Team Building Exercises For New Groups

In order to form a team, it is essential that the group members build confidence among each other. A facilitator can facilitate this process through various group-building exercises. The purpose of these “games” is to get participants to be relaxed and become acquainted with one another, and establish solid relationships.

The fun factor is crucial to the effectiveness of these workouts. Do not use all the exercises. Select a few that you are comfortable with, and then mix them with more formal education. When each game is finished, an interactive discussion must be discussed about the lesson and how it is applicable to work.

Modeling Clay:

Choose three participants to demonstrate. One of them is a lump made of clay (crouched over inside the shape of a ball). In the background is a third player, who acts as the model who poses. The clay is not supposed to be able to see the pose. The third person is the artist who models the clay following the model. The artist is not allowed to touch the clay, and is not able to speak, and is not allowed to demonstrate the final posture to the clay. By using non-verbal communication, the clay is guided into the posture. Once the pose is completed, allow the model to look at the artwork and notice how much the clay is reminiscent of the pose of the model.

The Air Traffic Controller:

One participant is blindfolded. The person blindfolded is piloting a plane lost in the fog. “Air Traffic Control,” or “Air Traffic Controller,” must remain in their “Tower.” (standing on a chair that allows for the appearance of). The pilot has only an insufficient amount of fuel (allow between one and 3 minutes) to land safely and reach the Tower. The floor is filled with small barriers (cups as well as reams and sheets of paper chairs, tables, and cups). The aircraft is also granted the right to have two “near misses”-limited contacts with obstacles. A third brush or a direct hit or stepping over something directly triggers the risk of a “crash”. The pilot could move around, around, or beneath the obstacles. The plane can only move forward, but it can change direction to any angle. The directions have to be provided from the pilot’s point perspective.

Pictures of Family

Players build the family portrait. Invite an audience of four or five people to make an…

Family of lawyers, Family of common physical characteristics
Family of Rock Stars
Family of lions, dogs, Tadpoles
The garden tools of the family
In addition to the poses for the portrait, the participants have to show who is the leader of their family and also who is least influential. Who is the most popular to whom? Who is the least loved member of the family and etc.? The players must be watching each other closely in order to identify these characteristics.

Group environment

This activity allows the group to create an imaginary setting. The first participant enters the “space” through a “door and then interacts by interacting with other objects (imaginary) within the room. Then, he or she leaves the room via the same door or a different door. The ‘created’ imagined environment is the same without change in nature. Another participant enters the space and puts an object that is mimed in the space either physically or physically placing the object (pushing the object, carrying it the object, or moving it or just using it(for example, by placing her coat on the back of a chair). After this second person goes out of the room, another player is brought in. Each participant observes the procedure, i.e., you shouldn’t step on walls or chairs. Players may and perhaps should utilize all items that were left previously by players. Keep going until each player has been added to the mimed room.

Machinery

The boss refers to the real and/or invented device. The players design the machine, with each player being an element of the. The machine needs to work and sound. Alternatives: Tell the players the machine is running wildly up to the point that it explodes. Or, the power is out, and the machine comes to a standstill.

Seven Scenes

Give the participants an enormous task, like “The design, assembly, and unveiling of a brand new car type, or ‘Building a new Clubhouse to be used by Boy Scouts.’ Each participant has just one minute (only) to create seven scenes where the task is required to be accomplished. After one minute, there’s no discussion. They simply play the seven scenarios. Set a timer for rehearsal and determine if the participants have a strategy to follow. No matter how far they’ve come in the hour, they should start the scene without discussions. Arguments and disputes can slow the process. This is a great game to help teach group storytelling and increase the group’s ability to take in ideas that are useful quickly.

Word Story

This exercise is a way to teach the group narrative. Players sit or stand in the circle. The instructions are, “We are going to tell a story one word at a time. Each player provides one word of a sentence.” It’s more challenging than it seems. The warm-up exercise involves telling the group an old fairy tale. Write down the story they have practiced prior to starting. After the exercise, invite suggestions for a specific person or circumstance… such as the lion pride traveling towards New York for a family reunion at the Bronx Zoo. After the story, ask the group if they understand the reasons behind why the story succeeded or failed to work.

Yes, Let’s

Pick one of the group activities, such as hosting a birthday celebration or having a rummage sale. One participant begins by with the words “Let’s …” filling in the details of what she would like to do. After that, she actually does what she had said she was going to accomplish. Another player joins and says “Let’s …” and then does something else to help advance the group’s activity. The two players agree, “Yes, let’s do that,” and begin doing what was they are told to do. A third participant joins and suggests what should be done, and all players are in agreement to take action and then actually implement it. Continue until everyone has offered something. This is a fantastic warming-up exercise and also a good opportunity to be open to suggestions from others.

To alleviate any discomfort players might feel, emphasize that the goal is to have fun. There are no winners and losers. If you have people in your group that are reluctant to participate, start by playing a couple of three or two-player games. By creating a fun and relaxed atmosphere, many employees will take part in the fun activities and discover more about each other.