29 corporate team building activities for high-performing teams

Every team is made up of individuals, all of whom have different ways of thinking, working and relating to one another. In a corporate setting, it's especially vital to build bonds between team members and develop the skills needed to perform well under pressure.
Corporate team building activities like those we've collected below are proven methods for creating stronger, high-performing teams while also having fun, memorable experiences.
In this post, you'll find activities designed to improve communication skills, engage small teams and big ones alike and generally improve team dynamics. Let's dive in.
Why is team building important in a corporate setting?
Team building isn’t just about breaking the ice or having fun—it’s a strategic investment in your organization’s success. As Harvard Business Review noted in this article on the science of building great teams, “Social time turns out to be deeply critical to team performance.”
In a corporate setting, where team performance is essential, team-building activities play a critical role in creating much needed social time in a structured and purposeful way. Here are some of the key benefits you’ll see when running team building activities with your group:
- Strengthening communication
Effective communication is the cornerstone of any successful team. Team-building activities create opportunities for colleagues to practice open dialogue, active listening, and constructive feedback in a relaxed environment. This helps improve workplace interactions and reduces misunderstandings, making day-to-day operations smoother. - Building trust
When teams are able to trust one another, great things tend to happen. It’s the foundation of a high-performing team that is able to adapt and back each other up. Team-building exercises encourage vulnerability and collaboration, helping colleagues build rapport and develop confidence in each other’s abilities. A culture of trust leads to better teamwork, faster decision-making, and greater resilience in the face of challenges. - Enhancing collaboration
In today’s workplace, no one works in isolation. Team building helps individuals learn to leverage each other’s strengths, share ideas, and problem-solve collectively. The process folks go through while working through a problem as a group tends to function as a foundation for later action.
Team building activities provide an opportunity to practice within a safe container and then translate those learnings back into day-to-day work. Truth is, when employees feel comfortable collaborating, they’re more likely to come out to bat for one another when things are tough and work together towards shared goals. - Boosting morale and engagement
A connected team is a motivated team. Team-building activities create opportunities for employees to have fun, celebrate wins, and bond outside of their daily routines. Working on employee engagement in this way is especially helpful for reducing burnout and creating variation in the day-to-day of work.
This study noted that teamwork correlates with improved job satisfaction and morale, meaning that employees who participate in well-structured team building events tend to experience higher job satisfaction . - Aligning teams with organizational goals
Team-building activities often emphasize shared purpose and alignment. By clarifying roles, responsibilities, and objectives, these exercises ensure everyone is working toward the same goals.
This alignment improves efficiency and helps teams stay focused on what matters most, even across departments and company functions. In some large companies, team building events are the only time that folks get to hang out with other teams and work on something cross departmentally. As such, they’re a great opportunity for the entire group to refocus on what’s most important.
In a corporate setting, effective team building isn’t just a one-time effort – it’s an ongoing process that nurtures a thriving workplace culture and helps people feel connected and engaged in their work.
You’ll find the activities in this guide an effective way to bring team building to life and make it a regular occurence – no need to wait till the end of year party!

What are the 5 C’s of team building?
The 5 C’s of team building are key principles that help teams thrive and succeed in their collaborative efforts. The 5 c’s of team building are: clarity, communication, collaboration, creativity and celebration.
All high-performing teams tend to exhibit these qualities in abundance and so they’re a great way to start discussing how your team is performing and how you might improve the way you work together.
The principles that your group feels needs strengthening can then form the basis of your next team building activity. You’ll find the activities we’ve collected below grouped into each of these principles so you can find the one you want to work on easily.
Let’s start by breaking these principles down:
- Clarity
Clear goals, roles, and expectations are the bedrock of a successful team. When everyone understands their responsibilities and how their work contributes to the bigger picture, it reduces the chance for misunderstandings and empowers people to act with autonomy.
In the context of team building, clarity also extends to helping folks get to know other team members better. In my experience, when group members understand each other more deeply and clarify how they’d like to work together, collaboration is smoother as a result and everyone tends to be happier too. - Communication
Without open and honest communication, it can become near impossible for teams to work together effectively. Encouraging active listening, constructive feedback, and meaningful dialogue helps teams resolve conflicts, align on objectives, and build trust.
