Team building activities for teachers are more than just enjoyable ways to spend time—they’re vital for strengthening collaboration, enhancing communication, and cultivating a supportive school culture. When educators connect and work well together, it creates a ripple effect that improves the overall learning environment for students.
These activities also serve as a great way to relieve stress, reignite passion for teaching, and promote professional growth. Let’s dive into why team building matters in education and explore meaningful activities to inspire a more united teaching team.
Why are team building activities for teachers important?
Teaching is a rewarding profession, but it can also be demanding. Long hours, diverse student needs, and ever-changing curriculum can take a toll.
That’s why fostering a strong, supportive community among your school staff is crucial. When teachers feel connected, understood, and appreciated by their colleagues, morale improves, collaboration flourishes, and the entire school environment benefits.
One of the best ways to build this strong foundation is through engaging team building activities. These activities provide opportunities for teachers to connect on a personal level, practice communication skills, and solve problems together.
20 team building activities for teachers
Ready to boost morale and strengthen the bonds among your educators? Here are multiple fun and effective team building activities for teachers, complete with definitions, materials, and how-to instructions.
1. Two truths and a lie
A classic icebreaker where participants share three “facts” about themselves, two true and one false, and the group guesses which is the lie.
Materials:
- None needed, or small note cards/pens if preferred.
How To Do:
- Each person thinks of two true statements and one false statement about themselves.
- Go around the circle or room, with each person sharing their three statements.
- After each person shares, the rest of the group votes on which statement they believe is the lie.
- The person reveals the lie.
2. Human knot
A physical activity that requires communication and problem-solving to untangle a group of people linked by their hands.
Materials:
- Open space.
How To Do:
- Have participants stand in a circle, shoulder to shoulder.
- Instruct everyone to reach across the circle with their right hand and grab the hand of someone across from them.
- Then, have everyone reach across with their left hand and grab the hand of a different person across from them.
- The group must now work together, without letting go of hands, to untangle themselves into a single circle.
3. Blind Drawing
A communication exercise where one person describes an image while their partner tries to draw it without seeing the original.
Materials:
- Paper
- Pens/pencils
- Simple images (geometric shapes, simple objects).
How To Do:
- Divide teachers into pairs.
- One person in each pair (the “describer”) is given an image. Their partner (the “artist”) has paper and pen.
- The describer sits back-to-back with the artist so the artist cannot see the image.
- The describer describes the image to the artist, who attempts to draw it based solely on the description.
- After a set time (e.g., 5-10 minutes), compare the drawing to the original image. Discuss communication strategies.
4. Office Trivia
A fun game testing knowledge about the school, colleagues, or general trivia in a team setting is one of engaging team building activities highly effective for teachers.
Materials:
- Trivia questions
- Paper
- Pens
- Possibly a whiteboard or projector.
How To Do:
- Divide staff into teams.
- Prepare rounds of trivia questions (mix school-specific questions like “How many fire drills last year?” or “Which teacher coaches the chess club?” with general knowledge or fun facts about staff).
- Ask questions, give teams time to deliberate and write down answers.
- Score the rounds. The team with the most points wins bragging rights!
5. Marshmallow Challenge
Teams compete to build the tallest freestanding structure using limited materials, topped with a marshmallow. Focuses on collaboration, planning, and creativity.
Materials:
- Spaghetti sticks (uncooked)
- Masking tape
- String
- One marshmallow per team.
How To Do:
- Divide staff into small teams (3-5 people).
- Give each team their materials.
- Instruct teams to build the tallest possible freestanding structure that can support the marshmallow on top within a set time limit (e.g., 15-20 minutes).
- After time is up, measure the height of the structures.
6. Staff Appreciation Wall
A simple, ongoing activity where staff can publicly leave positive notes and shout-outs for their colleagues.
Materials:
- Large paper or whiteboard
- Markers
- Sticky notes.
How To Do:
- Designate a visible area in the staff lounge or common area as the “Appreciation Wall.”
- Supply sticky notes and markers.
- Encourage staff to write notes of thanks, recognition, or positive comments for their colleagues and post them on the wall.
- Periodically read out some notes during a staff meeting (with permission).
