20 Teamwork Games to Boost Collaboration

You found our list of the best teamwork games.

Teamwork games are activities that foster collaboration and trust within a group. For example, building balloon towers or surviving hypothetical scenarios on a lifeboat. The purpose of these games is to enhance team skills such as cooperation, problem-solving, and conflict resolution. These games are also known as “collaboration games” and “communication games.”

These teamwork games are similar to team building exercises, corporate team building activities, and 30-minute team building activities.

This list includes:

• collaboration games
• communication games
• cooperative games
• fun team exercises
• games for improving teamwork
• group bonding games

Let’s get started!

List of teamwork games

From Lifeboat Survival to Blanket Name Game, here is a list of the top games to improve collaboration at work.

1. Lifeboat Survival

Lifeboat Survival puts your problem-solving skills to the test in a high-pressure scenario.

Here is how to play the game:

1. Tell teams to imagine they are stranded on a lifeboat.
2. Give them a list of limited supplies, such as food, water, blankets, and first-aid kits.
3. Set specific obstacles teams need to overcome. Examples include rationing resources, navigating, avoiding weather, or encountering wildlife.
4. Optionally, set a timer.
5. Have teams create a survival plan for each challenge.

This game enhances decision-making skills under pressure. Further, teams will learn to work together in high-stress scenarios.

2. Balloon Tower Construction

Balloon Tower Construction is a fantastic teamwork game. Teams will learn collaboration and problem-solving skills.

Here is how to play this game:

1. Divide teams into small groups.
2. Give teams inflated balloons and tape.
3. Set a five-minute timer.
4. Teams compete to build the tallest tower possible using balloons and tape.
5. Whoever builds the tallest tower wins!

Participants will learn to brainstorm creative ideas and improve communication skills. Plus, this activity fosters a positive team dynamic.

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3. Tangled Web

In the game Tangled Web, participants work together to untangle a human knot.

Here is how to play the game:

1. Participants gather in a circle.
2. Each individual grabs two other hands.
3. Without letting go, teams must unravel the knot.
4. To make this game more challenging, you can set a timer.

This game has no winner, but it does encourage teamwork, communication, and problem-solving. In addition, teams will learn to work together toward a common goal.

This activity is similar to the human knot.

4. Bridge Build

Bridge Build is one of the top cooperative games that improves problem-solving skills. The objective of this game is to construct a sturdy bridge using limited resources.

Here is how to play the game:

1. Split players into teams.
2. Give groups building materials, such as cardboard, twine, and glue.
3. Set a timer for ten to 15 minutes.
4. Teams must work together to build a sturdy bridge.
5. Judges can test the construction by placing a small object on the bridge.
6. Whichever bridge remains standing wins!

If multiple bridges stand up during the object test, then you can test the bridges with heavier items until they fall over. By working in teams, players learn the importance of effective communication and creative problem-solving.

Here are more problem-solving games.

5. Minefield

Minefield is one of the best communication games. This exercise teaches players to overcome obstacles and achieve a common goal. The game’s objective is for the team to complete a maze without touching the mines.

Here is how to play the game:

1. Set up an obstacle course.
2. Place “mines” along it, represented by traffic cones.
3. Split players into pairs.
4. Blindfold one player.
5. The non-blindfolded player has to lead their colleague through the maze using verbal instructions.
6. If the blindfolded player touches the cones, then the pair must start over.
7. Whichever team gets through the course in the fastest amount of time wins!

To complete this challenge, team members must communicate effectively and strategize.

This game promotes essential teamwork skills such as communication, trust, and collaboration. By relying on verbal instructions and active listening, teammates learn to trust each other’s guidance.

6. GPS-Based Treasure Hunt

GPS-Based Treasure Hunt is among the best games for improving teamwork. This activity involves using GPS to find hidden treasures or clues.

Here is how to play this game:

1. Before the game, create a set of clues that lead to a final location.
2. Place a treasure at the final destination.
3. Split players into teams.
4. Give teams the starting clue. Clues should require folks to use their GPS.
5. Each new location should include a clue leading to the next one.
6. The team that reaches the treasure first wins!

