Trust dynamics are ideal activities to foster cohesion and participation of all group members, whether they know each other in advance or not.
There are all kinds of them, making participants exercise, testing their imagination or their communication skills, but, together, all of them serve to generate a relaxed environment in which people feel safer.
We’ll see now a few useful trust dynamics to apply to children, adolescents and adults alike
Following you will find several useful trust dynamics to make meeting new colleagues more fun or delve deeper into people we already know.
1. Trust
The objective of this dynamic is, as its name suggests, to increase trust among group members.
The time needed to carry it out is between 15 and 30 minutes. It is important that the group you work with is even, since they will become pairs The place where the action takes place must be large.
Steps to follow
The group is divided into pairs. The facilitator will be in charge of ensuring that these couples are made up of people who do not physically resemble each other, who make it clear that they are different.
The members of the couples stand up, facing each other. They hold hands and the tips of their feet touch each other
The facilitator will give the signal that the participants will fall backwards, trying to keep their bodies straight and supporting each other using their own weight. This way they will reach a balance that they must maintain to avoid falling to the ground on their backs.
The facilitator will ask the participants to try to do some movements such as bending over, bending the knees… in order to test the cooperation and trust of the couples.
2. The gardener
This dynamic serves to foster an environment of trust while encouraging us to be assertive and not be afraid of crashing or getting hurt if there is someone to guide us.
It is an activity that will last depending on the number of participants. For groups of 15 people it can take about 30 minutes. Regarding materials, You will need a watering can or some gardening-related object, as well as something to cover your eyes
Steps to follow
For this dynamic, the players must stand in two rows, one in front of the other and two meters apart, representing the trees of an avenue.
One of the participants will start the activity by acting as a gardener. This gardener, who will stand at the end of the avenue blindfolded, will have the mission of looking for a watering can or other object that is on the other side
This journey must be made without touching the two rows of trees, which can tell the gardener, before he hits them, that he is approaching or that he is taking the wrong direction.
Successively, the trees will become gardeners and the task will be repeated over and over again until everyone has done it.
3. Animal sounds
This activity aims to create a relaxed work environment while participants get to know each other better
It will take about 20 minutes to do this activity, although, as we have already mentioned with other dynamics, the more members the more time it will require.
The place where the activity will take place must be large enough so that they can sit in a circle, if it is a large group, or in a row, if it is small.
Regarding materials, We are going to need hexagons, one per subgroup, cut into six pieces, and pens
Steps to follow
This dynamic is highly recommended to work with recently formed groups, since It will help its members get to know each other a little better while enjoying a fun time
The person in charge of directing the dynamic will introduce it as a presentation activity, with the aim that each person learns the names of their classmates.
The first to start will be the facilitator himself, saying his name and imitating the noise of an animal. To give an example: my name is Nahum and “woof-woof”.
Then the next person in the line or circle will introduce themselves, He will add the sound of the animal he likes and will also have to repeat that of his previous partner For example: His name is Nahum and “woof-woof” and my name is Maria and “meow”. In this way, the list of names and noises will become longer and longer.
If one person makes a mistake, the entire group must start from the beginning. Thus, the participants will make the effort to learn the names while associating the faces of the participants with a characteristic noise, which, being funny, helps to relax the first moments of forming a group.
The objective of this activity is to create a positive and trusting climate, while reinforcing knowledge of others and oneself.
To do this activity it will take about 45 minutes, working with a group of about 20 people The space should be large enough for participants to work in subgroups. For material, you will need some hexagon-shaped sheets, cut into 6 pieces, and pens.
Steps to follow
The group will be divided into subgroups of six people. Each group will receive a hexagon cut into six pieces, each numbered. Each person in the subgroup will choose one of those numbers, but leaving the sheet of paper on the table.
Once everyone has their number, the facilitator will say, at random, a number from 1 to 6. Then, each person who has the number that has been said will at that moment be the “focus of the group.”
While the focus of the group is monopolizing the attention, the rest of the classmates should write positive things about that person on the hexagon piece. This process will be repeated with all the numbers in the hexagon.
Once all the numbers have been said, we will move on to group reflection. They will read what has been written on the pages, talk about how each one of them feels, what they think about what their classmates have written to them…
5. Similar
With this dynamic of trust, the aim is to create an adequate work environment, in which the members show trust towards their colleagues.