Many team-building exercises are designed to test and strengthen communication skills in fun and engaging ways – these often include games where teams compete in friendly competition and thus need to communicate well in order to win. In this section, you’ll also find some activities are explicitly intended to build team communication skills and help participants navigate difficult topics more easily.

- Collaboration
Collaboration is about more than simply working together—it’s about enabling every person in your team to leverage their strengths while working to achieve common goals. The best teams know how to divide tasks, share ideas, and support one another through tough challenges.
Team-building activities designed to build collaboration skills often ask the group to solve problems and demonstrate teamwork in a practical manner. You’ll also find exercises that explicitly invite teams to discuss better ways of working or clarify how they’d like to collaborate better. - Creativity
Creativity should not just the preserve of designers and writers at your company –everyone can benefit from finding the freedom to approach problems with fresh perspectives and allow their creative side to have a seat at the table.
Activities like brainstorming sessions or hands-on problem-solving challenges can help teams tap into their creative potential. Experiential activities like those in this section can help participants practice creativity in a safe, encouraging container that enables them to be more creative in their day-to-day work too. - Celebration
Recognizing and celebrating successes — big or small — is vital for maintaining employee morale and motivation. Often, this doesn’t mean just throwing bonus money at folks (though this can help.) Simply helping your team feel seen and valued in the work they do can help bring a team together.
Take the time to acknowledge individual contributions and team milestones and you can strengthen bonds and reinforces team culture in the same breath.
By incorporating the 5 C’s into your team-building approach, you’ll create a foundation for trust, growth, and long-term success. These principles don’t just make teams more effective—they also make work more enjoyable for everyone involved.
Think of the team building activities below as a way to stretch these muscles and help your teams build their skills in an experiential way. They can form the basis of dedicated team building events or simply provide an opening activity to your regular meetings and workshops.
In my experience, every time you bring your team together is an opportunity to deepen connections and improve the way you work together. A single escape room is unlikely to cut it. Applying consistent effort and checking-in on how your team feels is the true path to improving team dynamics.
If you’re looking for more activities, see our collection of the best team building activities for exercises that can serve small teams and large ones alike.
Corporate team building activities for building clarity
When team members understand their roles, goals, and expectations, they can work with confidence and purpose. Without team clarity, misalignment can lead to confusion, frustration, and inefficiency.
These team-building activities are designed to help teams define roles, goals and expectations and also get to know each other better —leading to better decision-making and stronger team cohesion.
Who are you? The Pirate Ship exercise
Best for: Team roles, self-discovery, group reflection
Time: 30-45 minutes
Materials: Printed or projected image of a pirate ship
Who Are You? The Pirate Ship Exercise is a fun and metaphorical way to explore team roles and dynamics. Participants are shown an image of a pirate ship and asked to reflect on which role they naturally identify with—are they the captain steering the team, the lookout scanning the horizon, or the deckhand keeping things running smoothly?
This lighthearted approach encourages self-awareness and sparks valuable discussions about team contributions, leadership, and collaboration. By using a playful premise, the exercise allows for deeper reflection without pressure, making it an excellent way to build stronger team connections.
Alignment & Autonomy
Best for: Strategic Alignment, Goal Setting, Team Empowerment
Time: 60-90 minutes
Materials: Flip charts, markers, sticky notes
Alignment & Autonomy is a structured activity that helps teams clarify shared goals while identifying individual responsibilities and areas of independence. Together, participants map out objectives, highlight dependencies, and ensure alignment across roles to create a clear path forward.
This activity fosters transparency and promotes ownership by encouraging team members to take responsibility for their contributions while keeping collaboration at the heart of the process. It’s ideal for empowering individuals to balance autonomy with teamwork, creating a sense of accountability and shared purpose. By the end, everyone walks away with a clearer understanding of their role in achieving collective success.
Myers-Briggs Team Reflection
Best for: Personality insights, team collaboration, leadership development
Time: 60-90 minutes
Materials: Myers-Briggs Type Indicator results or summaries
Myers-Briggs Team Reflection dives into the unique personality dynamics within your team, exploring how traits influence communication, work preferences, and collaboration. Participants share their results, reflect on their strengths and challenges, and identify ways to work together more effectively.
