Team-building games

36 games with step-by-step instructions, how long they take and how many people they need. Most need nothing but the people in the room or on the call.

All games

Act It OutPlayers act out a word or phrase without speaking while their team tries to guess it before the timer runs out.15 to 30 min · 6 to 30 people · in person or virtual
Back-to-Back DrawingOne partner describes a hidden picture while the other, sitting back to back, tries to draw it from words alone.10 to 20 min · 4 to 30 people · in person or virtual
Category RaceTeams race to name one item for each category that starts with a chosen letter, scoring extra for answers no other team wrote.15 to 20 min · 4 to 30 people · in person or virtual
Common GroundSmall groups race to discover five things they all have in common that are not obvious, then share their most surprising match.10 to 15 min · 6 to 40 people · in person or virtual
Copy the ModelTeams rebuild a hidden model from building bricks, sending one member at a time to study it and report back to the builders.20 to 30 min · 6 to 30 people · in person
Count to TwentyThe group tries to count from one to twenty aloud, one voice at a time with no set order, restarting whenever two people speak together.5 to 10 min · 5 to 30 people · in person or virtual
Desert Island PicksPlayers choose three things they would bring to a desert island and explain their picks, revealing tastes, habits and a few surprises.10 to 20 min · 3 to 12 people · in person or virtual
Desk Show and TellEveryone grabs one object within arm's reach and tells the group the story behind it in about a minute.5 to 15 min · 3 to 15 people · in person or virtual
Draw and GuessA player sketches a secret word while teammates race to guess it before time runs out, with no letters, numbers or talking allowed.15 to 30 min · 4 to 30 people · in person or virtual
Draw, Write, PassEach player writes a phrase, the next draws it, the next describes the drawing, and the chain keeps going until the funny reveal.15 to 25 min · 5 to 12 people · in person or virtual
Fortunately, UnfortunatelyPlayers build a story in turns, alternating sentences that start with fortunately and unfortunately, so the plot keeps flipping between good and bad luck.5 to 10 min · 3 to 12 people · in person or virtual
Guess Who Said ItThe host gathers one surprising fact from each person ahead of time, reads them aloud, and the group guesses who each fact belongs to.10 to 20 min · 6 to 30 people · in person or virtual
Line Up Without TalkingThe group arranges itself in a line by birthday or another order without speaking, using only gestures and creativity to communicate.10 to 15 min · 8 to 40 people · in person
Marshmallow ChallengeTeams build the tallest freestanding tower they can from spaghetti, tape and string in eighteen minutes, with a marshmallow balanced on top.25 to 35 min · 4 to 40 people · in person
Missing Pieces PuzzleEach team member must build a complete square from mixed paper pieces, working in silence and only by giving pieces to others.20 to 30 min · 5 to 30 people · in person
Moon Base RankingAfter an imaginary rover breakdown on the moon, players rank a list of supplies alone and then as a team, comparing which ranking works best.25 to 40 min · 3 to 30 people · in person or virtual
Off-Limits CluesA clue giver helps teammates guess a target word without saying it or any of the off-limits words listed on the card.15 to 25 min · 4 to 20 people · in person or virtual
One-Word StoryThe group builds a story together one word at a time, with each player adding exactly one word in turn.5 to 10 min · 4 to 15 people · in person or virtual
Paper Bridge ChallengeTeams use only paper and a little tape to build a bridge between two stacks of books, then test how many small objects it holds.20 to 30 min · 4 to 30 people · in person
People BingoPlayers mingle to find people who match prompts on a bingo card, such as someone who plays an instrument or speaks two languages.15 to 20 min · 10+ people · in person
Puzzle TrailTeams solve a chain of short puzzles, each answer unlocking the next, to reach a final code before time runs out, like a mini escape room.30 to 45 min · 4 to 30 people · in person or virtual
Random Object PitchTeams get two unrelated objects and invent a new product that combines them, then deliver a one-minute pitch to win the group's vote.15 to 25 min · 4 to 30 people · in person or virtual
Rock Paper Scissors TournamentPlayers face off in rock, paper, scissors, and each loser joins the winner's cheering section until two huge crowds back the final match.5 to 10 min · 10+ people · in person
Rose and ThornA quick check-in where each person shares one high point and one low point from their week, plus an optional bright spot ahead.5 to 15 min · 3 to 15 people · in person or virtual
Scavenger HuntTeams race to find or photograph items from a list within a time limit, earning points for each find and bonus points for creativity.20 to 45 min · 6+ people · in person or virtual
Six-Word StoriesEveryone writes a story in exactly six words about a shared prompt, then the group reads them aloud and enjoys the variety.10 to 15 min · 3 to 30 people · in person or virtual
Speed ChatsPairs chat for three minutes on a set prompt, then rotate to a new partner, so everyone meets several people in one session.15 to 30 min · 8+ people · in person or virtual
Squiggle StarterEveryone starts with the same random squiggle and has three minutes to turn it into a drawing, then the group compares results.5 to 10 min · 3 to 40 people · in person or virtual
Twenty QuestionsOne player thinks of a person, place or thing, and the group has twenty yes-or-no questions to figure out what it is.5 to 15 min · 3 to 20 people · in person or virtual
Two Truths and a LieEach player shares three short statements about themselves, two true and one invented, and the group tries to spot the made-up one.10 to 15 min · 4 to 20 people · in person or virtual
Word Association ChainPlayers take turns saying the first word that comes to mind after the previous word, building a fast and often funny chain.5 to 10 min · 4 to 25 people · in person or virtual
Word Ladder RelayTeams turn a start word into a target word by changing one letter at a time, with every step forming a real word.10 to 20 min · 4 to 30 people · in person or virtual
Would You Rather RoundThe host reads light either-or questions, everyone picks a side, and a few people explain their choice before the next question.5 to 15 min · 4+ people · in person or virtual
Yes or No MysteriesThe host describes a puzzling situation and the group asks yes-or-no questions to uncover the hidden story behind it.10 to 20 min · 3 to 20 people · in person or virtual
Yes, And PlanningPairs plan an imaginary event where every reply must start with yes, and, showing how building on ideas beats picking them apart.10 to 15 min · 4 to 30 people · in person or virtual
Zip Zap ZopPlayers in a circle pass an imaginary bolt of energy by pointing and saying zip, zap and zop in order, speeding up as they go.5 to 10 min · 6 to 25 people · in person

