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Team Building Activities for Teens

Group and Classroom Games to Promote Communication Skills

© Susan Carney

Oct 26, 2007
Linked Hands, Julia Freeman Wolpert
Games are a great way to help groups of teens learn skills for working together. Skills can be learning and practiced in a fun, non-threatening way.

Try some of these ideas to promote teamwork in your kids while having fun.

Building Blind

Students work in pairs or triads. One student is designated as the “leader”, the other students are the “builders”. The leader has visual access to a simple structure (made of Legos, tinker toys, or similar items), but the builders do not. Each group also has a box of building materials identical to those used to make the hidden structure.

The task is for the team to duplicate this structure under two conditions: the builders cannot see the original structure, and the leader cannot touch the original structure or any of the building materials. The leader must direct his teammates using verbal cues only. This forces the leader to be precise in the directions he gives and forces the builders to use listening skills and follow instructions exactly. A great game for helping kids learn how to work together.

Back Drawing

This game is played in pairs. One student is the “artist” and sits behind their partner. The artist is given a short list of simple items and shapes (i.e. heart, star, face, etc.) that she will then use her finger to trace one at a time onto her partners back. The object is for the partner to identify as many of the shapes as possible. Each drawing can be repeated only one time. This activity forces kids to pay careful attention and use visualization skills.

Blind Obstacle Course

Set up a simple obstacle course that involves items to walk around, step over, and duck under. Students work in pairs. One member of each team is blindfolded and must rely on their partner to direct them through the course. Leaders must give clear, specific directions, and followers must rely solely on their listening skills to gather information about how to navigate the course. Another great activity for promoting teamwork.

Directions, Directions

Students work in groups of 4-6. One person starts, identifying and performing a small task (i.e. “Clap hands three times”). The next person repeats and performs the same tasks, then adds on one of their own (i.e. “Clap hands three time, stick out tongue”). Play continues around the group, with each person performing and adding a new task to the mix. Students who cannot complete the sequence correctly are out until the next round. This game requires students to follow directions, focus, listen carefully, and utilize memory skills.

You may also be interested in Team-Building Games for Teens and Kids and Group and Classroom Icebreakers for more activities like these.


The copyright of the article Team Building Activities for Teens in Youth Activities is owned by Susan Carney. Permission to republish Team Building Activities for Teens in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.


Linked Hands, Julia Freeman Wolpert
Linked Hands, Julia Freeman Wolpert
     


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Comments
Jun 6, 2008 11:01 AM
Terence P Ward :
I am going to be organizing some games and activities for a group of teens and young-hearted adults, and I will be drawing heavily upon this article. Thank you!
Jun 6, 2008 11:28 AM
Guest :
WHAT GREAT IDEAS TO ASSIST TEENS IN LEARNING TO COMMUNICATE AND MOST IMPORTANTLY TO LISTEN TO ONE ANOTHER. GOOD STUFF! THANK YOU!
Aug 27, 2008 11:38 AM
Guest :
These are great. I also recomend getting "Group Exercises for Enhancing Social Sckills and Self-Esteem, Vol. I & II" Professional Resource Press. Very effective and creative for teens.
Sep 2, 2008 12:01 PM
Guest :
Thanks for the resources. I will definitely be using these activities in my class. I believe my students will greatly enjoy it.
Nov 3, 2008 5:10 AM
Guest :
Thanks to this article that i found games to train my juniors !! thank you so much and i think i shall be depending heavily on these articles !!
Nov 21, 2008 12:38 PM
Guest :
I am a youth worker in a center that works woth disengaged at risk teenagers. Lat week we used the Blind obstacle course activity with them. They really enjoyed. Thanks for an excellent idea.
Feb 21, 2009 8:17 AM
Guest :
I really got inspired by these great activiteis. I am starting a youth conversation and activity group and will like to draw from these activities. Thank you.
Valentina
Mar 3, 2009 5:04 AM
Guest :
I will try out some of the games and activities suggested in the team building camp scheduled next week. Hopefully it will turn out successfully.Thank for the ideas.It comes in handy as i really need something to inspire my students.
Mar 24, 2009 12:17 PM
Guest :
These activities worked really well with my students--teens as well as adults! What is great about these ideas is that you can endlessly improvize on them. Thanks a lot.
9 Comments