16 Best Problem Solving Games, Activities & Exercises for the Workplace

Prepare these items before the activity begins so the session runs smoothly.

1. 1

   Form Teams

   Split participants into small teams and seat them at flat work surfaces with their building kit.

   5 min
2. 2

   Hand Out Materials

   Give each team 20 sticks of spaghetti, one yard of tape, one yard of string, and one marshmallow.

   5 min
3. 3

   Set the Clock

   Explain the 18-minute time limit and that the marshmallow must sit on top of a free-standing structure.

   5 min
4. 4

   Build and Iterate

   Teams sketch, test, and revise designs, learning quickly from collapses and tweaking the base for stability.

   5 min
5. 5

   Measure and Debrief

   Measure each tower from base to marshmallow, crown the winner, and debrief on design choices and teamwork.

   5 min

These outcomes should be reinforced during the debrief.

Use these prompts to convert the activity into workplace learning.

1. What did your team do first during Marshmallow Spaghetti Tower?
2. Which assumption turned out to be wrong?
3. How did communication affect the result?
4. Where did the team lose time or clarity?
5. What workplace situation feels similar to this activity?
6. What would you change if you ran the activity again?

Prepare these items before the activity begins so the session runs smoothly.

1. 1

   Form Teams

   Divide participants into teams of four to six and give each team a clear workspace.

   5 min
2. 2

   Distribute Kit

   Hand each team straws, tape, newspaper, rubber bands, plastic bags, and one raw egg.

   5 min
3. 3

   Design and Build

   Allow 30 minutes for teams to design and build a protective shell, encouraging quick prototypes and tests.

   5 min
4. 4

   Drop Test

   Drop each egg from a fixed height, such as 10 feet, and check for survival in front of the group.

   5 min
5. 5

   Debrief Designs

   Discuss which designs worked, why others failed, and how teams traded off speed, weight, and cushioning.

   5 min

These outcomes should be reinforced during the debrief.

Use these prompts to convert the activity into workplace learning.

1. What did your team do first during Egg Drop Challenge?
2. Which assumption turned out to be wrong?
3. How did communication affect the result?
4. Where did the team lose time or clarity?
5. What workplace situation feels similar to this activity?
6. What would you change if you ran the activity again?

Prepare these items before the activity begins so the session runs smoothly.

1. 1

   Build the Room

   Hide puzzles, props, and clues across the room and weave them into a clear theme and backstory.

   5 min
2. 2

   Brief the Teams

   Split into small teams and explain the goal of solving every puzzle and escaping within 60 minutes.

   5 min
3. 3

   Start the Timer

   Launch the countdown and let teams search, sort clues, and divide work across the puzzles.

   5 min
4. 4

   Offer Hints

   Provide measured hints when a team gets stuck so momentum holds without solving for them.

   5 min
5. 5

   Debrief the Run

   End on escape or time out, then debrief on strategy, role allocation, and use of individual strengths.

   5 min

These outcomes should be reinforced during the debrief.

Use these prompts to convert the activity into workplace learning.

1. What did your team do first during Escape Room?
2. Which assumption turned out to be wrong?
3. How did communication affect the result?
4. Where did the team lose time or clarity?
5. What workplace situation feels similar to this activity?
6. What would you change if you ran the activity again?

Prepare these items before the activity begins so the session runs smoothly.

1. 1

   Form the Circle

   Have everyone stand shoulder to shoulder in a tight circle facing inward.

   5 min
2. 2

   Cross Right Hands

   Each person extends a right hand and grabs the right hand of someone across the circle, not next to them.

   5 min
3. 3

   Cross Left Hands

   Repeat with the left hand, holding a different person's hand so the group is tangled.

   5 min
4. 4

   Untangle Together

   Start the timer. The group must untangle into a single circle without releasing any hand grips.

   5 min
5. 5

   Reflect and Debrief

   End on a clean circle or time out, then debrief on patience, leadership, and how plans emerged.

   5 min

These outcomes should be reinforced during the debrief.

Use these prompts to convert the activity into workplace learning.

1. What did your team do first during Human Knot?
2. Which assumption turned out to be wrong?
3. How did communication affect the result?
4. Where did the team lose time or clarity?
5. What workplace situation feels similar to this activity?
6. What would you change if you ran the activity again?

