The objective of this challenge is to lift a ball of the ground and place it into the cup on top of a Giant Matchstick, using only the broom handles provided to touch the ball and aid the completion of the task. Equipment Required: 1 x 2.4m pole, with rubber cup on top end, attached to 3 guy ropes 3 x wooden pegs 10 x 1m broomsticks 1 x small ball Space Required: Small. Outdoors only. Group Size: Ideally 8 to 16. Total Time: 30 minutes 5 minutes to brief and set up 20 minutes to achieve outcome 5 minutes to review Giant Matchstick Challenge Instructions…
Author: David Priestley
Pairs are connected using the infinite loops, their challenge is to become disconnected from their partner, without removing their hands from the loops or untying the knots. This will get people working closely together and you’ll usually hear lots of laughter as people try to solve this fun and challenging puzzle. Equipment Required: 2 x single length short ropes with knots tied to each end of rope per pair Space Required: Small. Indoors or outdoors. Group Size: 4 to 120. Practice in pairs. Total Time: 15 minutes 2 minutes to brief and set up 10 minutes to achieve outcome 3 minutes to review Infinite Loops Challenge Instructions Tie a loop at both…
The groups task is to design and market a product to present to the Dragons Den. The Dragons (managers, teachers or leaders) will ask questions about the product, its quality, and money making prospects and after the presentation will decide which groups product they wish to invest in. Based on the television show, Dragons Den (or Shark Tank for our US friends). Equipment Required: Pens, papers and any other presentation resources Space Required: Small. Indoors or outdoors. Group Size: 12 to 20 ideally. Split into smaller groups (3-5 participants). Total Time: 80 minutes 5 minutes to brief and set up 50 minutes planning and preparation time 20 minutes for…
The team are lost in a bamboo forest, the only way of survival is by catching the attention of the people in the local village. To get their attention, the teams must build two free-standing structures, each 6m high. Equipment Required: 40 x canes (exactly) 10 spare canes (do not give out with the task) 4 x large balls of string 10 x blue stakes Mine tape Pens and paper Space Required: Medium. Indoors or outdoors. Group Size: 8 to 12 ideally. Total Time: 55 minutes 5 minutes to brief and set up 45 minutes to achieve outcome 5 minutes to review and debrief Suggested…
The objective of this challenge is for everyone in the group to pass through the loop as quickly as possible. After the group has completed the challenge, keep lowering the time limit and push them to improve their time. Equipment Required: Bungee CordSpace Required: Small. Indoors or outdoors.Group Size: 8 to 12 ideally. Minimum of 6 participants – Maximum of 20. Total Time: 20-30 minutes 1 minute to brief and set up 3 minutes planning time 15 minutes to achieve the outcome 5 minutes to review Suggested Learning Outcomes Planning Cooperation Leadership Goal setting and progressive development The full description for Through the Loop can be…
Get the group to stand in a circle, with everybody facing the outside of the circle with their backs to each other. Now as a team they have to count as high as they can out loud with only one person saying a number at a time. This is a guessing game that focuses on listening skills and strategy. Equipment Required: None Space Required: Small. Indoors or outdoors. Group Size: 5 to 40 depending on the size of the area used. Total Time: 15 minutes 1 minute to brief and set up 10 minutes to achieve outcome 4 minutes to review Brief/Challenge Instructions Arrange group members in a circle.…
Teams compete to build the highest tower that holds a weighted object off the ground for a minimum of ten seconds. Careful planning and creative thinking are essential for this fun team exercise. Equipment Required: 2 x newspapers, 2 x tape, weighted object (anything will do). Space Required: Small. Indoors or outdoors. Group Size: 10 to 16 ideally (3-5 in teams). Total Time: 20-30 minutes 5 minutes to brief and setup 40 minutes to achieve the outcome 5 Minutes for testing 5 minutes to review Suggested Learning Outcomes Leadership Time management Creative thinking Planning The full description of Scrap Tower can be found in my eBook,…
Pairs sit back-to-back, arms linked and have to stand up together. When successful make a 4 and do the same. To make the exercise more difficult increase the numbers in the group or add a blindfold to the mix. Equipment Required: None Space Required: Small. Indoors or outdoors. Group Size: 8 to 12 ideally. You must have at least 4 participants to play. Total Time: 10 minutes 1 minute to brief and set up 7 minutes to achieve outcome 2 minutes to review Suggested Learning Outcomes Cooperation Support and trust Communication
A quick and simple team building challenge to deliver. Participants line up in a straight line side-by-side. Ask them now to get in order of their birthdays (month and day, year isn’t necessary). The challenge is the group cannot talk at all. You’ll find they resort to sign language, nudges, someone might try to start leading. Love this activity, especially when used with a bench. Equipment Required: None Space Required: Minimal. Indoors or outdoors. Group Size: 8 to 12 ideally. Total Time: 10 minutes 1 minute to brief and set up 7 minutes to achieve outcome 2 minutes to review Brief/Challenge Instructions Get the group to…
The team’s race against the clock to try and retrieve a ping pong ball placed at the bottom of a leaky pipe. To do this they are provided with a bucket of water and several cups. Teams are required to use good teamwork and problem-solving skills to complete the challenge. Equipment Required 2 buckets of water, 2 table tennis balls, cups, 2 pipes drilled with holes (can be purchased from plumbing specialist store). Space Required Small. Outdoors only. Group Size 8 to 12 ideally, but can be done with 6 to 14 participants. Total Time 20 minutes 5 minutes to brief…
What is the Human Knot? The Human Knot (also known as the Human Knot Game or Human Knot Activity) is a popular game where people learn to work together. This game is a great icebreaker for a team of new people or as a get-to-know-you activity. https://www.youtube.com/embed/C4YGTO365Cs Human Knot Explanation in less than 2 minutes Preparation Starting in a circle, participants connect hands with two other people in the group to form the human knot. As a team, they must then try to unravel the “human knot” by untangling themselves without breaking the chain of hands. Equipment Required: NoneSpace Required: Small. Indoors or…