By highlighting individual differences and commonalities, this activity fosters mutual understanding and respect. It provides teams with practical insights for leveraging diverse working styles while addressing potential areas of friction. Leaders can also use these learnings to create a more harmonious and productive environment that plays to everyone’s strengths.
Team Canvas Session
Best for: Team alignment, goal setting, defining team culture
Time: 60-90 minutes
Materials: Team Canvas template (printed or digital), markers, sticky notes
Team Canvas Session is a structured workshop designed to help teams align on their shared purpose, values, and ways of working. Using the Team Canvas framework, participants collaboratively explore key aspects of their team dynamics, including goals, roles, personal motivations, and expectations.
This activity encourages open dialogue and creates a shared understanding of what success looks like for the team. By mapping out these elements together, teams strengthen cohesion, clarify responsibilities, and set actionable agreements for better collaboration. It’s an invaluable exercise for new teams forming their identity or existing teams looking to reset and improve alignment. The final canvas serves as a visual reference point, keeping everyone on the same page as they move forward.
Guess the Desk
Best for: Remote teams, icebreaking, personal connections
Time: 20-30 minutes
Materials: Photos of participants’ workspaces
Guess the Desk is a lighthearted activity that brings remote teams closer together. Participants anonymously submit photos of their desks or workspaces, and the group takes turns guessing which one belongs to whom.
Guess the Desk creates a fun and relaxed atmosphere while offering a glimpse into each person’s working environment and personality. It’s a great way to spark conversations, discover shared interests, and break the ice in virtual teams. The added element of guessing keeps everyone engaged and laughing along the way.
What Are You Bringing to the Meeting?
Best for: Meeting check-ins, enhancing focus, building awareness
Time: 5-10 minutes
Materials: None
What Are You Bringing to the Meeting? is a simple yet effective check-in activity that helps participants acknowledge their current state of mind and external factors affecting their focus. At the start of the meeting, each person briefly shares what’s on their mind—be it personal distractions, energy levels, or prior engagements.
This practice promotes empathy and patience among team members, as everyone gains insight into each other’s current situations. It also encourages individuals to mentally set aside distractions, fostering a more present and engaged meeting environment.
Temperature Check
Best for: Team sentiment, emotional awareness, open communication
Time: 10-20 minutes
Materials: whiteboard or virtual collaboration tool (optional)
Temperature Check is a quick and effective way to gauge how team members are feeling at a given moment. Participants are asked to share their current mood or energy level using a simple scale, a metaphor (e.g., weather conditions), or a color-coded system. Responses can be shared verbally, written on a board, or submitted anonymously for more sensitive discussions.
This activity helps create a culture of openness and psychological safety by giving team members a space to express their emotions without judgment. It’s particularly useful for identifying stress points, celebrating positive momentum, and ensuring that leadership is aware of the team’s overall well-being. Regularly integrating this check-in into meetings fosters empathy and strengthens team connections.
Corporate team building activities for improving communication skills
Effective communication is at the heart of every successful team. Whether it’s active listening, giving constructive feedback, or ensuring ideas are clearly understood, strong communication builds trust and prevents misunderstandings.
These activities help teams practice clear, open, and empathetic communication in an engaging way, leading to more productive collaboration and stronger workplace relationships.
Active Listening
Best for: Communication skills, empathy, team connection
Time: 30-45 minutes
Materials: None (optional: prompt cards for discussion topics)
Active Listening is a powerful exercise that helps teams strengthen their ability to truly hear and understand one another. Participants pair up and take turns speaking about a given topic while their partner listens without interrupting. Afterward, the listener paraphrases what they heard, ensuring they captured the essence of the speaker’s message before switching roles.
Active Listening highlights the difference between passive hearing and active engagement, encouraging teams to be more mindful in their daily interactions. It fosters deeper connections, reduces miscommunication, and builds trust by ensuring every voice is genuinely heard. Whether used to enhance teamwork, resolve conflicts, or simply improve workplace communication, Active Listening is an essential skill-building exercise for any team.
