International Association of Teamwork Facilitators

New Teambuilding Game: Ground Slap

How important is timing and coordination of efforts on your team?  Here's a simple no-prop game that can help a team practice and refine these skills.

This teambuilding game called "Ground Slap" and can be played sitting around a table or (preferably) kneeling on the ground in a circle.

The setup is important - - with team members on hands and knees, ask everyone to place their right hand in between the hands of the person to his/her right.  The end result will weave everyone's hands together.

Here's the challenge:  The leader starts by slapping his/her right hand on the ground which starts a domino effect meaning, the hand immediately to the right must slap the ground and then the hand immediate to that hand must slap the ground, and so on. If someone slaps the ground twice in a row then the direction of the ground slapping domino effect reverses (watch the video and you'll see this happen).

Would you like to lead this teambuilding game with your group?

Join the International Association of Teamwork Facilitators and receive immediate access to the growing online archive of teambuilding games.  The lead-it-yourself instructions include: 

• Setup & Preparation directions
• Rules
• Comments and insights about the teambuilding game
• Debriefing suggestions
• Variations
• Detailed "how to make it" if props are involved
• Video clips and photos

New Teambuilding Game: Interference

This teambuilding game - called "Interference" - helps a group explore effective communication and planning.

This game works best with a minimum of 15 people.  Create three equal size groups and position them in the playing area.

"Group A" will be the message senders.  "Group B" will be the message interferers.  "Group C" will be the message receivers.  You'll lead three rounds so everyone gets to play each of the three rolls.

This is a powerful game and can help a team reveal important truths about communication.

Would you like to lead this teambuilding game with your group?

This particular teambuilding game is found in the new book "Duct Tape Teambuilding Games - 50 fun activities to help your team stick together".  CLICK HERE to download complete directions for one of the games.

Get instant access to the growing online archive of lead-it-yourself teambuilding game directions which include:

• Setup & Preparation directions
• Rules
• Comments and insights about the teambuilding game
• Debriefing suggestions
• Variations
• Detailed "how to make it" if props are involved
• Video clips and photos

Over 100 new and different lead-it-yourself teambuilding game write-ups and growing!

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CLICK HERE for a sample teambuilding game write-up.

Teamwork Game: Trolleys with Duct Tape

Duct Tape is one of my favorite all purpose tools.  You can fix nearly anything with it AND you can lead lots of fun teambuilding games with it!

Here's a teambuilding game called "Trolleys" that is normally done using two long wooden boards.  The team stands on the boards and then each team member holds onto a rope attached to the board.  Wooden Trolley's are fun to use but they are inconvenient to transport due to size and weight.

CLICK HERE to learn all about our book "Duct Tape Teambuilding Games - 50 Fun Activities to Help Your Team Stick Together"

Teambuilding Game: Bandanna, Cup, Marble

SAMPLE Teambuilding Game Write-Up

The Bandanna, Cup, Marble teambuilding game requires a group of 4 to 8 people to transport a marble sitting atop a cup (upside down) from point A to point B.

IATF members receive instant access to our growing online archive of teambuilding games.  Learn more about all the IATF member benefits HERE. 

Directions for leading this teambuilding game

• Group Size: 4 to 10 people per bandana
• Age Range: Elementary – adult
• Intensity:  Mental=1, Physical=1
• Time: 5 – 15  minutes
• Space: Minimal – Medium – Lots
• Set Up Time: 60 seconds
• Props: For each team of 6-10 people: One plastic cup, one bandana, one marble

Objective

Transport a marble balanced on a cup from one point to another.

Set Up / Preparation

Create groups of about 8 people and supply each group with one bandana, one marble and one plastic cup (the plastic cup should have some kind of lip on the bottom of it).  The group surrounds the bandana and holds on to it with both hands along the edges creating a tabletop effective.  The cup is now placed up side down on the bandana then the marble is placed on top of / balanced on the cup.  The group is now asked to transport the bandana-cup-marble from one point to another.

Rules

1. If the marble falls off the group must start again.
2. Everyone must hold on to the edge of the bandana with both hands.
3. The bandana must be kept tight and flat.
4. The supplied equipment (props) may not be altered.
5. No other supplies may be used.

Comments

This is a great activity to do with a small group (6 people) or with large groups (200+ people).  It is versatile, inexpensive and easily transported.

Debriefing

I once led this activity at a retreat for a group of school system volunteers (adults).  There were about 30 people so I had them form into 3 groups in one of the meeting rooms.  After everyone was set to go with the activity, I asked them to place their bandana-cup-marble assembly on a small table in an adjacent room SIMULTANEOUSLY.  There was only one doorway and to the other room so the teams were forced to wait on each other.  The table was small which forced the groups to communicate and create a plan.  I had everyone circle up in their small groups and answer the following questions:  What metaphorically is the bandana, cup, marble, and table relative to your job in this organization?  I gave the groups 15 minutes to create a presentation, which they would be giving to the other groups.  The group loved the activity and loved the discussion as well as the presentations from the other small groups.

Variations

1. Place obstacles in the path of the group such as a tables or chairs.  Consider having the group go up a flight of stairs.
2. Use a taller cup and a larger, denser ball (like a baseball) to make this lots harder.
3. Fill a cup of water and balance it on the bandana.  If you want to get folks really wet, have them transport the cup by holding the bandana above their heads.

History

I learned this activity from Sam Sikes, author of “Executive Marbles” and “Feeding the Zircon Gorilla”.

Games Archive

IATF Members receive immediate access to our growing online archive of teambuilding games.  CLICK HERE to learn about all the member benefits!