Team-building strategies are special programs designed to build trust, boost morale, and enhance productivity in the workplace. Some proven techniques are the Elevated Raceway, Anything it Takes, Rocket Challenge, Bicycle Build Challenge, and more.
Want to know one harsh truth? No matter how unique your product is, if your team is not engaged, it can hurt your business! Studies show that disengaged employees cost the global economy approximately $7.8 trillion in lost productivity, which represents about 11% of the global GDP.
When employees lose interest in their work, they:
- Miss deadlines
- Produce lower-quality results
- Create a negative work environment
So, is there a way to keep the team motivated and performing at their best? Yes, there are several team-building strategies that can help you build a strong and productive team. Let’s check out the ten proven techniques for team building and employee engagement.
10 Team Building Activities for Employee Engagement in 2025
A recent study found that about 73% of employees are open to leaving their jobs if they find a better opportunity. This clearly shows that a large number of workers are looking for something more from their jobs, whether it’s better pay, growth opportunities, or a better work environment.
Thus, keeping them engaged and motivated is highly important for you. Below are ten team-building strategies you can practice:
1. Elevated Raceway
The Elevated Raceway is a hands-on team-building activity. In this team-building strategy, your employees work together to design and construct a racetrack using cardboard and basic materials.
Once the track is built, teams test their designs by racing remote-controlled cars. The success of this challenge depends on:
- Teamwork
- Creativity
- Problem-solving skills
This activity allows your teams to develop strong communication skills. Also, since the racetrack needs to be elevated, teams must use strategic thinking to ensure their structure is stable and functional.
By participating in this activity, employees improve their ability to work toward a shared goal. It also promotes collaboration, as team members must:
- Trust one another
and
- Distribute tasks based on their skills
2. Cardboard TRAIN-ing Express
The Cardboard TRAIN-ing Express is a creative team-building strategy in which teams build life-sized train models using only cardboard. The goal is not only to construct a visually impressive train but also to make it animated in some way (whether through movement or creative design).
This challenge encourages employees to think outside the box and improves:
- Teamwork
- Communication
- Critical thinking skills
Additionally, one of the biggest benefits of this activity is that it enhances problem-solving skills. Teams must figure out how to turn simple materials into a functional and visually appealing train. This requires strategic planning, as members need to:
- Assign roles
- Organise materials
- Ensure that their train is structurally sound
Since it is a group effort, participants also learn to express their ideas and listen to others.
3. Rocket Challenge
The Rocket Challenge is a fun and interactive team-building activity for employee engagement. In this activity, team members design and build rockets using everyday materials like soda bottles, tape, and office supplies. The main challenge is to launch a rocket that can carry a raw egg and land safely without breaking it.
This activity encourages employees to:
- Think creatively
and
- Come up with solutions to a unique problem
Since every team member must contribute ideas, it also strengthens communication. Aside from building problem-solving skills, this challenge improves employee morale. It does so by creating a sense of accomplishment when a team successfully launches a rocket and keeps the egg intact.
4. Cardboard Boat Build Challenge
It is an exciting team-building strategy where participants create boats using only cardboard, tape, and other simple materials. The goal is to design a boat that can float on water and, in some cases, even race.
This activity is a great way to strengthen teamwork because it requires employees to:
- Plan
- Design
- Build together
It also challenges employees to think outside the box, as they must figure out how to make a boat from fragile materials.
Additionally, this challenge builds trust among team members. Since each boat depends on careful construction and planning, employees must communicate clearly and support one another. Completing the challenge successfully gives teams a shared sense of achievement.
5. Domino Effect Challenge
The Domino Effect Challenge is a team-building strategy in which participants build intricate chain reactions. They do so by using simple materials like dominoes, marbles, and small objects. The goal is to design a system where each action triggers the next (leading to a successful reaction).
This challenge is great for team building and employee motivation. That’s because each participant is responsible for a different section of the chain. This means they must coordinate with others to make sure everything works. If one part fails, the whole structure may not work, so problem-solving is key.