Quick (5 to 10 minutes)

Count to Twenty: The group tries to count from one to twenty aloud, one voice at a time with no set order, restarting whenever two people speak together.
Desk Show and Tell: Everyone grabs one object within arm's reach and tells the group the story behind it in about a minute.
Fortunately, Unfortunately: Players build a story in turns, alternating sentences that start with fortunately and unfortunately, so the plot keeps flipping between good and bad luck.
One-Word Story: The group builds a story together one word at a time, with each player adding exactly one word in turn.
Rock Paper Scissors Tournament: Players face off in rock, paper, scissors, and each loser joins the winner's cheering section until two huge crowds back the final match.
Rose and Thorn: A quick check-in where each person shares one high point and one low point from their week, plus an optional bright spot ahead.
Squiggle Starter: Everyone starts with the same random squiggle and has three minutes to turn it into a drawing, then the group compares results.
Twenty Questions: One player thinks of a person, place or thing, and the group has twenty yes-or-no questions to figure out what it is.
Two Truths and a Lie: Each player shares three short statements about themselves, two true and one invented, and the group tries to spot the made-up one.
Word Association Chain: Players take turns saying the first word that comes to mind after the previous word, building a fast and often funny chain.
Would You Rather Round: The host reads light either-or questions, everyone picks a side, and a few people explain their choice before the next question.
Yes, And Planning: Pairs plan an imaginary event where every reply must start with yes, and, showing how building on ideas beats picking them apart.
Zip Zap Zop: Players in a circle pass an imaginary bolt of energy by pointing and saying zip, zap and zop in order, speeding up as they go.

