Hole in Space is a variation of the popular Spider’s Web activity. Working together, each team member must travel through a hole in space without touching it. If anyone touches the outside of the square, the activity is restarted. This activity is ideal for those looking for a quick team builder and for those with limited space and resources available.
Resources: 2 x shoe-strings or bungee cord
Time: 20 – 30 minutes
Space Required: Small. Either indoors or outdoors
Group Size: 10-16 people
Activity Setup
- You can use a bungee cord or you can tie 2 shoe-strings together to form a circle (hole in space).
- Two team members are selected to hold the circle and create square that is vertical to the ground. The hole in space bottom edge should be around 3 to 4ft off the ground. To change the activity difficulty, raise or lower the height of the square.
Hole in the Space Instructions
Split the team in half, and send a team to each side of the whole in space. You should have two sub-teams on opposite sides to each other.
The aim of the team building exercise is for team members to pass through the hole in space without touching it and end up on the opposite side. Once the activity has been completed each sub-team will end up on the opposite side to where they began the challenge.
It is essential that you start this exercise with two separate sides, so team members can spot participants and assist when necessary to maintain their safety when travelling through the hole.
Hole in Space Activity Rules
- The only people allowed to touch the hole in space, are the two people selected as holders. If anyone else touches the square then apply an appropriate team penalty (such as everyone goes, three go back etc)
- Only the equipment provided is allowed to be used to help with the process (no chairs, tables etc)
- Launching a team member or jumping through the hole in space is strictly prohibited.
Safety
Before you begin the hole in space activity, it is important that you teach the team the correct spotting technique.
Participants should take care when lifting. They should be passed through the hole in space feet first, facing upwards. Â If the team are lifting, be there to monitor the correct lifting technique and support when necessary to prevent injuries.
Try to run find a soft area such as grass or play mats. If you are running it indoors, then a carpet with padding underneath is suffice. Do not do this activity on hard surfaces such as concrete.
Suggested Learning Outcomes:
- Leadership
- Trust and support
- Communication
- Strategy
- Risk awareness
Example Review Questions:
- How well do you feel you worked as a team?
- What did you do well and where could you improve?
- Why was it important to plan prior to attempting the exercise? Did your plan change?
- Did you nominate a leader for the challenge?
- Why was trust important for this activity? Could you have done the activity on your own?
- Can you give a few examples of times when you have had to trust others?
- Looking back on the hole in space activity, what is the one thing you will take away from the experience?
Tips and Guidance
If the team are not physically strong enough, calm enough or mature enough then do not attempt the activity. Safety is crucial for this challenge, do not be afraid to stop a group if you necessary rather risking their safety
To make the hole in space activity more difficult, you can raise the height of the square (although not too much), make the hole smaller or only allow verbal communication during the planning phase of the exercise.