The activity can be done with groups of varying sizes, taking into account that the larger the group, the more time it will take. On average it lasts about 30 minutes. The workspace must be comfortable and for materials we will need sheets of paper and pens, one for each participant
Steps to follow
The materials are distributed to each person in the group and they will be asked to think of someone from that same group with whom they believe they have some similarity.
They are given a few minutes to write and, once everyone has done the activity, the facilitator will ask for a volunteer to come out. He or she must tell which partner he or she thinks is most like him or her, describing his or her reasons
Once you have done so, the rest of the group will give their opinion if they think your opinion is correct. All other colleagues will do the same.
The reason we ask for a volunteer at the beginning is to break the ice a little and, thus, motivate the rest of the members of the group to come out.
6. Range of esteems
This dynamic aims to promote trust, cooperation and cohesion among the members of the group.
The time required is around 30 minutes, and you can work with a medium group of about 20 people. A large space will be required in which participants can sit in a circle You will need sheets of paper and pens.
Steps to follow
This dynamic is appropriate for when the group members already know each other. They are made to sit in a circle and each one puts her name on a piece of paper.
The paper is passed to the person on the left, who will write something they like about that person This person passes it to the person to his left, who will write what he sees fit, and so on, until the page has gone all the way around.
When everyone has their paper with their name back, They will take a few minutes to read it and comment on what their classmates have written to them how you have felt when reading the comments of others, if there is something on which you do not agree…
7. Crazy trains
This exercise aims to promote trust between colleagues, making a dynamic and enjoyable activity.
The time required is approximately 30 minutes and you can work with groups of varying sizes, but they will later be divided into groups of 4 to 5 people.
To carry out this activity, it is best to do it outdoors and you will need some material to cover your eyes.
Steps to follow
The facilitator will form groups of 4 to 5 people and give each of them bandages but only enough so that one of the group members runs out.
Before putting on the bandages, what the activity consists of will be explained. They must form a train in which, without speaking, they manage to reach the station, a station which can be any place chosen by the facilitator.
Before the train sets off, you will be given a few minutes to develop a strategy for working together. Everyone gets in line and puts on the bandages except the one who doesn’t have one, who will be the last car on the train and will be in charge of guiding the rest.
The facilitator will indicate which train should start the activity. The rest of the classmates observe them, without commenting anything, to avoid biasing their classmates. Then the other trains will leave.
When all the groups have done the activity, they will proceed to reflect as a group on what each group’s strategy has been, what they think may have made it work for them and what not.
8. Secrets
The objective of this activity is to promote empathy among colleagues.
It takes a long time, about an hour, and it is preferable not to work with very large groups, at most 15 people, who will sit in a circle. For materials, you will need pens, sheets of paper and envelopes, one for each participant.
Steps to follow
The facilitator will introduce the activity by highlighting that everyone has their own secrets, which we keep to ourselves. The time has come to release them, although anonymously, on a piece of paper Feel the tension release a little.
Participants are given a few minutes to write such secrets on their sheets of paper. Once they have done so, they will put the sheets inside the envelopes, close them and place them in an urn, which can be a bag or anything similar.
Afterwards, they are allowed a few minutes to reflect, individually, on how they think other people will react to knowing their secrets.
The reading of the envelopes must be considered based on the facilitator’s own criteria and if the majority of the group agrees. Since no names will have been put on the envelopes, participants should not worry.
9. Lazarus
The objective of this dynamic is to check the level of trust between colleagues.
It takes at most about 30 minutes and the activity will be carried out in pairs. It is preferable to do it outdoors. For materials we are going to need bandages to cover our eyes
Steps to follow
The facilitator will ask that pairs be formed. It doesn’t matter who they do it with, whether it’s someone they get along with very well or someone they don’t have much of a relationship with.
Next, each couple will be given a blindfold, and one of the two members will cover their eyes. The partner who does not have his eyes covered will act as a guide
At first, the guide will take the partner around several times with his eyes covered, so that he feels a little out of place.
The person in charge of managing the activity will indicate some guidelines that each couple must repeat to their blindfolded partner For example, “turn right”, “faster”, “on one foot”…
After a few minutes, the roles will be exchanged. The facilitator will indicate guidelines again, but they must be different from those indicated during the first part of the activity.
It is important that during the activity the facilitator monitors how it is developing, to avoid accidents. Additionally, you should observe which couples seem to get along better and which seem to get along worse. In the latter case, it will be necessary to strengthen the relationships between these colleagues.
