24 Fun Team-Building Activities for Kids for Every Setting

Team-building is more than just cooperative play. It’s about helping children develop life skills like communication, collaboration, and trust. We’ve compiled 24 fun team-building activities for kids learning about communication, collaboration, and trust—all while having a great time.

Ready to unleash the power of play? Learn the unexpected benefits behind team-building activities and what you can do to help your kids connect and conquer challenges together.

Benefits of Team Building Activities for Kids

Team building transcends play. It helps children develop essential life skills that they can apply both at school and in their interpersonal relationships. Below are other key ways team-building activities can benefit kids.

Builds confidence and leadership skills

When children participate in team activities, they step outside their comfort zones and assume different roles. When they accomplish something as part of a team, it gives them a boost of self-confidence and pushes them to take on more challenging endeavors.

Group projects also provide children with a safe space to take leadership roles, which puts them in a unique position to explore new ways to solve problems. As children guide their team, they learn responsibility and exercise their decision-making skills.

Improves communication and listening

Team-building is an excellent training ground for improving communication [*]. After all, teams can’t achieve their goals if the people involved don’t work together. In teams, children must articulate their thoughts and ideas. They must also learn to listen to the ideas of others and navigate the occasional disagreement.

Encourages problem-solving and creativity

Many team-building games present kids with problems that can only be solved as a team. Thus, children must develop their problem-solving skills and collectively choose a strategy.

Kids will also have to think creatively, especially as they listen to different perspectives and learn to compromise.

Strengthens friendships and peer bonds

Team-building activities are about camaraderie. Children must work together and rely on each other to solve shared problems, which can promote more positive peer relationships.

Emphasizing cooperation over competition underscores the idea of being “in it together.” When children work together, they develop a deep sense of belonging.

Teaches respect, patience, and empathy

In cooperative settings, children must learn to value others’ ideas and wait for their turn to contribute. When children can put themselves in others’ shoes, they nurture empathy and kindness, also becoming more caring and considerate [*].

Team Building Activities for Kids for Every Setting

Now that you know how team-building activities can improve a child’s communication, cooperation, empathy, and creativity, it’s time to try some activities. Below are four categories of team activities you can try with your child.

Indoor Team Building Activities

When the weather isn’t cooperating or you need a quiet space, don’t worry! Building teamwork can be just as fun indoors.

Shrinking Space

Lay out a large sheet of poster paper on the floor. Make sure every child can stand on the paper. With each round, fold the paper to reduce the area. The group must find a way to fit without stepping off the edge of the paper. Kids must cooperate creatively and find the best ways to fit together.

20 Questions

This classic guessing game gets children to use deductive reasoning and social skills to guess a person, place, or thing. Children must ask yes-or-no questions and work together to figure out the secret word.

Cops and Robbers

Assign half of the group as cops and the other half as robbers. Cops must work together to “tag” robbers and corral them into a makeshift holding space. The cops must communicate and strategize to catch all the robbers.

Hula-Hoop Pass

Kids join hands in a circle and must try to pass a hula-hoop around without breaking the chain. They’ll have to wiggle and coordinate as they listen and strategize.

Story Circle

The group sits in a circle, and each child takes turns creating a story together. Each new sentence must connect with the one before it, and children must think creatively to develop a cohesive narrative.

Elbow Pass

Set kids up in one line and have them pass a ball down using only their elbows. If the ball falls, they must start over. This simple, silly challenge requires coordination, patience, and cooperation.

Outdoor Team Building Activities

Now that you’ve built camaraderie indoors, it’s time to take it outside. Here are some activities best-suited for the great outdoors.

Three-Legged Race

This classic backyard game involves pairs who must tie one of their legs to each other's to run as a “three-legged” team. Each pair must then race to the finish line. This fun game requires synchronization and communication between partners so they avoid falling over.

Relay Race

Set up a simple relay race with flags or batons and a few obstacles. Teams must decide how to split the relay according to each other’s strengths.

Capture the Flag

Create two groups, who must guard a flag on either side of the yard. Members from opposing teams must sneak into each other’s territories to capture the flag. This long-beloved game requires careful strategizing and the ability to outwit the other team.

Group Jump Rope

Place two adults or taller kids on either end of a long jump rope and have several children jump at the same time. The kids must find a rhythm for jumping together without tripping. This challenging game requires coordination and teamwork.

Tug-of-War

Split the group into two teams. Each will pull one end of the rope to drag the other team across the center line. This classic outdoor game is great for team spirit and encourages kids to get into each other’s rhythms.

Balloon Pop Relay

This simple race involves two teams of children who must pop a number of balloons by sitting, stomping, or other safe methods. The first team to pop all the balloons wins. This outdoor game brings about lots of laughs and builds camaraderie.

