7 Classroom Team Building Games That Teach Kids Leadership (2024)

by Chad Davis | Team Building Tips

As the first week of school approaches or the need to strengthen the classroom community grows throughout the school year, finding the right activities to foster teamwork and leadership is crucial. Classroom team building games are not just a fun way to break the ice—they’re essential tools that enhance communication skills, problem-solving skills, and critical thinking among students.

Fun team-building games are perfect for both large groups and small teams, making them versatile for any class size or school setting. From middle school to high school students, these games provide great opportunities to divide students into equal teams, guiding them toward a common goal while enhancing social skills and quick thinking.

Here are 7 classroom team building games that we’ve put on for both adults and schools alike. All of them contain unique opportunities to teach leadership skills.

1. Build-A-Bike ® Charity Team Building Event

The objective of the Build-A-Bike ® Charity Team Building Event is to strengthen team morale and collaboration while providing a meaningful contribution to the community. Teams work together to assemble bicycles which they can then donate to children through a charity, blending fun with philanthropy.

Number of Players:

This event is great for large groups, ranging from 25 to over 1000 participants. The more, the better, as it enhances the spirit of teamwork and collective effort.

Materials Needed:

• Bicycle parts and assembly kits
• Tools for assembling the bikes
• Safety gear (gloves, helmets, etc.)
• Assembly instructions

Setup Instructions:

1. Arrange a large, open space suitable for the number of participants.
2. Distribute bicycle parts and tools to each team.
3. Set up stations for different assembly tasks if needed.
4. Coordinate with a local children’s charity for the donation.

How to Play:

1. Divide participants into teams.
2. Each team receives a set of disassembled bike parts and tools.
3. Teams compete to assemble their bicycle the quickest, adhering to safety and quality guidelines.
4. Once assembled, they then inspect the bikes for safety.
5. The event culminates with the donation of the bicycles to children from the partnered charity.

Leadership Skills Developed:

• Skill Focus: Communication, collaboration, problem-solving, and project management.
• How It Works: As teams work together to assemble the bicycles, they must communicate effectively and manage their roles to ensure the task is completed efficiently. This activity promotes leadership by requiring participants to make strategic decisions, delegate tasks within the team, and solve problems that arise during assembly. The shared goal of helping children through charity adds a powerful motivational layer, enhancing the emotional and leadership experience.

Classroom team building games with a charity element not only serve as fun team-building exercises, but also instill a sense of accomplishment and community responsibility among participants. Thus, making it a highly rewarding experience.

See Also

OKC wins Game 4 in Dallas with a vise-grip defense and SGA's jumpersThe Possible Collapse of the U.S. Home Insurance System

2. The Ace Race ® Mini Golf Team Building Activity

The Ace Race ® Mini Golf Team Building Activity aims to foster competitive spirit and teamwork while contributing to a charitable cause. Teams design and build mini-golf courses using non-perishable food items, which they can then later donate to local food banks or shelters. This activity not only boosts team morale but also serves a community service function.

Number of Players:

Suitable for large groups ranging from 40 to over 1000 participants. This classroom team building game works best with competitive teams, making it ideal for both small and massive gatherings.

Materials Needed:

• Non-perishable food items (e.g., canned goods, Mac & Cheese boxes)
• Items to mark the course (e.g., tape or small cones)
• Golf clubs and golf balls
• List of items for teams to collect from the “store”

Setup Instructions:

1. Secure a large venue suitable for setting up multiple mini-golf holes.
2. Arrange a “store” where teams can collect their building materials after completing certain tasks or challenges.
3. Designate areas for each team to build their mini-golf hole.

How to Play:

1. Divide participants into teams of 6-8 members.
2. Teams earn points through preliminary challenges, which they can use to “buy” materials from the store.
3. Using the acquired food items, each team designs and constructs one mini-golf hole, incorporating creative obstacles and designs.
4. Once the course is built, teams compete in a mini-golf tournament, racing to score a hole-in-one at each hole.
5. Following the competition, all food items used in the game are gathered and donated to a designated charity.