Beyond teamwork, this activity teaches patience and attention to detail. Employees must think strategically and test different solutions. When the final setup works:
- It brings a strong sense of accomplishment
and
- Strengthens workplace relationships
6. Anything It Takes
Anything It Takes is a popular team-building strategy focused on community service. Employees participate in challenges to earn materials for charitable projects. These projects commonly include:
- Building playgrounds
- Helping seniors
- Creating useful items for local organisations
This activity allows your employees to feel connected to a larger purpose. When employees work toward a good cause, they feel a sense of pride in their contributions. This feeling carries over into their everyday work, which makes them more motivated and engaged.
7. Recognise and Reward Achievements
Employees feel valued when their hard work is noticed and appreciated. As a business owner when you recognise and reward achievements, it creates a positive work environment. Also, it motivates employees to keep performing at their best.
A study found that employees who feel included are nearly 5 times more likely to report increased productivity. But, how to recognise employees? Check out the table below:
| Formal recognition | Informal recognition |
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At the same time, it is also important to personalise recognition. When employees feel appreciated, they are more likely to stay committed to their work!
8. Promote Open Communication
As a business owner, you must strive to create an open work environment where employees can communicate clearly. This allows them to:
- Gain a 100% understanding of their tasks
and
- Avoid mistakes
A study shows that organisations that promote open communication experience a productivity boost of 20-25%. On the other hand, poor communication leads to:
- Confusion
- Misunderstandings
- Frustration among team members
One way to improve communication is by scheduling regular team meetings in which employees can:
- Discuss their progress
- Share any challenges
- Ask for help when needed
9. Authentic Leadership Workshop
You can organise this workshop to let your team leaders:
- Understand their strengths
and
- Improve their leadership skills
Usually, this workshop is structured with interactive sessions and activities. They teach participants how to lead with honesty, confidence, and emotional awareness. Some major benefits realised from this team-building strategy are:
- Your leaders develop self-awareness. They understand their own strengths and weaknesses.
- It teaches emotional intelligence (the ability to manage emotions in the workplace).
- Your leaders learn how to build trust within their teams.
Always remember that when employees trust their leaders, they feel more comfortable sharing ideas and asking for help.
10. Bicycle Build Challenge
The Bicycle Build Challenge is another team-building strategy in which your employees assemble bicycles for children in need. Participants must complete fun challenges to earn the tools and materials required for building the bikes.
This event again encourages teamwork because employees must collaborate to complete each step of the challenge. Additionally, participants must think critically and work through unexpected challenges (just like in a real work environment).
Since the event also involves donating bicycles to children, it gives employees a sense of purpose and fulfilment.
Team Building Can Be a Challenge! Let Atidiv Handle It For You.
Please realise that without motivation, your employees will struggle to meet deadlines and may even produce poor-quality work. Thus, you must regularly practice several team-building strategies to keep them engaged. Some proven team-building activities for employee engagement are:
- Rocket Challenge
- Domino Effect Challenge
- Bicycle Build Challenge
- Anything it Takes
Additionally, you must recognise employee achievements and promote open communication. This can significantly boost workplace morale and productivity.
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FAQs on Team Building Strategies.
1. Why is team building important for my small business?
Team building improves trust and collaboration among employees. Always remember that there are fewer conflicts in a strong team and higher productivity.
Also, when employees feel connected and engaged, they stay longer with you. This allows your business to grow without the constant struggle of hiring and training new staff.
2. How can I keep my employees engaged without spending too much?
You don’t need a huge budget for team building. Instead opt for simple team-building strategies, like:
- Recognition programs
- Open communication
- Problem-solving challenges
They can keep your employees motivated and engaged.
3. What are the biggest challenges in team building, and how do I overcome them?
Some of the biggest challenges are:
- Lack of participation
- Poor communication
- A casual attitude among employees
- Unclear goal
To resolve this, you must set clear expectations and make activities fun. Also, ensure that your company’s leadership supports the process. Generally, employees engage more in such activities when they see real benefits, like skill development and a positive work environment.