Prepare these items before the activity begins so the session runs smoothly.

1. 1

   Set the Scene

   Use tape or rope to mark a large open boundary where the whole team can comfortably stand together.

   5 min
2. 2

   Distribute the Clues

   Bring everyone inside the boundary so the activity begins with all participants standing comfortably together.

   5 min
3. 3

   Map Means & Motive

   Announce that the boundary will shrink every 2 to 3 minutes and that a whistle signals each reduction.

   5 min
4. 4

   Cross-Reference

   At each signal, reduce the boundary and let the team reposition, lift, or rearrange to keep everyone inside.

   5 min
5. 5

   Name the Suspect

   Stop when staying inside becomes impossible, then debrief on adaptability, communication, and the strategies used.

   5 min

These outcomes should be reinforced during the debrief.

Use these prompts to convert the activity into workplace learning.

1. What did your team do first during Clue Murder Mystery?
2. Which assumption turned out to be wrong?
3. How did communication affect the result?
4. Where did the team lose time or clarity?
5. What workplace situation feels similar to this activity?
6. What would you change if you ran the activity again?

Prepare these items before the activity begins so the session runs smoothly.

1. 1

   Define the Problem

   Use tape or rope to mark a large open boundary where the whole team can comfortably stand together.

   5 min
2. 2

   Inventory the Junk

   Bring everyone inside the boundary so the activity begins with all participants standing comfortably together.

   5 min
3. 3

   Prototype Fast

   Announce that the boundary will shrink every 2 to 3 minutes and that a whistle signals each reduction.

   5 min
4. 4

   Test the Build

   At each signal, reduce the boundary and let the team reposition, lift, or rearrange to keep everyone inside.

   5 min
5. 5

   Iterate the Fix

   Stop when staying inside becomes impossible, then debrief on adaptability, communication, and the strategies used.

   5 min

These outcomes should be reinforced during the debrief.

Use these prompts to convert the activity into workplace learning.

1. What did your team do first during MacGyver Challenge?
2. Which assumption turned out to be wrong?
3. How did communication affect the result?
4. Where did the team lose time or clarity?
5. What workplace situation feels similar to this activity?
6. What would you change if you ran the activity again?

Prepare these items before the activity begins so the session runs smoothly.

1. 1

   Set the Scenario

   Describe the deserted island scenario and the constraint that rescue will not arrive for several days.

   5 min
2. 2

   Share the Resource List

   Give each team the same list of hypothetical items, such as rope, tarp, matches, knife, and water.

   5 min
3. 3

   Prioritize and Plan

   Allow 30 minutes to rank resources, assign roles, and build a step by step survival plan for the first 72 hours.

   5 min
4. 4

   Present and Question

   Teams present their plans to the room and field tough questions from the other teams.

   5 min
5. 5

   Debrief Choices

   Debrief on prioritization, tradeoffs, and how the group handled disagreement under pressure.

   5 min

These outcomes should be reinforced during the debrief.

Use these prompts to convert the activity into workplace learning.

1. What did your team do first during Stranded?
2. Which assumption turned out to be wrong?
3. How did communication affect the result?
4. Where did the team lose time or clarity?
5. What workplace situation feels similar to this activity?
6. What would you change if you ran the activity again?

Prepare these items before the activity begins so the session runs smoothly.

1. 1

   Pre-Build the Model

   Build a small Lego structure in advance and keep it hidden from all participants.

   5 min
2. 2

   Form Teams

   Split into teams and give each team an identical set of Lego pieces matching the hidden model.

   5 min
3. 3

   Pick a Describer

   Select one person per team to view the model and describe it without using hands or showing it.

   5 min
4. 4

   Build From Words

   Start the timer. Builders work only from the describer's instructions while asking clarifying questions.

   5 min
5. 5

   Compare and Debrief

   Reveal the original, compare results, and debrief on language precision, listening, and feedback loops.

   5 min

These outcomes should be reinforced during the debrief.

Use these prompts to convert the activity into workplace learning.

1. What did your team do first during Legoman?
2. Which assumption turned out to be wrong?
3. How did communication affect the result?
4. Where did the team lose time or clarity?
5. What workplace situation feels similar to this activity?
6. What would you change if you ran the activity again?

