Building block team building has become a popular and effective activity for modern workplaces, replacing traditional boring team building games with creative, hands-on brick building challenges that strengthen teamwork, communication and problem-solving skills among colleagues. Unlike competitive team building activities that create tension, brick team building is collaborative and fun, bringing employees of all departments, levels and skill sets together to build something meaningful as a team. It’s a perfect way for companies to boost employee morale, foster a positive work culture and build stronger, more cohesive teams—all while letting employees unwind and have fun outside of their daily work tasks.
The power of building block team building lies in its ability to build core workplace skills through play. Every brick building challenge requires the same skills that drive success in the workplace: communication, collaboration, project planning, problem-solving and creative thinking. When a team is tasked with building a large, complex brick model (such as a company logo, a miniature office building or a themed diorama) in a set time, colleagues must communicate clearly to share ideas, divide tasks based on individual strengths, plan the build process step by step, and solve unexpected problems (like a collapsing structure or missing parts) together. Quiet employees who rarely speak up in meetings often shine in brick team building—they bring careful attention to detail and creative problem-solving skills that are essential for a successful build. This activity lets employees showcase their hidden strengths and talents, helping colleagues see each other in a new light and building mutual respect.
Building block team building is inclusive and accessible to everyone, regardless of age, gender, job role or brick building experience. Unlike physical team building activities (such as sports or outdoor adventures) that may exclude employees with physical limitations, or creative activities (such as painting or writing) that may make non-creative employees feel anxious, brick building has a low barrier to entry. No prior brick experience is required—teams are provided with all the bricks and basic instructions they need, and the focus is on collaboration, not perfect building skills. Even employees who have never touched a brick in their life can contribute to the team build, whether it’s sorting bricks, holding the structure steady or brainstorming creative design ideas. This inclusivity ensures that every employee feels valued and involved, eliminating the feeling of exclusion that can come with traditional team building activities.
There are endless customizable brick team building challenges to fit every company’s goals, size and culture. For small teams (5-10 people), short, focused challenges work best—such as “build a creative office supply organizer in 45 minutes” or “design a miniature model of the company’s next product with random bricks”. These challenges are fast-paced, fun and perfect for building quick teamwork and communication skills. For larger teams (10+ people), large-scale collaborative builds are ideal—split the team into smaller groups, assign each group a part of the project (e.g., the base, the details, the logo), and have them work together to assemble the final model. This not only builds teamwork within small groups, but also requires cross-group communication and coordination to ensure the final build comes together perfectly. For companies focused on innovation and creativity, open-ended challenges (such as “build a model that represents the company’s core values with no rules”) let teams unleash their imagination and create unique, meaningful builds that reflect their team’s personality.
Beyond skill-building, building block team building also boosts employee morale and workplace culture. Daily work is often stressful and repetitive, and brick team building offers a much-needed break from the grind—letting employees laugh, collaborate and create in a relaxed, non-work environment. Working together to build a brick model creates shared memories and inside jokes that carry back to the workplace, fostering a more friendly and connected team dynamic. When employees see their finished brick build displayed in the office (e.g., on a break room shelf or in the lobby), it serves as a constant reminder of their teamwork and creativity, boosting pride and a sense of belonging. Many employees leave brick team building activities feeling more connected to their colleagues, more motivated to work together, and more positive about their workplace—making it a worthwhile investment for any company looking to build a stronger, happier team.