We're back with another collection of small group (2 to 8 participants) team building activities found within the FUNdoing Blog pages. (Some Context: I'm going back through the FUNdoing archives looking for good small group activities, since I receive lots of requests for them. I added a blog 'Category' recently so I'm adding current posts to it. For past small-group activity posts, it's easier to create these mini-indexes.)
Here are the previous collections:
Small Group Team Building: Mini FUNdoing Blog Index, Vol. 1
Small Group Team Building: Mini FUNdoing Blog Index, Vol. 2
Small Group Activities: Mini-Index Volume #3
Here are the previous collections:
Small Group Team Building: Mini FUNdoing Blog Index, Vol. 1
Small Group Team Building: Mini FUNdoing Blog Index, Vol. 2
Small Group Activities: Mini-Index Volume #3
Tube Switch - (Video Included) This is a fun one for all ages involving lots of cooperation. The first iteration (1.0) was made with (clean) toilet paper rolls and index cards (super-low cost). The 2.0 version you'll go to (link above), was made (by a fellow team builder) using PVC tubing and foam squares (some cost involved). Great for process improvement, helping behaviors and roles and responsibilities exploration.
Table Top Key Punch - There are so many fun versions of Key Punch. This one I learned from my friends at Group Dynamix. It was used with adults groups to avoid the stress of lowering the body close to the ground (mitigating possible 'challenging out' from adults with physical limitations). And, it involves a rubber chicken! (Who can pass up the chance to play with a rubber chicken?) Don't have a chicken? You can use any wand-type prop (e.g., wooden spoon, a pen, Harry Potter wand, etc.) for this one. Good for classroom team building with desks occupying the space. And it's easy to make number spots with index cards.
Triplets - (Print-N-Play) Puzzles Anyone! I love using brain puzzles with my groups - more often than not I'm splitting up my big group into smaller ones for puzzles. It's a great way to engage the puzzle-solving minds (the less physical members can contribute out in front). The link provided takes you to the second set of print-n-play Triplets. In the post there is a link to the first set. After printing out the puzzle's cards they are easy to take with you everywhere and be ready to play at any time (great for spur-of-the-moment team building and purposeful time-filling).
Name Letter Opener - This is a favorite of mine to open up conversations about diversity, integration and simply being part of the fabric of a group - we all contribute to the whole. You only need index cards and markers to play. Participants make small letter cards of the letters in their name and use them to create a 'scrabble-like' puzzle. If I'm only playing with one small group, I have each person make a letter card for all the letters in the first and last names. (Like Triplets (above), another brain puzzle activity for those who like playing around with words.)
Consensus Line Up - You'll need a deck of standard playing cards and some image cards - Chiji Cards or Climer cards are my go-tos. I'd say late middle school and older for this one. There is some abstract thinking involved when using the image cards. It's a really simple idea with lots of room for conversations and consensus building. There are three sets of cards to line up. The first is meant to be relatively easy - not a lot of discussion. The next sets are each more complex, often requiring more conversation.
Statistical Treasure Hunt - (Print-N-Play) In this one, small groups use a tally sheet to determine a group score of life experiences and details. It's a fun interactive way to get individuals to find out some of the commonalities they have with others in their group. There are two print-n-play versions to download. Once you see the idea, it's also easy to create your own Hunt with items more relevant to your group.
Table Top Key Punch - There are so many fun versions of Key Punch. This one I learned from my friends at Group Dynamix. It was used with adults groups to avoid the stress of lowering the body close to the ground (mitigating possible 'challenging out' from adults with physical limitations). And, it involves a rubber chicken! (Who can pass up the chance to play with a rubber chicken?) Don't have a chicken? You can use any wand-type prop (e.g., wooden spoon, a pen, Harry Potter wand, etc.) for this one. Good for classroom team building with desks occupying the space. And it's easy to make number spots with index cards.
Triplets - (Print-N-Play) Puzzles Anyone! I love using brain puzzles with my groups - more often than not I'm splitting up my big group into smaller ones for puzzles. It's a great way to engage the puzzle-solving minds (the less physical members can contribute out in front). The link provided takes you to the second set of print-n-play Triplets. In the post there is a link to the first set. After printing out the puzzle's cards they are easy to take with you everywhere and be ready to play at any time (great for spur-of-the-moment team building and purposeful time-filling).
Name Letter Opener - This is a favorite of mine to open up conversations about diversity, integration and simply being part of the fabric of a group - we all contribute to the whole. You only need index cards and markers to play. Participants make small letter cards of the letters in their name and use them to create a 'scrabble-like' puzzle. If I'm only playing with one small group, I have each person make a letter card for all the letters in the first and last names. (Like Triplets (above), another brain puzzle activity for those who like playing around with words.)
Consensus Line Up - You'll need a deck of standard playing cards and some image cards - Chiji Cards or Climer cards are my go-tos. I'd say late middle school and older for this one. There is some abstract thinking involved when using the image cards. It's a really simple idea with lots of room for conversations and consensus building. There are three sets of cards to line up. The first is meant to be relatively easy - not a lot of discussion. The next sets are each more complex, often requiring more conversation.
Statistical Treasure Hunt - (Print-N-Play) In this one, small groups use a tally sheet to determine a group score of life experiences and details. It's a fun interactive way to get individuals to find out some of the commonalities they have with others in their group. There are two print-n-play versions to download. Once you see the idea, it's also easy to create your own Hunt with items more relevant to your group.
If you have favorite small group team building activities, please send them my way and I'll share them with the group.
All the best,
Chris Cavert, Ed.D.
All the best,
Chris Cavert, Ed.D.
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