Prepare these items before the activity begins so the session runs smoothly.

1. 1

   Form Teams

   Split into teams of five to seven and give each team a building kit of cardboard, tape, and blankets.

   5 min
2. 2

   Assign Frostbite

   Pick one teammate per group to have frostbite. They cannot use their hands for the rest of the task.

   5 min
3. 3

   Brief the Mission

   Explain that the shelter must hold every team member and survive a gentle shake test at the end.

   5 min
4. 4

   Build Under Pressure

   Start the timer. The frostbitten teammate leads through clear verbal instructions while others build.

   5 min
5. 5

   Test and Debrief

   Test each shelter for stability, then debrief on leadership under constraint and how roles emerged.

   5 min

These outcomes should be reinforced during the debrief.

Use these prompts to convert the activity into workplace learning.

1. What did your team do first during Frostbite?
2. Which assumption turned out to be wrong?
3. How did communication affect the result?
4. Where did the team lose time or clarity?
5. What workplace situation feels similar to this activity?
6. What would you change if you ran the activity again?

Prepare these items before the activity begins so the session runs smoothly.

1. 1

   Mark the Space

   Use tape or rope to mark a large open boundary where the whole team can comfortably stand together.

   5 min
2. 2

   Gather the Group

   Bring everyone inside the boundary so the activity begins with all participants standing comfortably together.

   5 min
3. 3

   Explain the Shrink Rule

   Announce that the boundary will shrink every 2 to 3 minutes and that a whistle signals each reduction.

   5 min
4. 4

   Shrink and Adapt

   At each signal, reduce the boundary and let the team reposition, lift, or rearrange to keep everyone inside.

   5 min
5. 5

   End and Debrief

   Stop when staying inside becomes impossible, then debrief on adaptability, communication, and the strategies used.

   5 min

These outcomes should be reinforced during the debrief.

Use these prompts to convert the activity into workplace learning.

1. What did your team do first during A Shrinking Vessel?
2. Which assumption turned out to be wrong?
3. How did communication affect the result?
4. Where did the team lose time or clarity?
5. What workplace situation feels similar to this activity?
6. What would you change if you ran the activity again?

Prepare these items before the activity begins so the session runs smoothly.

1. 1

   Brief the Hunt

   Use tape or rope to mark a large open boundary where the whole team can comfortably stand together.

   5 min
2. 2

   Decode the First Clue

   Bring everyone inside the boundary so the activity begins with all participants standing comfortably together.

   5 min
3. 3

   Use Digital Tools

   Announce that the boundary will shrink every 2 to 3 minutes and that a whistle signals each reduction.

   5 min
4. 4

   Submit Evidence

   At each signal, reduce the boundary and let the team reposition, lift, or rearrange to keep everyone inside.

   5 min
5. 5

   Reveal the Final Answer

   Stop when staying inside becomes impossible, then debrief on adaptability, communication, and the strategies used.

   5 min

These outcomes should be reinforced during the debrief.

Use these prompts to convert the activity into workplace learning.

1. What did your team do first during Digital Scavenger Hunt?
2. Which assumption turned out to be wrong?
3. How did communication affect the result?
4. Where did the team lose time or clarity?
5. What workplace situation feels similar to this activity?
6. What would you change if you ran the activity again?

Prepare these items before the activity begins so the session runs smoothly.

1. 1

   Clear the Space

   Choose a large open space, remove trip hazards, and lay out blindfolds for every team member.

   5 min
2. 2

   Assign Guides

   Split into teams and pick one guide per team. Only the guide stays sighted throughout the round.

   5 min
3. 3

   Blindfold the Builders

   Blindfold everyone except the guide and check that no one can see before the round starts.

   5 min
4. 4

   Form the Shape

   The guide directs the team to form a shape such as a square, triangle, or circle within 10 to 15 minutes.

   5 min
5. 5

   Unmask and Debrief

   Remove blindfolds, judge the shape, and debrief on instruction clarity, listening, and trust.

   5 min

These outcomes should be reinforced during the debrief.

Use these prompts to convert the activity into workplace learning.

1. What did your team do first during Blind Formation?
2. Which assumption turned out to be wrong?
3. How did communication affect the result?
4. Where did the team lose time or clarity?
5. What workplace situation feels similar to this activity?
6. What would you change if you ran the activity again?