Conflict Responses
Best for: Conflict resolution, emotional intelligence, communication skills
Time: 30-60 minutes
Materials: Conflict scenario cards or pre-prepared examples
Conflict Responses is a dynamic and insightful activity designed to help teams explore how they approach and resolve conflict. Using real-life scenarios or creative examples, participants discuss their reactions, analyze outcomes, and brainstorm strategies for handling disagreements in a healthy, constructive way.
Conflict Responses is an activity that deepens emotional intelligence by helping participants recognize their own conflict styles while gaining insight into how their teammates handle challenging situations. It also equips teams with practical tools and frameworks for managing conflicts effectively, fostering a culture where disagreements lead to understanding and growth instead of tension and division.
Telling Our Stories
Best for: Building trust, team bonding, enhancing communication
Time: 60-120 minutes
Materials: Post-it notes in three different colors, pens
Telling Our Stories is a powerful activity designed to foster trust and openness within a team through structured storytelling. Participants reflect on and share personal experiences from different life stages—childhood, young adulthood, and the present—answering prompts such as moments of happiness, influential individuals, and transformative events.
By sharing these personal narratives, team members build deeper connections and understanding, creating a foundation for effective collaboration. This exercise not only enhances empathy but also encourages a culture of openness, making it easier for team members to communicate and work together harmoniously.
Follow the Follower
Best for: Team coordination, trust-building, communication
Time: 20-30 minutes
Materials: None
Follow the Follower is a simple yet impactful exercise that strengthens coordination and trust. Participants take turns leading the group through a series of movements, actions, or instructions while others follow closely, mirroring the leader’s actions.
Follow the Follower reinforces the idea that so much of how we communicate is non-verbal in a fun and low-pressure way. It’s perfect for building camaraderie and injecting some energy into your day, leaving everyone feeling more connected and in sync.
Heard, Seen, Respected (HSR)
Best for: Building trust, inclusivity, emotional awareness
Time: 20-30 minutes
Materials: None
Heard, Seen, Respected creates space for participants to reflect on moments when they felt truly valued in a team setting. In pairs or small groups, team members share these experiences, fostering connection and helping everyone understand the key elements of feeling acknowledged and respected.
Heard, Seen, Respected encourages active listening and builds empathy by allowing participants to step into one another’s perspectives. It’s a simple yet meaningful way to cultivate trust and inclusivity, laying the foundation for a team culture where everyone feels seen and appreciated for their contributions.
Spider Web
Best for: Trust-building, team bonding, physical activity
Time: 30-60 minutes
Materials: Rope or tape to create a web-like structure
Spider Web challenges teams to strategize and physically support each other as they navigate through a web of ropes or tape without touching it. It requires careful planning and a great deal of trust as participants work together to lift, guide, and maneuver teammates through the obstacles.
Spider Web is a fantastic activity highlighting the importance of communication awhile getting everyone moving and energized. The shared sense of achievement when the entire team completes the challenge makes it a memorable bonding experience that strengthens relationships and boosts morale.

Corporate team building activities for better collaboration
Great teams don’t just work together—they leverage each other’s strengths to achieve more than they could alone. Collaboration requires trust, adaptability, and the ability to coordinate efforts seamlessly. These activities encourage teams to problem-solve, strategize, and support one another, helping to break down silos and create a culture of teamwork.
Wise Crowds
Best for: Peer problem-solving, collective intelligence, knowledge sharing
Time: 45-60 minutes
Materials: none (optional: flip chart or digital whiteboard for notes)
Wise Crowds is a collaborative problem-solving exercise that taps into the collective wisdom of a team. One participant volunteers to share a challenge they’re facing while the rest of the group acts as a panel of “wise advisors.” The volunteer listens silently as the group discusses potential solutions, insights, and suggestions. Afterward, they reflect on what resonated most and how they might apply the feedback.
This method fosters an open, supportive environment where team members can seek guidance without feeling pressure to have all the answers themselves. It encourages fresh perspectives, deep listening, and creative problem-solving, making it an excellent tool for tackling complex challenges while strengthening team trust and collaboration.
My Favourite Manager
Best for: Leadership reflection, team culture, empathy
Time: 45-60 minutes
Materials: None
Leaders and managers can be a deciding factor in creating a great company culture and employee happiness. In this game, get started by bringing your team together to discuss their favourite and least favourite managers and the skills they bring to the table.
