The right kind of team building exercise can turn a diverse group into a tight-knit team. Finding games that engage everyone in a larger group at work, though, is a challenge. In this blog, we’ll explore the benefits of large group games, essential elements, and some ideas for games your large group might enjoy. We’ll focus on in-person games you may play at a team offsite.
Team building activities and team outings play a vital role in building strong relationships between team members. By participating in these activities, individuals have the opportunity to interact outside of the work setting, breaking the ice and building more trust.
Imagine getting to know everyone in your team – not over months, but in an afternoon. That’s the power of large group games; they enable many people to get to know one another faster. Instead of having to organize many different team building games across smaller teams, you can plan one large group game and allow a broader swath of the company to participate.
In large organizations, it’s common for employees to work in different departments or teams, making it challenging to cultivate a sense of unity and belonging at work. Games for large groups allow people from different corners of the company to come together to connect and bond in a meaningful way.
Nothing brings a group together like a little friendly competition. Large group games are about pushing each other to excel and cheering each other on. Participating in friendly rivalries also fosters a sense of engagement and excitement, encouraging individuals to put forth their best effort. And when it’s over, you’ll find your team more united than ever, ready to tackle real-world challenges with renewed vigor.
A successful team building game for large groups should incorporate specific elements that promote teamwork and enhance individual development. These elements include focusing on communication skills, encouraging problem-solving abilities, and fostering leadership qualities.
Effective communication is at the core of successful teamwork and is most difficult on large teams. Choose games that involve clear communication objectives, like relaying information or coordinating actions, to help your team practice expressing their thoughts and ideas effectively. You may even want to try separating your large group into teams to practice cross-functional communication. It’s best if those teams aren’t perfectly in line with the existing teams at your company. That way, individuals will get to interact in new dynamics they aren’t necessarily accustomed to, broadening their perspectives.
Throw your team a curveball with challenges that require quick thinking and creative solutions. These large group games encourage teams to find creative solutions and prompt individuals to think critically and work together to overcome obstacles. Whether its deciphering clues on a scavenger hunt or building a structure from cards games can be both mentally and physically stimulating, pushing teams to think outside the box while collaborating under pressure.
Team building games also provide an opportunity for individuals to develop and showcase leadership skills. Some games require teams to elect a leader or rotate leadership roles, allowing individuals to step into positions of authority and practice guiding their team toward success. These are perfect for large groups; it’s a safe space whereindividuals can practice leading large teams in a low stakes environment. This fosters the growth of leadership qualities such as decision-making, delegation, and motivating others.
There are plenty of games for small teams to practice team building, but not as many for large groups. We compiled a list of the best large group games that will encourage your team to form strong connections and work on critical skills.
A game focused on communication is "Minefield", which requires one team member to navigate through a "minefield" blindfolded while their teammates provide instructions to keep them from stepping on hidden objects. This exercise encourages teams to practice concise and precise communication as they guide their blindfolded teammate to safety – a perfect metaphor for the workplace!
Another fun large group game you might organize is a scavenger hunt. Unleash your team’s curiosity and collaborative spirit with a series of puzzles and riddles that are as unpredictable and dynamic as their workday. Again, make sure to divide teams differently than they might be divided within your company so individuals get exposure to new people. This large group game tests problem-solving abilities and teamwork as individuals must work together to decipher the clues and find the key to freedom within a specific timeframe.
Large group games with survival-simulations task teams with navigating a simulated survival situation, where they must make critical decisions and prioritize tasks to ensure their collective survival. Games like this give individuals the chance to demonstrate leadership skills while working collaboratively toward a common goal.
Who can build the highest tower with just newspaper and tape? This game encourages creativity, teamwork, and problem-solving as teams work together to come up with innovative designs and construct stable structures.
Strategize and sprint in the ultimate game of territory and tactics. One popular outdoor game for large groups is "Capture the Flag," where teams compete to capture the other team's flag while defending their own. This game promotes strategy, teamwork, and communication, as teams strategize positions and coordinate their movements to protect their flag.
Organizing team building games for large groups requires careful planning and consideration. Here are a few tips to ensure the success of your team building activities:
When choosing a game, think about the development goals you want to achieve and the mix of personalities and preferences across your large group. While you may want to get team members out of their comfort zones for personal growth, you never want to make anyone truly uncomfortable or play any games that are counter to your team’s culture. Use your best judgment when deciding what games are the best fit for your large group – sometimes taking a poll is the best way to go!
Set the stage with a little pre-game prep.. For example, you may be playing “Survival Scenario” and want to have everyone take a personality test to assess who should be in which role. You might also want everyone to fill out a user manual, which you can do on Candor. That’s another way to get to know one another and figure out the best role for everyone based on their strengths and development goals.
Encourage active participation from all team members to create an inclusive and engaging environment. Design games that involve everyone and promote equal participation. Allocate roles and responsibilities, ensuring that each individual has an important role to play in the success of the game. Make sure all games are equally accessible to all team members.
After each game,take the time to debrief and discuss the experience with your large group. Reflect on the lessons learned, challenges faced, and successful strategies employed during the game. Encourage open communication, allowing team members to share their thoughts and insights. This reflection is crucial – it turns fun and games into lasting growth.
Every game is an opportunity to strengthen bonds, boost morale, and bring out the best in your team. .Regardless of your goals, selecting the right game and ensuring active participation from all members are key to organizing successful team building activities for your large group.Why wait? Start planning your next large group team building game and watch your team thrive!
Interested in fostering a team culture that thrives on authenticity and fun? Sign up for Candor for free today and start discovering innovative tools designed to make every group interaction more effective and engaging.
Candor makes it easy to connect and have fun with your teammates, even while you’re remote. Use Candor to do feedback, shoutouts, check-ins, and more, all in one place.
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