Leadership Skills Developed:

• Skill Focus: Strategic planning, resource management, and competitive teamwork.
• How It Works: Participants engage in quick decision-making and strategic thinking as they plan and execute their mini-golf course designs. Leadership is cultivated through the need to manage resources effectively, motivate team members, and navigate competitive dynamics. This activity enhances communication and collaboration, as team members must work closely to design a functional and fun mini-golf hole, ensuring their team’s success in the competition.

This high-energy, fun team-building activity not only energizes meetings and improves morale but also connects team competition with a charitable cause, adding a rewarding and fulfilling aspect to the corporate or group environment.

3. The aMAZEing Builders Custom Charity Team Obstacle Course Race

The aMAZEing Builders event is designed to enhance team unity and communication skills through a custom-designed obstacle course race. Teams must navigate one blindfolded member through various challenges to collect items for donation, fostering a spirit of cooperation and charity.

Number of Players:

The activity is scalable, accommodating small teams of 14 to large groups of over 1000 participants, making it ideal for companies of any size.

Materials Needed:

• Blindfolds for participants
• Obstacle course setup materials (e.g., cones, ropes, barriers)
• Items for donation (e.g., backpacks, school supplies, care packages, pet supplies)
• Venue large enough to host an indoor obstacle course

Setup Instructions:

1. Design an indoor obstacle course suitable for blindfolded navigation.
2. Position various charitable items throughout the course that teams must collect as they progress.
3. Ensure all safety measures are in place to prevent injuries during the race.

How to Play:

1. Divide participants into teams of 6 to 8 members.
2. One member of each team is blindfolded and must navigate the obstacle course.
3. Other team members verbally guide the blindfolded participant through the course to collect specific items.
4. Teams compete against each other to see who can complete the course fastest while collecting all the required items.
5. At the end of the race, all collected items are donated to the chosen charity.

Leadership Skills Developed:

• Skill Focus: Verbal and nonverbal communication, trust, and strategic planning.
• How It Works: This activity requires team members to effectively communicate and trust one another, as they guide a blindfolded member through complex challenges. Leaders emerge by directing their teams under pressure, ensuring safety, and motivating members to perform efficiently. The strategic collection of items adds a layer of planning and resource management, crucial for leadership development.

This unique team-building experience not only pushes teams to work closely together under challenging conditions but also ties their efforts to a charitable cause, enhancing the overall impact of the activity on both participants and beneficiaries.

4. Rescue Bear ® Teddy Bear Team Building Activity

The Rescue Bear ® activity is designed to improve communication and build trust within teams while providing comfort to children who have experienced trauma. Through creative problem-solving and team games, participants identify each other’s strengths and work together to assemble teddy bears, which are then donated to children in need.

Number of Players:

This activity can accommodate anywhere from 40 to over 1000 participants. Classroom team building games like this are suitable for classes that could benefit from students understanding their own strengths and weaknesses.

Materials Needed:

• Teddy bear assembly kits (includes fabric, stuffing, and accessories)
• Challenge materials for team games
• Space large enough to accommodate multiple small teams

Setup Instructions:

1. Organize the space into stations for each small team.
2. Prepare challenge stations where teams will engage in activities to earn bear-making materials.
3. Set up assembly stations where teams will build the bears once they have the necessary materials.

How to Play:

1. Divide the entire group into small teams based on individual strengths using a personality temperament analysis.
2. Teams compete in a series of problem-solving challenges.
3. Each win allows a team to collect materials needed for building a teddy bear.
4. Once all materials are collected, teams assemble their bears to huggable perfection.
5. Completed bears are then donated to a children’s charity, such as the Child Rescue Coalition or local foster care organizations.

