Welcome to our guide on team-building activities, which are perfect for small groups! These ideas are a subset of office team-building exercises and fun group activities and are similar to corporate party ideas.
At Picnic Makers, we believe in nurturing meaningful relationships and a spirit of teamwork, no matter where your team operates—from office settings, remote environments, or a mix of both.
In this blog, we present 19 team-building activities for small groups that will engage your team, encourage collaboration, and add a little fun to your interactions.
Let’s explore creative ways to strengthen your team and create lasting memories together.
Navigate through the ideas:
Outdoor team-building activities
Spending time in nature is a great way to recharge and build stronger teams.
Here are some outdoor team-building activities that are great for boosting morale and fostering a sense of unity among small groups:
1. Luxury pop-up picnic 🧺🍾
Treat your team to a luxurious outdoor experience with a luxury pop-up picnic organized by Picnic Makers. This isn’t just any picnic. It’s a premium affair where every detail is planned and executed to perfection.
From comfy seating to stylish tables with pretty linens and fresh flowers, every detail is designed to create a visually stunning and relaxing environment.
As your team gathers under the open sky, surrounded by nature’s beauty, they’ll have the chance to relax, have meaningful conversations, and build stronger connections with each other.
This setting is the perfect way to mark a team milestone, celebrate achievements, or just spend some quality time together away from the office. It’s a shared moment of luxury that will make your team feel valued and refreshed.
2. Nature hikes 🥾🏞️
Why not organize a guided nature hike to help your team unwind and enjoy the great outdoors?
Pick a local trail that’s just right for your team’s fitness level and has some pretty spots along the way.
A knowledgeable guide can make the experience better by sharing interesting facts about the local flora and fauna, making the hike educational and refreshing.
Remind team members to bring convenient aluminum water bottles, comfortable walking shoes, and sunscreen lotion.
This team-building activity for small groups is the perfect way to relax and recharge. It also helps people get to know each other better and build stronger relationships outside the office.
You could wrap up the hike with a casual corporate picnic or a group reflection session to talk about what you’ve learned.
3. Pictionary or charades 🎨
To play outdoor pictionary or charades, you just need a flipchart or a large portable whiteboard for Pictionary and some pre-prepared game cards for both games.
Pick a big, open space outside where teams can get together and play without any restrictions.
The natural elements can add a fun twist to the games, with players incorporating them into their sketches or acting.
This small group setup encourages creativity and improves team communication and problem-solving skills in a fun, relaxed atmosphere.
To wrap up the activity, give the winning team a small prize to keep the mood upbeat and competitive.
4. Photo challenge 📸🏆
A photo challenge is a fantastic way for teams to get creative together.
Give each team an instant camera or let them use their smartphones.
Make a list of items or scenes they should photograph, like a unique tree, an animal, or a team member in a funny pose.
Set a time limit and a specific area to explore, turning the challenge into a fun and exciting race.
This team-building exercise is a great way to encourage observation and creativity. It also lets them think about planning and managing their time effectively.
Once the challenge is over, get everyone together to share their photos and talk about their experiences.
Here’s a fun idea: reward the winning team with something unexpected, like their popcorn machine 🍿😂
5. Build something together 🔨🏗️
Pick a simple project that you can knock out in a few hours. We at the Picnic Makers team have some example ideas for you:
- putting together birdhouses
- painting garden benches
- building small flower boxes
Make sure you have all the materials and tools you need, and it might be a good idea to have someone with experience to show the teams how to do it.
This activity makes participants work together and brainstorm ideas, and it’s really satisfying to see a project come to life once it’s finished.
Additionally, teams can add their creative flair to the project by personalizing it. Once the project is finished, it’s time to showcase the projects and celebrate everyone’s hard work and creativity.
This little team-building exercise is a great way to bond with your colleagues and remind yourselves of what you can achieve together.
6. Human knot 🧑🤝🧑
This hands-on activity gets team members moving and builds trust. It’s a challenging but rewarding experience that can really strengthen bonds and foster a sense of accomplishment within the group.
