Participatory Methods

Team Puzzle

Team Puzzle is a participatory activity designed to randomly and playfully form teams. Each participant selects a puzzle piece and must find the others who hold the remaining parts of the same puzzle. This quick and dynamic activity encourages interaction and collaboration among group members.

Preparation

  1. Define the purpose:
    • Form teams randomly within a larger group.
    • Encourage interaction and communication as participants find their teammates.
    • Promote collaboration from the beginning of the session.
  2. Prepare the materials:
    • Sheets of cardstock or thin paper (one per team).
    • Scissors.
    • Pencils or pens (one per participant).
    • Optional: marker to number or label each puzzle set.
    • A box or bag to mix and distribute the pieces.
  3. Set up the space:
    • Arrange a spacious area where participants can move around comfortably to find their teammates.
    • Provide a table or surface to prepare the puzzle pieces in advance.
  4. To run the activity virtually:
    • Use a collaborative platform to create digital puzzles and assign one piece to each participant virtually.
    • Participants can discuss and collaborate to assemble the puzzle in a shared space or via video call.

Step-by-step instructions

  1. Prepare the puzzles:
    • Take one sheet of cardstock or paper per team and cut it into irregular pieces. The number of pieces should match the number of participants per team.
    • Make sure each sheet is a unique puzzle by varying the cuts.
    • (Optional) Label each puzzle set with a number or symbol to help with identification if needed.
  2. Mix the pieces:
    • Place all the pieces in a box or bag and mix them thoroughly.
  3. Distribute the pieces:
    • Ask each participant to randomly draw a piece from the box or bag.
  4. Form the teams:
    • Participants must find others who have the remaining pieces of their puzzle.
    • Encourage them to communicate, compare pieces, and collaborate to complete their puzzle.
  5. Confirm the teams:
    • Once all the puzzles are complete, confirm that the teams have been correctly formed.
    • Continue with the next activity using the newly formed teams.
Recommendations
  • Adjust puzzle size: Use fewer pieces for smaller teams or more pieces to increase the difficulty.
  • Encourage interaction: Motivate participants to communicate actively while comparing pieces.
  • Increase the challenge: Use pieces with similar colors or more complex shapes for a greater challenge.
  • Repeat the activity: Run several rounds with different puzzles to mix up the teams.
  • Use durable materials: Choose cardstock to prevent the pieces from getting easily damaged.
Inspiration

Variations for Team Puzzle

  • Use printed images divided into pieces instead of plain paper sheets.
  • Add a group task (e.g., each team must name their group after completing the puzzle).
  • Introduce a competitive phase where teams race to complete their puzzles the fastest.
  • Use pieces with words or concepts that must be assembled to form a message or sentence.
  • Ask teams to explain how the puzzle pieces represent their group dynamic or purpose.
Materials
  • Sheets of cardstock or thin paper.
  • Scissors.
  • Pencils or pens.
  • A box or bag.
  • Optional: marker to label pieces.
Online platforms
Purpose
The purpose of Team Puzzle is to form teams in a random and fun way while encouraging interaction and teamwork. This activity is ideal for breaking the ice and preparing the group to collaborate in future activities.
Type of activity
Participatory InteractionParticipatory Learning
Level of participation
Collaboration
Target audience
Educators, Students, NGOs and social collectives, Business teams
Fields of application
Education and training, Community development, Organizational and business management, Urban and rural planning, Health and social well-being, Art, culture, and creativity, Sustainability and environment, Public policies and governance, Innovation and design, Research and evaluation, Conflict resolution, Technology and digital environments, Citizen and social participation
Estimated duration
10-20 minutes.
Ideal number of participants
10-30 people.
Topics related to this activity
Active CollaborationCollaborative LearningCollective ConstructionExperiential LearningGamificationGroup EnergizerGroup IdentityGroup RecognitionGroup StrengtheningIcebreaker ActivityTeam BuildingTeamwork
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