building a tall structure in teams in 10 minutes. Gather enough paper cups, paper plates, newspaper, masking tape and scissors to give each team enough material to build a structure at least 4-feet tall. For older students, increase the height requirement for a more difficult team building game. Give each team five minutes to discuss how it will use its materials to build the high structure. Do not allow the teams to touch the materials during this time. At your mark, give the teams five minutes to build their structure with their building material without speaking to each other. They can communicate using hand gestures and facial expressions but not with words. You may give them permission to talk during the last minute if you feel it necessary. The team who has the sturdiest and tallest structure wins the team building game. Discuss with your students afterward how difficult they find acting as a team without speaking to each other.

Blind Walk

 * Create a short maze in your classroom or outside for your students to lead each other through. Explain to your students that trust is key in acting as a team as you group your students in pairs. Blindfold one team member ideally before they have a chance to see the maze or spin them around to disorient them. The teammate needs to orally guide the blindfolded person through the maze without touching the person. Remind them to use specific language when speaking to their partner. Keep the obstacle safe by ensuring no sharp edges can poke your students. Teams that successfully manage the maze are the winners. Talk to your students about the importance to being honest and trustworthy to each other.

Ball Track
 Read more: [|Quick Teambuilding Games | eHow.co.uk] [|http://www.ehow.co.uk/list_6511865_quick-teambuilding-games.html#ixzz1X8QJ2Nj6] <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; display: block; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"> <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; display: block; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;">
 * Allow all your middle school students to participate in one giant team building game. Prepare enough half pipes or gutters so every student can hold one piece to make one long track. Bring a ball that will roll down easily on the size track you will make. For small pipes, use a marble. To help your students, line them up from tallest to shortest. At the end of the track, place a container to catch the ball. Give them a few minutes to practice holding their pipes together to make a smooth track for the ball to travel down. When ready, release the ball. If the ball falls off the track, pick it up and start again. When they successfully get the ball into the container, they have won the team building game. Remind your students to speak encouragingly to each other when working together.

Helium Pole/Hoop

 * Number of People:** 6 or more
 * Materials:** Hula hoop or lightweight tent pole
 * Description:** The beauty of this game is it's simplicity. Present the group with a hula hoop. Tell them they must lower the hoop to the ground quickly and evenly. Each member must hold out a finger on each hand. Those fingers must maintain contact with the bottom of the hoop at all times. Hands must stay parallel with the ground and participants cannot hook the hoop/pole. The second the facilitator lets go of the hoop/pole it will start to rise and the participants will start blaming each other. Because it is so lightweight the particpants keep trying to push up in order to maintain contact with it. With everyone having the same idea the hoop will rise upward like magic. It's really funny to see the reactions to this phenomenon. I put my scouts through some physical activities prior to using this one. They think it's gonna be simple and end up going mad. It's a great activity for going over communication and placing blame. As an added challenge I'll have them lower the hoop around a small orange cone. With our pirate theme the hoop is a key to a magical lock (the cone). I usually place something under the cone that ties to the next activity.
 * Also Known As:** Helium stick, Helium Pole, Helium hoop
 * Originator:** Learned with Out of the Ordinary in San Diego | **Posted by:** james Bennett

Over & Out(In)

 * Number of People:** 6 - ??
 * Materials:** Webbing loop
 * Description:** Group forms a circle and holds hands. A 12ft piece of webbing tied into a loop is placed in the center of the circle. Size of the loop can vary with group size. When the facilitator says "Go!" the group must lift the webbing loop over their heads, without using their fingers, and drop it on the ground. Once the loop lands on the ground outside the circle the timer is stopped. You could run this in reverse as well, haveing the group start by standing inside the webbing circle.

I use this activity as a vehicle for goal setting and concensus. With each successful completion the time is noted and the group is given the choice to beat their previous record or let it stand. Either direction is chosen based on group concensus. This activity makes it easy to find the go-getters in the group are.

Tank Commander

 * Number of People:** 10
 * Materials:** Soft throwable objects, area marker
 * Description:** Designate a large circle as the playing area using rope, cones, etc. Within the circle spread several soft throwable objects at random. Pair the participants up and have them choose which of the pair will be Tank and which will be Tank Commander(TC). The tanks will stand inside the circle and the TCs on the outside. Tanks are blindfolded and the game begins. The object of the game is for the TC to direct their own tank to the ammunition (objects on the ground), then to direct them where to throw. The ultimate goal is to be the last tank standing. This is achieved by successfully hitting other tanks with an object.

This is a great communication game. As the TCs stage and start yelling directions it becomes apparent communication will be difficult. Often the TCs don't realize they can move freely on the outside of the circle. I like to establish a 3 hit rule. Once you've been hit 3 times you're out. This opens the door for a chat about honor etc. I've also seen this played with mines on the field. Just another variable that the TC has to take into account when instructing his tank. You can also play with teams.

Birdie on a Perch

 * Number of People:** 10 or more
 * Materials:**
 * Description:** This activity is a hilarious way to breakdown personal space! Form a circle with your group. Number them off 1s and 2s. Have the 2s take a step forward and turn around and face someone on the outside circle. You should now have 2 circles facing each other. The inside circle is where the Birdies are and the outside circle are the Perches. Birdies can only perch on THEIR OWN Perches. To perch the birdie must some how use their perch to avoid any contact with the ground. The facilitator will provide music (humming, clapping, singing, etc). As the music plays the two circles rotate in opposite directions. The facilitator yells "Birdie on a Perch!" at random and the Birdies must scramble to find their perches. The last couple to successfully perch is out. Game continues until a single couple is left.

The pairings where the size difference is drastic produces some interesting perching. I had a friend that would lay on the ground while his birdie stood or layed on his back. Here's a link to an image [|Flounder]

[] - you can change the # and find others.

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Link to a number of games: []