Trust Team Building Activities That Work

Trust is the cornerstone of every successful team. Without it, collaboration suffers, communication breaks down, and innovation stalls. 

But when trust is present, teams thrive. Members feel safe to share ideas, admit mistakes, and rely on one another. The question is: how do you intentionally build trust, especially in fast-paced workplaces where time is short and pressure is high?

The answer lies in trust-focused team building activities. These aren’t just icebreakers or games for fun; they’re structured experiences designed to create vulnerability, empathy, and deeper connection. 

Below, we’ll explore why trust matters so much, and share a variety of activities you can introduce to your team, whether in person, remote, or hybrid.

Why Trust Matters in Teams

Trust is often described as the “invisible glue” that holds teams together. Here’s why it’s critical:

• Psychological Safety: When people trust their team, they feel safe to speak up, take risks, and admit when they need help.
• Collaboration: Trust reduces friction, allowing teammates to share responsibilities and depend on each other’s strengths.
• Resilience: In high-pressure situations, trust keeps teams steady and focused instead of fracturing under stress.
• Engagement: Teams built on trust tend to be more motivated, loyal, and aligned with company goals.
  

Trust doesn’t appear overnight. It’s nurtured through consistent actions, honest communication, and intentional opportunities to connect.

1. Trust Fall (With a Twist)

The traditional “trust fall” may feel cliché, but with the right framing it can still be effective.

How it works:

• Partner people up. One person stands with their back to their partner and falls backward, trusting their partner to catch them.
• The twist: after each catch, both participants share one way they rely on their partner at work, reinforcing the metaphor with real-life examples.

Why it works:

• Creates a physical demonstration of trust.
• Links the symbolic act to actual workplace dynamics.

2. Personal Histories Exercise

Trust grows when people understand each other beyond job titles.

How it works:

• In a small group, ask each person to share simple personal background details: where they grew up, a childhood hobby, or a unique tradition from their family.
• Keep the tone light and inclusive. This isn’t about deep confessions, but about building empathy through context.

Why it works:

• Encourages vulnerability in a safe way.
• Creates connections that go beyond work.

3. Blindfolded Obstacle Course

A playful activity that requires absolute reliance on teammates.

How it works:

• Set up a simple obstacle course in a meeting room or outdoor space.
• One team member is blindfolded, while another gives verbal instructions to guide them through the course.
• Rotate roles so everyone gets a turn.

Why it works:

• Builds communication skills under pressure.
• Reinforces the importance of clarity and trust in guidance.
  

For remote teams, adapt this by having one person draw a shape based only on verbal instructions from a partner.

4. “What I Appreciate About You” Circle

Few things build trust faster than genuine appreciation.

How it works:

• Gather the team in a circle (or virtual room).
• Each person takes a turn sharing one thing they appreciate about another team member, specifically highlighting qualities, not just achievements.
  
• Keep the feedback short but heartfelt.
  

Why it works:

• Fosters positivity and recognition.
• Shows teammates that their strengths are noticed and valued.

5. Shared Vulnerability Stories

When leaders and team members open up about challenges, it normalizes authenticity.

How it works:

• In small groups, each person shares a time they faced a challenge or made a mistake at work, and what they learned from it.
• Leaders should model vulnerability by going first.

Why it works:

• Reinforces psychological safety.
• Encourages openness about failures as growth opportunities.

6. Team Problem-Solving Challenge

Trust often develops in the act of solving problems together.

How it works:

• Give the team a challenge with limited time and resources (e.g., building a tower from paper and tape, or solving a riddle under time pressure).
• Assign no formal leader. Let the group self-organize.
  

Why it works:

• Demonstrates how people rely on each other’s strengths.
• Highlights trust in collective decision-making.
  

For remote teams, virtual escape rooms or online trivia can serve a similar purpose.

7. “Two Truths and a Trust”

A spin on the classic icebreaker.

How it works:

• Each person shares two truths about themselves plus one story about a time they had to trust someone else (inside or outside of work).
• The team guesses the truths, then reflects on the trust story.

Why it works:

• Keeps the activity fun but with deeper focus.
• Encourages storytelling about meaningful moments of reliance.

8. Compliment Chain

Simple, fast, and effective.

How it works:

• One person starts by giving a compliment to someone else in the team.
• That person then compliments another, and so on until everyone has both given and received one.

Why it works:

• Boosts morale and mutual respect.
• Builds a sense of reciprocity and trust.

Making Trust Activities Stick

The activities above can spark trust, but sustaining it requires consistency. Here’s how to make them last:

• Model vulnerability: Leaders should show authenticity and admit mistakes.
• Encourage regular check-ins: Pair quick trust exercises with weekly meetings.
• Follow up with action: If a teammate shares a frustration during an exercise, acknowledge it and work to address it.
• Celebrate progress: Recognize when trust has helped the team achieve something.

Trust-building isn’t about gimmicks or grand gestures. It’s about creating small, consistent moments where people feel seen, supported, and safe to rely on each other. 

Whether through a blindfolded challenge, a circle of appreciation, or a shared story of vulnerability, these activities remind us that trust is built in layers, little by little, over time.

The payoff is profound: teams that trust each other innovate faster, recover from setbacks more easily, and genuinely enjoy working together. 

By intentionally weaving trust-building activities into your team’s rhythm, you lay the foundation for long-term success: One exercise, one conversation, and one moment of trust at a time.

And when you’re ready to take trust-building beyond day-to-day exercises, eBombo can help you amplify the impact. 

Our platform makes it simple to design and execute corporate events that strengthen relationships and foster lasting trust. From interactive team challenges like trivia or escape missions, to full-scale corporate gatherings, we bring people together in meaningful ways that go far beyond the usual meeting room dynamics.

With personalized planning, expert support, and real-time event management, eBombo ensures that every detail is handled so your team can focus on what matters most: building authentic connections. 

That’s why over 2,000 companies, including Adidas, Louis Vuitton, and SAP, trust us to deliver unforgettable experiences that unite teams and inspire collaboration.

Because at the end of the day, trust doesn’t just happen. It’s built. And with the right activities, events, and experiences, you can create the kind of culture where trust isn’t just encouraged, it’s inevitable.

Ready to take the next step? Start planning with eBombo and turn your team’s trust-building journey into extraordinary shared experiences.