Critical Thinking

Group games are ideal for developing critical-thinking skills

The link between critical thinking and one’s education is obvious – you can’t learn well unless you think well.

Critical thinking is the ability to look at problems in new ways, to analyse how parts of a whole interact with one another and to interpret information and draw conclusions.

Critical thinking and problem-solving skills were once thought to be the domain of gifted people. Today, they are necessary for every individual and group who seeks to make sensible decisions about financial, health, civic, workplace and leisure activities.

The solutions to international concerns such as climate change and global warming require highly developed critical thinking and problem-solving abilities. These skills include the ability to effectively analyse and evaluate evidence, arguments, claims and beliefs.

Benefits of Developing Critical-Thinking Abilities

The ability to solve interesting and unfamiliar problems often leads to the development of other skills such as increased engagement, higher concentration levels and improved thought processing.

Here are a few examples of experiences that occur in many programs which may provide you with an opportunity to focus on problem-solving skills:

  • Forming a project team to solve an existing, yet complex problem.
  • Thinking of a new campaign slogan to broadcast a difficult, yet important message.
  • Adopting a rational, analytical and evidence-based approach to investigate a conflict.
  • Challenging one of your group’s long-held beliefs or practices.

Naturally, one of the most powerful (not to mention, enjoyable) ways to develop and strengthen your group’s problem-solving skills is to employ the use of fun group games.

Group Activities Which Develop Critical-Thinking Skills

The images below provide links to a sample of simple group activities which may help you develop the critical thinking and problem-solving abilities of your group, drawn from playmeo’s ever-expanding activity database.

Enjoy browsing to your heart’s content.

If you’re not yet a playmeo subscriber, join today to unlock hundreds more group games and activities just like these.

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Group standing on gym spots playing human pegboard group strategy puzzle

Human Pegboard

Group strategy puzzle that sharpens communication, decision-making & resilience.

chair Some Effort NEW
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Hands tied up with Almost Infinite Circle rope puzzle activity

Almost Infinite Circle

Rope puzzle activity that ignites persistence, laughter & critical thinking.

chair Some Effort NEW
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Two maple leaf drop seeds hanging from branch as represented by creative team building challenge

Maple Leaf Drop

Creative team building challenge to develop ingenuity & spark collaboration.

chair Some Effort
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Watering leaking from this water team-building activity punctured drum

Punctured Drum

Water team building activity that demands full contribution & coordination.

chair High Effort
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Interactive icebreaker game of back tracking

Back Tracking

Interactive icebreaker game that builds connections & mystery.

chair Some Effort
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Man thinking of two truths and a dream an intriguing icebreaker game

Two Truths & A Dream

Intriguing icebreaker game that reveals dreams & connections.

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Groups of people pointing fingers in the fun guessing game of Detective

Detective

Fun guessing game that builds observation & deduction skills.

chair Low Effort
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Two people playing the fast-paced group game Switch

Switch

Fast-paced group game that boosts energy & quick thinking.

chair Some Effort
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Corporate Jinx is a consensus-building game for trust

Corporate Jinx

Consensus-building game that develops group decision-making.

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Fun individual challenge of Pass Through

Pass Through

Fun individual challenge that develops creative problem-solving.

chair Low Effort
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Musical notes with talkee bubble for musical guessing game Name That Tune

Name That Tune

Musical guessing game to energise groups & test song knowledge.

chair High Effort
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Two people playing strength-finding exercise Encanto game

Encanto

Strength-finding exercise to celebrate unique gifts & build connections.

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Group playing team problem-solving challenge Loop de Loop with a rope

Loop de Loop

Team problem-solving challenge to develop group strategy.

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Two people saying a number in Verbal Number Exchange challenging group initiative

Verbal Number Exchange

Challenging group initiative to focus on memory & communication skills.

chair Some Effort
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Person holding We Engage Card to viewer as part of fun storytelling exercise of Story Swap

Story Swap

Fun storytelling exercise using visual prompts for creativity.

chair Some Effort
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Two people playing Chopsticks finger counting game

Chopsticks

Finger counting game that builds strategy & quick thinking.

chair No Effort
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Four bundles of scrunched up paper in the mindful reflection activity Paper Stone Stacking

Paper Stone Stacking

Mindful reflection activity to explore dreams & develop inner focus.

chair Low Effort
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Set of nails on wooden block representing team puzzle challenge of Porcupine Progression

Porcupine Progression

Team puzzle challenge to develop engineering & logic skills.

chair Some Effort
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Man sitting on seat playing lateral thinking puzzle One Up One Down

One Up One Down

Lateral thinking puzzle to develop observation skills & creative thinking.

chair Low Effort
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Simple debrief tool call Rose debrief

Rose Debrief

Simple debrief tool to process positive & negative experiences.

chair No Effort
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People holding onto base of pipe filled with water trying to turn it upside-down, a precision teamwork activity

Upside Down

Precision teamwork activity requiring careful coordination skills.

chair High Effort
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Four rubber ducks in a row representing continuous improvement activity

Ducks in a Row

Continuous improvement activity to align values & team behaviours.

chair High Effort
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Four people blindfolded participating in blindfold team-building game Blind Maze

Blind Maze

Blindfold team-building game to develop trust & communication.

chair Max Effort
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Bird's eye view of group playing fast-paced group game Tweener

Tweener

Fast-paced group game with defensive skills & elimination fun.

chair Low Effort
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