Best 20 Problem-Solving Activities to Challenge Your Team
Problem-solving activities are a great way to get to know how people in your team work individually and together.
They are also great for team building, as they help people understand the way in which others think and behave, which provides strategies to apply to the workplace.
In this article, we explore 20 problem-solving activities designed to enhance collaboration and creativity, and to challenge your team.
If you want access to 30+ different problem solving games, sign up for the Loumee platform.
Why problem-solving is important in the workplace
According to a 2021 report by the World Economic Forum (WEF), soft skills have become increasingly crucial in today's world, with problem-solving identified as a top skill in high demand (WEF, 2021). The success of a company or team greatly depends on managers' willingness to support employees in developing their problem-solving abilities. Research suggests that team-building activities focused on enhancing communication, collaboration, adaptability, and decision-making techniques are effective in addressing this skill gap (Anderson et al., 2022).
Problem-solving processes typically begin with problem identification, followed by the evaluation of potential courses of action and the selection of the optimal approach to solving the problem (Johnson & Smith, 2020). To facilitate effective problem-solving, a deep understanding of the team and its core strengths is necessary. Engaging in problem-solving exercises or games helps identify these strengths, fosters the development of problem-solving skills and strategies, and promotes an enjoyable team environment (Thomas et al., 2019).
Another vital aspect to consider during problem-solving games and activities is that they are not designed to have winners or losers. While certain games may have a winning team, the primary objective of these exercises is to foster collaboration and teamwork (Williams et al., 2022). At the conclusion of each game, the winning team should share their strategies and thought processes with the entire group, facilitating learning and knowledge-sharing among all participants (Brown et al., 2020).
Here’s a list of fun problem-solving activity examples to try with your team with labels if they are more suitable for virtual, hybrid or in-person. From collaborative and competitive team problem solving games to complex and collaborative lego building, these diverse mix of problem-solving and team-building activities will ensure your team’s problem solving skills stay razor sharp.
Team problem-solving activities
The Game of Life (Virtual, hybrid, in-person)
Activity focus areas: Teamwork, Reasoning, Time management, Strategy, Communication.
Why Teamwork is important for Problem-Solving: Teamwork is essential for problem-solving as it brings together diverse perspectives, expertise, and skills, allowing for a comprehensive analysis of the problem and the generation of innovative solutions.
What you need:
Digital space (e.g. Teams, Zoom, Meet video call etc) or a physical room with enough space for team discussions
A computer or device per team (or print outs if playing in the office)
Access to the facilitator slides and platform
Instructions:
Split the teams up into approximately 3-5 per team
Go through the game instructions and rules using the facilitator slide deck provided on the facilitator page- this can be in person or in the main session of the video call
Ask each team to create a team name and let them know they will have a maximum of 30 minutes to complete the game
Each team must solve the individual puzzles and the master puzzle as quickly as possible - i.e. to figure out which of the teams in the game won (finished furthest on the board) in the “Game of Life”
2. LEGO Challenge (In-person)
Activity focus areas: Communication, Leadership Dynamics, Conflict, Co-operation, Patience and Strategy.
Why Communication is important for Problem-Solving: Effective communication is crucial for problem-solving as it facilitates the exchange of ideas, information, and perspectives among team members, leading to a comprehensive understanding of the problem at hand.
What you need:
Lego pieces
To print and cut out the tasks below for the participants
Participant tasks (print)
You are only one allowed to build (put bricks together) in the first 3 layers of the building.
You must make sure that layers 3 and 4 only consist of yellow bricks. You have to make sure that layers 2 and 6 consist of exactly eight bricks.
You are the only one allowed to build (put bricks together) in rows 5 and 6 of the building.
You have to make sure that a maximum of eight bricks are used in the 3rd and 5th layers of the building.
You are the leader of the group.
You have to make sure that the building is no higher than a maximum of eight layers. If people stop building when they have reached the eighth layer, you have to make sure they continue building in the layers below.
You have to make sure that the bricks that are next to each other in layers 1, 6 and 8 do not have the same color.
You have to make sure that there are, together with you, two others and only two others who build in layers 4 and 8.
You have to make sure that only a maximum of 3 participants build (put bricks together) in layers 4 and 7.
You have to make sure that there are only red bricks in the 2nd and 5th layers of the building.
You have to make sure that the first layer (layer 1) of the building consists of exactly 10 bricks.