To make this game more challenging, clues can be in the form of riddles, puzzles, or math problems. Participants need to coordinate, share information, and strategize to solve the challenges. This process helps build trust among team members and fosters stronger bonds.

7. Board Game Design

Designing a board game together is a great way to promote teamwork. Participants need to work together to brainstorm ideas, design rules, and develop strategies.

Here is how to do this activity:

1. Split large groups into small teams.
2. Teams will brainstorm board game ideas.
3. Participants will design boards, make pieces, and write rules.
4. Bring the group back together.
5. Take turns playing each new game.

This process allows teams to use their collective creativity. Plus, in the end, your team will have several new games to add to their board game nights!

Here is a list of the best team building board games.

8. Card Tower Construction

If you are looking for a teamwork game that improves teamwork, then check out Card Tower Construction!

Here is how to play this game:

1. Divide your team into small groups.
2. Give each group a deck of playing cards.
3. Set a timer for ten to 15 minutes.
4. Teams must build a tower only using the cards.
5. Whichever team has the tallest tower when time runs out wins!

Teams must carefully plan and coordinate in order to create tall structures. Additionally, card towers may fall over. In that case, players must be able to pivot and approach the issue from a new angle. Ultimately, building card towers is a simple activity that develops many teamwork skills.

9. Reverse Engineering Challenge

The Reverse Engineering Challenge is among the top collaboration games for improving teamwork.

Here is how to run this activity:

1. Split participants into small groups.
2. Give teams a finished product.
3. Participants must analyze the product. Then, teams will create a plan on how they would recreate the item.
4. Groups can present their solutions to their fellow colleagues.
5. Whichever team gets closest to the correct answer wins!

You can adjust the difficulty of this challenge based on what product you give the team. Items could be as simple as a paper plane or as complex as a radio. You can also base the item on your industry.

During this challenge, teams will need to use their innovation and creative problem-solving skills. Also, participants will work together to come up with a solution they can agree on.

10. Spider Web

Spider Web promotes collaboration and problem-solving skills among team members.

Here is how to play the game:

1. Set up a spider web using ropes or strings. Tie these items to trees or poles at various heights and angles.
2. Split players into groups.
3. Give groups 20 points each before the game.
4. One at a time, send players through the web.
5. Every time a participant touches a string, they lose a point.
6. The team with the most points left in the end wins!

Once a player successfully gets through the web, they can share routes or tips with their colleagues. Additionally, teams can share words of encouragement with one another.

11. Cultural Exchange Game

The Cultural Exchange Game is one of the top group bonding games for promoting diversity and teamwork.

Here is how to play the game:

1. Have participants bring in items that represent their culture. Examples include clothes, artifacts, or food.
2. Without players in the room, set out each item.
3. Let participants look at the items.
4. Folks can guess which culture the item belongs to and who brought it in.
5. Whoever gets the most correct answers wins!

After the game, have participants explain the significance behind their objects. This activity enhances cultural awareness. Additionally, playing this game creates a sense of appreciation for different backgrounds within the team.

Here are more diversity and inclusion activities.

12. Team Jigsaw

Team Jigsaw is a fantastic teamwork game. This exercise promotes collaboration and problem-solving skills.

Here is how to play the game:

1. Divide the team into small groups.
2. Give each group a different part of the same jigsaw puzzle.
3. Folks must work together to complete the picture.

To make this game more challenging, you can set a timer. Alternatively, teams can try to solve more than one puzzle at a time.

Check out more team puzzle games.

13. Blanket Name Game

The Blanket Name Game is a fantastic teamwork activity that promotes collaboration and communication within a group.

Here is how to play the game:

1. Spread out a large blanket.
2. Participants sit in a circle around the blanket.
3. One player stands in the middle of the circle.
4. One sitting player says their own name and the name of a player across from them.
5. Both named players switch places while avoiding being tagged by the standing player.
6. If a participant gets tagged, then they must stand in the middle of the circle.

This game improves teamwork skills by requiring participants to actively listen and remember names. Additionally, avoiding the tagger in the center encourages camaraderie. This icebreaker is a great way to build bonds.