Virtual

Act It Out: Players act out a word or phrase without speaking while their team tries to guess it before the timer runs out.
Back-to-Back Drawing: One partner describes a hidden picture while the other, sitting back to back, tries to draw it from words alone.
Category Race: Teams race to name one item for each category that starts with a chosen letter, scoring extra for answers no other team wrote.
Common Ground: Small groups race to discover five things they all have in common that are not obvious, then share their most surprising match.
Count to Twenty: The group tries to count from one to twenty aloud, one voice at a time with no set order, restarting whenever two people speak together.
Desert Island Picks: Players choose three things they would bring to a desert island and explain their picks, revealing tastes, habits and a few surprises.
Desk Show and Tell: Everyone grabs one object within arm's reach and tells the group the story behind it in about a minute.
Draw and Guess: A player sketches a secret word while teammates race to guess it before time runs out, with no letters, numbers or talking allowed.
Draw, Write, Pass: Each player writes a phrase, the next draws it, the next describes the drawing, and the chain keeps going until the funny reveal.
Fortunately, Unfortunately: Players build a story in turns, alternating sentences that start with fortunately and unfortunately, so the plot keeps flipping between good and bad luck.
Guess Who Said It: The host gathers one surprising fact from each person ahead of time, reads them aloud, and the group guesses who each fact belongs to.
Moon Base Ranking: After an imaginary rover breakdown on the moon, players rank a list of supplies alone and then as a team, comparing which ranking works best.
Off-Limits Clues: A clue giver helps teammates guess a target word without saying it or any of the off-limits words listed on the card.
One-Word Story: The group builds a story together one word at a time, with each player adding exactly one word in turn.
Puzzle Trail: Teams solve a chain of short puzzles, each answer unlocking the next, to reach a final code before time runs out, like a mini escape room.
Random Object Pitch: Teams get two unrelated objects and invent a new product that combines them, then deliver a one-minute pitch to win the group's vote.
Rose and Thorn: A quick check-in where each person shares one high point and one low point from their week, plus an optional bright spot ahead.
Scavenger Hunt: Teams race to find or photograph items from a list within a time limit, earning points for each find and bonus points for creativity.
Six-Word Stories: Everyone writes a story in exactly six words about a shared prompt, then the group reads them aloud and enjoys the variety.
Speed Chats: Pairs chat for three minutes on a set prompt, then rotate to a new partner, so everyone meets several people in one session.
Squiggle Starter: Everyone starts with the same random squiggle and has three minutes to turn it into a drawing, then the group compares results.
Twenty Questions: One player thinks of a person, place or thing, and the group has twenty yes-or-no questions to figure out what it is.
Two Truths and a Lie: Each player shares three short statements about themselves, two true and one invented, and the group tries to spot the made-up one.
Word Association Chain: Players take turns saying the first word that comes to mind after the previous word, building a fast and often funny chain.
Word Ladder Relay: Teams turn a start word into a target word by changing one letter at a time, with every step forming a real word.
Would You Rather Round: The host reads light either-or questions, everyone picks a side, and a few people explain their choice before the next question.
Yes or No Mysteries: The host describes a puzzling situation and the group asks yes-or-no questions to uncover the hidden story behind it.
Yes, And Planning: Pairs plan an imaginary event where every reply must start with yes, and, showing how building on ideas beats picking them apart.

Large groups

Act It Out: Players act out a word or phrase without speaking while their team tries to guess it before the timer runs out.
Category Race: Teams race to name one item for each category that starts with a chosen letter, scoring extra for answers no other team wrote.
Common Ground: Small groups race to discover five things they all have in common that are not obvious, then share their most surprising match.
Count to Twenty: The group tries to count from one to twenty aloud, one voice at a time with no set order, restarting whenever two people speak together.
Draw and Guess: A player sketches a secret word while teammates race to guess it before time runs out, with no letters, numbers or talking allowed.
Guess Who Said It: The host gathers one surprising fact from each person ahead of time, reads them aloud, and the group guesses who each fact belongs to.
Line Up Without Talking: The group arranges itself in a line by birthday or another order without speaking, using only gestures and creativity to communicate.
People Bingo: Players mingle to find people who match prompts on a bingo card, such as someone who plays an instrument or speaks two languages.
Rock Paper Scissors Tournament: Players face off in rock, paper, scissors, and each loser joins the winner's cheering section until two huge crowds back the final match.
Scavenger Hunt: Teams race to find or photograph items from a list within a time limit, earning points for each find and bonus points for creativity.
Speed Chats: Pairs chat for three minutes on a set prompt, then rotate to a new partner, so everyone meets several people in one session.
Squiggle Starter: Everyone starts with the same random squiggle and has three minutes to turn it into a drawing, then the group compares results.
Word Association Chain: Players take turns saying the first word that comes to mind after the previous word, building a fast and often funny chain.
Would You Rather Round: The host reads light either-or questions, everyone picks a side, and a few people explain their choice before the next question.
Zip Zap Zop: Players in a circle pass an imaginary bolt of energy by pointing and saying zip, zap and zop in order, speeding up as they go.

