Small Group Team Building Activities That Work

Have you noticed that most team building activities or programs are created with groups of 12 to 15 people in mind? As a group facilitator you’ll likely become aware of this when you’ve been engaged to run a program for a small group of participants, and you find that your activity repertoire is stretched!

I’ve got you! Here are small group team-building activities I know work beautifully because I have presented them many times all over the world, and people love them.

What Makes Small Groups Special?

Besides the noticeable difference i.e. the number of participants, small groups have several distinguishing features that make them unique.

But first, let’s define a small group as less than ten people and, more likely, any number between three and six. Every one of the activities I describe here will work with groups this size.

Intimacy

With fewer people, you can devote a great deal more time to each person in the group, which can make everyone feel more valued and meaningfully connected to others. This sense of belonging can propel a group faster and further ahead than what is ordinarily possible with much larger groups.

Contribution

Smaller groups mean fewer people need to be engaged or consulted to make decisions. It’s difficult to hide in a small group, so each person is more willing and able to make a contribution. For example, more ideas can be developed during the ideation stage rather than relying on the loudest voice. To this end, your efforts to create a safe and positive learning environment are critical to ensuring everyone feels valued.

Resources

Naturally, fewer people means fewer resources and smaller spaces are required to run small group team building activities. If you need any resources (some of my favourites discussed below do not,) you can expect leaner budgets and less storage, too. Also, one facilitator is typically adequate in terms of group/instructor ratios for many team building activities.

Yes, it’s true that while small groups lack the energy generated by a large group, what they lack in liveliness, they make up for in depth. Personally, I love working with smaller groups because the program feels more like a conversation with friends rather than a lecture in an auditorium.

How to make a team fun?

Creating a fun and cohesive team requires a balance of collaboration, communication, trust, and a clear objective that they need to work together to achieve. To create this positive team spirit and enjoyment, it’s important to provide goals that encourage everyone to work together in an engaging and enticing manner. This approach not only enhances team dynamics during activities but also promotes lasting teamwork beyond them.

Fun team building activities might include interactive icebreakers, trust-building exercises, and collaborative projects.

Fun Small Group Team Building Activities

The following team building activities for small groups are just a sample of what you can discover in playmeos’ online activity database. If your team loves puzzles, then check out our article about team building puzzle activities for more ideas. You can never have too many small group team building activities that work.

1. River Crossing

This simple, but no easy lateral-thinking puzzle is ideal for small groups. Perfect for indoors as much as outdoors, and if necessary, you can involve a couple of simple (yet optional) props to illustrate the challenge. There is only one answer. Be prepared to reflect on topics such as critical thinking, leadership and problem-solving.

Recommended group size: Well suited for 3-8 people

Typical duration: 5-10 Minutes

Why it’s great:

• • Simple to understand
  • Fosters creative thinking
  • Multiple variations
  • No props

2. Climer Cards

This versatile set of cards are perfect for many small group team building activities because you can use them to reflect before, during or after any other team experience. The hand-drawn images will evoke many thoughts and ideas and when facilitated in a carefully sequenced program, you can expect them to become one of your favourite debriefing tools to explore many team development themes such as perspective, leadership and trust.

Recommended group size: Ideal for 3-8 people

Typical duration: 2-5 Minutes

Why it’s great:

• • Team collaboration
  • Fosters creative thinking
  • Invites sharing
  • Virtual options

3. Leaning Tower of Feetza

You can easily adapt this rapid group initiative (which usually benefits from lots of people) by simply adding more shoes. Your group’s task is to build the tallest tower of shoes in three minutes, but it’s as easy as it sounds. In a large group context, too many cooks may spoil the broth, so this exercise is perfect for small groups. Upon completion, judge the winner and then invite your group to reflect on what worked and what didn’t in terms of their team process.

