Team-building activities can help kids build trust through cooperation, communication and teamwork. These activities teach creative thinking, problem solving, social and emotional skills --- skills children will use for years to come. Your child does not have to be in school to benefit from team-building activities, either --- children of all ages can participate in them with their sports teams, scout groups or with other neighborhood kids.
Ant Line
In this team-building activity, kids act like ants and move pebbles from their anthill on one side of the room to the other. Children line up and pass the pebbles or balls from one to the next until they have moved all of them. This activity is recommended for ages 3 to 5, and works indoors or out.
Simon Says
In this activity, one child plays the leader (Simon) and stands in front of the rest of the group. Simon instructs the other kids to do imitate his actions. Simon starts the instruction by saying "Simon says" and then the action; children must be wary for instructions delivered without the "Simon says" cue. This activity is recommended for all ages and can be done indoors or out.
Pass the Banana
In this activity, kids must pass a banana to each other only using their feet. Children should lie head to toe in a straight line and pass the banana with their feet over their heads to the next child. The last person in line is supposed to peel and eat the banana then run back to the start of the line. This activity is recommended for ages 10 and up and should be done outdoors.
Circle of Zig Zag Zop
Begin this activity with the kids sitting in a circle. One person says "zig" while looking at another person. That other person says "zag" while looking at another person. The third person says "zop" while looking at another person with arms extended. Only the child who says "zop" holds out his arms. If another child holds her arms out while saying "zig" or "zag," she is out and must leave the circle. This activity is recommended for all ages and can be played indoors or out.
Puzzle
For this activity, divide pieces of a puzzle among a group of kids, who must work together to finish the puzzle. This activity is recommended for ages 3 and up and should be played indoors.
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