Instructions:
Put the group into teams of 5-7 people. Each group sits around a table with a box of LEGO. Ask participants not to touch the LEGO until the activity begins.
Give the instructions: Your task, as a group, is to build a structure with these LEGO bricks. In a moment, each of you will get a piece of paper, where your individual assignment is written. You may not show or tell your assignment to the rest of the team. You will have 20 minutes to build your structure. You may not speak during the building process. You must continue building until the time is up.
Hand out the “assignments,” one per participant. Remind participants that they must not show their assignment to anyone else.
Once everyone has an assignment, begin the time and let participants start.
After 20 minutes, tell participants to stop building. Invite them to guess the “assignments” of the other members of their group. Explain that they may now share their secret assignments with each other.
3. Marshmallow Spaghetti Tower (In-person)
Activity focus areas: Collaboration, Teamwork, Critical Thinking, and Creativity.
Why Collaboration is important for Problem-Solving: Collaboration is important for problem-solving because it brings together diverse perspectives, knowledge, and expertise, enabling a more comprehensive understanding of the issue at hand. By working together, individuals can pool their strengths and resources, leading to innovative solutions that may not have been achievable by individuals working in isolation.
What you need (per team):
20 sticks of uncooked spaghetti
1 roll of masking tape
1 yard of string
1 marshmallow
Instructions:
The goal of this team-building game is for each team to construct the tallest freestanding tower using the provided resources: 20 sticks of uncooked spaghetti, 1 roll of masking tape, 1 yard of string, and 1 marshmallow. The tower must support the marshmallow on its top.
Divide participants into teams of 3 to 5 members each. Ensure that each team has an equal distribution of skills, knowledge, and experience to encourage effective collaboration.
Provide each team with the designated resources: 20 sticks of uncooked spaghetti, 1 roll of masking tape, 1 yard of string, and 1 marshmallow.
Rules:
a. Teams have a set time limit (e.g., 20 to 30 minutes) to complete the task.
b. Teams can only use the provided materials; no additional items are allowed.
c. The marshmallow must be placed on top of the tower and should remain there until the end of the building phase.
d. The tower must be freestanding, meaning it should not be attached to any other objects or structures for support.
Building Process
Teams can strategize, plan, and discuss their ideas before they start building. Encourage open communication and active collaboration among team members.
Teams should work together to experiment with different designs and constructions that can support the marshmallow on top.
Teams can cut, break, or combine the spaghetti sticks and use tape and string as connectors to build the tower.
Marshmallow Placement: The marshmallow must be placed on top of the tower at the end of the building phase without any additional support or attachment.
Measuring Height: At the end of the time limit, use a measuring tape to determine and record the height of each team's tower, measuring from the base to the highest point of the marshmallow.
Debriefing and Learning
Gather all the teams together and discuss the results, focusing on the strategies that worked well and those that didn't.
Facilitate a debriefing session where participants can share their experiences, challenges, and lessons learned during the activity.
Highlight the importance of teamwork, communication, creativity, and adaptability in problem-solving.
4. Egg Drop (In-person)
Activity focus areas: Decision-making, Collaboration, Problem Solving Under Pressure.
Why decision-making is important for problem-solving: Decision-making is essential for problem-solving as it determines the course of action to address the issue at hand. Effective decision-making ensures that the chosen solution is well-informed, logical, and aligned with the overall objectives, increasing the likelihood of successful problem resolution.
What you need:
A carton of eggs
Basic construction materials- e.g. newspapers, straws, tape, plastic wrap, balloons, rubber bands, sticks, cloth
An outdoor space - i.e. somewhere to drop the eggs from
Instructions:
The goal of this team-building game is for each team to design and build a protective contraption using the provided materials to prevent an egg from breaking when dropped from a designated height.
Divide the participants into teams, ensuring an even distribution of skills and expertise among each group. Aim for 4 to 6 members per team to encourage effective collaboration and problem-solving.
Resource Allocation: Provide each team with the following resources:
- A couple of eggs
- Basic construction materials such as newspapers, straws, tape, plastic wrap, balloons, rubber bands, popsicle sticks, etc.
- Tarp or drop cloth to catch the dropped eggs.Explanation of the Challenge: Each team must design and build a protective contraption for an egg that will prevent it from breaking when dropped from a designated height. Emphasize the importance of creativity, teamwork, and critical thinking in designing the contraption.
