Plain Can Be Lovely

April Fools’ Day is an excellent chance to participate in some fun team building activities.  When I worked in Sault Ste. Marie we took this opportunity on more than one occasion (and not always on April 1).  Here’s why it’s such a great team building activity:

• Each person must be able to work effectively as both an individual and a team member to achieve a mutual goal
• You have a tight deadline to complete your task
• Limited resources means being creative and resourceful
• Planning is involved to coordinate these tasks
• Communication is key
• Problem solving skills are utilized

Between April 2009 and August 2010 we did several team building activities within “The Office.”  (I feel like The Office could learn a thing or two from us;).  In the spirit of project work, each prank had its own project name: Project Follow Your Nose, Project Wrapping Paper, Project Balloon Kevin, Project Club Sally and Project Survivor (which included elements of all of the previous projects).

Here are some pictures of each project.  Enjoy!

Project Follow Your Nose

Materials:  “Fruit Whirls” (imitation Fruit Loops) & tin foil.

Team: Marla, Jess S., Lindsey, Mei

Project Wrapping Paper

Materials: Wrapping paper, balloons

Team: Marla, Lindsey, Kristen, Mei

We even wrapped the things inside his drawers

Project Balloon Kevin

Materials: Balloons, garbage bags

Team: Kristen, Mei

Wishing Kevin good luck the only way we know how.

Project Club Sally

Materials: Garbage bags, disco balls, mini strobe light, glow sticks, Sandstorm (note this project looks much better on video!)

Team: Marla, Lindsey, Kristen, Mei

When you came into the office you saw this.

Club Sally from the outside.

Sally kept his Club open all day.

View from inside Club Sally

View from inside Club Sally with the strobe light

Project Survivor

Materials: balloons, saranwrap, wrapping paper, disco balls, pictures of all the staff who have moved on to other opportunities (Sally was the Survivor:), Halloween decorations etc.  (all left over materials from previous projects).

Team: Lindsey, Mei, Nicole

Sally outwit, outplay and outlast many others

Close up of the balloons. Lindsey blew up most of them!

Pic of the Survivor - Sally!

Sally couldn't get into his cubicle to use his phone.