14. Silent Team Building

Learning to work together, even in silence, is a great skill for teams to learn. During Silent Team Building, folks will collaborate on a shared goal without talking.

Here is how to play the game:

1. Divide the group into pairs.
2. Give each pair a task or challenge. For instance, building a structure or finishing a puzzle.
3. Teams must complete their tasks without talking.
4. If members talk, then they are out of the game.
5. Whichever team can finish their task first wins!

Working together without speaking requires team members to learn to communicate creatively. Folks can use gestures or body language to complete tasks.

15. Parallel Thinking

In this game, teams can use the concept of Edward de Bono’s Six Thinking Hats to solve problems. The six thinking hats each represent a different perspective. Examples include facts and information, emotions and feelings, and critical judgment.

Here is how to play the game:

1. Explain the concept of de Bono’s thinking hats to the team.
2. Share a problem the team needs to solve together.
3. Give each member a different “hat” to think with.
4. Players share thoughts based on which hat they have.
5. Groups work together to come up with a solution.

After finding a mutual solution to the problem, teams can discuss the insights learned from each point of view. You can play Parallel Thinking several times and assign different hats during each round. This game is a great way to learn about different modes of thinking.

16. Crossword Puzzle Relay

Doing a crossword puzzle together is a great way for teams to connect. This process encourages quick thinking and collaboration.

1. Create crossword puzzles related to company values, goals, or terms.
2. Split teams into small groups.
3. Give each group a different part of the puzzle.
4. Players solve their portion of the puzzle before passing it on to the next team.

Once folks complete the puzzle, they can review all the answers to ensure they got them right. To make this game more challenging, you can set a time limit for each round or the entire race.

17. Collaborative Drawing Challenge

During the Collaborative Drawing Challenge, folks will work together to make art.

Here is how to do this activity:

1. Give teams art supplies, such as paper, markers, and crayons.
2. Hand out supplies to each participant.
3. Assign a drawing task, such as making a team mascot.
4. Set a short timer.
5. Have participants start drawing.
6. When the timer goes off, players pass their drawings to the right.
7. Repeat the process until teams finish each drawing.

This activity is a lighthearted way to see each team member’s thought processes. Additionally, this creative activity is a nice way to unwind.

Here are more online drawing games.

18. Human Chess

Human Chess is a fun spin on the classic game. Folks familiar with Wizard Chess from Harry Potter might recognize this game, but this version does not include swords!

Here is how to play the game:

1. Set up a life-sized chess board on the floor.
2. Assign team members to become different pieces.
3. Split the remaining players into two teams.
4. Competitors will take turns making chess moves.
5. Whichever team takes out their opponents’ king first wins!

To make this game more interesting, you could allow the human pieces to ignore instructions. This rule could test players’ abilities to follow instructions and work with their colleagues.

19. Office Supply Jam

Music is a great way to bring folks together, and you can add music to your team building list with Office Supply Jam.

Here is how to play the game:

1. Gather office supplies, such as rubber bands, staplers, and shredders.
2. Each team member can pick an office supply.
3. Folks will work together to create a short song using the supplies as instruments.
4. After discussing, players will perform their songs with their instruments!

This activity is a great way to learn to coordinate with others. After the performance, players can talk about their collaboration process.

20. Paper Bag Challenge

The Paper Bag Challenge puts a fun twist on classic improv games! When looking for fun team exercises, consider this challenge.

Here is how to play the game:

1. Before the game, fill paper bags with items from around the office.
2. Split the group into teams.
3. Each team member will reach into the bag and grab an item.
4. Team members will work together to create a skit based on their objects.
5. Once folks plan their skits, they will perform them for the whole group.

Optionally, you can give out awards or prizes for the best performances. This activity combines improv with teamwork to boost collaboration skills.

Final Thoughts

Teamwork games offer an effective tool for enhancing employee cooperation. These activities can help the team bond and have fun at the same time. Many of these games work great in person or online. This flexibility makes the whole learning experience easy and inclusive.

Next, check out our posts on 15-minute team building activities, team building for large groups, and online team building exercises.