In this guide, we will give you insight into some evidence-based tools for creating a collaborative and pleasant working environment. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
We\u2019ll cover over 40 best team-building activities to improve communication, in categories such as: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Best overall communication team-building games,<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Icebreaker team-building activities, <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- 5-minute team-building activities, <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Problem-solving team-building activities, and <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Team-building activities for specific communication situations. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
In addition, we\u2019ll define team-building games and offer a list of reasons why you should implement them in your team events. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
A healthy dose of fun has never done harm, so let\u2019s dive deeper into some of the best communication team-building activities. <\/p>\n\n\n
\n![\"40+](\"https:\/\/pumble.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/40-Best-Team-Building-Games-for-Improving-Communication-cover.png\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nWhat are team-building games?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Team-building games are activities that aim to: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Improve team performance and effectiveness,<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Create a fun experience for a team to share, <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Build trust between team members, <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Improve communication<\/a> within a team, <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Help team members talk about important issues openly and constructively,<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Help a team collaborate on a shared goal, and <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Help a team feel more connected. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Usually, team-building games are practiced during team-building events. However, some of the games and activities can be part of a quick session in your regular meetings or a team development workshop. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Depending on your specific objectives, you\u2019ll pick from a different category of team-building games. These can include anything from getting to know each other games and icebreakers<\/a>, to team communication and purpose and alignment activities. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In this guide, we will list all the most popular team-building activities aimed at improving team communication. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
So, whether you need to solve your miscommunication issues<\/a> or just need a quick brush up on your team\u2019s communication skills, you\u2019ll find a perfect exercise in our list of over 40 best communication team-building activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n
\n\nImprove work communication<\/h2>\n
Strengthen your business communication and collaboration with Pumble.<\/p>\n\n
\n See features<\/a>\n\n Join Pumble<\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n \n ![\"Illustration\"](\"https:\/\/pumble.com\/learn\/wp-content\/themes\/cake-learn\/src\/images\/pumble\/banners\/features.png\")
\n <\/picture>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n5 Best team-building activities to improve communication<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Topping our list of best communication team-building activities, we have our 5 best team-building games and exercises that will help you build a dream team of super-effective communicators<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n
\n![\"best](\"https:\/\/pumble.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/best-team-building-activities-to-improve-communication.png\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n#1: One-syllable mystery<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\nObjective<\/strong>: Improving your team members\u2019 communication style<\/a> and their focus <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Time<\/strong>: 15 minutes<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Materials and resources<\/strong>: Index cards with different terms<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\nInstructions<\/strong>: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- The team members split into two separate teams, A and B. Each team selects one person to be their Clue Giver. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- The Clue Giver draws one card and tries to lead the teammates to guess the mysterious person\/place\/object written on the card using only one-syllable words. For example: \u201cThis is what you need to buy things<\/em>\u201d (Money).<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- While the Clue Giver from one team is trying to explain the term, members of the opposite team listen attentively and pick out mistakes. If they catch the Clue Giver using multi-syllable words, the opposing team is not given any points. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
#2: Secret agenda<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\nObjective<\/strong>: Fostering your team\u2019s cooperation and collaboration abilities<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Time<\/strong>: 15 minutes<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Materials and resources<\/strong>: Blank cards and pens<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\nInstructions<\/strong>: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- After getting a card and a pen, the participants think of a strange word or a phrase they will write on their cards. They are not supposed to share their strange words with any of the team members.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- The game starts with one person saying, \u201cOnce upon a time<\/em>\u2026.\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- The team member sitting next to them continues the story by adding one of their strange secret words. For example, \u201cOnce upon a time, there was a hysterical cucumber whose blindfolded submarine texted him every Saturday morning<\/em>\u2026.\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- The story goes on until the last team member reaches a conclusion.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