Leadership Skills Developed:

• Skill Focus: Team coordination, strategic problem-solving, and empathy.
• How It Works: This activity challenges teams to leverage their diverse strengths in a series of games, fostering effective communication and trust. The process of building bears together serves as a metaphor for constructing strong, supportive team dynamics. Leadership is cultivated as team members guide their groups through challenges, make strategic decisions, and encourage collaboration.

This team-building activity not only helps teams work more cohesively but also connects their efforts to a broader social cause, reinforcing the value of empathy and corporate social responsibility.

5. Comedy Improv Team Building Events

Comedy Improv Team Building Events aim to enhance communication skills and inject humor into classroom culture. This event focuses on teaching participants to think quickly on their feet and improve their ability to collaborate under humorous and often unpredictable circ*mstances. It also teaches students that it’s OK to make mistakes and to move on from them quickly.

Number of Players:

Designed for small to medium-sized groups, this event is ideal for 10-40 participants, making it perfect for individual classes.

Materials Needed:

• A venue suitable for performance and movement
• Props for improv scenarios (optional)
• Sound equipment for larger groups

Setup Instructions:

1. Arrange the venue with adequate space for performances and audience seating.
2. Provide a brief orientation on the basics of improv comedy.
3. Prepare a list of themes, scenarios, and prompts tailored to the classroom.

How to Play:

1. Divide participants into small groups or pairs.
2. Instructors introduce improv games and exercises that require participants to build on each other’s ideas spontaneously.
3. Teams perform short skits based on prompts or scenarios provided by the instructors.
4. Feedback is given in a constructive and humorous way to encourage learning and improvement.
5. The event culminates in a comedy show where each group presents a short improv performance.

Leadership Skills Developed:

• Skill Focus: Quick thinking, effective communication, and collaborative creativity.
• How It Works: Through the fast-paced and reactive nature of improv, participants learn to listen closely and respond creatively, enhancing verbal communication and teamwork. Leadership emerges as participants guide their teams through each improv scenario, fostering a supportive environment that values each member’s contribution. The skills developed in these kinds of classroom team building games transfer well to all areas of life.

Comedy Improv Team Building Events provide a dynamic and engaging way to strengthen team bonds and improve communication skills while ensuring everyone has a fun and memorable experience.

6. Escape Rooms Team Building Activity

Escape Rooms are designed to challenge teams with a variety of puzzles and riddles that require collaboration, problem-solving, and creative thinking to complete a mission within a set amount of time. The primary goal is to enhance teamwork skills and improve communication as participants work under pressure to “escape” the room.

Number of Players:

Typically, escape rooms work best with small to medium-sized teams of 4-10 people. This size allows for effective communication and ensures that everyone can participate actively in the problem-solving process.

Materials Needed:

• A themed room set up with a series of puzzles and clues
• Props and decor to enhance the theme and atmosphere of the room
• A timer to keep track of the escape time

Setup Instructions:

1. Prepare the escape room with various hidden clues and puzzles that are coherent with the chosen theme (e.g., detective mystery, historical adventure, science fiction).
2. Brief participants on the rules, safety measures, and the backstory to immerse them in the scenario.
3. Set up a monitoring system to provide hints if teams get stuck, ensuring a smooth and engaging experience.

How to Play:

1. Teams are locked in the themed room and must explore their surroundings to find clues.
2. Participants must solve puzzles, decode messages, and uncover keys or combinations to move through the story of the room.
3. Team members need to communicate effectively and work together to piece together the puzzle before the time runs out.
4. Teams that successfully solve all the puzzles and escape the room within the given time limit win the game.

Leadership Skills Developed:

• Skill Focus: Critical thinking, quick decision-making, and effective communication.
• How It Works: As participants encounter various challenges within the escape room, they must quickly assign tasks, share insights, and support each other’s ideas to progress. This activity sharpens decision-making skills as team members must choose the best approaches under time constraints. The pressure of the ticking clock enhances communication as players relay information and confirm understandings rapidly and efficiently.

