What are the most effective team building activities to improve problem-solving skills?

1 Escape rooms

Escape rooms are immersive games that challenge teams to solve a series of puzzles and clues within a limited time, usually in a themed setting. They are fun, engaging, and stimulating, and they require teams to use various problem-solving skills, such as observation, deduction, analysis, and synthesis. They also encourage teams to communicate clearly, cooperate effectively, and adapt to changing situations. To facilitate an escape room activity, you can either book a physical or virtual escape room, or create your own using online tools or DIY kits. Make sure to debrief the team after the activity, and ask them to reflect on what they learned, what they enjoyed, and what they can improve.

2 Lego challenge

Lego challenge is a simple but powerful team building activity that involves building something with Lego bricks, following some rules or constraints. For example, you can ask teams to build a bridge, a tower, or a vehicle, using only a certain number of bricks, colors, or shapes. You can also add some twists, such as blindfolding some team members, swapping roles, or changing the requirements halfway. This activity helps teams to practice problem-solving skills, such as creativity, planning, execution, and evaluation. It also fosters teamwork, communication, and feedback. To facilitate a Lego challenge, you need to provide enough Lego bricks for each team, and set a clear goal, time limit, and rules. You can also use a timer, a scoreboard, or a judging panel to add some competition and motivation.

3 Brainstorming sessions

Brainstorming sessions are collaborative meetings where teams generate as many ideas as possible for a specific problem or topic, without judging or filtering them. They are useful for stimulating creativity, innovation, and divergent thinking, and for finding new solutions or perspectives. They also promote team participation, communication, and trust. To facilitate a brainstorming session, you need to define a clear problem or question, and invite a diverse and motivated team. You can also use some techniques or tools to enhance the brainstorming process, such as mind maps, sticky notes, online platforms, or brainstorming games. After the brainstorming session, you need to review, evaluate, and prioritize the ideas, and decide on the next steps.

4 Scavenger hunt

Scavenger hunt is an adventurous game where teams have to find and collect a list of items or complete a series of tasks, within a certain area or time limit. They are fun, exciting, and challenging, and they require teams to use problem-solving skills, such as research, analysis, decision making, and resourcefulness. They also encourage teams to work together, communicate effectively, and have fun. To facilitate a scavenger hunt, you need to prepare a list of items or tasks, and distribute them to each team. You can also provide some clues, hints, or maps to help them. You can make the scavenger hunt more interesting by adding some themes, twists, or rewards.

5 Case studies

Case studies are realistic scenarios that present a problem or situation that teams have to analyze, discuss, and solve. They are helpful for developing problem-solving skills, such as critical thinking, reasoning, and logic. They also enable teams to apply their knowledge, skills, and experience to real-world situations, and to learn from each other. To facilitate a case study, you need to select a relevant and engaging case study, and divide the team into small groups. You can also provide some questions, guidelines, or frameworks to guide the analysis and discussion. After the case study, you need to ask each group to present their findings, solutions, or recommendations, and to compare and contrast them with other groups.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?