Overview: Balloon Bobble is a great way to see how your team works together to problem solve! Your participants will work together to immerse an inflated balloon in a bucket of water. This challenge is not as simple as it may seem. In order to win, teams will need to think creatively as they will only have a limited number of resources and time.
Equipment Required:
Each team should get the following materials:
1 bucket of water. 1 brick placed in the bottom of the bucket. Balloons. 3 binder clips. 5 paper clips. 5 disposable straws. Scissors. String. Tape. 1 plastic bag. Tarp to place buckets on if the activity is taking place indoors.
Space Required: Small to Medium. Preferably Outdoors.
Group Size: 10 to 80 people.
Total Time: 15-20 Minutes
- 5 minutes to brief the activity.
- 5 to 10 minutes to complete the challenge.
- 5 minutes to debrief the activity.
Instructions:
- Set up your materials. Fill each bucket with water and place a brick at the bottom of each bucket.
- Divide the group into teams of 2- 4 participants each.
- Brief the group on the activity. Inform the teams that they will need to work together to immerse an inflated balloon into a bucket of water. The balloon will need to stay completely immersed for a minimum of ten seconds. Teams may not hold the balloon in place. There is a brick placed at the bottom of the bucket. Each team may use the brick to aid them in the challenge. However, teams may not remove the brick or move it from its position at any point. Each team will also receive a package of additional materials. Teams may use all the materials to complete the challenge, but they may not use anything other than what was provided.
- Give the group 5-10 minutes to successfully immerse the balloon. The first team to successfully immerse the balloon for ten seconds will win. You may incorporate prizes to increase the sense of competition among the group.
- Brief the activity.
Learning Outcomes
- Time Management
- Creative Thinking
- Team Cohesion
- Communication
- Cooperation
- Leadership
Suggested Review Questions
- Did your team create a plan prior to starting the challenge? If so, what was it?
- What was most challenging about the activity?
- What did you enjoy most about this activity?
- Was leadership important in this activity?
- How well did you work as a team? How could you have improved?
What is one thing that you can take away from this activity?