This corporate team building activity is great at creating a safe space to discuss management styles and create empathy between teams. You’ll often find team members can shift their perspective, learn something about how they relate to their leaders and have fun too!
Team Reflection
Best for: Team growth, continuous improvement, strengthening connections
Time: 30-60 minutes
Materials: None (optional: journal or sticky notes for reflections)
Team Reflection is a structured yet open-ended activity designed to help teams pause, look back on their journey, and discuss key learnings. Participants take turns sharing what has gone well, what challenges they’ve faced, and what improvements they’d like to see moving forward.
By enabling more honest conversations, the Team Refletion exercise builds trust and strengthens team cohesion. It helps teams recognize achievements, acknowledge struggles, and align on actionable steps for improvement. Whether used as a regular practice or after a major project, Team Reflection creates space for meaningful dialogue and continuous growth.
Human Knot
Best for: Problem-solving, team bonding, communication
Time: 15-30 minutes
Materials: None
Human Knot is a classic team-building activity that’s as fun as it is challenging. Participants stand in a circle, reach across to grab the hands of two different people, and then work together to untangle themselves without letting go of each other’s hands. The goal is to untwist the “knot” and form a single, unbroken circle.
This activity encourages teams to think critically, communicate effectively, and collaborate closely to solve a shared challenge. It’s also a great way to highlight the importance of patience and teamwork, as everyone needs to contribute ideas and listen to one another to succeed. Human Knot is ideal for building trust and creating moments of laughter as teams navigate the twists and turns together.
Jigsaw Puzzle
Best for: Collaboration, focus, group problem-solving
Time: 30-60 minutes
Materials: Jigsaw puzzle(s)
Jigsaw Puzzle is a straightforward yet powerful way to strengthen teamwork. Teams work together to complete a puzzle within a set timeframe, which requires communication, organization, and collaboration. For an added twist, teams can compete to see who finishes their puzzle first.
This activity emphasizes the importance of patience and collective effort, creating a calm and focused environment where everyone plays a role in reaching the final goal. It’s a fantastic choice for groups looking to encourage conversation while reinforcing the value of working together.
Leadership Pizza
Best for: Leadership development, self-reflection, team insights
Time: 45-60 minutes
Materials: Leadership Pizza templates and markers
Leadership Pizza offers a creative way for participants to evaluate their leadership skills and how they relate to and work with others. Using a pizza-shaped diagram divided into key areas—like communication, decision-making, and delegation—team members rate their current abilities and discuss their findings in small groups.
This activity promotes self-awareness and constructive feedback, helping leaders identify areas for growth and celebrate their strengths. It’s also an excellent tool for fostering open, supportive conversations about leadership within teams, paving the way for individual and collective growth.
Birds of a Feather
Best for: Diversity & Inclusion, team dynamics, collaboration
Time: 30-45 minutes
Materials: Index cards with letters written on them
Birds of a Feather is an eye-opening activity that demonstrates the benefits of diverse teams in a tangible way. Each participant receives an index card with a single letter on it, then forms groups of five without any further instructions. After forming groups, teams are challenged to create the longest word possible using their letters.
At first, participants tend to cluster with those closest to them, but they quickly realize that a more diverse mix of letters leads to better results. This simple yet effective game sparks conversations about diversity, inclusion, and how embracing different perspectives makes teams stronger. A debrief discussion helps connect the experience to real workplace dynamics, making this a great lead-in for broader conversations about team composition and collaboration.
Virtual Scavenger Hunt
Best for: Remote teams, engagement, creativity
Time: 30-60 minutes
Materials: A virtual meeting platform and a prepared scavenger hunt list
Virtual Scavenger Hunt is a lively and interactive way to engage remote teams. Participants are given a list of items to find in their home or workspace, ranging from practical tools to personal treasures, and they share their finds with the group.
This activity combines a need to collaborate with a chance to showcase personality and creativity. How exactly should the team divide and work on their shared goal? When it comes to recreating an image with household objects, what will participants come up with?