Design and Planning Phase: Allow teams a set amount of time (e.g., 15-20 minutes) to brainstorm ideas and plan their egg protection design. Encourage teams to sketch their designs on paper before starting construction.
Building the Egg Protection Contraption: Once the planning phase is over, let the teams start building their contraptions using the provided materials. Remind participants to use their resources wisely and efficiently.
Testing Phase: Set up a designated drop zone, which could be an elevated platform or a staircase. Each team will take turns dropping their egg protection contraption from the same height to ensure fairness. If there is a draw, increase the height of the drop until you find a winner.
Egg Drop: Teams will carefully place their egg inside the protection contraption before the drop. Participants should stand clear of the drop zone during the egg drop.
Inspection and Evaluation: After each drop, inspect the egg to check whether it remains intact or breaks. Record the results for each team's contraption.
Debrief and Team Discussion: Conduct a debriefing session to facilitate discussion on the importance of teamwork, communication, and problem-solving in completing the challenge successfully.
Encourage participants to share their experiences and insights gained from the activity.
5. Desert island (in-person)
Activity focus areas: Prioritization, Communication, Decision-making, Leadership, Negotiation.
Why Prioritization is important for Problem-Solving: Prioritization is crucial for problem-solving as it helps individuals and teams focus their efforts on addressing the most critical aspects of a problem first. By identifying and tackling the most impactful issues early on, resources and time can be utilized more efficiently, leading to more effective and timely solutions.
What you need:
A physical space
Objective:
The goal of this team-building game is for each team to collaborate and decide on a list of 5 essential items they would bring to support their survival on a desert island. The team's decisions should be based on effective communication, critical thinking, and consensus-building.
Instructions:
Divide the participants into teams, preferably with 4 to 6 members in each group. Ensure a mix of skills and backgrounds within each team for a diverse range of perspectives.
Explain the scenario: Each team is stranded on a deserted island and must collectively decide on the 5 most crucial items they will bring to ensure their survival. Emphasize that teamwork, negotiation, and rational decision-making are key components of the game.
Resource Constraints: Inform the teams that they have limited resources and can only choose 5 items to take with them to the desert island.
Specify that these items must be practical and directly related to survival needs.
Brainstorming: Give teams a few minutes to brainstorm and individually write down their ideas for the essential items.
Sharing and Discussion: Allow each team member to present their ideas to the group, explaining their reasoning behind each item.
Foster open and respectful discussion, ensuring that everyone's opinions are heard and considered.
Building Consensus: Facilitate the teams in reaching a consensus on the final list of 5 items.
Encourage compromise and negotiation to ensure that each team member feels heard and included in the decision.
Presenting the Final List: Once each team has agreed on their 5 items, have a representative from each group present their final list to the other teams and ask them to explain the rationale behind their choices.
Group Reflection: After all teams have presented their lists, facilitate a group discussion on the decision-making process.
Encourage participants to share their thoughts on how they reached a consensus and any challenges they faced during the activity.
Highlight the importance of effective communication, critical thinking, and collaboration in problem-solving scenarios.
Real-Life Applications: Discuss how the skills practiced in this game can be applied in real-life situations, such as decision-making in the workplace or group projects.
Creative problem-solving activities
6. The Hunt
Activity focus areas: Creativity, Team Decision-Making, Reasoning, Communication.
Why creativity is important for problem-solving: Creativity is crucial for problem-solving because it allows individuals to think beyond conventional solutions and explore innovative approaches to challenges. By fostering creative thinking, problem-solvers can discover unique perspectives and novel ideas that lead to more effective and efficient resolutions.
Objective: The Hunt is a team-building game designed to challenge participants' problem-solving skills and teamwork. The goal is for each team to solve 10 individual puzzles and a final master puzzle question in the fastest time possible.
Instructions:
Divide the participants into teams, with an ideal team size of 4 to 6 members - aim to create diverse teams with a mix of skills and expertise.
Brief the participants on the rules of the game and provide access to the game page via the Loumee platform.
Explain the importance of effective communication, time management, and teamwork during the game.
Start the Game: When all teams are ready, tell the teams to enter their team name and the platform will automatically track their completion time (the timer will begin once the team starts working on the individual puzzles).
Team Collaboration: Encourage teams to work together, leveraging each member's strengths to solve the puzzles efficiently.Remind participants to communicate openly and respectfully, sharing ideas and insights.If a team is stuck on a puzzle - they can ask you for an answer in exchange for a 10 minute time penalty.
