Getting students to work together isn’t always easy. One’s rushing ahead, another’s quietly stuck, and someone’s always just… watching. But the right team building exercises for students can turn that chaos into collaboration – and even a bit of fun.
Whether you’re a teacher planning group work, a youth worker organising an off-site day, or running a short term hire setup for school events, engaging students in teamwork is key to helping them grow communication skills, empathy, and leadership. And no, it doesn’t have to be awkward icebreakers or cringe group presentations.
These five teamwork exercises for students are designed to get them thinking, moving, and working as a real team. From indoor classrooms to outdoor fields, there’s something here for every setting.
Before we dive in, let’s be clear: teamwork is about more than just “getting along”. It teaches accountability, active listening, creative problem-solving and resilience. In a world where group projects, workplace collaboration and digital communication are everyday skills, starting young makes a massive difference.
That’s where team building exercises for students come in – they offer safe, low-pressure ways to develop these skills through fun and structure.
Let’s explore five of the best.
A classic but still one of the best. Give each small group 20 sticks of spaghetti, a metre of tape, some string, and one marshmallow. The challenge? Build the tallest freestanding structure that can support the marshmallow on top – in just 15 minutes.
This is one of the most effective team building tasks for the classroom because it demands communication, planning, trial and error, and lots of laughs. You’ll see natural leaders emerge and learn who’s great at thinking under pressure.
Tip: Use hire tables to separate groups and give everyone their own space to work if you’re setting this up at an event or school fair.
Here’s a twist on the usual group puzzle. Divide students into teams and give each a small jigsaw puzzle – but remove a few pieces from each and mix them into other teams’ puzzles. The goal? They must communicate with other groups to find and negotiate for the pieces they need.
This is one of those team building exercises for students that really hones in on collaboration beyond their own circle – great for breaking down classroom cliques or encouraging year groups to mix.
Want to scale it up for a larger event? Rent outdoor furniture or classroom-style layouts to give each group a defined space to work from.
This activity is fantastic for younger students learning how to listen and follow instructions. Blindfold one member of the team, then have the others guide them (using only their voice) to pick up and place objects in a specific shape or sequence.
The focus is on trust, communication, and thinking clearly under pressure. It’s easy to set up in a classroom, gym, or outdoor playground, making it one of the most flexible team building tasks for students.
Need safe zones and boundaries? Set up cones, tape markers, or rope barriers – available through short term event hire for schools or youth centres.
Give students a scenario – stranded on an island, lost in the desert, or escaping a zombie apocalypse. Present them with a list of 15 items and tell them they can only keep five. The twist? They must agree as a team which ones to keep, and why.
This task builds critical thinking, negotiation, and empathy – especially when students have different ideas or values.
This activity is brilliant for secondary school students and can be used as a warm-up to more structured team building games for students or discussion-led lessons.
Simple to set up and brilliant for breaking the ice. Students stand in a circle, reach across to grab two other people’s hands at random, then work together to untangle the “knot” without letting go.
It’s hands-on, full of laughs, and perfect for small groups. As far as teamwork exercises for students go, this one builds trust fast – and gets everyone talking.
If you’re running a student welcome day, summer school, or even an off-site learning camp, it’s a great way to get students from different backgrounds or year groups to bond quickly.
Even the best team building exercises for students need a bit of structure around them to really work. If you’re running a larger activity day, don’t overlook the importance of comfort, layout, and having enough gear to go around.
At Event Hire UK, we work with schools and educational organisations all over the country to provide short term and one-off hire solutions for:
Whether you’re running a full day of team building tasks for the classroom, a sports field challenge, or a sixth form development day, we’ve got your back.
Teamwork doesn’t just happen – it needs practice, structure, and a few well-placed marshmallows. These five team building exercises for students help young people develop the kind of collaboration skills that’ll serve them in school, university, and far beyond.
So whether you’re planning a simple classroom activity or a full-scale student development day, try one (or more!) of these exercises – and give your students a reason to connect, communicate and grow.
And when it comes to planning the space, the equipment or even the atmosphere to support these activities? You already know – Event Hire UK is here to help you set the stage.