Number of participants: 6-12 people
Expected play time: 10-20 minutes
Everyone stands in a circle, shoulder-to-shoulder. Then, each person reaches across the circle with both hands and grabs the hands of two different people.
The group has to untangle themselves into a circle without letting go by stepping over, under, and around each other. Once the group has formed a single circle, still holding hands, the activity is complete.
Indoor team-building activities
If you’re looking for fun and engaging team-building activities, we’ve got a variety of exercises that will help your team work together, communicate better, and solve problems.
These activities are great for small groups and can be easily adapted for different settings.
7. Egg drop 🥚
The egg drop challenge is a classic STEM (STEM – science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) activity that gets people thinking critically, creatively, and in teams.
Participants have to use what they’ve got to design and build a protective container, putting their problem-solving and engineering skills to the test. This hands-on activity gets people thinking in new ways, encourages communication, and helps them take risks in a supportive team environment.
Number of participants: 4 or more, divided into teams
Expected play time: 30 minutes to 1 hour
Rules:
- Split the group into teams of two to four people.
- Give each team a limited set of materials (e.g., straws, paper, tape, rubber bands).
- The teams must build a container to protect an egg from breaking when dropped from a certain height (say, 10 feet).
- Test each team’s container by dropping the egg from the designated height.
- The team whose container keeps the egg safe without breaking it wins.
Essentials: eggs, straws, paper, tape, rubber bands, ladder or elevated platform
It’s a great way to get your team working together and show off the different skills and ideas everyone brings to the table.
8. Puzzle challenge 🧩
Give your team a puzzle challenge to get their minds working and encourage them to work together on problems.
Offer a variety of puzzles, like large-scale jigsaw puzzles, tricky brain teasers, and challenging riddles. Set up different stations in a common area or within your office where teams can rotate to tackle different puzzles.
This activity helps people think critically and solve problems in new ways. It also encourages teamwork because participants have to communicate effectively and work together to succeed.
At the end of the challenge, discuss the different strategies that different teams used. This can lead to interesting conversations about problem-solving in the workplace.
9. Scavenger hunt 🕵️♂️
A scavenger hunt is a great way to get a small team up and moving. It’s a fun and energetic team-building activity that gets teams working together, problem-solving, and managing their time as they race against the clock to complete tasks.
Number of participants: 4 or more, divided into teams
Expected play time: 30 minutes to 1 hour
Rules:
- Split the group into teams of two to four people.
- Give each team a list of items or tasks to complete within a set time limit (e.g., find a red pen or take a photo of a specific landmark).
- Teams must work together to find or complete as many items or tasks as possible within the time limit.
- The team with the most completed items or tasks wins.
Game equipment: list of items/tasks, pens/pencils, cameras (optional).
This activity can be tailored to any environment, indoors or outdoors, and can incorporate challenges specific to your team’s goals or industry. It’s an exciting way to encourage teammates to work together, think creatively, and explore their surroundings.
These indoor team-building activities offer many options to suit different preferences and objectives. By engaging in these exercises, your team will strengthen its bonds, improve communication, and develop valuable skills that will contribute to its overall success.
Virtual team building activities
These days, lots of teams work remotely or have members in different parts of the world.
Virtual team-building activities are a great way to build connections, trust, and teamwork even when you’re not in the same place.
No matter how far apart your team members are, these virtual team-building exercises can help you bond and feel like a real team.
10. Two truths and a lie 💯
This classic icebreaker activity is a great way to get to know your teammates better and build a trusting and open environment. It gets people thinking and listening carefully and helps them spot the truth from the lies.
Number of participants: 3 or more
Expected play time: 10-20 minutes
Rules:
- Each person gets a turn sharing three statements about themselves—two true and one a lie.
- The rest of the group listens to the statements and tries to guess the lie.
- Once everyone has shared their statements, the person who shared them reveals which one was the lie.
- Keep going around the circle until everyone has had a turn.
It’s a low-risk, engaging activity that can reveal some surprising facts about your colleagues. Additionally, it works great for remote and in-person sessions.
11. Virtual team-building games 🎮
Check out virtual team-building games to help keep your remote team connected and engaged.
Many online platforms offer a range of games designed to help teams work better together.