Prepare these items before the activity begins so the session runs smoothly.

1. 1

   Prepare the Space

   Secure a large clear area and hand out blindfolds to every participant before starting.

   5 min
2. 2

   Set the Order

   Explain the ordering rule, such as shortest to tallest, and confirm no talking is allowed.

   5 min
3. 3

   Blindfold the Group

   Blindfold everyone and verify no visibility before opening the floor for non verbal coordination.

   5 min
4. 4

   Find Position

   Allow 10 to 15 minutes for the group to feel, signal, and shift into the correct order.

   5 min
5. 5

   Reveal and Debrief

   Remove blindfolds, check accuracy, and debrief on the non verbal strategies that worked best.

   5 min

These outcomes should be reinforced during the debrief.

Use these prompts to convert the activity into workplace learning.

1. What did your team do first during Line Up Blind?
2. Which assumption turned out to be wrong?
3. How did communication affect the result?
4. Where did the team lose time or clarity?
5. What workplace situation feels similar to this activity?
6. What would you change if you ran the activity again?

Prepare these items before the activity begins so the session runs smoothly.

1. 1

   Set the Pyramid

   Stack each team's cups into a pyramid with a base of four, then rows of three, two, and one.

   5 min
2. 2

   Explain the Rules

   Players may only move one cup at a time and the pyramid must end fully inverted with the same shape.

   5 min
3. 3

   Plan the Sequence

   Give teams a couple of minutes to plan the move order before they touch a single cup.

   5 min
4. 4

   Execute the Flip

   Start the timer. Teams execute the plan and call out each move so everyone tracks progress.

   5 min
5. 5

   Compare and Debrief

   End on success or time out, then debrief on planning depth, role clarity, and rule discipline.

   5 min

These outcomes should be reinforced during the debrief.

Use these prompts to convert the activity into workplace learning.

1. What did your team do first during Reverse Pyramid?
2. Which assumption turned out to be wrong?
3. How did communication affect the result?
4. Where did the team lose time or clarity?
5. What workplace situation feels similar to this activity?
6. What would you change if you ran the activity again?

Prepare these items before the activity begins so the session runs smoothly.

1. 1

   Set Points A and B

   Choose a heavy or awkward object and mark a clear start point A and finish point B in the space.

   5 min
2. 2

   Hand Out the Kit

   Give each team a limited kit such as ropes, planks, and cardboard, and forbid anything outside the kit.

   5 min
3. 3

   Plan First

   Allow 10 minutes for teams to plan their route, leverage points, and roles before any movement starts.

   5 min
4. 4

   Move the Object

   Start the timer. Teams execute the plan and adapt when reality differs from the whiteboard.

   5 min
5. 5

   Finish and Debrief

   End when the object reaches B or time runs out, then debrief on planning, adaptation, and teamwork.

   5 min

These outcomes should be reinforced during the debrief.

Use these prompts to convert the activity into workplace learning.

1. What did your team do first during Move It!?
2. Which assumption turned out to be wrong?
3. How did communication affect the result?
4. Where did the team lose time or clarity?
5. What workplace situation feels similar to this activity?
6. What would you change if you ran the activity again?

Prepare these items before the activity begins so the session runs smoothly.

1. 1

   Pick a Real Problem

   Choose a current workplace problem the group cares about and write it on a board for everyone to see.

   5 min
2. 2

   Pass Out Paper

   Hand each participant a pen and paper and explain that only the worst ideas are welcome here.

   5 min
3. 3

   Write Bad Ideas

   Start a 10 minute timer for everyone to write as many terrible, funny, or absurd ideas as they can.

   5 min
4. 4

   Share and Laugh

   Go round the room and share ideas out loud, encouraging laughter and zero judgment of any kind.

   5 min
5. 5

   Mine for Gold

   Pick a handful of the worst ideas and reshape them into workable, often surprising real solutions.

   5 min

These outcomes should be reinforced during the debrief.

Use these prompts to convert the activity into workplace learning.

1. What did your team do first during Dumbest Idea Ever?
2. Which assumption turned out to be wrong?
3. How did communication affect the result?
4. Where did the team lose time or clarity?
5. What workplace situation feels similar to this activity?
6. What would you change if you ran the activity again?