7. Collaborative Playlist
Among creative team building activities, having teachers create a shared music playlist where each member contributes a song that motivates or represents them is a great idea for teachers.
Materials:
- A music streaming service (like Spotify, Apple Music, etc.) with collaborative playlist functionality.
How To Do:
- Create a new playlist on a shared music service account or make a collaborative playlist accessible to all staff.
- Invite staff to add one or two songs that they enjoy, find motivating, or that represent their personality or teaching style.
- Share the playlist link and enjoy the diverse mix of music during prep time, breaks, or even a casual staff gathering.
8. Desert Island Survival
A problem-solving scenario where teams must prioritize a list of items needed for survival after being stranded on a desert island. Reveals different perspectives and promotes discussion.
Materials:
- Prepared list of items (e.g., matches, rope, food, water, mirror, etc.)
- Paper
- Pens.
How To Do:
- Divide staff into teams.
- Present the scenario: “You are stranded on a desert island. You have this list of 15 items. Rank them in order of importance for survival (1=most important, 15=least important).”
- Give teams time to discuss and agree on their ranking.
- Afterward, compare team rankings, discuss their reasoning, and perhaps compare to an expert’s ranking if available.
9. Staff Potluck Lunch
A simple, informal way to connect over food where everyone brings a dish to share.
Materials:
- Sign-up sheet (to avoid duplicate dishes)
- Tablespace
- Plates
- Cutlery.
How To Do:
- Schedule a date and time for the potluck (e.g., during a longer lunch break or a half-day).
- Set up a sign-up sheet for main dishes, sides, salads, desserts, and drinks to ensure variety.
- Provide space for setting up the food.
- Enjoy a relaxed meal together, chatting and getting to know each other better outside of work topics.
10. Office Bingo
A fun icebreaker game using bingo cards filled with personality traits or facts that staff members might possess.
Materials:
- Bingo cards with squares like “Find someone who speaks more than two languages,” “Find someone who has taught for over 10 years,” “Find someone who grew up in a different state,” etc.,
- Pens.
How To Do:
- Create bingo cards with different “find someone who…” prompts in each square. Ensure the prompts are school-appropriate and sensitive.
- Give each staff member a card and a pen.
- Instruct them to mingle and find colleagues who fit the description in each square. When they find someone, they get that person’s signature in the square.
- The first person to get a line (or a full card) and verify the signatures wins a small prize.
11. Collaborative Storytelling
A creative exercise where a group of people build a story together, each person adding a sentence or paragraph.
Materials:
- None, or a pen and paper/whiteboard to keep track.
How To Do:
- Gather staff in a circle or around a table.
- Start a story with a sentence or two (e.g., “Once upon a time, in a school unlike any other, the coffee machine suddenly started making…”).
- Go around the group, with each person adding the next sentence or phrase to continue the story.
- Continue until the story reaches a natural conclusion or time runs out.
12. Book Club
A relaxed way for staff to connect over shared interests by reading and discussing a book together.
Materials:
- Chosen book
- A comfortable meeting space.
How To Do:
- Gauge interest among staff for starting a book club.
- Select a book (perhaps one related to education, a popular novel, or a well-being topic).
- Schedule regular meetings (e.g., monthly) to discuss chapters or the whole book.
- Keep it informal and enjoyable, allowing for both book discussion and general conversation.
13. Minute to Win It Challenges (Adapted)
Short, fun, and often silly challenges using simple materials, completed individually or in teams within one minute.
Materials:
- Various household items depending on the challenge (e.g., plastic cups, cotton balls, straws, cookies, etc.).
How To Do:
- Select a few “Minute to Win It” style challenges that are safe and appropriate for a school setting. Examples: stacking cups using only one hand, moving cotton balls with a straw, moving cookies from forehead to mouth without using hands.
- Gather staff in an open area.
- Explain each challenge and demonstrate if necessary.
- Have individuals or small teams compete head-to-head or against the clock.
14. Blindfolded Obstacle Course
A trust and communication exercise where one person is blindfolded and guided through a simple obstacle course by a partner using only verbal instructions.
