Boost Team Spirit with Four Corners: The Ultimate Team-building Game!

What is Four Corners?

If you're looking for an icebreaker activity that's sure to get people moving and mingling, Four Corners is a great option. The game is simple: designate four corners of the room and assign each one a category. For example, you might use "favorite color," "favorite animal," "favorite food," and "favorite hobby." One person is in charge of calling out a category, and everyone else has to move to the corresponding corner. The game continues until only one person is left in a corner.

The goal of Four Corners is to help people get to know each other better and find commonalities. It's a fun way to break the ice and get people out of their shells, especially if they're shy or unfamiliar with the other attendees. It's a great activity for group meetings or team-building events, as it encourages communication and collaboration.

However, Four Corners may not be appropriate for every group. If there are physical limitations among the attendees, such as mobility challenges or vision impairments, the game may not be feasible. Additionally, if you have a group of people who are already familiar with each other, the game may not be as effective at building relationships.

To make the game more fun, consider adding a time limit or a rule that participants can't return to the same corner twice in a row. You can also switch up the categories to keep things interesting and tailor them to the interests of your group. Overall, Four Corners is a great icebreaker activity that can help foster connections and build relationships among attendees.

Materials needed for Four Corners

Four Corners requires no materials or tools to play. Just bring yourself and a few others and you'll have a great time!

How to play Four Corners

• Gather everyone in a large room: Make sure there is enough space for people to move around freely.
• Assign each corner a different category: For example, you could label each corner as 'Favorite Food', 'Dream Vacation Spot', 'Favorite Movie', and 'Hobby'.
• Explain the rules: Let everyone know that each corner represents a different category, and they will have to choose one of the categories as their answer.
• Read out a question or statement: For example, you could ask 'What is your favorite food?' or 'If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go?'
• Give participants time to choose their corner: Allow everyone a few moments to decide which category they want to stand in.
• Have participants move to their chosen corners: Once everyone has made their decision, ask them to move to the corner that represents their answer.
• Facilitate discussion in each corner: Encourage participants to chat with the people in their corner about their choice and why they made it.
• Repeat steps 4 to 7 with different questions: Continue asking new questions or statements and allowing participants to choose and discuss their answers in different corners.
• Wrap up the activity: Once you have asked enough questions and participants have had a chance to mingle in each corner, you can conclude the activity and move on to the next icebreaker or agenda item.

Benefits of Four Corners

Team building activities are far more than just fun and games. They pack a punch when it comes to the range of benefits they can deliver. Some of the benefits of Four Corners include:

• Builds teamwork: The Four Corners game is a fun way to get everyone engaged and communicating with each other. It helps build a sense of teamwork and encourages collaboration.
• Icebreaker activity: This is a great activity to use as an icebreaker or for team building when starting up a new group or team. It helps break the ice and gets people working together in a fun and entertaining way.
• Improves communication: Encouraging participants to communicate and work together to solve the problem helps improve their communication skills. It helps promote active listening and clear communication, both important values for a successful team.
• Encourages decision-making skills: Since the aim of the game is to quickly and efficiently move to a new corner, participants need to make quick decisions. This develops their decision-making skills and helps them learn to think on their feet.
• Lowers stress: Engaging in fun and entertaining activities such as the Four Corners game lowers stress levels in individuals. This lowers cortisol levels and promotes feelings of happiness and satisfaction which can improve workplace productivity and foster greater creativity.

Why we like Four Corners

We like Four Corners because it encourages observation and deduction skills, while also getting people up and moving around.

Reflection questions for Four Corners

Reflection questions are a great way to help your team process their experience after playing Four Corners.

1. What corner did you choose and why? This question encourages participants to reflect on their initial choice during the icebreaker activity and articulate the reasons behind their decision. It gives insight into their thought process and decision-making skills.
2. Did you change your corner at any point during the activity? Why or why not? This question prompts participants to reflect on whether they stayed in their initial corner or moved to a different one and the reasons for their decision. It reveals their adaptability and willingness to change their stance on a topic based on new information.
3. What did you learn from the Four Corners activity? This question invites participants to reflect on the overall experience and the lessons they gained from it. It encourages them to think beyond their personal choices and consider how the activity may have impacted their understanding of the topic or their relationship with their peers.
4. How did the activity contribute to building a sense of community among the participants? This question asks participants to reflect on the impact of the Four Corners activity on the group dynamics. It encourages them to consider how the activity may have helped to foster connections and understanding between individuals and to identify potential areas for improvement in group cohesion.

Which skills does Four Corners build?

• Decision-making - Having good decision-making skills during icebreakers and team building activities helps to foster effective communication and collaboration, resulting in a more cohesive and successful team.
• Physical activity - Physical activity skills are great for icebreakers and team building because they help get people moving, break the ice, and create a fun and energetic atmosphere that encourages teamwork and communication.
• Strategy - Having strong strategy skills can enhance icebreakers and team building activities by allowing you to plan effective strategies, analyze different approaches, and guide your team towards common goals, fostering collaboration and problem-solving.
• Observation - Observation skills are essential in icebreakers and team building as they help individuals notice and appreciate the unique qualities and strengths of their teammates, fostering a sense of connection and understanding. It also allows participants to actively listen and pay attention to non-verbal cues, enabling better communication and collaboration within the group.