#3: Yin and Yang<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\nObjective<\/strong>: Encouraging asking purposeful questions<\/a> and fostering meaningful team interaction<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Time<\/strong>: 45\u201360 minutes <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Materials and resources<\/strong>: A list of things that usually go in pairs, such as peanut butter and jelly, mac and cheese, king and queen, etc. You need to write these things down on post-it notes and stick individual notes on team members\u2019 backs. <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\nInstructions<\/strong>: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Each team member goes around the room and tries to discover the mystery word on their back by asking questions about it. They could ask something like, \u201cAm I food<\/em>?\u201d, \u201cAm I an animal<\/em>?\u201d, \u201cCan you drink me<\/em>?\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Upon discovering their secret identity, team members try to find their match. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
#4: Blind design<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\nObjective<\/strong>: Improving your team\u2019s ability to give instructions <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Time<\/strong>: 40 minutes<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Materials and resources<\/strong>: Blank paper sheets, pens, a variety of objects or pictures<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\nInstructions<\/strong>: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- First, the teammates sit in pairs leaning back to back. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- One team member gets a blank sheet of paper and a pen, and the other teammate gets an object or a picture. A time limit is set.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- The person holding the secret object\/picture gives detailed instructions to their teammate about the object\u2019s traits. The other teammate draws the secret object as accurately as possible based on the given instructions. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- When the time is up, everyone compares their drawing with the original and teammates discuss the complexity of the task. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
#5: Listen up <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\nObjective<\/strong>: Encouraging open communication and strengthening your team members\u2019 listening skills<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Time<\/strong>: 25\u201330 minutes<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Materials and resources<\/strong>: Cards with interesting (but not too controversial) topics<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\nInstructions<\/strong>: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Team members split into pairs, and each pair gets a set number of index cards (depending on your team size).<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- One member of each pair draws a card blindly and has 3 minutes to talk about their opinion on the topic on the card. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Their partner listens without interrupting, and then, they have one minute to summarize what the first person has said. The trick is not to agree, disagree, or comment on their partner\u2019s opinion \u2014 only recap. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- The roles then switch, and the game starts over.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Team members later on discuss the challenges of having to listen with an open mind, and share how they can use the lessons from this activity at work.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
\n
\n\nFree team communication app<\/h2>\n
Improve collaboration and cut down on emails by moving your team communication to Pumble.<\/p>\n\n
\n Sign up<\/a>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n \n ![\"Illustration\"](\"https:\/\/pumble.com\/learn\/wp-content\/themes\/cake-learn\/src\/images\/pumble\/banners\/default.png\")
\n <\/picture>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n <\/p>\n\n\n\nCommunication team-building activities for specific communication situations <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Now that we\u2019ve covered the top 5 most popular communication team-building activities, it\u2019s time to continue our countdown with some specific categories to make sure every team\u2019s need is being answered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Every business environment implies frequent encounters with different communication situations<\/a>. Sometimes they can be as manageable as an update meeting. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, occasionally they turn into a hard-to-handle challenging task. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
This is where team-building activities tailored explicitly for particular communication situations come in handy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Whatever the outcome you would like to achieve, we\u2019ve compiled some of the best team-building games specifically designed to promote effective team communication. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
We\u2019ve divided them into categories reflecting different communication situations. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Specifically, in this section, we\u2019re going to tell you more about:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Icebreaker team-building games,<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Drawing team-building activities,<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- 5-minute team-building activities,<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Problem-solving team-building activities,<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Virtual team-building activities, <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Outdoor team-building activities,<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Conflict resolution team-building activities, and <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Feedback team-building activities. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Let\u2019s dive in for more details.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Communicate more effectively with Pumble<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Icebreaker team-building activities<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
A well-prepared icebreaker activity can do wonders for creating a collaborative environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You can use icebreaker team communication activities to get to know each other or establish a strong connection between team members. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The following icebreaker activities will provide solid grounds for improving your team\u2019s communication process from the get-go. <\/p>\n\n\n
\n![\"icebreaker](\"https:\/\/pumble.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/icebreaker-team-buidling-activities.png\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n#1: Quotes<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
