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21 All Hands In Activities For Kids Of All Ages

February 17, 2023 //  by Laura Spry

Getting your group to work together as a team can be easier said than done. You are often dealing with different personalities and abilities as well as moods changing by the minute! All Hands In activities bring a sense of team-building and togetherness to your learning space. They show kids that working together can lead to achieving big results. By adding some of these simple activities to your routine you will see the bond in your group grow! Let’s get stuck in to see how you can achieve this. 

1. Me on the Map

This cute activity is a great way for students to think about each other and where they fit in the world. Using circles of colored paper, that gradually increase in size, kids start by writing about their home, then move out to their street, town, city, etc. as they decorate each circle. 

Learn More: neeldeepscreations

2. Send a Motivational Message

This contains an image of: 19 Growth Mindset Ted Talks For Kids

If you can hire a kid’s motivational speaker, great! If you can’t, use this link for a variety of inspiring Ted Talks for Kids. This brings a sense of togetherness to a group and creates inspiration.

Learn More: Mind Journal

3. Celebrate Successes

This contains an image of: Ways to Celebrate Harmony Day in the Classroom

Celebrating our successes is something that can be forgotten when life gets busy! Dedicate an hour to celebrating your class’s successes; however small. To see kids celebrating each other is heartwarming and is sure to grow the bond that exists between classmates. 

Learn More: Rainbow Sky Creations

4. What are our Values?

This contains an image of: Core Values that Inspire in the School System - Stephanie McConnell/Principal Principles

Focusing on your school beliefs is a great way to foster teamwork and creativity. Ask your students what their values are and open up the discussion to include what school beliefs they would change, and why.

Learn More: Principal Principles

5. Link Together

This contains an image of: Getting Ready to Go Back to School - Mosswood Connections

This cute craft allows students to think about qualities they like in each other and create a chain. It’s great for self-esteem and is a quick team-building activity. All you need are some strips of paper, a glue stick, and some pens!

Learn More: Mosswood Connections

6. All About Me 3D Faces

3-D All About Me Faces · Inspired Elementary

These adorable 3D faces are a great way to get kids thinking about themselves and their friends. Inside, they will write facts about themselves to share with the class. Be sure to display them in your learning space to show a sense of togetherness.

Learn More: Inspired Elementary

7. Guess Who?

This contains an image of: Unique DIY Guess Who Game Template (using your own photos)

This activity is like a real board game but uses photos of learners in your class! This creative, engaging game gets students thinking about each other and is heaps of fun for the whole class.

Learn More: The Keele Deal

8. Create a Connection

This contains an image of: 17 Great Indoor Team Building Games - Fun-Attic

By adding in some teambuilding exercises you can create strong bonds in your classroom. Quick icebreakers or team-building exercises give kids a chance to have fun whilst learning about each other.

Learn More: Fun-Attic

9. Ask Me Anything

Hand out a short leaflet about yourself. The students can then take turns asking you questions based on your leaflet. Kids love to quiz the teacher! This fun activity gives them a sense of control and fosters teamwork.

Learn More: The Average Teacher

10. Make a Mood Tree

This contains an image of: my mood tree - item 063 for emotional literacy and wellbeing

This can be done individually or as a whole class. Each student is given a leaf that they color based on their emotions that day. The result is a beautiful tree showing different moods.

Learn More: ELSA Support

11. Workers and Partners

Welcome your students back to school with these tips to help you get to know your students as partners! This is an important ice breaker activity for students and for you as the teacher to help you plan your beginning cooperative groups. Fun and free activity game included to help students learn how their new classmates work best. Click to read the blog post with tips and strategies to help you get to know your students this back to school season!

Encourage your students to think of themselves and their peers in different ways. Group or pair the students up to discuss things with kids they wouldn’t normally choose to work with. This encourages good communication skills.

Learn More: Think Grow Giggle

12. Two Truths and a Lie

This contains an image of: Two Truths and a Lie Game {Free Printable} - Paper Trail Design

Hand everyone a sheet of paper. Students have to write down two truths and a lie about themselves. Each student reads out their three and the class discusses and votes for which is the lie. This is a fun game to get everyone involved!

Learn More: Paper Trail Design

13. Host a ‘Trashion’ Show

Get everyone involved with collecting recyclable materials such as plastic bottles and paper bags. Use these items to create outfits and host your own ‘trashion’ show! The most creative outfit wins!

Learn More: Euronews

14. Spaghetti Structures

This contains an image of: Science for kids - fun with structures

This is a great STEM activity for kids and gets them working together in teams. See who can build the most stable structure in 20 minutes. Give prizes for the best communication, the highest structure, and that which is most stable.

Learn More: Science Sparks

15. Classmate Scavenger Hunt

This contains an image of: 5 Activities for Your First Week of School

This is a great get-to-know-you activity. Each student takes a sheet and has to move around the classroom interviewing their classmates to get the most correct answers. First one to get all their boxes filled in wins!

Learn More: Create Abilities

16. Birthday Line Up

This contains an image of: Team Building Activity: Birthday Line Up

A fun activity with a twist. Set a timer for 5 minutes. Students then have to line themselves up in birthday order, but must do so without talking or writing anything down! Definitely a challenge!

Learn More: GUIDE, Inc.

17. Blindfolded Obstacle Course

A great trust activity. Blindfold your students and have them follow you around a large space. This opens up discussion afterward about how it feels to lose one of your senses; creating trust and reliance on your teammates. 

Learn More: Icebreakers

18. Relay Races

A great team-building exercise that encourages kids to get outside. Plus, burning off all that extra energy means they will be better focused when returning to the classroom. There are many different types of relay races to try, so no one will ever be bored!

Learn More: Kid Activities

19. Act of Service

This contains an image of: Monthly Family-Friendly Volunteer Ideas for Kids

Volunteering as a group or class to do some community work is a great way to create a team spirit and supports your local community too. Kids love to help out so discuss as a class what you could do, and then have a vote.

Learn More: Coffee and Carpool

20. Friendship Wheel

This contains an image of: Best Friendship Wheel Art Project for Kids - Hands-On Teaching Ideas

This sweet activity gets kids working together creatively. Have learners cut out a large circle and fold it into pizza slice shapes. Allocate each student a slice to decorate with facts and drawings about themselves. The finished product looks great on display in the classroom and serves as a reminder of the friendship and working together!

Learn More: Teaching Ideas

21. Picture Pieces

This contains an image of: 21 Fun Team Building Games And Activities For Kids

Have your students work together to create picture puzzles for each other. See who can complete their puzzle the fastest! The most creative puzzle and quickest completion can win a small prize.

Learn More: Mom Junction

Category: Classroom Ideas

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