3 Simple and Fun Team Bonding Activities to Kick Off the Year
- Mathieu Constantin
- 3 days ago
- 4 min read

“Do you run team bonding activities?”
At Dare to Care, we get asked all the time—especially at the start of each school year or sports season— “Do you run team bonding activities?” In our youth workshops and online modules, we weave in plenty of activities that help build trust, encourage empathy, and bring the group together. But we also know that coaches and teachers are always looking for simple activities they can run themselves.
Here are three easy, engaging, and meaningful team bonding activities that anyone can facilitate. They require minimal setup/equipment, spark plenty of laughter, and best of all—they teach valuable lessons about communication, collaboration, and resilience.
Before we get to the activities, let’s quickly explore why team bonding matters, how we can make it inclusive, and tips to help you debrief these activities with your teams and classes..
Before we get to the activities, let’s quickly explore why team bonding matters, how we can make it inclusive, and tips to help you debrief these activities with your teams and classes.
Why Team Bonding Matters
For many, the start of a new sports season or school year can be overwhelming. New teammates, classmates, coaches, teachers, and routines create a mix of excitement and nerves. Intentional bonding early on helps to:
Break the ice and reduce social anxiety.
Encourages us to see each other as teammates/friends rather than competitors.
Builds trust and a sense of belonging, which translates to better performance and more fun.
Builds resilience, creative-thinking, teamwork, and communication skills by working through challenges as a group.
And let’s be honest—teams that enjoy spending time together off the field, rink, or court usually perform better when the pressure is on.
Don’t Forget the Debrief
No matter which activity you try, the real magic happens afterward when you discuss what the activity taught your class/team about teamwork, communication, and themselves. Always conclude your team bonding activity with a quick debrief. This step helps to link the activity to real-life teamwork and communication skills.
Here are some simple reflection questions that will prompt a discussion:
What worked well for your group?
What challenges did your group face?
What helped you overcome these challenges?
How do these lessons connect to how we want to work together this season, or how to work well in a team environment?
Activity 1: The Balloon Tower
This is a classic, hands-on challenge that’s guaranteed to get your team laughing and strategizing together.
Materials:
Balloons (approximately 30 for each group - I usually just do 1 pack/group)
Tape (one role per group)
How it Works:
Divide athletes/students into small groups (approximately 5-6 athletes/group).
Give each team a stack of deflated balloons and a roll of tape.
Each group is working to build the tallest, free-standing balloon tower possible in 15 minutes.
The tower must stand on its own for at least one full minute.
Give extra challenges to make the activity even more fun! These little rule changes test creativity, adaptability, and communication skills under pressure.
Have a period where only one person can touch the balloons
Have a period where each group members can only use one hand
Have a period where no talking is allowed
What it Teaches:
The Balloon Tower encourages problem-solving, resource management, and teamwork. Players quickly realize that no one person can win the challenge alone—everyone’s input matters. Remember that some individuals may feel uncomfortable around popping balloons, so keep sensitivity in mind.
Activity 2: The Tower of Terror
This one’s less noisy but just as effective—and it pushes players to think outside the box. We suggest having groups of 5-6 members. Walk around as groups work, but resist the urge to help them if they get stuck. The best learning moments come when groups get frustrated and are forced to regroup, problem-solve, and figure it out on their own.
Materials: (each group will need the following items)
6 paper cups or Red Solo cups
1 rubber band (have some spares in case they break)
A piece of string for each member in the group (all different length)
How it works:
Each player ties their piece of string to the rubber band.
Working together, groups must use the strings and rubber band to pick up and move cups—without touching the cups with their hands.
Groups are working to stack the cups into a pyramid (3 on the bottom, 2 in the middle, 1 on top) within 10 minutes.
Feel free to play a few rounds of the activity and get creative with the structure that groups are working to build!
What it Teaches:
This Tower of Terror gets groups to practice patience, problem-solving, communication, and coordination. It’s almost impossible to succeed without listening carefully to each group member and adjusting strategies together.
Activity 3: Volunteering as a Group
Not all bonding has to be games or competitions. Sometimes the most meaningful connections happen when teams step outside of themselves and give back to their community.
How it Works:
Sport Teams: Choose a local charity, community group, or non-profit cause together as a team and dedicate a day (or even just an afternoon) to volunteer as a group. (Examples: Serving meals, cleaning up a park, packing donation boxes, helping at a community event)
School Groups: Brainstorm a way to volunteer and give back to the school community. (Examples: Schoolground clean-up, reading to a younger grade/class, organizing a fundraiser)
What it Teaches:
Volunteering as a group does more than just strengthen bonds—it offers perspective. We see our peers in a different light, working side-by-side toward something bigger than themselves. Volunteering builds empathy, humility, and gratitude—qualities that carry over into sport and life.
Bonding Beyond the Activity
Team bonding doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. With just a few supplies, a little creativity, and a willingness to laugh, you can create some great learning opportunities.
At Dare to Care, we’re passionate about helping leaders start the year on the right foot. Our programs go beyond games. We create safe spaces for everyone to learn about respect, compassion, and bullying prevention—while having fun along the way.
So, as you gear up for the year ahead, try one (or all) of these activities. And if you’re looking for something deeper, consider bringing Dare to Care in to kick things off. Together, let’s make sure you're building strong, safe, and supportive environments where every member of your community can thrive.
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