Recommended group size: Well suited for 3-8 people

Typical duration: 2-5 Minutes

Why it’s great:

• • Simple set-up
  • Quick execution
  • Team collaboration
  • Highly interactive

4. Pretty Darn Quick

Admittedly, this is a very energetic activity, so choose your audience and sequence carefully, but for the right group, I guarantee they will want to play this game over and over again. All you need is an open space in which your group can move and jump around safely. It may take a minute or two to digest the rules, but once play starts, you can expect everyone to pick up whats going on very quickly.

Recommended group size: Ideal for groups of 3-8 people

Typical duration: 5-10 Minutes

Why it’s great:

• • Very active
  • Competitive
  • Develops agility
  • No props

5. As If…

Think of this wonderful partner activity as an opportunity to know what it’s like to live in someone else’s shoes. The step-by-step instructions provide ample scenarios to get you started, and then you can open up to your group for more ideas. If your small group is an odd number, then jump in to complete the final pair.

Recommended group size: Ideal for groups of 8-10 people (or more)

Typical duration: 5-10 Minutes

Why it’s great:

• • Improve communication skills
  • Multiple variations
  • Group discussions
  • Team collaboration
  • No Props

6. Longest Shadow

This is a classic in the making. All you need is a wide-open space outside and a bright, sunny day. My suggestion with a small group is to keep them all on the same team but challenge them over several short 2-minute rounds. Invariably, your group will surprise themselves with what is possible once they start thinking creatively.

Recommended group size: Ideal for groups of 8-10 people (or more)

Typical duration: 15-20 Minutes

Why it’s great:

• • Simple set-up
  • Inspires creative problem solving
  • Team collaboration
  • No props

7. Lean Walk

Another powerful partner activity that teachers trust, this one involves communication and problem-solving skills. Be sure to view the video tutorial—it’s all you’ll need to present this exercise with ease.

Recommended group size: Suits even-sized groups (pairs of people)

Typical duration: 1-2 Minutes

Why it’s great:

• • Very playful
  • Develops team bonding skills
  • Team collaboration
  • No props

8. Loop de Loop

This team-building activity involves forming a circle with a rope and placing it on the ground. The group must then create a set number of loops in the rope and pass an object through all the loops as quickly as possible. Allow multiple attempts and ample discussion for problem-solving ideas.

Recommended group size: Ideal for groups of 8-10 people (or more)

Typical duration: 20-30 Minutes

Why it’s great:

• • Improve team collaboration
  • Problem solving
  • Fosters leadership skills
  • Develops goal-setting skills
  • Multiple variations

9. Upside Down

This game requires PVC pipe and water with the end goal of the game for the team to work together to tip the pipe at a selected amount without losing water along the way. The team that loses the least amount of water from their pipe wins.

Recommended group size: Ideal for 3-8 people

Typical duration: 10-15 minutes

Why it’s great:

• • Fosters collaboration
  • Problem solving
  • Ideal summertime activity
  • Multiple variations
  • Competitive (optional)

10. Blind Maze

This game is one of the best team building activities for small groups as it fosters collaboration and trust. A maze is set up with ropes between trees, and the group, blindfolded and linked by holding shoulders, must navigate the maze together. Effective communication is crucial, as at least one person must remain in contact with the rope throughout the challenge, fostering teamwork and mutual reliance.

Recommended group size: Ideal for groups of 8-10 people (or more)

Typical duration: 20-30 minutes

Why it’s great:

• • Fosters collaboration
  • Problem solving
  • Learn to communicate effectively
  • Multiple metaphors

11. Positive – Negative

Work in pairs or small teams and start a fictional story with a positive or negative event. Each person alternates, adding a negative or positive event to the story. Continue for 2 to 3 minutes, encouraging a natural and positive conclusion.

Recommended group size: Suitable for groups of 8-10 people (or more)

Typical duration: 20-30 minutes

Why it’s great:

• • Listening skills
  • Creative problem solving
  • Strong metaphors to explore mindsets
  • No Props

12.The Ladder

In small groups, gather around a step ladder that is held upright by the group. Challenge each team member to climb up one side, step over the top, and descend the other side while the ladder is held steady. This team-building activity focuses on trust and strengthens team dynamics by placing each person’s safety in the hands of their teammates.

