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In this article you will find:
- 25 problem-solving activities for your team to master
- Frequently asked questions about team building
Here are 25 problem-solving activities for your team to master:
25 Team Building Problem-Solving Activities
1. A Shrinking Vessel
"A Shrinking Vessel" is a team building problem solving game that requires participants to work together in a confined space that gradually gets smaller. The objective is to stay within the shrinking boundaries while completing various problem solving tasks. This game is not only a test of physical adaptability but also a powerful exercise in strategic thinking and decision making.
Why adaptability is important for problem-solving:
Adaptability is highly associated with cognitive diversity, which helps teams solve problems faster, according to the Harvard Business Review. Innovation and disruption are happening faster than ever before. People, teams, and organizations that can adapt will come out on top.
What You'll Need:
A rope or string
Instructions:
1. Using the rope, make a shape on the floor everyone can fit into.
2. Slowly shrink the space over a time period of 10-15 minutes.
3. Work together to figure out how to keep everyone within the shrinking boundaries.
Looking for Problem Solving Team Building games that’s fully hosted? See our team building activities on this page.
2. Marshmallow Spaghetti Tower
The Marshmallow Spaghetti Tower is of the most hands-on problem solving group activities where teams are tasked with building the tallest free-standing structure they can using only a limited set of materials: uncooked spaghetti, tape, string, and a single marshmallow. The marshmallow must be placed on top of the tower, which adds an extra layer of difficulty to the challenge.
Helps with: Collaboration
Why collaboration is important for problem-solving:
“Collectively, we can be more insightful, more intelligent than we can possibly be individual,” writes Peter Senge in The Fifth Discipline. We can solve problems better as a team than we can alone, which means developing your team's collaboration skills will lead to better problem-solving outcomes.
What You'll Need (per team):
- 20 sticks of uncooked spaghetti
- 1 roll of masking tape
- 1 yard of string
- 1 marshmallow
Instructions:
1. The goal of this exercise is to see which team can use the materials provided to build the tallest tower within an allotted time period. The tower must be able to stand on its own.
2. To make this exercise more challenging, try adding a marshmallow to the top of the tower. This team problem-solving exercise helps teams think on their toes while building camaraderie and leadership.
3. Egg Drop
The Egg Drop involves teams designing and building a device to protect a raw egg from breaking when dropped from a considerable height. As a quintessential example of problem solving group activities, the Egg Drop fosters creativity, teamwork, and strategic decision making.
Why decision-making is important for problem-solving:
Making decisions isn't easy, but indecision leads to team paralysis, stagnant thinking, and unsolved problems. Decision-making activities help your team practice making quick, effective choices. Train your team's decision-making muscle and they will become more adept at problem-solving.
What You'll Need:
- A carton of eggs
- Basic construction materials such as newspapers, straws, tape, plastic wrap, balloons, rubber bands, popsicle sticks, etc., tarp, or drop cloth
- A parking lot, or some other place you don't mind getting messy!
Instructions:
1. Each team gets an egg and must select from the construction materials.
2. Give everyone 20-30 minutes to construct a carrier for the egg and protect it from breaking.
3. Drop each egg carrier off a ledge (i.e. over a balcony) and see whose carrier protects the egg from breaking.
4. If multiple eggs survive, keep increasing the height until only one egg is left.
4. Stranded
Stranded is an immersive decision making group activity designed to enhance teamwork, strategic thinking, and problem solving skills. In this engaging game, teams are presented with a scenario where they are stranded on a deserted island or remote location. Their objective is to work together to prioritize resources, make crucial decisions, and develop a plan for survival and rescue.
Helps with: Communication and Decision-Making
More employees work remotely than ever before. Good communication skills are vital to solving problems across increasingly virtual teams. Working on communication skills while your team is together will help them better solve problems when they're apart.
What You'll Need:
- An office
Instructions:
Your team has been stranded in the office. The doors are locked, and knocking down the doors or breaking the windows is not an option. Give your team 30 minutes to decide on 10 items in the office they need for survival and rank them in order of importance. The goal of the game is to have everyone agree on the 10 items and their ranking in 30 minutes.
5. Legoman
In this fun and interactive decision making group activity, teams are tasked with constructing a LEGO structure based on instructions provided by a designated "communicator." The twist is that the communicator cannot physically participate in the building process, relying solely on verbal instructions to guide their team.
