A simple and fun co-op game that enhances teamwork
Are you looking for teamwork games that bring smiles to everyone in a gym or event hall? Games that sometimes call for coordination with teammates and other times let you enjoy a sense of unity are essential for strengthening the bonds within an organization.
In this feature, we’ll introduce cooperative indoor games that anyone can join with ease.
These games have simple rules but offer full participation, new discoveries, and a real sense of achievement.
Try them out to help create a positive atmosphere for your group!
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Effective team-building games (1–10)
Who am I?
This game is about guessers figuring out who the questioner is by asking questions.
The questions must be ones that can be answered with “yes” or “no.” The rules are simple, but because you need to ask many questions to arrive at an answer, conversation naturally springs up among the members.
You also have to listen to the questions other players ask and infer their intent, so by the time you’ve played a few rounds, everyone should feel more at ease with each other.
Another plus is that you can adjust the difficulty based on the prompts, making it enjoyable for participants of a wide range of ages.
Birthday chain
Many people find it difficult to talk with someone they’re meeting for the first time or with people they don’t know well, and aren’t sure what to say.
Birthday Chain is a game that even those people can join without pressure.
From January 1 to December 31, everyone lines up in order from the earliest date—without talking—by using their hands to indicate their own birthday and finding their place in the line.
This makes it easy for shy people to participate.
Once everyone is lined up, we sing “Happy Birthday” to each month’s group.
Knowing each other’s birthdays often helps spark more conversation.
Don’t Overlap Game
I also recommend the “Don’t Overlap!” game, which requires teamwork.
In this game, multiple people answer a single prompt, and if any answers overlap, you fail.
For example, if the prompt is “Characters from the Sazae-san family,” you’d fail if multiple people answer “Katsuo.” On the other hand, if everyone gives different names like “Katsuo,” “Sazae,” and “Wakame,” you succeed.
Just make sure your answers still fit the prompt—keep that in mind as you play.
Creating a happy city
It’s a game where everyone cooperates to build a city.
First, you share the information on the cards you’ve been dealt, and if anything needs to be exchanged, you start negotiating to make the trade.
In the end, the team that cooperates most effectively earns the highest score.
Through this game, you’re likely to notice teammates who have strengths you don’t, and to feel a sense of gratitude as well.
Games Effective for Team Building (11–20)
Speaking of 〇〇, games
This is a game that tests team strength and is great for after-parties or year-end gatherings.
Teams compete to see how quickly they can match answers to a simple prompt like “When you think of 〇〇…?” For example: “When you think of animals popular with kids,” “When you think of mom’s home cooking,” or “When you think of fruit.” You can enjoy the game while predicting what answers your teammates will choose! With large groups, the answers might never line up, so a team size of 2 to 5 is recommended.
Whose Voice Game
Form teams of several people, and have the representative team come to the front.
One person will speak, and the other teams should listen with their eyes closed.
It’s a game where you guess whose voice it is.
If the whole team guesses correctly, they earn 1 point! Repeat this, and the team with the most points at the end wins.
The speaking team should try to disguise who it is by changing their voice or doing impressions.
Prepare slips of paper or mini whiteboards for everyone to write their guesses.
You can also play it as an individual competition.
Trust Game
To improve teamwork, isn’t it important to first build mutual trust? This game involves throwing your body toward others, trusting that they will definitely catch you.
Both the catchers and the person being caught can build greater trust by communicating with each other and being considerate so everyone feels more relaxed.