Escape Rooms provide a thrilling and immersive experience that not only brings team members closer together but also develops essential workplace skills in a fun, engaging environment.

7. Helium Stick

The Helium Stick team-building exercise is designed to promote teamwork, communication, and coordination within a group. The goal is for the team to lower a lightweight stick to the ground using only their index fingers, challenging their ability to work synchronously and manage a seemingly simple yet surprisingly complex task.

Number of Players:

This game is versatile and can be played with small groups of 6-12 players or adjusted for larger groups by using multiple sticks and dividing participants accordingly.

Materials Needed:

• A long, lightweight stick such as a thin PVC pipe, a tent pole, or even a bamboo cane, typically about 6 to 8 feet long.

Setup Instructions:

1. Have participants stand in two rows facing each other, forming a corridor.
2. Instruct each person to extend their index fingers at chest height.

How to Play:

1. Place the stick horizontally across the group’s extended index fingers.
2. Challenge the group to lower the stick to the ground without letting it fall and while keeping their fingers in constant contact with the stick.
3. If any finger loses contact with the stick, the group must raise it back to the starting position and begin again.

Leadership Skills Developed:

• Skill Focus: Communication, patience, and collective coordination.
• How It Works: As the stick seemingly begins to rise (hence the name “Helium Stick”), it requires all participants to adjust their handling in a very coordinated and patient manner. This activity forces the team to communicate effectively, often leading to bursts of leadership from various members who coordinate the group’s efforts to lower the stick smoothly and successfully.

The Helium Stick is a fun, interactive challenge that emphasizes the importance of working cohesively as a unit and highlights how individual actions impact collective outcomes, making it a profound lesson in teamwork and communication.

Conclusion

Incorporating classroom team building games is arguably the best way to enhance group dynamics and develop classroom leaders. These activities are not just games but are critical educational tools that help build a sense of community and make every team member feel valued. They are a great way to ensure that each student, from the first student to the last, actively participates and contributes to the entire group’s success. As the school year progresses, these fun team-building activities help maintain a vibrant classroom atmosphere, making learning an enjoyable and interactive experience. Remember, the best part of these activities is seeing your entire class transform into a cohesive unit, where every student emerges as a team player ready to take on the challenges ahead.

Additional Tips

• Adapting to Different Environments: Whether you have an open space or a small classroom, adapt your activities to fit. Indoor games can be as engaging as outdoor activities and require only minimal adjustments.
• Utilizing Technology: Don’t shy away from integrating technology like interactive whiteboards or online games, especially when dealing with older students or virtual teams. These tools can add a layer of excitement and a modern twist to traditional team-building games.
• Setting Clear Objectives and Rules: Before starting any game, whether it’s a fun relay race or a complex escape room, make sure the objectives and rules are clear to everyone. This ensures the game runs smoothly and everyone understands the critical thinking or communication skills being developed.
• Keep Time Constraints in Mind: Incorporating a time limit adds an extra challenge to any team-building activity, promoting efficiency and quick decision-making within teams.
• Reflection is Key: After each game, spend a few minutes with your students discussing what they learned about working together and how these skills can be applied in everyday classroom settings. This reflection helps solidify the lessons learned during the team-building exercises.

Using these strategies, you can craft an educational experience that not only entertains but also enriches your students, making each team-building activity a stepping stone towards developing more empathetic, cooperative, and capable individuals.

☎ – (800) 872-7830

Contact Us/Get a Price Quote

Categories

• Case Studies
• Team Building Tips
• Team Games and Activities

Recent Posts

• 7 Classroom Team Building Games That Teach Kids Leadership
• How to Lead Team Building Activities for Youth Groups
• Taking Advantage of Training and Development Programs Will Help You Grow In Your Role
• 5 Reasons to Hire aTeam Building CompanyThat Comes to You
• 7 Best Venues for Team Building Activities in San Francisco

← How to Lead Team Building Activities for Youth Groups