What You'll Need:
- Legos
Instructions:
1. Divide everyone into small teams of two or more.
2. Select an overseer who isn't on a team to build a random structure using Lego building blocks within 10 minutes.
3. The other teams must replicate the structure exactly (including size and color) within 15 minutes. However, only one member from each group may look at the original structure. They must figure out how to communicate the size, color, and shape of the original structure to their team.
4. If this is too easy, add a rule that the member who can see the original structure can't touch the new structure.
6. Escape
Escape is a thrilling decision making group activity that challenges teams to solve a series of puzzles and riddles to "escape" from a locked room within a set time limit. This game is designed to foster teamwork, enhance problem solving skills, and improve strategic decision making among participants.
Collaboration
What You'll Need:
- 1 rope
- 1 key
- A lockable room
- 5-10 puzzles or clues (depending on how much time you want to spend on the game)
Instructions:
The goal of this exercise is to solve the clues, find the key, and escape a locked room within the time allotted.
Hide the key and a list of clues around the room.
Gather the team into the empty room and "lock" the door.
Give them either 30 minutes or 1 hour to find the key using the clues hidden around the room.
7. Frostbite
Imagine your team as brave explorers navigating a frozen tundra, working together under tough conditions to build a shelter that can withstand a simulated storm. It’s a fantastic way to boost problem solving skills, improve communication, and sharpen strategic decision making.
Decision Making, Adaptability What You'll Need:
- A blindfold
- 1 packet of construction materials (such as card stock, toothpicks, rubber bands, and sticky notes) for each team
- An electric fan
Instructions:
Picture this... Your employees are Arctic explorers adventuring across an icy tundra! Separate them into teams of 4-5 and have them select a leader to guide their exploration. Each team must build a shelter from the materials provided before the storm hits in 30 minutes. However, both the team leader's hands have frostbite, so they can't physically help construct the shelter, and the rest of the team has snow blindness and is unable to see. When the 30 minutes is up, turn on the fan and see which shelter can withstand the high winds of the storm.
8. Minefield
Minefield is an engaging decision making group activity designed to enhance strategic thinking, teamwork and communication. In this challenging game, team members must navigate a "minefield" filled with obstacles while blindfolded, relying on the verbal guidance of their teammates to reach the other side safely. It’s a perfect example of decision making group activities that foster collaboration and problem solving skills.
What You'll Need:
- An empty room or hallway
- Blindfolds
- A collection of common office items
Instructions:
1. Place the items (boxes, chairs, water bottles, bags, etc.) around the room so there's no clear path from one end of the room to the other.
2. Divide your team into pairs and blindfold one person on the team.
3. The other must verbally guide that person from one end of the room to the other, avoiding the "mines." 4. The partner who is not blindfolded can't touch the other.
5. If you want to make the activity more challenging, have all the pairs go simultaneously so teams must find ways to strategically communicate with each other.
9. Blind Formations
In this game, team members are blindfolded and must work together to form specific shapes using a rope, relying solely on verbal instructions. This activity is a prime example of decision making group activities that emphasize the importance of clear communication and strategic thinking.
What You'll Need:
- Blindfolds
- Rope
Instructions:
1. Have the group put on blindfolds and form a large circle.
2. Tie two ends of a rope together and lay it in a circle in the middle of the group, close enough so each person can reach down and touch it.
3. Instruct the group to communicate to create a shape with the rope a square, triangle, rectangle, etc.
4. If you have a very large group, divide them into teams and provide a rope for each team. Let them compete to see who forms a particular shape quickest.
10. Line up Blind
Line Up Blind is a fascinating decision making group activity that challenges participants to work together without the benefit of sight or speech. This engaging exercise requires team members to line up in a specific order while blindfolded, relying solely on non-verbal communication and collaboration. It’s a perfect example of decision making group activities that enhance teamwork, trust building, and strategic thinking.
What You'll Need:
- Blindfolds
Instructions:
1. Blindfold everyone and whisper a number to each person, beginning with one.
2. Tell them to line up in numerical order without talking.
3. Instead of giving them a number, you could also have them line up numerically by height, age, birthday, etc.
11. Reverse Pyramid
Reverse Pyramid is a fast-paced decision making group activity that challenges teams to think strategically and work together efficiently. In this exercise, participants must rearrange themselves from a pyramid formation by moving only three people, flipping the base and the apex. It’s a fantastic example of decision making group activities that promote quick thinking, teamwork, and problem solving skills.
