by: Jeff Millett

Most children are learning how to be children. They are learning how to be accepted, how to give of themselves, and how to form a positive opinion about themselves. Kids are trying to identify who they are as they experience a myriad of things. Team building activities help with this process.


As a kid observes a chance to be involved with other kids, they are putting themselves into a growing atmosphere. They want to be liked, they want to be praised, and they want to be a part of a group. Therefore, a team working together is a wonderful part of the inner need a child has to become who and what they are.

Consider a kid who joins a group, not knowing very well the other children. As they work together to accomplish something that none of them can do for themselves, they learn great lessons. They learn how to depend upon another person. They learn how to cooperate to accomplish something greater than themselves.

If they work together in a game atmosphere, they can learn the important lessons of depending upon another, as well as realizing what can be done when many join together to accomplish something great. The game is the means by which to get everyone involved and the means by which the kid can enjoy winning when there is competition. But as the game is played and as they enjoy working with other children, getting to know them, they can become friends. They can learn that others can help them identify who they are, what they can accomplish, and what they can do when they join with others.

Team building exercises can teach important lessons that these young children can incorporate into their young lives. They can see many joining together with a common goal, (winning a game) and enjoy the satisfaction of winning, but learning life lessons at the same time.

At times, it is difficult to get a kid involved, but there may need to be games to include those who do not want to be involved with THE game.

There are so many valuable lessons that can be learned by kids playing, joining together and cooperating. So often kids are fighting, arguing and showing the need to possess, or own, or control. Team games helps them get out of the selfish mode and into the sharing, cooperating, and growing, and preparing for life’s lessons that will have to be learned one day.

About The Author

Jeff Millett

Team Building Extraordinaire and Owner of www.icebreakergames.net