Duct Tape Games

Trolleys Trolleys is a game described in the book "Duct Tape Teambuilding Games" by Tom Heck.

First a group is divided up into pairs. For each pair, two parallel strips of duct tape, 2 to 3 feet long, are laid on the floor, sticky side up. Players in each pair line up single file, each placing one foot on either strip of tape. In unison, they must walk from a starting point to a finish line without breaking the strips of tape stuck to their feet. The next round involves teams of six completing the same task with strips of tape 6 to 7 feet long. Synchronizing the movement of six players requires team cooperation.

Duct Tape Regatta Indiana University hosts a duct tape/cardboard boat regatta annually--an idea you can

borrow for team-building. Organize this activity if you have access to a pool or lake. Teams of two are challenged to construct a boat and paddles using only duct tape and corrugated cardboard. Set a time limit for them to make their craft. When the time is up, teams get in the water and race to the finish line in their homemade boats. Although Indiana University's regatta allows only cardboard and duct tape for materials, the Great Cardboard Boat Regatta organization allows additional materials such as glue and water sealant.

Team Communication Game Greg Dale, a sports psychologist at Duke University, leads team building activities for

varsity athletes. One activity involves team members working together to attach their coach to the wall using duct tape. It encourages team members to communicate and figure out a way to keep the coach "stuck" for as long as possible. This game should be organized only for participants who are able to play in a responsible and safe manner. The person being attached to the wall should feel safe at all times.

Duct Tape Relay This duct tape relay is inspired by an activity on the Fun Attic website. Duct tape and cotton

balls are required. Approximately 100 cotton balls for every three players and one roll of duct tape for every 10 players should be used. Two teams line up to compete in the relay. One participant from each team wraps the first player's lower legs with duct tape, sticky side out. The taped player must then waddle over to a mat covered with cotton balls and roll around, trying to collect as many cotton balls as he can. He then waddles back to his team. Each team member repeats the same task. You may need to replenish the cotton ball pile as the relay continues. The team with the most cotton balls at the end wins.

Picture Hunt A picture hunt is another way to build your church team. Have your

church gather together one night and divide everyone into teams. Give each team a picture list for a scavenger hunt. The pictures might include, for example, a lady in a red shirt or a boy with a baseball hat on. Send everyone out with a digital camera and their list. Teams will learn to work together to find the items on the list and get the right pictures. Give the teams a time frame and tell them it is important to return to the church on time. Any team that is late will be disqualified. Whoever has the most pictures that match the items on the list will be the winning team.

Egg Drop An egg drop is another great team-building activity. The goal of this

activity is to encourage teams to work together to solve a problem. Ask each team to create a 10-foot platform using only the resources provided. After each platform is built an egg will be dropped from it. The ultimate goal is to drop the egg without cracking it. It's challenging but fun. Divide teams up equally and distribute supplies. Some examples of supplies are duct tape, paper towels, cardboard, and cling wrap. Give each team the same amount of each material. Determine how long they can work on their project. The times could vary from twenty minutes to a whole hour. Then let every team drop an egg from their platform and see how well they do.