\nObjective<\/strong>: Encouraging your team to get to know each other and connect in a meaningful way <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Time<\/strong>: 30 minutes<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Materials and resources<\/strong>: A set of cards with inspirational quotes<\/a> that relate to your industry or company culture and values <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\nInstructions<\/strong>: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Team members split into pairs. One member from each pair chooses one quote card blindly and reads the quote out loud. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- They then discuss the meaning of the quote with their partner for a set amount of time (5 minutes, for example). <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- In the next round, the second team member from each pair draws another quote and the discussion continues. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
#2: A penny for your thoughts<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
\nObjective<\/strong>: Encouraging your team to get to know each other and bond on a personal level<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Time<\/strong>: 30 minutes<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Materials and resources<\/strong>: A jar filled with coins that are not dated older than the youngest person playing the game<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\nInstructions<\/strong>: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Each team member draws one coin from the jar.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- They should look at the date the coin was issued and think of a special event that happened to them that year. It could be anything, from learning how to swim to graduating from college.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- The game continues until every team member finishes sharing their memorable story. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
#3: It\u2019s my birthday<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
\nObjective<\/strong>: Enhancing your team\u2019s non-verbal communication skills and teaching cooperation<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Time<\/strong>: 15 minutes<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Materials and resources<\/strong>: Nothing but your team!<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\nInstructions<\/strong>: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- The goal of this game is to get the team members to line up according to the month of their birthday \u2014 from January to December. They can only use non-verbal communication, such as gestures or movements.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- When they finish lining up, everyone can share their birthday month out loud and check how successful they were in completing the task without verbal communication<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
#4: Number 45<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
\nObjective<\/strong>: Having your team get to know each other better<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Time:<\/strong> 15 minutes<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Materials and resources<\/strong>: Nothing but your team!<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\nInstructions<\/strong>: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- The team members pair up and interview each other for no longer than 2 minutes. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Everyone gets an additional 5 minutes to prepare the introduction for their partner. The introduction can consist of exactly 45 words.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Other teammates listen carefully and stop their colleagues if they exceed the word limit. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
#5: Pop the balloon <\/h4>\n\n\n\n
\nObjective<\/strong>: Improving your team\u2019s communication style<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Time<\/strong>: 30 minutes<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Materials and resources<\/strong>: A group of interesting questions, balloons <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\nInstructions<\/strong>: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- The facilitator prepares a list of questions they think the group might find interesting. For example, \u201cWhat is the most useless talent you have<\/em>?\u201d, \u201cWhat is one ridiculous thing someone has tricked you into believing<\/em>?\u201d, \u201cWhat will finally break the Internet<\/em>?\u201d etc.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Each question is placed into a balloon, and the balloon is blown up. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Every team member catches one balloon, pops it, and responds to the question from the inside of the balloon. The trick is not to use filler words when responding, such as \u2018\u2019um\u2019\u2019, \u2018\u2019like\u2019\u2019, \u2018\u2019kind of\u2019\u2019, \u2018\u2019you know\u2019\u2019, \u2018\u2019okay\u2019\u2019, etc. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
\n\ud83c\udf93 Pumble Pro Tip<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
For more ideas on how to help your team ease into virtual meetings more effectively, be sure to check out our extensive list of icebreaker ideas for virtual teams: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
- The facilitator prepares a list of questions they think the group might find interesting. For example, \u201cWhat is the most useless talent you have<\/em>?\u201d, \u201cWhat is one ridiculous thing someone has tricked you into believing<\/em>?\u201d, \u201cWhat will finally break the Internet<\/em>?\u201d etc.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Upon discovering their secret identity, team members try to find their match. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- The team member sitting next to them continues the story by adding one of their strange secret words. For example, \u201cOnce upon a time, there was a hysterical cucumber whose blindfolded submarine texted him every Saturday morning<\/em>\u2026.\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- While the Clue Giver from one team is trying to explain the term, members of the opposite team listen attentively and pick out mistakes. If they catch the Clue Giver using multi-syllable words, the opposing team is not given any points. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
![\"Illustration\"](\"https:\/\/pumble.com\/learn\/wp-content\/themes\/cake-learn\/src\/images\/pumble\/banners\/features@2x.png)
\n <\/picture>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"Illustration\"](\"https:\/\/pumble.com\/learn\/wp-content\/themes\/cake-learn\/src\/images\/pumble\/banners\/default@2x.png)
\n <\/picture>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"drawing](\"https:\/\/pumble.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/drawing-team-buidling-activities.png\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n