Squishy toys for team building: how they can improve communication and collaboration among coworkers

Squishy toys are often associated with stress relief and anxiety reduction, but they can also be an effective tool for team building and promoting communication and collaboration among coworkers. In this article, we’ll explore how squishy toys can be used to improve teamwork and cooperation in the workplace.

Benefits of Squishy Toys for Team Building

1. Enhancing Communication: Squishy toys can be used in team building exercises to encourage communication and collaboration among coworkers. By passing the toys back and forth, individuals must communicate effectively to ensure they are working together to achieve a common goal.

2. Encouraging Creativity: Squishy toys provide a fun and light-hearted outlet for creativity that can help break down walls between team members. Teams can work together to create unique designs or come up with new ways to use the squishy toys, encouraging collaboration and teamwork.

3. Reducing Stress: Squishy toys are often used for stress relief, and team building exercises can be tense and intimidating for some individuals. Incorporating squishy toys into team building activities can help alleviate stress and promote a positive and relaxed environment.

4. Increasing Morale: The use of squishy toys during team building activities can also increase morale and create a fun and engaging atmosphere. When people are enjoying themselves, they are more likely to participate and engage fully in the activity, leading to a more successful outcome.

Types of Squishy Toys

There are a variety of squishy toys that can be used for team building activities. Here are a few options to consider:

1. Stress Balls: Stress balls are a classic squishy toy and a popular choice for team building activities. They are small and easily portable, making them perfect for office environments.

2. Squeezable Shapes: Squeezable shapes come in various forms, from animals to food items. They are fun and visually appealing, making them an ideal option for creativity and design-focused activities.

3. Sensory Toys: Sensory toys provide a different tactile experience and can be particularly beneficial for individuals who are easily distracted or anxiety-prone. Squishy toys with different textures and materials, such as slime or putty, can provide a unique sensory experience.

4. Customized Toys: Customized squishy toys, such as those with company logos or slogans, can add an extra layer of personalization to team building activities. They can also serve as a reminder of the experience and help to promote team building efforts beyond the event.

Implementation of Squishy Toys in Team Building Activities

Here are a few examples of team building activities that incorporate squishy toys:

1. Squishy Relay: Divide the group into two teams. Each team is given a squishy toy and the goal is to pass the toy down the line as quickly as possible without dropping it. The team that completes the relay first wins.

2. Design Challenge: Provide the team with a selection of squishy toys and challenge them to create a unique design using the toys. Encourage them to think outside the box and use their creativity to come up with something truly unique.

3. Stress-Relief Break: Take a break from the office work and gather the team in a quiet space with a selection of squishy toys. Encourage them to use the toys to relieve stress and take a mental break from work.

4. Team-Building Meditation: Start a group mindfulness session with the use of squishy toys. Participants can hold a squishy toy with a tactile appeal while meditating for a few minutes.

Incorporating squishy toys into team building activities can not only make work more enjoyable but also have a lasting impact in the workplace. Squishy toy can be used to enhance communication, spread creativity, reduce stress, and boost morale, which in turn improves the overall productivity of the team.

Conclusion

In conclusion, squishy toy can be an effective tool for team building and promoting communication and collaboration among coworkers. They provide a low-stress, playful environment that can enhance creativity, reduce stress, and promote morale. By incorporating a variety of squishy toy options into team building activities, individuals can work together to achieve a shared goal. Through team-building activities that include squishy toys, employees can build stronger relationships with colleagues, and strengthen the overall success of the team.