Time Management: Remind teams of the importance of managing their time effectively to complete all puzzles and the master question within the given timeframe.
Solving the Master Puzzle Question: Once a team has completed all 10 individual puzzles (or the majority), they can attempt to answer the master puzzle question. The team must use insights and information gathered from the individual puzzles to answer the master question accurately.
Scoring and Winner Declaration: Check the final scores of all teams and present the answers of the individual puzzles and the master puzzle using the slide deck provided on the platform. Declare the team with the shortest completion time as the winner of The Hunt team-building game.
Debrief and Reflection: Conduct a debrief session to discuss the experience and challenges faced by each team.
Encourage participants to share insights on effective problem-solving strategies and teamwork.
7. Legoman Structure Replication Challenge (in-person)
Activity focus areas: Communication, Creativity, Collaboration.
Objective: The objective is for each team to replicate a randomly built Lego structure, created by an overseer, with limited time and restricted access to the original design.
What you need:
Lego building blocks (ensure enough blocks for each team to replicate the structure)
Instructions:
Divide all participants into small teams of two or more members.
Appoint the Overseer: Designate one participant who is not a part of any team as the "Overseer." The Overseer's role is to build a unique Lego structure within the given time frame.
Overseer's Structure Building: Provide the Overseer with a set of Lego building blocks. Announce a time limit of ten minutes for the Overseer to create a random structure using the Lego blocks.
Replication Challenge: After ten minutes, present the built structure to all the teams. Explain that the teams' task is to replicate the original structure precisely within 15 minutes.
Restricted Access: Inform the teams that only one member from each group will have direct access to observe the original structure.
This "Observer" is the only team member allowed to look at the original design during the replication process.
Communication and Replication: Instruct the Observers to memorize the size, color, and shape of the original structure thoroughly.
The Observers must then return to their teams and communicate the design details to their teammates without showing them the original structure.
Monitoring and Assistance: As the facilitator, monitor each team's progress and offer guidance or clarifications if needed. Avoid directly assisting the teams, but provide hints or tips to help them overcome any challenges.
Conclusion: After 15 minutes, stop the replication process and gather all teams together. Compare each team's replicated structure with the original design to evaluate accuracy.
Reflective Debrief: Conduct a debrief session to discuss the challenges faced during the game and the strategies used by each team.
Key Takeaways: Highlight the importance of effective communication and teamwork in achieving successful outcomes.
Emphasize how creative thinking and resourcefulness play vital roles in solving challenges and completing tasks.
8. Escape room (in-person, virtual)
Activity focus areas: Reasoning, Collaboration.
Objective: The Escape Room Team-Building Game aims to challenge participants' problem-solving abilities and promote effective teamwork. The goal is for the team to work together to decipher puzzles, find the hidden key, and escape from a locked room within the designated time.
What you need:
1 rope
1 key
A lockable room
5-10 puzzles or clues (depending on how much time you want to spend on the game)
Instructions:
Preparations: Set up the lockable room, ensuring it is safe and secure, and test the locking mechanism beforehand.
Place the hidden key and a list of clues strategically around the room to challenge participants' problem-solving skills.
Introduction: Gather the team outside the locked room and explain the objective of the game. Emphasize the importance of teamwork, communication, and creative thinking throughout the activity.
Team Allocation:Divide participants into teams of suitable sizes, ideally 4 to 6 members, to encourage effective collaboration.
Start of the Game: Guide each team to their designated room and "lock" the door behind them.
Set a time limit for the game, such as 30 minutes to an hour, depending on the complexity of the puzzles and the desired level of challenge.
Puzzle Solving: Encourage teams to explore the room thoroughly and work together to uncover hidden clues and solve the puzzles.
Each puzzle should lead them closer to the location of the key, promoting a sense of accomplishment as they progress.
Facilitator Assistance: Assign facilitators to monitor the teams' progress discreetly.
Offer subtle hints or nudges if a team seems stuck or is struggling to make progress.
Limit the number of hints to maintain the challenge and allow teams to develop problem-solving skills.
Escaping the Room: If a team successfully solves all the puzzles and finds the hidden key within the designated time, they can use the key to unlock the door and "escape" the room.
Congratulate the successful team and acknowledge their problem-solving skills and teamwork.
Debriefing and Reflection:
Gather all teams together after the game for a debriefing session.
