Team-building Activities
Building Blind
Students work in pairs or triads. One student is designated as the “leader”, the other students are the “builders”. The leader has visual access to a simple structure (made of Legos, tinker toys, or similar items), but the builders do not. Each group also has a box of building materials identical to those used to make the hidden structure.
The task is for the team to duplicate this structure under two conditions: the builders cannot see the original structure, and the leader cannot touch the original structure or any of the building materials. The leader must direct his teammates using verbal cues only. This forces the leader to be precise in the directions he gives and forces the builders to use listening skills and follow instructions exactly. A great game for helping kids learn how to work together.
Back Drawing
This game is played in pairs. One student is the “artist” and sits behind their partner. The artist is given a short list of simple items and shapes (i.e. heart, star, face, etc.) that she will then use her finger to trace one at a time onto her partners back. The object is for the partner to identify as many of the shapes as possible. Each drawing can be repeated only one time. This activity forces kids to pay careful attention and use visualization skills.
Blind Obstacle Course
Set up a simple obstacle course that involves items to walk around, step over, and duck under. Students work in pairs. One member of each team is blindfolded and must rely on their partner to direct them through the course. Leaders must give clear, specific directions, and followers must rely solely on their listening skills to gather information about how to navigate the course. Another great activity for promoting teamwork.
Celebrity/Stereotype Party
Materials
Nametags, Marker, List of Celebrity Names or demographic characteristics (see variation below)
Set Up
Writing out the names on the tags ahead of time saves time, and also have brief bios of the people to help with the debrief.
Directions
From the participants’ perspective, the object of this activity is for each group member to discover the personality that is written on their own back. You begin by assigning each group member a “personality” by sticking a nametag with the name of a famous person or character to his or her back. DO NOT show this nametag to the participant! Participants should be able to view the personalities of all other group members, just not their own. You then instruct the group to mingle, and ask questions of the other "guests at the party." Individuals can ask yes or no questions about their personalities of others in the group, such as “Am I a woman? Am I a singer? Etc. Instruct participants to ask each member of the group only one question at a time, moving on to another person after each question. Encourage participants not to offer hints.
Variations
You can also use this activity to address issues of stereotypes by using an intentionally diverse group of name tags. For this variant the facilitator goes around to the group and sticks the name tags to the participants foreheads. When each participant has received their label ask the participants to introduce themselves and to shake hands with others. Participants try to guess what their label is by the way they are treated by others. Possible labels might be:
Cheerleader * Football Player
Person in a wheelchair * Trash Collector
Catholic priest * Mechanic
Single teenage mother * Lifeguard
Homeless person * Walmart Greeter
Baseball Player * Banker
Hearing impaired person * Race Car Driver
Pediatrician * Professional Wrestler
American Idol winner * Movie Star
Teacher * Coach
Olympic Gold Winner * Bull fighter
Debrief
What was challenging about this activity?
What did you notice about the kinds of questions you or others asked?
Silent Opera
Materials
10 – 20 Various Objects (Dog Toys, Cones, Balls, etc.), 1 Blindfold, 1 Rope Activity Description
Set Up
Select one volunteer to be blindfolded (this person will be "the collector") and one volunteer to give vocal instructions. The remaining members of the group are not allowed to speak. Set up the room and position participants according to the diagram below.
Directions
This activity works on alternative methods of communication. Inform the group that the blindfolded member can speak, but will need to be told what to do in order to accomplish a given task. The person in the middle can only look at the large group but must tell the blindfolded member what to do. The large group will know the task and must communicate that to the middle person without speaking and without crossing the barrier represented by the rope. Lastly, inform the large group of the task (the more specific the task, the more challenging). Tasks may include: collect as many objects as possible or collect specific objects (by color, shape, type, etc.)
Variations
multiple collectors
Debrief Questions