Think about virtual escape rooms where team members have to work together to solve puzzles and escape a virtual room. Or, go for online quizzes and strategy games that test their knowledge and decision-making skills.
These games are great for getting new teams to know each other or for strengthening relationships within existing teams.
They get people talking, thinking, and problem-solving in a fun and competitive way.
Virtual teams can use technology and interactive exercises to build strong relationships and work together seamlessly towards common goals.
Team bonding activities
Building strong relationships and fostering a sense of camaraderie within your small group is important if you want a cohesive and motivated team.
Team bonding activities are a great way to break the ice and cultivate a positive team culture. No matter if you’re in the office or working remotely, here are some fun team-building ideas to help bring your team closer together:
12. Blindfold obstacle course 🤝
Trust-building exercises are crucial for creating a team environment in which everyone feels confident and safe sharing ideas and relying on each other.
The blindfold obstacle course tests trust, communication, and problem-solving abilities. As the guide leads their blindfolded colleague through the course, they have to communicate clearly, think critically, and build a strong rapport.
Number of participants: pairs (2 people per team)
Expected play time: 20-30 minutes
Rules:
1. Set up an obstacle course with whatever obstacles you have handy (e.g., cones, chairs, tables) in a designated area.
2. Split the group into pairs, with one person in charge of leading the way and the other taking on the navigator role.
3. Have the navigator wear a blindfold.
4. The guide should give the navigator verbal instructions to help them navigate the obstacle course without touching or knocking over any obstacles.
5. If the navigator touches or knocks over an obstacle, they have to start over from the beginning.
6. Switch roles and do the activity again so that both partners get to be the guide and the navigator.
Activity equipment: blindfolds, cones, chairs, tables, or other objects to create obstacles, designated area for the obstacle course
This activity encourages people to listen actively, give precise instructions, and share responsibility. It’s a great way to build trust, improve communication skills, and demonstrate the importance of teamwork in overcoming challenges.
13. Shared experiences 🤹♂️
Creating shared experiences is one great way to help team members bond and develop a stronger sense of connection.
These activities give people a chance to step away from their usual work routine and see each other in a different light, which can help them understand and empathize with each other better.
Adventure activities like the following ones are a great way to add some excitement and challenge to the mix:
- kayaking
- rock climbing
- zip-lining
Why? Because it gets people out of their comfort zones and makes them rely on each other, which can quickly strengthen team bonds and build trust.
Volunteering as a group is another perfect option to build team spirit and give back to the community.
From helping out at a food bank to participating in a charity walk or organizing a community clean-up, these activities can bring the team together around a common goal and instill a sense of shared purpose and accomplishment.
Communication building activities
Effective communication is essential for any successful team. Consider incorporating these engaging team-building exercises and bonding activities to enhance communication within your small group.
14. Storytelling circle 🔄
The storytelling circle is a fun and creative way to build team spirit. It encourages active listening, collaboration, and a bit of spontaneity. As people build on each other’s ideas, they have to stay engaged, think creatively, and work together to create a unified story.
How many people are going to be in the group? – 4 or more
Playtime: 10-20 minutes
Rules:
- Have everyone sit or stand in a circle.
- One person starts by sharing a sentence or two to get the ball rolling.
- As you go around the circle, each person adds one sentence to the story, continuing where the previous person left off.
- Keep going around the circle until the story reaches a natural conclusion or the time limit is reached.
It’s a great way to build a positive team dynamic.
15. Talent show 🎤
The talent show is a great way to build team spirit and encourage creativity.
Number of participants: 4 or more
Expected play time: 30 minutes to an hour
Each person in the group has to come up with a short talent or act (like singing, dancing, a magic trick, or a comedy routine) to perform for the rest of the group.
Set a time limit (e.g., two minutes) for each person’s performance. Make sure you have a designated area or stage for the performances.
Participants can vote or give feedback on the performances.
As participants show off their special skills and talents, they gain confidence, get positive feedback, and celebrate each other’s strengths.
Equipment: depending on the acts, you might need a microphone, outdoor projector, Bluetooth speaker, props, or other equipment.