Discuss the challenges faced during the activity, the strategies employed, and the effectiveness of communication and collaboration.
Learning Outcomes:
Highlight the relevance of reasoning, critical thinking, and creativity in problem-solving scenarios.
Reinforce the importance of effective teamwork and how it contributes to achieving shared goals.
9. Frostbite (in-person)
Activity focus areas: Decision-making, Adaptability
Objective: The Frostbite Room is a team-building game that challenges participants' decision-making and adaptability skills while fostering teamwork and creative problem-solving. The goal is for each team of Arctic explorers to construct a shelter using provided materials before the storm hits, while facing unique challenges with a blindfolded leader and snow-blinded team members.
What you need:
A blindfold (1 per team)
1 packet of construction materials (such as card stock, toothpicks, rubber bands, and sticky notes) for each team
An electric fan
Instructions:
Introduction and Setup:Gather your employees and introduce them to the Arctic adventure in the Frostbite Room.
Form teams of four or five members, ensuring diversity in skills and expertise within each group.
Instruct each team to choose a leader who will guide their exploration and decision-making.
The Arctic Expedition: Explain that each team is an Arctic explorer group embarking on an icy tundra adventure.
Their mission is to build a shelter from the provided materials before the storm hits in 30 minutes.
Emphasize that the shelter should be sturdy enough to withstand the high winds of the impending storm.
Leader's Frostbite Challenge: Inform the teams that both the team leader's hands have frostbite, rendering them unable to physically assist in constructing the shelter.
The leader's role is to provide verbal guidance, instructions, and decision-making direction to the rest of the team.
Team's Snow Blindness Challenge: Explain that the rest of the team members are afflicted with snow blindness, meaning they cannot see during the building process.
The team members must rely solely on the guidance of their blindfolded leader to construct the shelter effectively.
Distributing Construction Materials: Provide each team with a packet of construction materials, including card stock, toothpicks, rubber bands, and sticky notes.
Encourage teams to plan their shelter designs during the 30-minute preparation period.
The Storm Test: When the 30 minutes are up, announce the commencement of the storm test.
Turn on the electric fan to simulate the high winds, and observe how well each shelter withstands the challenge.
Assessing Results: After the storm test, evaluate the stability and functionality of each team's shelter.
Recognize teams that demonstrate excellent decision-making, adaptability, and effective use of provided materials.
Debrief and Reflection: Conduct a debrief session with all participants to discuss the challenges faced and lessons learned during the Frostbite Room activity.
Encourage teams to share their decision-making processes, strategies for communication, and innovative solutions.
10. Minefield room (in-person)
Activity focus areas: Communication, teamwork
Objective: The Minefield Room Team-Building Game aims to enhance communication skills and teamwork within your group by navigating blindfolded partners through a room filled with strategically placed office items, avoiding "mines."
What you need:
An empty room or hallway large enough to accommodate your group.
Blindfolds for each participant.
A collection of common office items (boxes, chairs, water bottles, bags, etc.) to create the "minefield."
Instructions:
Set Up the Minefield: Arrange the office items randomly throughout the room, ensuring there is no clear path from one end to the other.
Space the objects out enough to create a challenging and dynamic maze.
Form Teams and Assign Roles: Divide your participants into pairs, ensuring an even distribution of skills and expertise among the teams.
Designate one person in each pair as the "Navigator" and the other as the "Blindfolded Partner."
Blindfold the "Blindfolded Partner":
Provide blindfolds to the "Blindfolded Partners" and ensure they cannot see anything.
Navigate through the Minefield: The objective for each pair is for the "Navigator" to verbally guide the blindfolded partner from one end of the room to the other, avoiding the "mines" (office items).
The "Navigator" must use clear and precise instructions to direct their partner safely through the minefield.
No Physical Contact: Emphasize that the "Navigator" is not allowed to touch or physically guide the blindfolded partner in any way. This rule encourages the "Navigator" to rely solely on effective communication to guide their partner.
Enhancing the Challenge: To make the activity more challenging, have all pairs navigate the minefield simultaneously. This increases the complexity of the game and requires teams to strategize their communication more effectively.
Debrief and Team Reflection: After the game, gather all participants for a debrief session. Encourage teams to reflect on their experiences, communication dynamics, and challenges faced during the activity.
Facilitate a discussion on successful communication strategies observed during the game. Encourage participants to share what worked well and what could be improved upon.
