Welcome to our list of top team building activities for students.
Team building activities for students are games or exercises that help students connect. These activities promote cooperation, improve communication, and develop problem-solving skills among students. For example, Science Experiment Relay, Travel Blog Challenge, or Hiking Outing. The purpose of these activities is to boost team spirit, school success, and social skills. These exercises are also known as “class teamwork exercises” and “group exercises for students.”
These team building activities for students are similar to virtual field trips, games for students, and large group energizers.
This list includes:
- class teamwork exercises
- collaborative games for students
- engagement activities for students
- exercises for student teamwork
- fostering team spirit among students
- group exercises for students
Let’s get started!
List of team building activities for students
From Travel Blog Challenge to Environmental Cleanup, here is our list of the best team building exercises for students.
1. Science Experiment Relay
Science Experiment Relay is an activity that engages students in hands-on learning. To set up the relay, divide students into teams. Next, give each team the same science experiment to complete. For instance, teams could build a baking soda volcano or make invisible ink.
Each team member does a specific step of the experiment before passing it on to the next teammate. Whichever team finishes first wins! Of course, teams can only win if they do the experiment successfully. To make this relay more challenging, you can ask teams to complete multiple experiments in a row.
This activity encourages problem-solving, critical thinking, and effective teamwork. Science Experiment Relay helps students learn and strengthens interpersonal skills.
Here is a list of simple science experiments you could choose from.
2. Travel Blog Challenge
A travel blog challenge is one of the best group exercises for students. To run this activity, start by dividing students into teams. Next, give each team a destination to write about, or let them choose their own. Finally, challenge teams to create a travel blog about that place. Participants should research their location, write engaging content, and include interesting visuals.
You could have students make a real website using free tools like Wix or Google Sites. Alternatively, teams could write blog posts and add pictures to a Google Doc. This activity is great for students interested in journalism or other writing careers. Plus, this challenge improves teamwork, content writing, and digital media skills.
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3. Charades Relay
Charades Relay is an engaging team building activity that students of all ages can enjoy. To host this activity, create stations for different charades categories. Examples include movies, animals, and actions. For each category, write lists of simple words players can act out.
Then, split players into teams and have them start at different stations. Groups will nominate one player to start miming the clues. Teams will have two minutes to act out as many words as possible. Correct answers earn one point. Once the two minutes is up, have teams rotate to the next station. A new player can become the clue giver. This process continues until groups have gone to each charades station. Whichever team has the most points in the end wins!
Check out this charades generator for inspiration.
4. Cultural Potluck Feast
A Cultural Potluck Feast is among the top engagement activities for students. Participants can bring dishes from their cultures and share them with their teammates. Alternatively, students can cook a new recipe from a culture that interests them.
To make this event more educational, ask students to look up facts about their chosen culture. Then, attendees can share their facts with their classmates while they eat. You could also pair this experience with a genealogy exercise. After looking up their family histories, students could cook a dish from one of their ancestors’ cultures.
This activity fosters cultural appreciation, teamwork, and a sense of community. Students can learn about different traditions, try new flavors, and have meaningful conversations. This potluck is a fun and delicious way to celebrate diversity within the team.
Here are more culture and diversity activities.
5. Mock Trial
A mock trial is excellent for fostering team spirit among students. To organize a mock trial, decide which case your class will discuss. A common example of mock trials for students is putting fairy tale characters on trial. For instance, students could decide whether the Big Bad Wolf is guilty of blowing down the pigs’ houses. Older students could also tackle more realistic cases.
Then, assign roles such as lawyers, witnesses, judges, and jury members. Participants will research the case, present arguments, and examine witnesses. Finally, the jury will reach a verdict.
Before hosting this trial, it is helpful to teach a lesson on the court system. Students may be unfamiliar with processes like voir dire and cross-examinations. Teaching this information and running a mock trial has several benefits. Students will learn more about the legal system and practice critical-thinking and debate skills.
Check out our list of debate club topics.
6. App Design Challenge
Designing an app can be a fun and engaging team building activity for students learning to code. Before hosting this activity, explain the basics of app design. Next, provide a theme or problem for the students to solve through their app designs. Participants can brainstorm and sketch their ideas on paper first. Then, let students use digital tools or app design platforms to create a prototype of their app.
Consider organizing a showcase where students present their designs to the class. You can even invite guest judges or industry professionals for feedback. Finally, recognize and celebrate the creativity and effort of all participants. Optionally, offer small prizes or certificates for outstanding designs. This hands-on challenge helps students learn about app design in a fun and engaging way.
These events are similar to virtual hackathons.
7. Geography Bee
A Geography Bee is a fantastic activity that promotes learning and friendly competition. Before the activity begins, pick out interesting and age-appropriate geography questions. Consider themes like countries, capitals, landmarks, or physical features.
You can organize the game in a single-elimination format or with rounds. Players who answer questions incorrectly are out of the game.
During the bee, ask questions one at a time, giving each student a chance to answer. To make the experience even more enjoyable, you might use visuals like maps or images. At the end, reward participants with certificates or prizes.
8. Sustainability Challenge
The Sustainability Challenge is one of the best exercises for student teamwork. To run this activity, split students into teams. Next, assign each team a sustainability-related challenge to solve. For instance, reducing plastic waste, conserving water, or creating green spaces. Teams should consider how their school can address the assigned issues.
After working out a solution, have students present their solutions to the class. You could even ask school administrators to attend the presentations. That way, the school might use one or several of the proposed ideas.
By working together on sustainability issues, teams will practice innovation and critical thinking. Further, this experience can expose learners to the ecological issues society struggles with.
Here are some Green Week ideas you could use.