This activity gets everyone working together, appreciating each other’s differences, and feeling like they belong in the group. It’s a fun and memorable experience that can help build stronger bonds, boost morale, and create a more cohesive team dynamic.
16. Human bingo 🎲
Human bingo is a fun and easy way to get to know each other better. As people chat and find out what makes each other tick, they build connections, break down barriers, and appreciate the different skills and experiences on the team.
Number of participants: 8 or more
Expected play time: 20-30 minutes
Rules:
- First, make bingo cards with different traits or characteristics in each square (e.g., “knows how to juggle,” “has been to more than 10 countries,” “can name all 50 states”).
- Then, give each participant a bingo card.
- Participants should mingle and find people matching their cards’ traits or characteristics.
- When a participant finds someone who matches a trait, they just write that person’s name in the corresponding square.
- The first person to complete a row (horizontal, vertical, or diagonal) on their bingo card wins.
This team-building activity requires printed bingo cards and pens or pencils.
Competitive team-building games
Inject competitive fun into your team-building efforts with engaging games that encourage friendly rivalry.
These team-building games allow team members to bond and have fun. They also promote teamwork, problem-solving, and strategic thinking.
17. Tower building 🗼
Teams must collaborate, strategize, and use their materials efficiently to construct the tallest tower possible.
Number of participants: 4 or more, divided into teams
Expected play time: 20-30 minutes
Divide the group into teams of 2-4 people. Provide each team with building materials (e.g., marshmallows, spaghetti, tape, string).
Set a time limit (e.g., 20 minutes) for teams to construct the tallest freestanding tower possible with their materials. When the time is up, measure the height of each team’s tower. The team with the tallest tower wins.
Game equipment: marshmallows, spaghetti, tape, string, measuring tape or ruler
18. Minute to win it 🍪
Minute to Win It games are fast-paced, timed challenges that require teams to complete various tasks using everyday household items.
From stacking cups to balancing cookies on their faces, each game tests your team’s coordination, creativity, and ability to think on their feet.
With a ticking clock, friendly competition reaches its peak as teams strive to complete the tasks within a minute.
19. Alphabet game 🔤
The alphabet game is a simple yet challenging team-building activity that fosters quick thinking and a shared focus. Participants race to name items within a category in alphabetical order.
Number of participants: 4 or more
Expected play time: 10-20 minutes
Have the group stand or sit in a circle. Then, choose a category (e.g., countries, cities, animals, foods).
Going around the circle, each person must name something within the chosen category that starts with the next letter of the alphabet. For example, if the category is “animals” and the first person says “Aardvark,” the next person must name an animal starting with “B,” and so on.
Players cannot repeat or skip letters. Players who cannot think of an item for the next letter are out of the game. The last person remaining wins.
Enhancing team dynamics
Fun team-building activities for small groups are a great way to improve collaboration, communication, and team dynamics.
It doesn’t matter if you choose indoor or outdoor activities or virtual or in-person exercises. The key is to create an engaging and supportive environment that brings your small group closer together.
By including these activities, you’ll be well on your way to building a stronger, more unified team.
Benefits of team-building for companies
- Team-building activities are a great way for small groups to work together better and improve their dynamics.
- If you’re short on space or it’s raining, indoor team-building activities are a great option.
- Outdoor team-building activities are a great way to switch things up and get everyone working together.
- Virtual team-building activities help to foster connections and promote teamwork even when people are geographically dispersed.
- Team bonding activities are all about building camaraderie and stronger relationships within the group.
FAQ
How can team bonding activities benefit a small group?
Team-building activities create a sense of camaraderie and strengthen relationships within a small group. They help team members get to know each other better, improve communication, and create a positive and supportive team culture.
What skills can be developed through problem-solving activities?
Problem-solving activities get teams thinking critically, communicating effectively, and working together to find creative solutions. These exercises help people think more clearly about problems, work together better, and improve their teamwork.
How can communication-building activities improve team dynamics?
Communication-building activities improve listening skills, encourage open dialogue, and foster better understanding among team members. When communication improves within a small group, it helps the whole team work better together and get more done.
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