Discuss ways participants can apply the lessons learned from the Minefield Room Team-Building Game in their everyday work environment.
11. Blind Formations (in-person)
Activity focus areas: Teamwork, problem-solving, communication.
Objective: The Blind Formations team-building game aims to enhance communication and collaboration skills within a group. Participants will work together while blindfolded to create specific shapes using a rope, fostering effective teamwork and problem-solving.
What you need:
Blindfolds (one for each participant)
A long rope (ensure it is long enough to form the desired shapes)
Optional: Stopwatch or timer for competitive variations
Instructions:
Preparation: Gather all participants and explain the objective and rules of the Blind Formations game.
Ensure each participant receives a blindfold and familiarize them with how to put it on and adjust it comfortably.
Formation of Groups: Form a single large circle with all participants standing close together.
If the group is too large, consider dividing them into smaller teams of manageable sizes for enhanced engagement and interaction.
Positioning the Rope: Tie two ends of the rope together to form a complete circle and place it in the center of the group, within reach of every participant.
If the group is divided into teams, provide a separate rope for each team.
Explanation of the Task: Inform the participants that their task is to communicate and work collaboratively to create specific shapes using the rope while being blindfolded.
Suggest various shapes, such as a square, triangle, rectangle, or any other geometric figure suitable for the group's size and complexity level.
Blindfolding: Instruct all participants to put on their blindfolds before beginning the activity.
Ensure that each blindfold is secure but comfortable to avoid any discomfort during the game.
Commencing the Activity: Once all participants are blindfolded, initiate the game by asking them to start working on forming the designated shape.
Emphasize the importance of clear verbal communication and active listening throughout the task.
Facilitating Competitive Variation (Optional): If there are multiple teams, you can introduce a competitive element by timing each team to see who completes the shape the quickest.
Use a stopwatch or timer to measure the completion time for added excitement.
Shape Completion and Debrief: Once a group or team successfully forms the specified shape, stop the activity and remove the blindfolds.
Gather all participants for a debrief session, discussing the challenges faced, successful communication strategies, and teamwork experiences.
Reflection and Learning: Encourage participants to reflect on the importance of effective communication, trust, and collaboration in problem-solving scenarios.
Highlight the lessons learned from the Blind Formations game and how these skills can be applied in their personal and professional lives.
Quick and easy problem-solving activities
12. Unpuzzled (in-person, virtual, hybrid)
Activity Focus Areas: Communication, reasoning, collaboration under time pressure.
Objective: Unpuzzled is an engaging team-building game that combines problem-solving and trivia elements. The goal is for each team to work collaboratively to solve a series of puzzles and then unscramble them to uncover a meta answer. The game can be played as a competition between teams and is flexible to be completed virtually, in-person, or in a hybrid setting, with a time limit of 20 minutes. Teams have the option to ask for the answer to a puzzle if needed, but it comes with a time penalty.
Formation of Teams: Divide participants into teams with an ideal size of 4 members per team.
Instructions:
Game setup: Explain the game concept and rules to all teams via the Loumee platform.
Ensure that each team has access to the necessary materials and the puzzles, either in printed form for in-person play or digitally for virtual and hybrid settings.
Puzzle Solving: Provide the teams with their series of puzzles that involve both problem-solving and trivia elements. Instruct teams to work together to solve each puzzle as efficiently as possible.
Time Limit: Set a timer for 20 minutes to add a sense of urgency and encourage teams to manage their time wisely. Inform participants about the time limit and emphasize the importance of staying on track.
Unscrambling to find the Meta Answer: Once all puzzles are solved, teams must collaborate to unscramble the puzzle answers and derive a meta answer from them. The meta answer should reveal the overarching solution to the game - it might be a quote, a fact, for example.
Virtual, In-Person, or Hybrid Play: Facilitate the game in the chosen setting (virtual, in-person, or hybrid) to accommodate participants' preferences and logistical constraints.
Time Penalty for Hints: Teams have the option to ask for the answer to a specific puzzle if they encounter difficulties. Inform teams that seeking hints comes with a time penalty, which may affect their final completion time.
Completion and Winner Declaration: Stop the game after the time is up or when all teams have completed the game, depending on the play setting. Gather all teams together and review their answers to ensure accuracy.
Determine the Winning Team: Declare the team that correctly answers the most puzzles in the shortest time as the winner of the Unpuzzled team-building game.