10. Letters
The objective of this dynamic is to improve relationships between group members.
It will take an hour to carry it out, and the group size can be between 15 and 20 people taking into account that subgroups of 3 people will be formed.
The place where the activity will take place must be a large space, where participants can work in subgroups. Paper and pens will be necessary.
Steps to follow
The person in charge of managing this activity will invite the group members to form subgroups of 3 people. Once they have sat down, they will be asked to take turns to each speak about a topic that concerns them, with a maximum time of about 3 minutes. It is very important that the facilitator is aware of the times
Once everyone has spoken, each person will take two sheets of paper. In total, about 6 should have been distributed per subgroup.
Each of the members will write a letter to the other two, in which they will put what they think about those two people and what words they would like to say to them. Notably This dynamic will work especially well if the group already knows each other a little having formed a prior trust.
After a few minutes, when all the people have written what they think about each other, in groups, the problems that each one has been exposing will be covered. The classmates will debate with that person and give them their opinion, always in a respectful and trusting manner, while they listen to them.
Once they have exchanged their impressions, the letters that have been written will be given. They will be given time to read them. In the end, They will share what they feel with the rest of their colleagues how they felt throughout the activity, the feedback from their classmates…
11. Wolves and lambs
This activity aims to promote teamwork, in addition to testing confidence and seeing if, as a group, they can face adversity.
It takes at most 30 minutes, and can be done with groups of varying sizes. No material is required, but a large space is required, such as a school soccer field
Steps to follow
The group is divided into two: the wolves and the lambs. The group of wolves will be smaller than that of lambs, a ratio of 4 to 8, for example.
The lambs will tightly join their arms and legs forming a pine cone, while the wolves will be in charge of separating them. As they succeed, the lambs caught by the wolves will become them helping them break up the flock.
12. Statues
The objective of this dynamic of trust is to promote trust, cooperation and cohesion between the participants.
It takes about 30 minutes to carry it out. The group can be of varied size, but taking into account that there will be pairs Blindfolds will be needed to cover your eyes.
Steps to follow
Pairs will be formed randomly or by selecting people who do not know each other well.
One of the members of each couple will adopt the role of a statue, while another must cover their eyes with a blindfold. Once they have been covered, the facilitator will tell the statue what position it will take. The idea is that the blindfolded partner must touch him in order to guess what position he has taken, and then imitate him.
The blindfolded person will imitate his partner without the statue changing its position and, when he thinks he has finished, the facilitator will remove the blindfold. So, statue and imitator will compare to what extent the second has imitated the first and you will be told what the statue was representing.
Once the activity is over, the participants are asked what they felt, if they felt comfortable while being touched, how not knowing the other person very well has cut them off a little or how they did not know how to touch more for fear of making them feel uncomfortable. .
13. Nose to nose
This activity serves to foster trust without the need to speak, only trusting that the other will make appropriate use of their non-verbal language and gestures to guide the partner.
It doesn’t take too much time and can be done with groups of various sizes, but let them be pairs since they are going to become pairs. You need something to cover your eyes with material.
Steps to follow
For the dynamics we form pairs that will be placed at a distance of one meter. One person from each pair covers their eyes and moves forward, little by little, trying to touch his partner’s nose with the tip of his nose who will be motionless, unable to speak but with his eyes open.
The only way for the partner who is still to guide the person who is blindfolded is by blowing on him, in order to indicate his position. When they have managed to put their noses together, the roles will be changed.
14. The car wash
This activity aims stimulate a relaxed atmosphere while participants learn to manage trust having physical contact.
It can be done with intermediate size groups, between 15 and 20 people. It can last half an hour. The space needed to carry out this activity must be large enough to allow the group to stand in rows.
Steps to follow
The group is divided into two parallel lines and each person is assigned car washing duties, that is, some will pretend to soap, others will act as brushes, others will throw the water and others will dry.
Once the functions have been said, they will be placed forming rows in which each one represents a function A person will put themselves in the role of being a car, and go through the car wash, with their eyes closed. That is, he will pass between the ranks and the other companions will be in charge of carrying out their duties. Everyone will end up participating.
Once everyone has done it, they debate how they felt when they were cars. Have you felt uncomfortable with physical contact? Did they trust that their companions were not going to harm them? Have you been afraid of stumbling?