Preparation and setting is key for making the scavenger hunt work. Ensure you create a list that will resonate with your team and have enough time in your session for folks to enjoy hunting for items, rather than feeling pressured.

Corporate team building activities to encourage creativity
Innovation thrives in teams that feel empowered to think outside the box. Creativity isn’t just for artists—it’s essential for problem-solving, adaptability, and continuous improvement.
These activities help teams tap into their creative potential, challenge assumptions, and approach challenges with fresh perspectives, leading to more innovative solutions and dynamic team engagement.
Cover Story
Best for: Vision planning, creative thinking, team identity
Time: 45-60 minutes
Materials: Flip charts, markers, magazines (optional)
Cover Story is a creative exercise that challenges teams to envision their ideal future and articulate their goals in a fun, visual way. Teams imagine they are featured on the cover of a magazine, then design their own cover complete with headlines, images, and taglines that reflect their biggest successes and aspirations.
Cover Story is an activity that encourages teams to think big, align on a shared vision, and reflect on what actions they need to take today to achieve their future success. The final presentations generate inspiration and excitement while creating a tangible artifact that teams can refer back to as a motivational touchstone.
Magic Box
Best for: Creativity, problem-solving, innovation
Time: 30-45 minutes
Materials: A real or imaginary box, slips of paper, markers
Magic Box is a fun and imaginative exercise designed to spark creativity and fresh thinking. The facilitator introduces a mysterious “magic box” that can contain anything—real or fantastical. Participants take turns pulling out imaginary objects from the box and describing their purpose, function, or how they might solve a particular challenge. Alternatively, teams can write down unexpected items on slips of paper and draw them at random to inspire discussion.
This activity encourages teams to break free from conventional thinking and embrace new perspectives. It’s particularly effective for brainstorming sessions, innovation workshops, or energizing a group before tackling complex problems. By stretching the imagination in a playful way, Magic Box helps teams develop creative confidence and discover unexpected solutions together.
Egg Drop
Best for: Creative problem-solving, collaboration, hands-on engagement
Time: 30-45 minutes
Materials: Paper, tape, straws, eggs, and other simple supplies
Egg Drop is a fun and creative challenge that gets teams thinking outside the box. Working with limited supplies, participants design and build a contraption to protect an egg from breaking when dropped from a height.
This activity encourages resourcefulness, teamwork, and innovative thinking under time constraints. It’s an engaging way to promote collaboration and adaptability while reinforcing the idea that solving complex problems often requires experimentation and creativity. The excitement of testing the contraptions adds an element of friendly competition and laughter to the process.
Dinner Challenge
Best for: Creativity, team bonding, fun engagement
Time: 45-90 minutes
Materials: Cooking tools and ingredients for in-person teams; recipe prompts for remote teams
Dinner Challenge brings teams together through the universal love of food. In this activity, teams collaborate to create a meal with a limited selection of ingredients. For remote teams, participants can share photos or videos of their culinary creations, adding a fun twist to the challenge.
This activity combines creativity with teamwork in a relaxed, enjoyable setting. It’s perfect for building relationships and encouraging out-of-the-box thinking. Plus, the shared experience of creating and sharing meals fosters a sense of community that extends beyond the workplace.
Drawing Together
Best for: Collaboration, creativity, visual communication
Time: 30-45 minutes
Materials: large sheets of paper or digital drawing tools, markers or pens
Drawing Together is a fun and engaging exercise that encourages teams to express ideas visually and collaborate in a non-verbal way. Participants start by drawing a simple shape or element on a shared piece of paper, then pass it to the next person, who adds to the drawing. This process continues until the artwork is complete, creating a collective visual representation of the team’s creativity.
This activity highlights the power of co-creation and teamwork, showing how individual contributions come together to form a bigger picture. It also encourages out-of-the-box thinking and can serve as a metaphor for how teams build ideas collaboratively. Whether used as an icebreaker or a reflection tool, Drawing Together helps foster engagement, communication, and shared creativity.
Book Club
Best for: Reflection, shared learning, team connection
Time: 60 minutes (recurring as needed)
Materials: Selected book or reading material
Book Club brings teams together to explore ideas, share perspectives, and bond over thought-provoking reading. Participants agree on a book or short articles to read, then meet to discuss key takeaways, favorite moments, and how the ideas apply to their work or personal growth.