What You'll Need:
- Nothing
Instructions:
1. Have everyone stand in a pyramid shape, horizontally.
2. Ask them to flip the base and the apex of the pyramid moving only three people.
3. This quick exercise works best when smaller groups compete to see who can reverse the pyramid the fastest.
12. Move It!
"Move It!" is an engaging team building activity aimed at developing adaptability and collaboration skills. Teams must work together to strategize and communicate effectively to switch places with the opposing team. This exercise promotes problem solving, quick thinking, and coordination among participants, making it a fun and effective way to strengthen team dynamics.
What You'll Need:
- Chalk, rope, tape, or paper (something to mark a space)
Instructions:
1. Divide your group into two teams and line them up front to back, facing each other.
2. Using chalk, tape, rope, or paper (depending on the playing surface), mark a square space for each person to stand on. Leave one extra empty space between the two facing rows.
3. The goal is for the two-facing lines of players to switch places.
Place these restrictions on movement:
Only one person may move at a time.
A person may not move around anyone facing the same direction.
No one may not move backward.
A person may not move around more than one person on the other team at a time.
13. Human Knot
Participants must communicate effectively, be patient, and work together to solve the physical puzzle of untangling themselves. The activity requires strategic thinking and flexibility, helping participants learn to adjust their approach and support each other. This fun and challenging exercise is ideal for enhancing problem solving skills and fostering a sense of unity within the group.
What You'll Need:
- Nothing
Instructions:
1. Have everyone stand in a circle, and ask each person to hold hands with two people who aren't directly next to them.
2. When everyone is tangled together, ask them to untangle the knot and form a perfect circle without letting anyone's hand.
Our last two problem-solving activities work best when dealing with an actual problem:
14. Dumbest Idea First
By encouraging participants to come up with the most absurd solutions, it breaks down mental barriers and promotes creative thinking. Often, what initially seems like a "dumb" idea can spark a new perspective or lead to a surprisingly effective solution. This exercise not only boosts creativity but also helps teams develop a more open-minded approach to problem solving and collaboration.
What You'll Need:
- Nothing
Instructions:
1. "Dumb" ideas are sometimes the best ideas. Ask everyone to think of the absolute dumbest possible solution to the problem at hand.
2. After you have a long list, look through it and see which ones might not be as dumb as you think.
3. Brainstorm your solutions in Wrike. It's free and everyone can start collaborating instantly!
15. What Would X Do
A creative problem solving activity that encourages participants to step into the shoes of a famous person. By doing so, they can explore new and diverse solutions that they might not have considered otherwise. This exercise promotes empathy, broadens thinking, and fosters innovation by allowing participants to break out of their usual thought patterns.
Instant Problem Solving What You'll Need:
- Nothing
Instructions:
1. Have everyone pretend they're someone famous.
2. Each person must approach the problem as if they were a famous person. What options would they consider? How would they handle it?
3. This allows everyone to consider solutions they might not have thought of originally.
16. Lost at Sea
Lost at Sea is a captivating team building activity designed to enhance problem solving under pressure. Imagine the high-stakes scenario of being stranded in a lifeboat with your colleagues. This exercise not only tests your team's adaptability but also promotes effective communication and decision-making.
What You'll Need:
- A six-column chart for each participant
- A pack of matches
- A list of survival items
Instructions:
- Setup: Provide each participant with a six-column chart. The columns are for:
- Listing survival items
- Individual ranking of items
- Group ranking of items
- Correct ranking (revealed later)
- Difference between individual and correct rankings
- Difference between group and correct rankings
- Individual Assessment: Each participant has ten minutes to rank the survival items in order of importance.
- Group Discussion: Teams then have ten minutes to discuss and agree on a collective ranking for the items.
- Comparison and Analysis: Teams compare their individual rankings with the group rankings.
Reveal and Reflect: Finally, reveal the correct item rankings as determined by the US Coast Guard and discuss the differences.
17. Coworker Feud
"Coworker Feud" is a fun and engaging team building activity that mimics the popular TV game show Family Feud. It challenges teams to guess the most popular answers to various questions, fostering collaboration and friendly competition.