Debrief and Reflection: Conduct a debrief session to discuss the experience and challenges faced by each team during the game using the LEAD reflection questions. Encourage participants to share insights on effective problem-solving strategies and team dynamics.
13. Same Same But Different
Activity focus areas: Adaptability, communication, teamwork.
Objective: The Same Same But Different team building game is an icebreaker activity that can be played in teams in 5 to 10 minutes. It is a team problem solving activity to challenge your team while also getting them warmed up for a meeting or event.
Instructions:
Divide participants into teams - 3-5 people per team.
Game setup: Explain the game concept and rules to all teams via the instructions on the Loumee platform.
Ensure that each team has access to the necessary materials and the puzzles, either in printed form for in-person play or digitally for virtual and hybrid settings.
Puzzle Solving: Provide the teams with their series of puzzles that involve both problem-solving and trivia elements. Instruct teams to work together to solve each puzzle as efficiently as possible.
Time Limit: Set a timer for 20 minutes to add a sense of urgency and encourage teams to manage their time wisely. Inform participants about the time limit and emphasize the importance of staying on track.
Unscrambling to find the Meta Answer: Once all puzzles are solved, teams must collaborate to unscramble the puzzle answers and derive a meta answer from them. The meta answer should reveal the overarching solution to the game - it might be a quote, a fact, for example.
Virtual, In-Person, or Hybrid Play: Facilitate the game in the chosen setting (virtual, in-person, or hybrid) to accommodate participants' preferences and logistical constraints.
Time Penalty for Hints: Teams have the option to ask for the answer to a specific puzzle if they encounter difficulties. Inform teams that seeking hints comes with a time penalty, which may affect their final completion time.
Completion and Winner Declaration: Stop the game after the time is up or when all teams have completed the game, depending on the play setting. Gather all teams together and review their answers to ensure accuracy.
Determine the Winning Team: Declare the team that correctly answers the most puzzles in the shortest time as the winner of the Unpuzzled team-building game.
Debrief and Reflection: Conduct a debrief session to discuss the experience and challenges faced by each team during the game using the LEAD reflection questions. Encourage participants to share insights on effective problem-solving strategies and team dynamics.
14. Sinking Vessel (In-person)
Activity focus areas: Adaptability, Teamwork.
Objective: The Sinking Vessel team-building game aims to challenge participants' adaptability and collaborative problem-solving skills. The goal is for the entire team to work together and stay within a shrinking boundary created using a rope or string.
Why adaptability is important for problem-solving: Adaptability is crucial for problem-solving as it enables individuals to adjust their approaches and strategies when faced with new or changing circumstances. Being adaptable allows problem-solvers to effectively navigate unforeseen challenges, explore alternative solutions, and optimize their responses to achieve successful outcomes.
What you need:
A rope or string
Instructions:
Set-Up: Choose a spacious area where participants can move freely and safely.
Lay the rope on the ground to create a large shape that can accommodate all team members standing inside it. The shape could be a circle, square, or any other figure that allows everyone to fit comfortably.
Forming the Initial Boundary: Ask all participants to stand within the shape created by the rope.
Ensure that everyone is positioned entirely inside the boundary.
Shrinking the Space:
Announce that the objective of the game is to keep everyone within the boundary as it shrinks over time.
Gradually and steadily reduce the size of the shape by pulling the rope inward.
Aim to shrink the space progressively over a period of 10-15 minutes.
Collaboration and Adaptability:
As the space shrinks, participants must collaborate to find creative solutions to stay within the boundaries.
Encourage open communication and idea-sharing among team members.
Problem-Solving Strategies: Participants can utilize various problem-solving strategies to adapt to the shrinking space. These may include:
Adjusting their positions within the boundary to optimize space utilization.
Forming smaller sub-groups and coordinating movements to accommodate everyone.
Thinking creatively to find innovative ways to fit within the shrinking area.
Facilitator Guidance: As the facilitator, observe the teams' interactions and provide support or guidance as needed. Avoid directly giving solutions but offer subtle nudges to encourage critical thinking.
Reflecting and Debriefing: After the activity, gather all participants for a debriefing session.
Encourage teams to share their experiences, challenges faced, and the strategies they employed to address the shrinking space.
Discuss how adaptability and teamwork played crucial roles in successfully completing the task.
15. Line Up Blind
Activity Focus Areas: Communication, teamwork.