9. Journaling Circle
A journaling circle is a wonderful team building activity for students. Students can either write in physical journals or type them on a computer. You can suggest prompts, such as goals, time management, and strengths. Students can take between ten and 15 minutes to write down thoughts on the prompts.
After the journaling session, have groups sit in a circle for a discussion. Writers willing to share their thoughts could read excerpts from their journals. If folks do not want to read their writing aloud, then they could discuss how journaling made them feel.
This activity encourages self-reflection and helps students get to know each other better. By hosting this exercise regularly, students can learn even more about themselves and each other.
10. Hiking Outing
A Hiking Outing is an excellent team building activity for students. For this field trip, start by asking students to research local hiking spots. When choosing where to go, consider the fitness level of the class. Some students may be much more athletic than others, and you do not want to leave a member behind.
Once outdoors, students can navigate trails, take photos, and support one another. You can add other activities to the hike as well, such as plant identification or animal tracking.
Being in nature has several benefits, such as reducing stress and improving focus. Further, students can learn how to support and trust one another. Hiking together strengthens bonds and develops teamwork skills.
You could also try other outdoor team building activities.
11. Team Mural
A team mural is among the top creative and engaging class teamwork exercises. Before painting, find the best spot for your mural. You may be able to paint in your school, or a local business might support your cause. If you are not allowed to paint on the walls, then you could also get large butcher paper for this project.
Students should discuss what they want their painting to express. It is important that the group comes up with a shared vision that represents them as a whole. Participants can even take the time to sketch out a small version of their mural. Finally, let students get to painting!
The outcome is not the important part of this activity. Even if no one in your class is artistic, they will learn to collaborate Plus, painting is a fun process! In the end, your class will get to enjoy the mural together.
12. Quickfire Quiz
When looking for collaborative games for students, consider Quickfire Quiz. The best part about this activity is that you can play with any subject!
Before the quiz, come up with a list of relevant questions and answers. It is important to choose questions that teams can answer in a short amount of time.
During class, split students into small teams. You can either hand out buzzers or have students raise their hands when they want to answer. While teams answer, set a short timer for 15 to 30 seconds. Each correct answer earns one point.
At the end of the activity, the team with the most correct answers wins! Quickfire Quiz is perfect for a review before a test because teams get to review a large amount of information. You can even offer bonus points on the test as a prize!
Check out this list of team trivia questions.
13. Skits and Dramas
Skit and drama activities are awesome for improving students’ teamwork. Students work together to make and perform a skit. To help speed up the process, you can create a list of prompts to choose from.
Teams can brainstorm, create a script, assign roles, and rehearse. Once folks finish rehearsals, have teams perform their skits for the class. Students may be quite nervous to perform, especially if this is their first time. However, encouraging performances in this setting boosts public speaking skills. Also, learning to write and delegate are useful skills as well.
Here are some improv games.
14. Photo Collage
A photo collage is a fantastic team building activity for students. Collages could represent students’ experiences or goals. Students can bring in their favorite pictures or use an online tool to collect images related to a theme. Then, participants can work together to arrange the photos neatly.
To make this activity more educational, collages could represent class topics. For instance, if you teach history, then teams could imagine what Queen Victoria’s Instagram page would look like. This exercise encourages creativity, collaboration, and communication. Plus, classmates can learn more about one another.
15. Yoga Class
Planning a yoga team building experience for students is simple and beneficial. First, choose a quiet and comfortable space to practice. Your school’s gym would be a great place for this exercise. You can invite a yoga instructor or follow a simple yoga tutorial online. Be sure the lesson is beginner friendly in case this is a student’s first time doing yoga.
To make the environment more relaxing, you can play music or diffuse essential oils. Lessons could also feature a short meditation.
Yoga has plenty of benefits, including reducing stress and boosting mindfulness. After the course, allow students to share their experiences and reflections. If the class enjoys the activity, then you can host regular yoga gatherings.
Here is some more info on how to use yoga for team building.
16. Origami Workshop
Origami is the traditional Japanese art of paper folding. This hands-on activity promotes collaboration, creativity, and problem-solving skills. To organize an origami workshop, provide each student with a set of origami paper. Be sure to share step-by-step instructions for a few simple designs.
Students can work together, helping each other overcome obstacles and sharing their achievements. In the end, participants will have small origami creations to enjoy! This activity fosters teamwork and cultivates patience and attention to detail.
17. Dream Vacation Planning
Dream Vacation Planning is a fun and engaging team building activity. Classes can either work individually or as a team to plan their vacations. Since the assignment is dream vacations, tell students they do not have a budget. Further, you could encourage participants to go to fantastical locations like Hogwarts.
During the planning process, students can research destinations, transportation, and activities. Afterward, have folks share their dream itineraries with the rest of the class. This activity helps build relationships between classmates. When working as a group, students will also learn to collaborate and compromise.
18. Class Newsletter
Creating a class newsletter is easy and fun! You can begin by deciding on a schedule, like monthly or quarterly, for your newsletter. Using software like Microsoft Word or Google Docs, choose a simple template or design. Sections can include class updates, student highlights, and upcoming events.
Teams can add colorful pictures to the newsletter to make it interesting. Students can contribute short articles, drawings, or even jokes. Once your content is ready, put it all together and share it with the class either online or by printing copies. A class newsletter is a great way to share news, celebrate achievements, and keep students informed.
This list of employee newsletter ideas can help you get started.
Final Thoughts
Team building activities for the classroom improve individual abilities. Additionally, these exercises improve the class environment by creating strong relationships. Some games are more educational, reinforcing classroom content. Team building at school also improves communication and academic performance. As students enter the workforce, they can use newfound skills to boost their careers.
Next, check out our posts on team building Jeopardy, online classroom games, and Kahoot topics.
Michael Alexis