What You'll Need:
- Nothing
Instructions:
- Prepare the Survey: You'll need a set of survey questions to play. While creating your own can be time-consuming, companies like Confetti offer pre-made surveys tailored for team building purposes.
- Form Teams: Split the participants into two or more teams.
- Gameplay: Teams take turns trying to guess the top answers to the survey questions. Points are awarded for each correct guess.
- Collaboration: Success in the game relies on effective teamwork. Participants must pool their knowledge and communicate well to score the highest points.
Competition: This activity ignites a sense of competition, helping to boost morale and increase productivity.
18. Virtual Code Break
Virtual Code Break is an engaging team building activity specifically designed for remote participants. Teams compete in a series of challenges, such as puzzles and trivia, which enhance communication and problem solving skills as they work together to claim victory.
What You'll Need:
- Nothing
Instructions:
- Assess Team Needs: Conduct a brainstorming session to identify the specific needs and preferences of your team.
- Event Facilitation: An event facilitator will manage all the setup and logistical details.
- Participant Preparation: Provide participants with logins and a detailed guide on how to play.
- Join the Game: Sign in to the virtual platform and join your pre-assigned team.
19. Improv Challenge
Improv is an engaging and creative method for enhancing communication skills through story-telling. This activity encourages participants to build on each other's ideas, fostering a collaborative and innovative environment.
What You'll Need:
- Nothing
Instructions:
- Suggest a Topic: Start the process by proposing a topic for the story.
- Build the Narrative: The first player begins the story based on the suggested topic and adds to the narrative.
- Listen and Contribute: Each subsequent player must carefully listen and contribute to the story, ensuring they have all the information to move the plot forward.
- Inventive Plotlines: As the game progresses, participants will need to come up with creative plot twists and storylines, similar to a brainstorming session but without the pressure.
The key to Improv is the "yes, and..." format, which encourages participants to accept and build upon each other's contributions, promoting unconventional thinking and enhancing workflow.
20. Picture Perfect Puzzle
A unique team building activity that blends problem solving with creativity and teamwork. In this game, teams are challenged to complete jigsaw puzzles, but with a twist: each team's puzzle includes pieces from other puzzles, adding an extra layer of complexity.
What You'll Need:
- Nothing
Instructions:
- Prepare the Puzzles: Before starting, mix pieces from several different jigsaw puzzles, ensuring each puzzle has a unique image or pattern.
- Form Teams: Divide the participants into small groups.
- Distribute Puzzles: Give each team one of the mixed-up puzzles.
- Complete the Puzzle: Teams work against the clock to complete their puzzle, requiring effective communication and collaboration to sort and assemble the correct pieces.
Add Creativity: Once the puzzle is completed, each team should name their creation and come up with a short story or description about the images.
21. Reverse Brainstorming
Reverse brainstorming is an unconventional problem solving technique that encourages participants to view problems from a different angle. This activity is particularly valuable for teams aiming to overcome challenges and devise innovative solutions.
What You'll Need:
- Nothing
Instructions:
- Identify the Problem: Begin by clearly defining a specific issue or challenge your team wants to tackle.
- Reverse Thinking: Instead of brainstorming solutions, think about what could make the problem worse. Consider potential causes or aggravating factors.
- Generate Ideas: Encourage participants to creatively identify and list various factors that contribute to or exacerbate the problem.
- Discussion: Review the list of negative factors and discuss each one, exploring how addressing these in reverse could lead to innovative solutions.
- Regular Brainstorming: Transition back to conventional brainstorming, using the insights gained from the reverse brainstorming to generate effective solutions.
22. Dog, Rice, and Chicken
Dog, Rice, and Chicken is a light-hearted problem solving game that encourages team members to relax and unwind. The objective is to collaboratively figure out how to transport three items across a river without any mishaps.
What You'll Need:
- Nothing
Instructions:
- Roles: Select one team member to play the role of the farmer. The remaining participants will act as villagers.
- Scenario: The farmer has three items—a dog, rice, and a chicken—that need to be taken across a river using a boat. However, the boat can only carry one item at a time.
- Challenge: The villagers must work together to advise the farmer on the best way to transport the items without the dog eating the chicken or the chicken eating the rice.
