Problem
Solving
activities
Beam Me Up Scotty (High-Risk)
This activity requires working together in close physical proximity in order to solve a practical, physical problem. It tends to emphasize group communication, cooperation, patience and problem solving strategy, as well as issues related to physical self and physical proximity.
Ask the whole group to try to fit inside a small area which can be marked by a square or rectangular piece of butcher paper or a tarp. When the group succeeds, decrease the area (e.g., fold the paper) and challenge the group again. How far can the group go?
Variations
Paper/Tarp Flip Over: With a group standing on a tarp, challenge them to turn the tarp over without anyone touching the ground in the process (or ripping the paper).
Turn the Circle Inside Out (Mid-Risk)
A circle is formed using all the players. Everyone joins hands and faces the middle of the circle. Everyone closes their eyes and tries to turn the circle inside out so that everyone is facing the opposite direction (outside of the circle) without letting go of each others' hands.
(Hint: the solution is that two players hold up their hands and everyone else follows through underneath.)
Pipeline (high-Risk)
This activity involves moving marbles or different sized balls or even water down lengths of half pipe or 1"/2"gutters. The trick? Each participant has only one short length of pipe each, and the start and finish points can be separated by an obstacle course!
Choose this activity when you need to energize the group into a team, or to emphasize the importance of each member's actions in a team.
As facilitator, you can control how hard or easy to make this task. You can take them over obstacles, down stairs, around trees, etc. If, for example, the group is in the forming stage, put only one minor obstacle in the path and create opportunity for fairly instant experiential success of teamwork. If the team is functioning cohesively, make the obstacle course longer and harder and more physically challenging in order to deepen their experience of what they can achieve together.
Watch this video to to give you an idea of what your classroom could look like.
Extension Cord (Mid-Risk)
Have the group stand in a straight line. Place one pylon at each end of the line, just a little beyond the reach of the last person at each end of the line. Instruct the group to hold hands, and then stretch to connect their line to each of the pylons.
Now move the pylons further away from each end of the group, and instruct them to stretch to touch each pylon but to stay connected. This should be an easy stretch if everyone still just holds hands. Move the pylons further away again, requiring some members of the group to lay down or connect themselves to their team-mates in other ways in order to be able to reach both pylons.
Back to Back (Mid-Risk)
Players stand back to back with a partner with their elbows interlocked. Using each other's back for support, the partners must try to sit on the floor and stretch out their legs. Then, while keeping their elbows locked, the partners must now try to stand up without slipping or falling down!