What Is The Traffic Jam Game?
Traffic Jam is a real, ‘Brain Buster’ that requires a lot thinking and communication. This challenge is very similar to a human chess game. The group is split in 2, with both sides working together to complete the challenge. Cooperation and planning are essential to complete this task.
Equipment Required
- Cones/Floor Markers
- Solution (full solution available in The Team Building Activity Book)
Space Required: Small. Indoors or outdoors.
Group Size: 8-12 participants. No more than 20 (even numbers only)
Total Time: 55 minutes
- 5 minutes to brief and set up
- 40 minutes to achieve outcome
- 10 minutes to review and debrief
Brief/Challenge Instructions
- Split participants into two smaller groups (Side A and B).
- Both groups must line up vertically (one behind the other) with A facing B and vice-versa.
- Everyone should have a cone next to them with a free space in the centre separating the two sides.
- The goal of the game is to get side A to side B and Side B to side A, all facing forward.
Rules are as follows:
- No moving backwards
- A person can only move forward to an empty space
- A person can not “jump over” their own team mate
- Only one person may move at a time
- One spot per person, no sharing
- If any of these rules are broken, the group must begin again
Start Order: A B C D – 1 2 3 4
End Order: 1 2 3 4 – A B C D
Traffic Jam Team Building Solution
Traffic Jam solution, challenger brief and activity notes can be found in our ebook, The Team Building Activity Book. The book provides an easy to use, step-by-step guide to teaching team building with full descriptions for over 30 of our favourite team building challenges including: printable challenger briefs, ready to use programmes and access to exclusive member downloads. Download it now.
Suggested Learning Outcomes
- Communication
- Cooperation
- Problem solving
- Reviewing
- Failure, resilience and mental toughness
Like this activity? Pin it for your next team building session!
(* featured image used with CC license from Flickr user University Unions Technology and Design)
Sorry but I think you need to explicitly explain the rules for this one. Do you mean the people all start off in a 4×4 facing each other, and can only move one space forward at a time. How could they stop from bumping into each other, and are they allowed to move sideways or not? Sorry I just feel the explanation is a little vague
I will make sure to bookmark it and return to read more of your useful info.
Thank you for the post. I’ll certainly comeback.
You’re Welcome.
This sounds like a fun game! I am currently looking for ideas for our own event. Thank you!
Glad you liked it – Let us know how it goes if you use it.