- Strategy: The villagers propose various strategies, and the farmer decides which one to follow. They must figure out the correct sequence to ensure all items are safely transported.
23. Web of Wools
Web of Wools is a fun and engaging activity that promotes teamwork and effective communication. Teams work together to create and then solve a tangled web, enhancing their collaboration and problem solving skills.
What You'll Need:
- Yarn or string, blindfolds
Instructions:
- Setup: Grab a spool of yarn or string for this activity.
- Form Teams: Divide the group into two teams.
- Create the Web: Each team entangles themselves in yarn or string, creating a web.
- Switch Webs: Once the webs are created, teams switch places and take on the challenge of untangling the other team's web.
Blindfolded Challenge: One member from each team is blindfolded and tasked with untangling the web. The blindfolded participants must rely on instructions from their teammates to solve the puzzle.
24. Jeopardy Social
Virtual Jeopardy Social transforms your team into contestants on a game show, complete with buzzer buttons for answering questions and a professional actor to host the event. This activity combines trivia with social mixer challenges to foster engagement and team bonding.
What You'll Need:
- Yarn or string, blindfolds
Instructions:
- Setup: Organize a virtual Jeopardy game with a professional actor as the host and provide buzzer buttons for participants.
- Game Play: Teams or individuals answer trivia questions to score points, just like on the classic game show.
- Social Mixer Challenges: Each round incorporates social mixer challenges, allowing participants to interact, share stories, and get to know each other better.
- Scoring: Teams or individuals compete to score the highest number of points by correctly answering questions and completing challenges.
25. What Would X Do
The Great Team Recipe Swap is a delightful and interactive activity that combines culinary creativity with team bonding. Participants share their favorite recipes, cook together, and enjoy a meal, promoting cultural exchange and camaraderie.
You’ll need:
- Recipe cards, ingredients, and a kitchen setup (virtual or physical)
Instructions:
- Preparation: Ask each participant to submit a favorite recipe ahead of time. Compile these recipes into a shared document or handout.
- Assign Recipes: Randomly assign each participant or team a recipe submitted by another team member.
- Cooking: Set up a virtual meeting where participants can cook together in real-time, or organize an in-person cooking session. Each participant or team prepares the assigned recipe.
- Share and Enjoy: Once the cooking is complete, have everyone present their dish, explaining why the recipe is special to them. If virtual, participants can share photos and descriptions.
Discussion: Encourage a discussion about the different recipes, ingredients, and cultural backgrounds. Participants can share cooking tips and personal stories related to their dishes.
People also ask these questions about decision making team building activities
What is the team building process?
This process of learning to work together effectively is known as team development. Bruce Tuckman, an educational psychologist, identified a five-stage development process that most teams follow to become high performing. He called the stages: forming, storming, norming, performing, and adjourning.
What is team building?
The Oxford English Dictionary defines team building as: “The action or process of causing a group of people to work together effectively as a team, especially by means of activities and events designed to increase motivation and promote cooperation.”
How often should you schedule team-building activities?
One of the most important aspects of team building is that it is an ongoing process. One team-building session can be effective, but your team could benefit more from multiple sessions. In fact, it may be beneficial to make it a part of your regular program. For team building to be effective, you should repeat it as often as you feel it is useful. This largely depends on the activity you choose. You can do quick activities on a more regular basis since they don't interfere with the regular work schedule. You will probably conduct longer, more elaborate activities less frequently so the team can get work done.
How can decision making group activities benefit a team?
Decision-making group activities are invaluable for developing a team's ability to make informed and collective decisions. Activities like "The Marshmallow Challenge," where teams must build the tallest structure using marshmallows and spaghetti, promote creativity and critical thinking. Similarly, "The Sinking Ship" activity, where teams decide which items to save from a sinking ship, encourages discussion and consensus-building. These decision-making team building activities not only enhance problem solving skills but also foster a sense of unity and cooperation among team members.
What are some effective decision-making group activities for building strong team dynamics and ensuring better decision outcomes?
Decision-making group activities play a crucial role in building strong team dynamics and achieving effective decision outcomes. One such activity is the consensus workshop, where team members discuss various viewpoints and work towards a mutual agreement, ensuring that every voice is heard and valued. Conducting a SWOT analysis allows the team to systematically evaluate options by assessing strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats, leading to informed decision-making.
