Teens often find themselves in group settings, whether it's at school, summer camps, or extracurricular activities. Building a strong sense of teamwork and cooperation within these groups can foster personal growth, communication skills, and a positive group dynamic. Team building exercises are a fun and engaging way to achieve this goal. In this article, we'll explore some effective team building exercises for teens that can help them develop essential life skills while having a great time.
Products: The Card Game
Products: The Card Game (our game) can be a fun and engaging way to encourage teamwork, brainstorming, and communication skills among teens. Players work together to invent new products, then pitch their ideas in a humorous and persuasive way. The game can be played in teams, with each team collaborating on a single product idea and taking turns presenting their pitch. This activity encourages teens to think outside the box, work together to develop a cohesive concept, and present their ideas confidently.The Human Knot
The Human Knot is a classic team building activity that promotes problem-solving, communication, and trust among participants. Teens stand in a circle, reach across with their right hand, and grab the hand of someone else in the circle. They then do the same with their left hand, forming a "human knot." The group's task is to untangle themselves without letting go of their hands, encouraging them to work together, communicate effectively, and think creatively.
Minefield
Minefield is a challenging exercise that tests the group's ability to listen, follow instructions, and work together. Set up a designated area with various obstacles (such as cones, chairs, or even ropes on the ground) representing "mines." Divide the team into pairs, with one person blindfolded and the other acting as a guide. The guide must verbally direct their blindfolded partner through the minefield without stepping on any "mines." This activity promotes trust, clear communication, and teamwork.
Egg Drop
The Egg Drop exercise challenges teens to think critically, problem-solve, and collaborate. Divide the group into teams and provide them with a limited set of materials (such as straws, tape, and paper) to construct a protective casing for a raw egg. The goal is to drop the egg from a certain height without it breaking. This activity encourages creative thinking, resource management, and teamwork as the teens work together to design and test their egg-protecting devices.
Scavenger Hunt
A scavenger hunt is a fun and engaging way to promote teamwork, problem-solving, and communication skills. Create a list of clues or riddles that teams must solve to find hidden items or locations around a designated area. Teams must work together, share information, and strategize to complete the hunt successfully. This activity can be tailored to different themes or settings, making it versatile and enjoyable for teens.
Team Charades
Team Charades is a twist on the classic game that encourages teamwork, communication, and creative thinking. Divide the group into teams, and have one member from each team act out a phrase, movie title, or book while their teammates attempt to guess correctly. This activity promotes collaboration, active listening, and quick thinking as teams work together to decipher the clues.
The bottomline
These team building exercises for teens are not only enjoyable but also provide valuable opportunities for personal growth, communication skills development, and fostering a strong sense of teamwork and camaraderie.
Sources for more information
- The National Clearinghouse for Youth & Families: This website from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services provides research and resources on youth development, including information on teamwork and collaboration skills.
- The Association for Challenge Course Technology (ACCT): This organization focuses on experiential learning and challenge courses, which can be a valuable tool for team building. Their website offers resources and information on the benefits of team building activities.
- Greater Good Science Center at the University of California, Berkeley: This website explores the science of happiness, well-being, and social connection. They have an article on the benefits of teamwork for teens.
About the company
skypig is a team of creative minds passionate about designing imaginative games that spark curiosity and fun. As the creators of the award-winning "Products: The Card Game," they strive to bring people together and inspire creativity, imagination, and entrepreneurial spirit through engaging gameplay experiences. Based in Columbia, Missouri, skypig is a proud member of the Invention Education (IvE) Community.
In addition to fostering creativity and imagination, skypig is passionate about creating games that encourage social interaction and teamwork, building on the value of learning and playing together.
Why trust us on team building exercises for teens
Our team has years of experience working with educational games and activities for students of all ages. We're passionate about helping teens develop essential life skills, and team building exercises are a powerful tool!
About the author
Hi, I am Aaron Heienickle! I am the creator behind skypig. I think team-building activities are great! I have played education-focused games and activities with 100s of groups over the last 8 years. I also have worked with youth groups, high-schoolers, college students, and adults alike.