Objective: The objective of the Line Up Blind team building game is to promote effective communication, teamwork, and problem-solving skills within a group of participants. This game is typically used as an icebreaker or team-building exercise and is often part of corporate training sessions, workshops, or group activities.
What you need:
Blindfolds
Instructions:
Blindfolds: Participants are divided into small teams, and each team member is blindfolded.
Scattered Formation: The participants are initially scattered randomly in a designated area.
Objective: The teams are given a specific objective, such as lining up in order of height, birthday, or any other criterion, without being able to see or communicate directly with each other.
Communication: Team members must rely on verbal communication and teamwork to accomplish the objective. They can guide each other using spoken instructions, but physical contact is often restricted.
Time Limit: There is usually a time limit for completing the task.
Debrief: After the activity is completed or when the time limit is up, participants gather to discuss their experiences, the challenges they faced, and the strategies they used to achieve the objective.
16. Reverse Pyramid (in-person)
Activity Focus Areas: Adaptability, collaboration.
Objective: To use some reasoning and collaboration to form a pyramid using human bodies.
What you need:
Nothing
Instructions:
1. Have everyone stand in a pyramid shape, horizontally.
2. Ask them to flip the base and the apex of the pyramid moving only three people.
3. This quick exercise works best when smaller groups compete to see who can reverse the pyramid the fastest.
17. Move It! (In-person)
Activity Focus Areas: Adaptability, collaboration.
Objective: The objective of Move It! is to have two teams face each other in two rows within a marked square space for each player. The goal is to switch the positions of the two lines of players following certain movement restrictions.
What you need:
Chalk, rope, tape, or paper (something to mark a space)
Instructions:
1. Divide your group into two teams and line them up front to back, facing each other.
2. Using the chalk, tape, rope, or paper (depending on the playing surface), mark a square space for each person to stand on. Leave one extra empty space between the two facing rows.
3. The goal is for the two facing lines of players to switch places.
4. Place these restrictions on movement:
Only one person may move at a time.
A person may not move around anyone facing the same direction.
No one may not move backward.
A person may not move around more than one person on the other team at a time.
18. Human Knot (in-person)
Activity Focus Areas: Adaptability, collaboration
Objective: Create a human knot using team members.
What you need:
Nothing
Instructions:
1. Have everyone stand in a circle, and ask each person to hold hands with two people who aren’t directly next to them.
2. When everyone is tangled together, ask them to untangle the knot and form a perfect circle — without letting go of anyone's hand.
Virtual Problem Solving Activities
19. The Trip (Virtual, Hybrid, In-Person)
Activity Focus Areas: Team Collaboration, Communication, Reasoning, Problem-Solving Under Pressure.
Objective: Solve 10 different individual puzzles and then put them all together to solve the meta puzzle and figure out the destination - played as a game of speed with the fastest team to complete the game being the winner.
What you need:
Access to the game materials via the platform
A conference call with breakout room functionality- e.g. Teams, Zoom, Meet, etc.
Instructions:
Split the group up into teams of 3-5 people
Present the activity introduction and rules of the game using the slide presentation provided (or you can book a facilitator to do it for you)
Put the teams into their breakout rooms and give them access to the online game page
Start the clock and give all teams a maximum of 40 minutes to complete the game
Check the answers after the time is up and make any corrections and adjustments to the total time score
Present the answers to the game and the winning team(s)
Ask teams to reflect on what worked well and what didn’t work so well in their team play - they can reflect on their individual contribution and behavior in the game
20. What Would X Do (in-person, virtual or hybrid)
Activity Focus Area: Instant problem-solving.
Objective: To try and find a creative solution to a real problem using some out-of-the-box thinking and ideas.
What you need:
Nothing
Instructions:
1. Have everyone pretend they're someone famous.
2. Each person must approach the problem as if they were their chosen famous person. What options would they consider? How would they handle it?
3. This allows everyone to consider solutions they might not have thought of originally.
Additional resources on problem-solving activities
3 types of problem solving models and how to use them
Fun Problem-Solving Activities and Games: Looking for more ideas? Check out this list of interesting and creative problem-solving activities
How to solve problems: This article provides a framework for problem solving and some tips on how the best teams do it
Looking for more team problem solving games?
Check out the Loumee platform for 30+ problem-solving activities to challenge your team - there are different themes, lengths and difficulty levels from “lite” to challenging.
