Problem solving games online: for remote and hybrid teams
Problem solving activities are a great way for your team members to practice communication, develop strategic thinking, and overcome hurdles.
In this article we look at:
What are problem solving games
Why problem solving games are good for teams
5 of the best social problem solving games online
How to play problem solving games online
What software is available for online problem solving games
** If you want access to 30+ different problem solving games, be sure to check out the games on the Loumee platform.**
What are problem solving games?
A problem solving game is a game with a defined question, a correct answer, and a set of rules or instructions as to how the players should try to solve the problem, which normally involves some deeper, more strategic thinking.
The problem type and format are what really define the type or style of problem solving game - as a problem can be as simple as solving a short maths equation or crossword puzzle, or as difficult as an advanced logical reasoning problem such as making your way through an online maze.
Why are problem solving activities good for teams?
So many problems we need to tackle in our day-to-day life are done in collaboration with others.
When it comes to work, group problem solving with colleagues and coworkers happens everyday, and problem solving activities are a great way to practice many relevant skills that can be applied in the workplace.
It’s great to be able to work these with a team as they can help to:
Advance team decision making;
Develop cohesion and build relationships in the team;
Practice communication and create trust;
Understand how each other thinks;
Teach strategies to overcome obstacles in the way of achieving goals;
Foster creativity;
Encourage negotiation amongst team members;
Help lateral thinking.
5 best online problem solving games
The best online problem solving games for teams are designed to challenge team members while they have fun at the same time.
They should be unique, witty, inclusive, and involve collaboration and communication for success.
Group problem solving should be enjoyable, and the games you choose should be more fun than work.
Virtual team problem solving games can be played online through video conferencing tools such as Teams, Zoom, Webex, and Google Meet, and involve solving different types of puzzles and problems as a team. They are a great way for remote and hybrid teams to connect.
There are many different types of problem solving games and activities - here are 5 of the best.
1. The Chat
Curious about generative AI?
This Chat is a fun look at human vs machine, where your team needs to solve a series of problems to decide which of the possible answers was most likely generated by the AI.
Along the way you’ll tackle different types of problem solving tasks that test your collaboration, communication and reasoning skills as you and your team compete to finish first!
This game is a great conversation starter for those interested in exploring the topic of AI.
2. The Hunt
The Hunt is an online team problem solving game that uses a fun mix of different types of puzzles - visual problems, reasoning, word games- and asks teams to collaborate under pressure, as they try to find that “uh-ha!” moment.
The game is played online and is perfect for teams to practice all of the problem solving skills that we mentioned earlier.
The Hunt is also a great team building game for any size of group, with players competing in teams of four or five so they will still have an opportunity to interact.
The Hunt can be self-facilitated if you want to be the game-master or can be booked as a hosted event if you want to participate and play with your team.
The Hunt is a great virtual team game for those who like some friendly competition.
3. Jewel Heist
Escape the room games are among the most challenging problem solving games you can find online.
They normally blend a mix of puzzles and riddles with looking for hidden objects and clues.
In Jewel Heist, surprise surprise, there’s been a robbery!
Someone has masterminded a heist to steal a priceless collection of precious jewels, and it’s up to you and your team to recover them before time runs out.
The game is best suited to small teams (3-4 people) and is normally led by a game host.
4. The Puzzle
The Puzzle is a puzzle game perfect for coworkers and colleagues to play together and practice their problem solving skills.
It is one of the best puzzle games for teams to play online together, as it involves a combination of strategic thinking and pure fun.
The Puzzle has been played by teams around the world, and uses a universally known theme, so works well for multicultural organisations.
It’s typically played as a time-based competition, with each team given 40 minutes to complete the game.
5. Long Walks on The Beach
Long Walks on The Beach combines virtual problem solving with icebreaker activities so that people can get to know each other better.
The virtual game can be played as one small group, or your group can be split into teams. It has five different activities - including problem solving and working through fun rebus puzzles that reveal an icebreaker question for discussion in the group.
It can be hard to find an online icebreaker game that is fun and not awkward, but Long Walks on the Beach strikes a great balance.
If you are looking for something that can be used to help build, maintain and improve relationships, with a little bit of a problem solving flavour, then you might want to try Long Walks on the Beach.
You can access it via a subscription on Loumee.
How do you play problem solving games online?
These days, online problem solving games are much more common and far easier to access, especially if you want to do problem solving with colleagues in different physical locations.
After all, hybrid and remote work are the new normal.
The best way to play problem solving games online is via video conferencing - e.g. Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Google Meet or any other platform of your choice.
You can screen share to explain the game rules and then use breakout rooms for team play and to discuss problems in detail.
What software is available for online problem solving games?
If you want on demand access to a range of problem solving games for teams, then Loumee has a membership-based access to game application where you can facilitate different team problem solving games.
It’s accessible via your web browser so there are no downloads necessary and the games can be played using any video conferencing platform.
There are also some icebreakers and energizers for online meetings and events.
There is also Mindtools - although this is more focused on learning and development skills than problem solving.
FAQs: Problem solving games
Here are common answers to frequently asked questions about problem solving games.
What are the best problem solving games for large groups?
The best problem solving games for large groups are those that have been designed for team play. Playing in teams rather than individually can increase engagement and therefore increase the benefits that your group will get from your online problem solving game. Some good options for virtual games include The Trip and The Hunt.
What are some good problem solving games for students?
The best problem solving games for students are accessible and fun, and don’t have too long a program. Normally problem solving games that are around one hour or less are best suited for students. Students are also more likely to enjoy a problem solving game that fosters a sense of achievement, where they can compete against their classmates and work together to achieve an outcome. Some good problem solving games for students include The Puzzle Lite, The Hunt, and The Ascent (Rapid).
What are problem solving activities?
Problem solving activities are normally shorter exercises that often take less time than full games. It might be a single activity that requires you to think critically and use logic to solve a problem or complete a task, but without a broader ‘meta’ problem to solve Examples include sudoku, crosswords, or team activities like “stranded on a desert island”.
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