Small work teams need well-thought-out group dynamics to perform effectively, making team cohesion and unity critical factors to consider.
According to Gitnux, small groups with encouraged team communication are 21% more productive than those without sufficient communication skills.
Today, we will explore 10 different team building activities for small groups that will help build community among group members, boost team spirit, and enhance performance naturally.
3 Benefits of Team Building Games for Small Groups
Engaging in team-building activities implies more than just choosing a fun game to play together.
Team-building events offer many benefits for small groups, including the following:
- Different studies by Small Group Research have proven that team building has positive effects on teams of all sizes, and small groups are no exception.
- Small businesses worldwide recognize the importance of fun team games to boost employee morale and create more cohesive teams. A report by Gusto revealed that around 66% of small businesses take time to celebrate activities with their small teams, such as team outings, birthday celebrations, and more.
- Gallup's latest Employee Engagement Survey found that team members from larger companies can feel less engaged than employees in small groups. Therefore, it tends to be easier and more effective to foster team engagement and boost a positive culture if the group is smaller.
How to Successfully Choose Team Building Activities for Small Groups
Before selecting events and activities for your small team, it's crucial to consider various factors.
Normally, choosing team-building activities for large groups implies investing more money and having access to a wider variety of games and events.
For small group team-building games, you can find activities that work well for smaller teams by thinking about three things:
- Understand Your Team's Needs and Goals: Start by assessing the current dynamics and needs of your team. Are there specific challenges or areas that need improvement, such as communication, conflict resolution, collaboration or problem-solving skills? Identify the goals you want to achieve through the team-building activities.
- Select Activities Aligned with Objectives: Once you have a clear understanding of your team's needs and goals, choose activities that align with these objectives. For example, if communication is a challenge, opt for activities that encourage effective verbal and non-verbal communication. If problem-solving is a focus, choose activities that involve critical thinking and collaboration to solve challenges and work together toward a common goal.
- Consider Practical Logistics for Remote and In-Person Teams: Keep the size of your group in mind when selecting activities, and consider whether your team is primarily remote, in-person, or a mix of both (hybrid). Ensure that the chosen activities are suitable and can be effectively executed in the chosen format and time limit based on the specific needs.
10 Best Team Building Activities for Small Groups
Now that we understand the benefits, advantages, and factors to consider regarding small group team-building activities, let's pick one.
Check out the top 10 team-building events that will foster great dynamics among small-sized teams (remote, hybrid, and in-person).
1. Small Team Outing
Instead of opting for indoor team building activities, why don't we go out and explore the world that surrounds us?
There are lots of outdoor activities that can be experienced alongside your small team, including a visit to a local park and exploring restaurants near your office.
Going on a simple yet impactful in-person event improves team bonding and helps people break the routine by doing something different yet familiar.
If you're struggling to find small outdoor activities for your employees, give Teamland's Silly Games a try. Explore the outdoors while fostering team collaboration as a united team, and witness how stronger bonds are created in a natural way.
- Activity Duration: From 30 minutes to 1.5 hours.
- Best for: In-office teams.
2. Instant Artist
Becoming an artist has never been easier, thanks to Teamland's Instant Artist. For this activity, gather around 10 team members eager to showcase their creative skills.
Even if some team members don't know much about art, a professional artist will guide them in creating their unique masterpiece in just one or two hours.
Small groups will collaborate to produce an artwork proudly displayed in the office, creating a lasting memory of this engaging activity.
Instant Artist is one of the most engaging activities for small teams, boosting team morale and fostering appreciation among employees.
- Activity Duration: From 1 to 2 hours.
- Best for: In-office teams.
3. Coffee Masterclass
Who doesn't love the aroma of freshly made coffee? While many of us enjoy coffee in the office for a quick energy boost, not everyone knows how to make a good cup.
Enter Teamland's Coffee Masterclass, an educational activity where small teams get all the materials needed to start making delicious coffee. A professional barista imparts freshly learned skills, making it a delightful experience.
The best part? This activity is ideal for smaller teams. Whether participating in person or remotely, small groups can engage in the workshop, making it perfect for hybrid teams.
Learning a new crafty skill is a great way to increase engagement and keep the team tightly knit to overcome professional challenges ahead.
- Activity Duration: 1 hour.
- Best for: Hybrid teams.
4. Show and Tell
"Show and Tell" is a classic team-building game that involves choosing a category, like pets or hobbies, and showing your teammates while sharing information about it.
This 5-minute activity is perfect for small groups, as it quickly helps team members break the ice and learn more about the passions and personal lives of their coworkers.
Whether in an office or remotely, the activity's versatility adds a touch of fun. Despite its simplicity, "Show and Tell" is a proven classic that enhances team unity and contributes to building a better company culture.
- Activity Duration: From 5 to 30 minutes.
- Best for: In-office and remote teams.
5. Marble Run (Chain Reaction)
Unleash your inner Rube Goldberg and embark on an exciting team challenge with Teamland's Marble Run.
This activity involves constructing elaborate chain-reaction machines using everyday items like strings, dominoes, and sticks.
Teams collaborate to create intricate setups, linking each apparatus to its predecessor and successor. As the chain reactions unfurl, teams witness the fruits of their labor, combining creativity and problem-solving skills to achieve a common goal.
Once the final reaction concludes, prizes are awarded to teams in various categories, celebrating their ingenuity and teamwork.
