Examples of Team Building Exercises

A team building exercise for 8-16 people lasting 30-60 minutes:

Purple Rain was originally developed for a team leadership programme in 1994. It involves two teams crossing the same marked area of ground in opposite directions using simple apparatus. En route are several “fence” obstacles and a central web. The challenge is for the whole team to cross the finish line with at least five litres of purple water. This exercise requires a clear overview, team planning, effective communication, appropriate designation of team roles and effective leadership and support against tight time-deadlines. A facilitated review of team performance might focus on any of these aspects.

Team Juggle engages the team (up to 120) in a pro-active process of passing juggling balls between team members, whereby the thrower takes responsibility for the success of the catcher. After a little practice, the team is challenged to complete the team pass against the clock, then to generate ideas, plan and implement a process of speeding up the team pass in half the time. We might use this team building exercise to promote an understanding of team culture versus effective group work.