Recommended group size: Ideal for groups of 8-10 people (or more)

Typical duration: 20-30 minutes

Why it’s great:

• • Simple set-up
  • Promotes compassion
  • Very challenging
  • Team building

13. Up-Nelson

This game aims to enhance teamwork, observation, and communication skills. It involves elements of trust, strategy, and quick thinking as team members work together to either hide or find a coin. The hiding team must coordinate to pass and conceal the coin, while the searching team must effectively communicate and strategize to detect its location.

Recommended group size: Ideal for groups of 8-10 people (or more)

Typical duration: 20-30 minutes

Why it’s great:

• • Very playful & fun
  • Encourage team bonding
  • Triggers bursts of laughter
  • Non verbal communication
  • Sharpens listening skills

14. Twelve Bits

This game develops problem-solving and collaboration skills within a team setting. Each participant receives a clue that they must read out loud but not show, and together, the group must identify and solve the puzzle using the clues within a set time frame. The game emphasises communication, teamwork, and critical thinking, followed by a reflection on their decision-making process.

Recommended group size: Ideal for groups of 8-10 people (or more)

Typical duration: 30-45 minutes

Why it’s great:

• • Leadership development
  • Improving problem solving skills
  • Focus on team building
  • Virtual option

15. Minefield

Like most team-building exercises, this game focuses on building trust and improving communication skills. In pairs, one person is blindfolded and must navigate a minefield of soft objects based on verbal instructions from their sighted partner. The sighted partner remains outside the boundaries, promoting clear, effective communication. The game encourages a collaborative group effort and reflection on the experience.

Recommended group size: Ideal for groups of 8-10 people (or more)

Typical duration: 20-30 minutes

Why it’s great:

• • Very playful & fun
  • Focus on communication skills
  • Collaborative environment
  • Multiple Variations

16. Scavenger Hunt

Scavenger hunt is a team building exercise that fosters teamwork, creativity, and problem-solving. The entire group must work together to locate and collect a variety of objects from a list within a set time limit. The game emphasises effective collaboration and resourcefulness, with points awarded for each item collected, and encourages friendly competition among teams.

Recommended group size: Ideal for groups of 8-10 people (or more)

Typical duration: 45-60 minutes

Why it’s great:

• • Fun and engaging
  • Foster positive team spirit
  • Collaborative environment
  • Multiple variations
  • Virtual option for remote teams

17. Zhwoop

One of the more dynamic and energising team building activities, Zhwoop sees group members form a circle and pass an imaginary impulse noise using specific hand movements and sound effects. The game encourages quick thinking and synchronisation, as players must quickly decide whether to pass it or redirect it. It fosters teamwork and keeps the group engaged through interactive movement and communication.

Recommended group size: Ideal for groups of 8-10 people (or more)

Typical duration: 10-15 minutes

Why it’s great:

• • Team building
  • Energising
  • Collaborative environment
  • Sharpens observation skills
  • No props

18. On Par

This game of chance and strategy develops team building and strategic thinking through dice rolling and score tracking. It fosters collaboration and accuracy, as teams work together to achieve the lowest possible score while managing the randomness of dice rolls.

Recommended group size: Ideal for groups of 8-10 people (or more)

Typical duration: 10-15 minutes

Why it’s great:

• • Easy to set up
  • Numeracy skills
  • Promotes the value of ‘let it go & move on’
  • Collaborative environment

These team-building games have consistently proven effective in boosting team dynamics across various settings, from friendships to workplaces and sports teams. Over the years, I’ve presented these games to numerous groups, finding them not only enjoyable but also highly effective in fostering closer connections and creating a positive, engaging environment.

These examples highlight just a few team games. For more options, including those designed for larger teams and diverse settings, explore our range of team building exercises.

Finally, I should mention that card games, or any activity that involves cards of some sort, are perfect for small groups. Indeed, you can refine your search for team building card games by adding the words “playing cards” to your activity search within our online database.

By Mark Collard - Experiential Trainer, Author & Speaker

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