Materials:
- Blindfolds
- Various soft objects to create a simple
- Safe obstacle course (e.g., cones, pillows, ropes laid on the floor).
How To Do:
- Set up a safe, simple obstacle course in an open area.
- Divide staff into pairs.
- One person in each pair is blindfolded. Their partner stands at the start of the course.
- The sighted partner gives verbal instructions to guide the blindfolded person through the course from start to finish without touching them.
- Switch roles and repeat.
15. Staff Talent Show (Low-Key)
Among the many engaging team building activities, providing an informal opportunity for staff to share a hidden talent, hobby, or skill in a supportive environment is a great option for teachers.
Materials:
- Space (staff lounge, auditorium stage if available),
- Maybe simple props or music setup.
How To Do:
- Gauge interest in a low-pressure talent show.
- Invite staff to sign up to share something (play an instrument, sing, tell jokes, show artwork, demonstrate a craft, share a funny story, etc.). Emphasize it’s just for fun.
- Schedule a time (e.g., after school on a Friday).
- Provide a supportive audience for colleagues to share their non-teaching talents.
16. Group Story Chain Drawing
A creative activity where participants contribute to a drawing or comic strip sequentially.
Materials:
- Long roll of paper or several pieces taped together
- Markers/crayons.
How To Do:
- Lay out the paper on a table or the floor.
- The first person starts drawing a scene or a character.
- After a few minutes, they stop and the next person continues the drawing, adding to the scene or starting a new panel next to it, picking up where the previous person left off.
- Continue around the group, building a collaborative visual story.
17. “Who Am I?” (Famous Person)
A simple guessing game where participants have the name of a famous person or character stuck to their back/forehead and must ask yes/no questions to figure out who they are.
Materials:
- Sticky notes or paper and tape
- Pens
- List of famous people/characters.
How To Do:
- Write the name of a famous person, character, or historical figure on a sticky note for each participant.
- Stick the note to each person’s back or forehead without them seeing it.
- Participants mingle and ask yes/no questions to others (e.g., “Am I alive?”, “Am I a musician?”, “Have I been in a movie?”).
- They continue asking questions until they guess who they are.
18. Staff Photo Challenge
Teams complete challenges by taking photos of specific things or people around the school.
Materials:
- Smartphones with cameras
- List of photo challenges.
How To Do:
- Divide staff into small teams.
- Create a list of photo challenges (e.g., “Take a photo with the principal,” “Find the oldest book in the library and photograph it,” “Take a photo of something yellow on every floor,” “Get a selfie with a member of the custodial staff”). Ensure challenges are respectful and don’t disrupt classes.
- Give teams the list and a time limit (e.g., 30-45 minutes).
- Teams submit their photos. Award points for completing challenges. Share the photos afterward for fun.
19. Collaborative Jigsaw Puzzle
Staff work together over time to complete a large jigsaw puzzle, placed in a common area.
Materials:
- Large jigsaw puzzle (500+ pieces)
- Table in a common staff area.
How To Do:
- Set up a table in the staff lounge or another accessible common area.
- Place the jigsaw puzzle pieces on the table.
- Invite staff to work on the puzzle whenever they have a few spare minutes throughout the day or week.
- The completed puzzle serves as a visual representation of working together towards a common goal.
20. “Build the Tallest Tower” (Newspaper & Tape)
Teams compete to build the tallest freestanding structure using only newspaper and tape. Similar to the Marshmallow Challenge, but with different materials.
Materials:
- Newspapers
- Masking tape.
How To Do:
- Divide staff into teams.
- Give each team a stack of newspapers and a roll of tape.
- Instruct teams to build the tallest possible freestanding tower within a set time limit (e.g., 15-20 minutes).
- Measure the height of the towers.
Final thoughts
These team building activities for teachers offer a variety of ways to strengthen connections, improve communication, and simply inject some fun into the school day. Investing time in building a strong staff team is investing in a more positive, collaborative, and effective school environment for everyone – teachers and students alike. Try incorporating a few of these ideas into your next staff meeting, professional development day, or even just a casual break time!
Looking for more ways to build collaboration in your classroom? Explore our full list of team-building activities for kids!
