Assign a partner to each child and prepare a short obstacle course on the playground or in the classroom. For instance, set up plastic cones in the shape of a curve and long strips of yarn for the children to jump over. The children will have to work together to walk around the cones without knocking them over, and they will need to jump at the same time over the yarn to accomplish the task. Hand out prizes, such as pencils and erasers or coloring books, for the first-, second-, and third-place pairs that complete course in the shortest amount of time. After the game, talk to your students about the importance of working together and how cooperation helps to get things done quicker.
Have children create a silly song together, which will require them to cooperate to produce a finished product in the time you've provided, perhaps two to five minutes. Give the kids a tub filled with musical instruments they can use for their production, such as kazoos, harmonicas and tambourines. The children will have to work together to determine who will play which instrument, who will write the song and who will sing the song. When their time is up, allow the children to perform the song for you. Record it so you can play it back often to remind the children that when everyone plays his or her part, everyone involved benefits.
Purchase giant puzzles and divide your students into teams. Time the children as they help one another put together the puzzle. Instruct them not to fight or argue. Time the children as they work to determine which piece goes where, and have treats ready for the team that finishes the puzzle the quickest. Or you can propose another cooperative activity to give the students as a prize, such as planning a party to celebrate their victory, with the help of their parents and you.
Instruct your small children to sit back-to-back on the floor with their legs extended in front of them. Then, tell them to attempt to stand up without using their arms, which means they'll have to work together to get on their feet. This is a direct way to show children that it's important to work well with the people in their classroom (and later the workplace) so that everyone will can achieve success.