Here is a List of Top 20 Brainstorming Activities for a Project Team to Think Out Of The Box: 

1. End in Mind
2. Marshmallow Spaghetti Tower
3. Frostbite
4. A shrinking vessel
5. Ad Game
6. Idea Mock-ups
7. Brainstorm ideas
8. Egg Drop
9. Dumbest Idea First
10. Stranded
11. Reverse Pyramid
12. Legoman
13. Idea Trial
14. Escape
15. Gamification
16. Find the Funny
17. Be a Character
18. Move It!
19. Word on the Street
20. Human Knot

Brainstorming is a technique where ideas are collected to solve a specific problem. The team-based activities are conducted to enhance the ability to bring out innovative and unique ideas. The brainstorming activities are a structured approach to increase their thinking based skills. The activities are based on the following principle:

• Discover new ideas as much as possible
• Equal participation
• Share ideas irrespective of being judged
• Recording all the ideas
• No criticism
• Combine the ideas
• Improvise the ideas

The 20 brainstorming activities are: 

1. End In Mind

End in Mind activity is a backtrack way to find the solution. This activity allows a team to start thinking from the end of the task. The milestones, finishing dates are established in reverse order. 

2. Marshmallow Spaghetti Tower

Marshmallow Spaghetti Tower is a collaborative activity among teams.

According to  Peter Senge,

 “Collectively, we can be more insightful, more intelligent than we can possibly be individual”. 

In this activity, you will need,

• 20 sticks of uncooked spaghetti
• Marshmallow
• Masking tape
• A yard of String 

The teams have to utilize the above materials to construct a tower at a specific time range. This activity enhances the team’s spirit to work together and collaboratively build a solid foundation for their respective activities. 

3. Frostbite

This brainstorming activity is to enhance decision-making skills and adaptability.

The required materials to perform this activity are: 

• An electric fan
• Rubber bands and sticky notes
• Clothes table, cardboard, masking tape, etc.
• A blindfold 

The instructions  to be followed:  

• Two teams are made of 5members each.
• Each team has to construct a shelter using a cloth table, cardboard, mask tapes, etc 
• Except for team leaders, all the team members should be blindfolded to construct a shelter in 30 minutes.
• The hands of the leader are tied throughout the construction of shelter.
• After 30 minutes, the fan is turned on to check which shelter is strong to hold the storm i.e wind from the fan.

4. A shrinking vessel 

A shrinking vessel is a technique to overcome the adaptability issues in the team. This activity is conducted using a string or a rope. 

• A random shape is made on the floor using a rope.
• The shape should be big enough to fit all the team members in it.
• The size of the shape is reduced gradually 
• The team members have to adapt to the shrinking area.

5. Ad Game

Ad Game activity is conducted to enhance communication and collaboration. In this activity, everyone is said to give one idea and everyone has to chant “yes”. The team members are free to give their ideas without having a fear of facing negativity or disagreements. The main aim of this activity is to be positive about all the suggestions given.

6. Idea Mockups 

The mock-ups are conducted to bring out the different solutions for the same problem.  This will help you to find the perfect solution to your problem. 

7. Brainstorm Ideas 

Brainstorming ideas are the simplest activity where the teams bring out their solutions on their own and help in choosing the right one. Brainstorming activities are carried out to resolve the common problems in a team. This activity is similar to Idea-Mockups.  

8. Egg Drop

Egg Drop activity is conducted to increase the collaboration and decision-making skills among the team. In this activity, the following materials are required: 

1. Carton of eggs
2. Materials to prepare a carrier: Plastic wrap, balloons, rubber bands, etc. 

The game is carried out as follows: 

• The team is formed and an egg is given to each team
• The team has to protect the egg by constructing a carrier for an egg given to them.
• Once the team has constructed the carriers, The eggs are dropped from the ledge or balcony. 
• The team which successfully protects the egg wins the game.

9. Dumbest Idea First 

Dumbest Idea First activity is carried out to find out the effective way out of the silliest ideas. Sometimes the solution of the problem lies in simple common sense. The team members are asked to quickly think of the dumbest and silliest idea popping in their minds. Once the team members give all the ideas, an effective solution can be produced by combining the ideas. 

10. Stranded 

Stranded activity is carried out to enhance the communication and collaboration between the team. In this activity,

The team is locked in the room

They will be given 30 minutes to choose 10 items for their survival

The team is supposed to choose items and rank in order of importance.

Each team member should agree on the items selected. The team members should also agree on the ranking order.

This activity builds a strong bond between team members and the collaboration and communication reflect in work.  

11. Reverse Pyramid

Reverse Pyramid activity helps the team to enhance their adaptability and collaboration.

The team is made to stand in a pyramid shape

Only three people are allowed to move and flip the base and apex of the pyramid

This activity encourages collaboration and adaptability 

12. Legoman

Legoman activity will enhance the communication between the team members using Lego.

In this activity,

The team of 2 or more members is made.

An impartial individual is selected to draw any structure using Lego within 10 mins

The team competing in this activity has to recreate the exact structure in 15 minutes in which only one member is allowed to see the structure.

The team member allowed to see the structure should explain the other team member on the basis of color, shape, and size.  

13.  Idea Trial 

Idea Trial is a fun activity where mock trials of the problems are carried out in a court-type scenario. In this activity, all the team members project their ideas in court. They give opening and closing statements of all the problems. They can also call the team member as a witness for support. 

14. Escape 

Escape activity is conducted to build collaboration between teams using,

• Room
• Key
• Rope
• Clues for Puzzles

In this activity,

The key is hidden in the lockable room.

The clues to find the key are also hidden in the same room. 

The team members are locked in the room.

The team is supposed to find the key using all the clues. 

15. Gamification 

Gamification is a fun game to solve the problems. In this game, problems are solved among the teams where different problems are set as an objective of the game. The team has to earn skill points by following all the rules set. 

16. Find the Funny 

In this activity, the monologue is created for every problem. The funny moments during the work are shared with all the other team members. This activity is a stress buster for everyone and lets them relax for some time.  

17. Be a Character 

Be a Character is conducted to add fun in the work environment. In this activity, the solutions to the problems are executed by as if you are an imaginary character. This will help you to think in a different perspective and get the solution. 

18. Move It! 

Move It is a fun activity conducted to enhance collaboration and adaptability. In this activity, the teams are split into two. This activity requires a large space. 

The teams are made to stand in a line facing each other’s shoulders.

A boundary is drawn using chalk or tape for the team to stand.

The extra space is left between two facing rows.

The team has to switch their places where only one person is allowed to move at a time. 

A player is not allowed to move backward and move around anyone if they are facing in the same direction.

They are allowed to move only once at a time around people from other teams.

19. Word on the Street 

Word on a street is a technique to understand the perspective of others. In this activity, each team member will be interviewed by the head of the team about the solutions. The head will try to understand how the team members feel about the solution.

20. Human Knot

A human knot is a fun activity to enhance adaptability and collaboration in the team. In this activity, the team is made to form a big circle

The hands are held cross-connected with the next member

The challenge is to untangle the structure without letting go of anyone’s hand. 

This activity will help the team to interact with each other and enhance collaboration. 

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