Small groups

Back-to-Back Drawing: One partner describes a hidden picture while the other, sitting back to back, tries to draw it from words alone.
Category Race: Teams race to name one item for each category that starts with a chosen letter, scoring extra for answers no other team wrote.
Common Ground: Small groups race to discover five things they all have in common that are not obvious, then share their most surprising match.
Copy the Model: Teams rebuild a hidden model from building bricks, sending one member at a time to study it and report back to the builders.
Desert Island Picks: Players choose three things they would bring to a desert island and explain their picks, revealing tastes, habits and a few surprises.
Desk Show and Tell: Everyone grabs one object within arm's reach and tells the group the story behind it in about a minute.
Draw, Write, Pass: Each player writes a phrase, the next draws it, the next describes the drawing, and the chain keeps going until the funny reveal.
Marshmallow Challenge: Teams build the tallest freestanding tower they can from spaghetti, tape and string in eighteen minutes, with a marshmallow balanced on top.
Missing Pieces Puzzle: Each team member must build a complete square from mixed paper pieces, working in silence and only by giving pieces to others.
Moon Base Ranking: After an imaginary rover breakdown on the moon, players rank a list of supplies alone and then as a team, comparing which ranking works best.
Off-Limits Clues: A clue giver helps teammates guess a target word without saying it or any of the off-limits words listed on the card.
Paper Bridge Challenge: Teams use only paper and a little tape to build a bridge between two stacks of books, then test how many small objects it holds.
Puzzle Trail: Teams solve a chain of short puzzles, each answer unlocking the next, to reach a final code before time runs out, like a mini escape room.
Random Object Pitch: Teams get two unrelated objects and invent a new product that combines them, then deliver a one-minute pitch to win the group's vote.
Rose and Thorn: A quick check-in where each person shares one high point and one low point from their week, plus an optional bright spot ahead.
Word Ladder Relay: Teams turn a start word into a target word by changing one letter at a time, with every step forming a real word.
Yes or No Mysteries: The host describes a puzzling situation and the group asks yes-or-no questions to uncover the hidden story behind it.
Yes, And Planning: Pairs plan an imaginary event where every reply must start with yes, and, showing how building on ideas beats picking them apart.

Word games

Category Race: Teams race to name one item for each category that starts with a chosen letter, scoring extra for answers no other team wrote.
Draw, Write, Pass: Each player writes a phrase, the next draws it, the next describes the drawing, and the chain keeps going until the funny reveal.
Fortunately, Unfortunately: Players build a story in turns, alternating sentences that start with fortunately and unfortunately, so the plot keeps flipping between good and bad luck.
Off-Limits Clues: A clue giver helps teammates guess a target word without saying it or any of the off-limits words listed on the card.
One-Word Story: The group builds a story together one word at a time, with each player adding exactly one word in turn.
Six-Word Stories: Everyone writes a story in exactly six words about a shared prompt, then the group reads them aloud and enjoys the variety.
Twenty Questions: One player thinks of a person, place or thing, and the group has twenty yes-or-no questions to figure out what it is.
Word Association Chain: Players take turns saying the first word that comes to mind after the previous word, building a fast and often funny chain.
Word Ladder Relay: Teams turn a start word into a target word by changing one letter at a time, with every step forming a real word.

Drawing

Back-to-Back Drawing: One partner describes a hidden picture while the other, sitting back to back, tries to draw it from words alone.
Draw and Guess: A player sketches a secret word while teammates race to guess it before time runs out, with no letters, numbers or talking allowed.
Draw, Write, Pass: Each player writes a phrase, the next draws it, the next describes the drawing, and the chain keeps going until the funny reveal.
Squiggle Starter: Everyone starts with the same random squiggle and has three minutes to turn it into a drawing, then the group compares results.