A book insights workshop or club can help your team go beyond surface-level conversations and create deeper connections too. It’s a fantastic way to build a learning culture within your team while encouraging collaboration and curiosity. Whether you choose professional development titles or something lighter, Book Club is a great way to bring fresh inspiration into the workplace.

Corporate team building activities for celebration
Celebration is a crucial (and often overlooked) part of team success. Recognizing achievements, big or small, helps boost morale, reinforce positive behaviors, and strengthen team bonds. These activities encourage teams to take a moment to appreciate each other’s contributions, reflect on their progress, and have fun together—helping to build a more motivated and engaged workplace.
Appreciations Exercise
Best for: Team morale, positive feedback, strengthening bonds
Time: 30-45 minutes
Materials: Paper, pens
Appreciations Exercise is a heartwarming way to bring teams closer by sharing positive feedback and recognizing each other’s strengths. Participants sit in a circle, write their name on a piece of paper, and pass it to the person on their left. Each person then writes a short note about what they appreciate most about the person whose name is on the sheet before passing it along.
By the end, every participant receives a collection of meaningful affirmations from their teammates. The final sharing moment is uplifting and reinforces a culture of appreciation and support. This activity is particularly effective when included in team celebrations, retreats, or even a casual happy hour—making gratitude a core part of your workplace culture.
History Map
Best for: Reflection, team growth, celebrating milestones
Time: 45-60 minutes
Materials: Flip charts or whiteboard, markers, sticky notes
History Map is a powerful reflection exercise that helps teams visualize their collective journey. Participants create a “timeline” of key moments, challenges, and achievements, mapping out their shared experiences over a set period of time.
History Map helps provide groups with a sense of progress, reinforcing lessons learned while celebrating accomplishments. By visually capturing the team’s evolution, it fosters appreciation for past efforts and sets the stage for future growth. Whether used at the end of a project or during a team retreat, History Map is a meaningful way to reflect, realign, and move forward together.
Coat of Arms
Best for: Team bonding, self-expression, creativity
Time: 30-60 minutes
Materials: Paper, markers
Coat of Arms is a storytelling exercise that helps teams deepen their connections by exploring individual and group identities. Each participant begins by drawing a personal coat of arms that represents their values, experiences, or strengths. They then share their creation with a partner, who interprets and presents it to the larger group.
Coat of Arms does double-duty as an activity that encourages self-reflection while tapping into creativity and fun. By sharing personal symbols and meanings, team members develop a deeper appreciation for one another, strengthening trust and camaraderie. It’s especially effective for newly formed teams or as a refreshing way to reconnect in established groups.
Bus Trip
Best for: Vision planning, strategic thinking, team alignment
Time: 30-60 minutes
Materials: Flip chart paper, markers
Bus Trip is a creative and engaging activity that helps teams visualize their journey toward a shared goal. Participants imagine their team as a bus traveling toward a destination, with different elements representing aspects of their work. They discuss who’s driving (leading the team), who’s navigating (providing guidance), what’s fueling the journey (motivations), and potential roadblocks (challenges).
This exercise provides a powerful metaphor for teamwork, helping individuals reflect on roles, collaboration, and strategic priorities. It encourages open discussion about team dynamics while reinforcing alignment on objectives. By the end, teams gain a clearer sense of direction and a collective commitment to the road ahead.
More team building activities and resources
When you spend time improving the cohesiveness of your team and deepening group bonds, your entire company will benefit.
Purposeful team building activities like those above are a great start, but if you need more help these resources will help you put together an effective team building session and deepen your understanding.
- Our collection of 50+ team building activities features even more tried and test techniques you might bring to your next team building session.
- Check out our guide to planning a workshop to explore how to organize and structure your next workshop.
- These 5-minute team building activities will help you find techniques that can fit into any meeting or workshop, even if you’re short of time.
- Explore the team development day workshop template to see a complete agenda and get inspired.
So what’s next? Let us know how you get with these activities in the comments below or drop by in the SessionLab community.
You’ll find a community of expert facilitators, leaders and trainers who may be able to help you build a better team and bring these and other facilitation techniques to your organization.
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