Creative & Problem-Solving Activities

Some team-building activities require kids to put their heads together. Here are some activities that require creative thinking.

Marshmallow Tower

Provide kids with various materials, such as popsicle sticks, tape, uncooked spaghetti, and pipe cleaners. The goal of the activity is to create the tallest free-standing tower that can hold a marshmallow at the very top. This brain-busting STEM game encourages creative thinking and careful planning.

Egg Drop

Teams will use a variety of materials to create a contraption that protects an uncooked egg as they drop it from different heights. Children must get creative with their handmade devices to keep the egg from breaking. This hands-on project promotes careful planning and problem-solving.

Category Sorting Game

Collect a variety of random items, such as art supplies, cups, toys, and backyard finds, that are safe for children to handle. Then, ask them to sort each item into specific categories. For example, you might ask them to sort things found in nature from those that are human-made. This game exercises critical thinking and exploring shared perspectives.

Blindfolded Obstacle Course

Create a simple obstacle course, either indoors or outdoors, and assign one child to maneuver the maze blindfolded while the other provides instructions from the side. This game challenges children’s listening skills and ability to provide clear instructions.

Paper Chain Challenge

Provide two teams with two sheets of paper and scissors. The challenge is for each team to create the longest paper chain possible with just those materials. Teams must get creative and tap into their innovation skills.

Hidden Structures

Assign two teams of Builders and Viewers. The Viewers must observe and describe a small structure made of blocks and use verbal instructions to guide the Builders. Builders must ask clarifying questions while Viewers learn to give helpful instructions.

Classroom or Group Setting Activities

In the classroom, these activities are ideal for nurturing collaboration among students.

Classroom Scavenger Hunt

Ask children to identify specific things or spaces in the classroom or school. For example, you might ask them to find the science corner or look for items that start with a specific letter. This activity helps students learn their classroom layout and promotes cooperation by dividing tasks.

Quiz Show

Split the class into two teams and host a trivia game. Play to your students’ interests or what they’re currently learning in class. This activity makes learning more fun and engaging, and puts them in a position to practice listening to each other’s ideas.

Back-to-Back Drawing

Pair students together and have them sit facing away from each other. One student receives a simple drawing or pattern, while the other is given a blank piece of paper and a pencil. The student with the drawing must provide verbal instructions to their partner, who will draw the image. Kids will learn how phrasing and details are what make clear, understandable instructions.

Team Bingo

Create bingo cards with items and descriptions relevant to the class (for example, words from recent vocabulary lessons, descriptors of specific classmates, certain classroom items). Teams must communicate and agree on the correct answers before marking a square. It’s a fun game that reinforces knowledge more memorably.

Decorate the Classroom

Use this unstructured activity to let your students’ imaginations run wild. Suggest a classroom theme and have students brainstorm ideas. Decide on who will create what or designate parts of the classroom to small teams. This activity will encourage kids to share materials, help their peers, and merge ideas into one collective vision.

Birthday Line-Up

Without talking, students must arrange themselves according to their birthdays. They can use gestures and signals to negotiate their positions. This activity encourages children to think collectively and serves as a good icebreaker for new students.

Tips for Making Team Building Successful

Ensuring your team-building activities are successful means creating shared goals and keeping children motivated. Here are some tips you can put into action to ensure successful team building.

Encourage participation from everyone

Encourage participation from everyone by catering to shared interests. Make every game fun and relevant, and offer variety to engage specific skills. Introduce physical challenges, creative tasks, and collaborative problem-solving. Create a supportive environment where children feel comfortable and safe taking risks and trying something new.

Highlight teamwork over competition

To emphasize teamwork over competition, introduce cooperative games that encourage everyone to work together and succeed. When possible, rotate roles to ensure every child experiences various tasks and learns from their peers.

Reflect and discuss lessons learned afterward

Dedicate time to a debrief after team building. Ask your kids to share something positive they learned or experienced during the activity. Another method of reflection is asking your kids to keep a journal. Provide prompts and questions for your children to consider.

Final Thoughts

Remember, the goal with play isn’t just to keep kids busy—it’s to teach them invaluable life skills while keeping things enjoyable. When children learn to trust each other and listen effectively, they can succeed in school, sports, and life well beyond the classroom.

Find more activities your child can practice at home or with friends in our social skills worksheets collection. These worksheets offer guidance on establishing boundaries, collaborating with others, and enhancing communication skills.

Sources:

1. Maria-Sofia Georgopoulou. “Power of Synergy: Unlocking the Potential of Group Dynamics Through Team-Building Practices in Junior High School.” European Journal of Education and Pedagogy, 2024.
2. Rogers K. “Team Building Activities for Young Students.” Strategies, 2004.