Marble Run offers a delightful balance of simplicity and complexity, making it a thrilling team-building experience that fosters collaboration, communication, and a shared sense of accomplishment.
- Activity Duration: From 1 to 3 hours
- Best for: In-office and remote teams.
6. Never Have I Ever
"Never Have I Ever" is an engaging icebreaker game ideal for small groups where participants take turns sharing statements about things they have never done.
The statements often reveal unique experiences or preferences of team members. For instance, someone might say, "Never have I ever traveled to a foreign country."
Participants who have traveled abroad would then indicate by raising their hand, taking a sip of a drink or doing something else, creating opportunities for conversation and connection.
The game fosters a casual and fun environment, making it an effective way for small groups to learn more about each other and initiate discussions on various topics.
- Activity Duration: From 30 minutes to 1 hour.
- Best for: In-office and remote teams.
7. Office Olympics
It's time to host the Olympics, and you don't need 100 people - from 4 to 10 employees will do the trick just as well.
Teamland's Office Olympics is an activity where everyone becomes part of a ceremony showcasing skills in different areas. Teamland will transform your office into the best Olympic scenarios, complete with prizes for the winners.
Participate in various in-office activities, as competitive as you can imagine, and ignite the Olympic mindset in all team members.
This activity is perfectly suited for small groups, making it easier to set up games and clearly define the champions of the challenges.
- Activity Duration: From 1 to 3 hours.
- Best for: In-office teams.
8. Mini Golf Course Build
We all love playing some golf, but hitting the golf course can be a challenge for small teams. Teamland has solved this problem with Mini Golf Course Build, an activity where small groups actively build their own mini golf course together.
We'll provide the team with all the materials and knowledge needed to start building their golf courses from scratch, creating an invigorating activity that will stay in the minds of your workers forever.
Moreover, once the team has proudly built the golf course, the result of their creation can be donated to a local charity in need.
Mini Golf Course Build is not just a great experience to spend time together as a team; it's also a way to contribute to those in need and bring joy to the hearts of kids or local charities that will greatly appreciate the team's gesture.
- Activity Duration: 2 hours.
- Best for: In-office teams.
9. Quick Drawing Class
Drawing is one of the most inspirational and heartwarming activities, often overlooked during office hours.
Teamland's Drawing Class provides a great opportunity to explore the art of drawing in the workplace, fostering an environment of creativity and relaxation.
A professional will lead this workshop for small groups, teaching them how to master the art of drawing to create beautiful pieces that can be hung in their own office settings, whether remote or in-person.
Hybrid small teams can participate in this fantastic activity, combining their art into a drawing that will serve as a lasting memory of this class for years to come.
- Activity Duration: 1 hour.
- Best for: Hybrid teams.
10. Custom Small Team Building Event
Finding the perfect activity for your small team can be a challenge.
Some events are better suited for larger groups, and perhaps you only need one or two persons to participate in an event you really like.
These are all problems of the past, thanks to Teamland's custom team events - the ideal solution to create an unforgettable experience for your small group.
If you're worried that your team size isn't big enough for certain activities, just shoot us a message, and we'll make it work for you.
We understand the importance of improving communication and cohesion in small teams, whether it's 3 people or 10 people, we've got you completely covered.
- Activity Duration: From 30 minutes to 3 hours.
- Best for: All small group types.
Summary: Top 10 Fun Team Building Activities for Small Groups
Small groups benefit from team-building events just as much as big and medium-sized groups. Now, you have the tools to create a suitable work setting that encourages growth and development.
Here's a quick summary list of team-building activities for small teams to consider:
- Small Team Outing: Explore the outdoors with activities like visiting a local park or trying Teamland's Silly Games to enhance collaboration and foster stronger bonds among in-office teams.
- Office Olympics: Host a mini-Olympics for 4 to 10 employees with Teamland's Office Olympics, engaging small groups in competitive in-office activities and igniting an Olympic mindset among team members.
- Coffee Masterclass: Engage in an educational experience with Coffee Masterclass, where a professional barista teaches small groups the art of making delicious coffee, promoting skill development and team bonding for hybrid teams.
- Show and Tell: Break the ice in 5 minutes by having everyone share personal items or experiences related to a chosen category, fostering unity and contributing to a positive company culture for both in-office and remote teams.
- Virtual Escape Room: Collaborate as a group to escape a virtual room with Teamland's Virtual Escape Room, encouraging communication and leadership skills, particularly beneficial for hybrid teams.
- Never Have I Ever: Play the engaging icebreaker game where members reveal unique experiences or preferences by sharing statements about things they have never done, fostering a casual and fun environment for both in-office and remote teams.
- Instant Artist: Become an artist instantly with Instant Artist, where a professional guides small groups in creating a unique masterpiece, boosting team morale and fostering appreciation among in-office teams.
- Mini Golf Course Build: Actively build a mini golf course with Mini Golf Course Build, an invigorating in-office activity that not only promotes team bonding but also allows the team to donate their creation to a local charity.
- Quick Drawing Class: Experience the art of drawing with Teamland's Drawing Class, led by a professional artist, fostering creativity and relaxation for small, hybrid teams.
- Custom Small Team Building Event: Tailor a unique team-building event for your small group with Teamland's custom events, accommodating all small team types and ensuring an unforgettable experience tailored to your team's needs.