Problem solving

Back-to-Back Drawing: One partner describes a hidden picture while the other, sitting back to back, tries to draw it from words alone.
Copy the Model: Teams rebuild a hidden model from building bricks, sending one member at a time to study it and report back to the builders.
Count to Twenty: The group tries to count from one to twenty aloud, one voice at a time with no set order, restarting whenever two people speak together.
Line Up Without Talking: The group arranges itself in a line by birthday or another order without speaking, using only gestures and creativity to communicate.
Marshmallow Challenge: Teams build the tallest freestanding tower they can from spaghetti, tape and string in eighteen minutes, with a marshmallow balanced on top.
Missing Pieces Puzzle: Each team member must build a complete square from mixed paper pieces, working in silence and only by giving pieces to others.
Moon Base Ranking: After an imaginary rover breakdown on the moon, players rank a list of supplies alone and then as a team, comparing which ranking works best.
Paper Bridge Challenge: Teams use only paper and a little tape to build a bridge between two stacks of books, then test how many small objects it holds.
Puzzle Trail: Teams solve a chain of short puzzles, each answer unlocking the next, to reach a final code before time runs out, like a mini escape room.
Scavenger Hunt: Teams race to find or photograph items from a list within a time limit, earning points for each find and bonus points for creativity.
Twenty Questions: One player thinks of a person, place or thing, and the group has twenty yes-or-no questions to figure out what it is.
Word Ladder Relay: Teams turn a start word into a target word by changing one letter at a time, with every step forming a real word.
Yes or No Mysteries: The host describes a puzzling situation and the group asks yes-or-no questions to uncover the hidden story behind it.

Active

Act It Out: Players act out a word or phrase without speaking while their team tries to guess it before the timer runs out.
Line Up Without Talking: The group arranges itself in a line by birthday or another order without speaking, using only gestures and creativity to communicate.
People Bingo: Players mingle to find people who match prompts on a bingo card, such as someone who plays an instrument or speaks two languages.
Rock Paper Scissors Tournament: Players face off in rock, paper, scissors, and each loser joins the winner's cheering section until two huge crowds back the final match.
Scavenger Hunt: Teams race to find or photograph items from a list within a time limit, earning points for each find and bonus points for creativity.
Zip Zap Zop: Players in a circle pass an imaginary bolt of energy by pointing and saying zip, zap and zop in order, speeding up as they go.

Getting to know you

Common Ground: Small groups race to discover five things they all have in common that are not obvious, then share their most surprising match.
Desert Island Picks: Players choose three things they would bring to a desert island and explain their picks, revealing tastes, habits and a few surprises.
Desk Show and Tell: Everyone grabs one object within arm's reach and tells the group the story behind it in about a minute.
Guess Who Said It: The host gathers one surprising fact from each person ahead of time, reads them aloud, and the group guesses who each fact belongs to.
People Bingo: Players mingle to find people who match prompts on a bingo card, such as someone who plays an instrument or speaks two languages.
Rose and Thorn: A quick check-in where each person shares one high point and one low point from their week, plus an optional bright spot ahead.
Six-Word Stories: Everyone writes a story in exactly six words about a shared prompt, then the group reads them aloud and enjoys the variety.
Speed Chats: Pairs chat for three minutes on a set prompt, then rotate to a new partner, so everyone meets several people in one session.
Two Truths and a Lie: Each player shares three short statements about themselves, two true and one invented, and the group tries to spot the made-up one.
Would You Rather Round: The host reads light either-or questions, everyone picks a side, and a few people explain their choice before the next question.

Creative

Act It Out: Players act out a word or phrase without speaking while their team tries to guess it before the timer runs out.
Copy the Model: Teams rebuild a hidden model from building bricks, sending one member at a time to study it and report back to the builders.
Desert Island Picks: Players choose three things they would bring to a desert island and explain their picks, revealing tastes, habits and a few surprises.
Draw and Guess: A player sketches a secret word while teammates race to guess it before time runs out, with no letters, numbers or talking allowed.
Draw, Write, Pass: Each player writes a phrase, the next draws it, the next describes the drawing, and the chain keeps going until the funny reveal.
Fortunately, Unfortunately: Players build a story in turns, alternating sentences that start with fortunately and unfortunately, so the plot keeps flipping between good and bad luck.
Marshmallow Challenge: Teams build the tallest freestanding tower they can from spaghetti, tape and string in eighteen minutes, with a marshmallow balanced on top.
One-Word Story: The group builds a story together one word at a time, with each player adding exactly one word in turn.
Paper Bridge Challenge: Teams use only paper and a little tape to build a bridge between two stacks of books, then test how many small objects it holds.
Random Object Pitch: Teams get two unrelated objects and invent a new product that combines them, then deliver a one-minute pitch to win the group's vote.
Six-Word Stories: Everyone writes a story in exactly six words about a shared prompt, then the group reads them aloud and enjoys the variety.
Squiggle Starter: Everyone starts with the same random squiggle and has three minutes to turn it into a drawing, then the group compares results.
Yes, And Planning: Pairs plan an imaginary event where every reply must start with yes, and, showing how building on ideas beats picking them apart.