Team-Building Activities--Know Any?

[Deleted]

Does anyone remember any fun team-building type activities that you did in school/sports as a kid that you really enjoyed? ..........I did an activity with my students today and it went really well....much better than expected.

The one we did today was the one where you have to sit back to back on the floor with a partner and link elbows and then try to stand up without using your hands to help. They loved it and actually worked really well together, which is extremely rare for my group of students. So I want to plan more things that help them work together and appreciate each other.

Any and all ideas are welcome and those that are active where you get up and move around are especially welcomed!
TIA!

[Deleted]

May 18, 2012 20:17:55 GMT -5 @jennuinne said:

So, drinking is out, huh?
I always liked the falling back one.

ummmmm my students are crazy/emotional/angry/rude enough without alcohol. haha. would hate to see how they changed with it! haha.

I'm not sure if I trust them enough to do the falling back one, honestly....I can easily see them purposefully not catching their partners....Seriously. It would happen.

[jennlin]

hmm....how old are your kids again? what about a 3 legged race?

[Deleted]

They are 6th grade. 11-12yrs old.

[jennlin]

i found this one online:

Carpet Flip

You will need an 8-foot by 8-foot tarp or piece of paper. Have the employees stand on the paper or tarp. There should only be about one to two feet of border around the outside of the tarp. If you do not have enough participants, just make the paper or tarp smaller. Explain to the group that this is a magic carpet and the instructions for how to work it are on the other side. However, they are already in the air and must flip the carpet over without anyone getting off. This activity will improve communication and make the participants learn how to work together to accomplish a goal.


Read more: Team Building Activities & Events | eHow.com www.ehow.com/list_7708459_team-building-activities-events.html#ixzz1vH9X5Msb

[Deleted]

jennlin....that one sounds awesome! .....buttttt how is it actually accomplished? Do you know? haha

[jennlin]

May 18, 2012 20:44:09 GMT -5 @kinmir30 said:

jennlin....that one sounds awesome! .....buttttt how is it actually accomplished? Do you know? haha

it didn't tell me........make the kids figure it out ;D

[jennlin]

i'm having fun looking these up...this one sounds fun too:

COMIC STRIP CHAOS: Each participant takes a turn at picking a comic frame out of the large container. After the entire group has each chosen one, the participants begin to search for others with the same comic strip sequence. After the participants have found everyone in their group, they must arrange themselves so that the sequence of frames are in chronological order to form the comic strip correctly. Upon completion of sequence, the newly formed group sits down together. Great game to break large group into smaller groups.

[Deleted]

yahhhh......that's the best idea anyway. haha.

[jennlin]

i don't think this is good for kids, but i thought this was hilarious:

TOILET PAPER GAME: Get a roll of toilet paper and explain to your group that they are going camping and need to take as much toilet paper as they think they may need for a three day trip. Once everyone has an ample supply, explain to the group that for every square in their possession, they must share something about themselves. NOTE: If anyone knows the activity, ask them not to give away the secret under any circumstances.

[Deleted]

Haha. Those are good!!

Thanks!

[jennlin]

HUMAN KNOT: The group starts out in one or two tight circles. Everyone in the group reaches across the circle with their right hand to grab another group member’s right hand. The group then reaches in with their left hand to grab a different group member’s left hand. The object is to untangle the group without letting go of hands until a circle is formed. If the group is having extreme difficulty, you can administer “knot first-aid” and break one set of tangled hands (with group consensus), otherwise group members may not let go at any time. You may have to decide as a group that the know is not solvable, after prolonged attempt. NOTE: Can have group do without talking if they are advanced enough.

[jennlin]

BLIND POLYGON: The object of the game is for the group to form a perfect square and a triangle (and other shapes if desired) using the given length of rope. Ask participants to put on blindfolds. All participants must have at least one hand on the rope at all times. All participants must remain blindfolded until the task is completed. When the group believes the task is finished, ask them to remain their blindfolds, without moving from their current places. Using the same procedure, ask them to form any geometric shape you think is possible for the group.

[jennlin]

BODY ENGLISH: Split the group into two groups. Each group must plan and spell out the words by using their bodies only (no hand signals or signs). The other group must figure out what they are spelling. Start with single words and move onto phrases as the groups get better at spelling in this fashion.

[MrsH2010]

May 18, 2012 20:58:35 GMT -5 jennlin said:

HUMAN KNOT: The group starts out in one or two tight circles. Everyone in the group reaches across the circle with their right hand to grab another group member’s right hand. The group then reaches in with their left hand to grab a different group member’s left hand. The object is to untangle the group without letting go of hands until a circle is formed. If the group is having extreme difficulty, you can administer “knot first-aid” and break one set of tangled hands (with group consensus), otherwise group members may not let go at any time. You may have to decide as a group that the know is not solvable, after prolonged attempt. NOTE: Can have group do without talking if they are advanced enough.

This is what I was going to suggest. They need to be decent sized groups (not too large though) or it is too easy.

[MrsH2010]

This is a partner bonding/team building game.

Students partner up one student is blindoflded or has eyes closed and the other student is going to use words/directions to guide them through the obstacles to the other side of the room. Then you set up a room with jump ropes, balls mats (whatever safe obsticals) and they go from one end to the other.