Methods for building a bond

I. Ice floe game

Location: enough space, chairs
Duration: approx. 15-30 minutes
Suitability: Children aged 10 and over, teenagers and adults for groups of 15-30 players or more

Description of the game: The game leader explains that the entire room is a large sea and that the participants were all traveling on a large steamer that sank in an accident. Now they are all floating on pieces of wreck in the sea. The participants spread out as far as possible in the room (and in the corridor, in the neighboring room, etc.) and each stand on a chair. The game leader marks a target point (e.g. cordon off one side of the room with a ribbon). The group now has the task of getting everyone to the safe area. The following rules apply:

the chairs must not be jerked forward
if someone hits the floor, the game is over
No other aids may be used
ALL players must come ashore
Safety has priority (no jumping from chair to chair)

As the only aid, the leader places an empty chair near a player. After giving the instructions, the game leader remains passive and lets the group play. The most sensible solution to the problem is to form a chain of chairs. The person with the empty chair gets on it, moves the empty chair and tries to get to the next player. They form a line, moving one chair at a time, and the last (empty) chair is returned to the front. The game is won when everyone is safely ashore.

Important note: Check the quality of the chairs beforehand, i.e. do not use wobbly chair legs or wobbly stools, and above all, please do not use folding chairs!

II. turning the blanket

Duration: 5 minutes
Age: from 10 years
Group size: any
Preparation: none

Material: blankets

Game description: The group stands on a blanket. The blanket must now be completely turned over once, i.e. the underside up, without one person from the group somehow leaving the blanket. Then turn the whole thing back again.

III. floating pole

The floating pole (or flying pole, lifting platform) is a dynamic group game. It can be played with around ten to twenty participants. Although the task sounds simple, it takes a few minutes to complete correctly!

A group of around 10 people play the "floating pole" with a walking tent pole

Material: You need a pole that is as long, light and inflexible as possible. It should be about 30 centimeters long per player. It should not be too heavy.

Suitable for the game are, for example

collapsible tent poles from hiking tents
Avalanche probes (if there are only a few players)

Procedure: The players line up in two rows facing each other. Everyone stretches one arm out in front of them at about chest height and spreads their index finger out in front of them. The group as a whole should be about as long as the pole is long (but never longer). The game leader now picks up the pole and places it on the index fingers of the other players.
As soon as the pole rests on the players' fingers, the game master gives the game description. The following conditions apply: Each participant must always at least lightly touch the pole from below with their index finger - i.e. their hand must never be removed from the pole. While this condition must be adhered to, the group as a whole is given the following task: the pole must be placed on the floor.
However, this simple-sounding task will take some time to complete. Since all players must always exert slight pressure on the pole from below, it will usually be pushed upwards within a very short time, at least on the first attempt. It takes a great deal of group coordination to actually move the pole down to the ground.

Of course, the task can be made even more difficult if the players are not allowed to speak or communicate in any other way! Otherwise, the group can master the task most easily if someone takes command and coordinates joint steps "downwards".

IV. Tower of Power

Procedure: In a demarcated area, 8 components are distributed vertically on the floor. Each stakeholder grabs one end of the rope (or more, depending on the number of participants; individual ropes can also be removed if necessary). The task is to work together to steer the crane attached to the ropes and use it to place the components on top of each other to build a tower. The participants must not touch the components with any part of their body. This is a wobbly affair. The construction method of the components does not allow for a hectic and uncoordinated approach. The task can therefore only be solved through precise consultation and organized, joint action by the group.

Variation: Have your group build a "house" with three storeys. This way, you avoid the possibility of the tower falling over in the classic version. Errors during construction can be easily integrated.

You can find an example video here:

Tower of Power - Beispiel © Metalog GmbH & Co. KG

V. Spider's web

The spider's web is a group coordination game for groups of up to 10 people. It requires some preparation.

Material: thin ropes or cords

Preparation: The game leader makes a network (spider's web) from the ropes. To do this, they are stretched back and forth between two trees (or similar fastening options) so that there are lots of small and large holes. There should be enough "large" holes for a person to (easily) fit through.

Procedure: The group is given the following task: All of their players must get through the net. The players must never touch the net. In addition, each hole may only be used once (or twice, in the case of very large groups and a rather small net). The players must therefore help each other to first lift the first person through the spider's web (everyone is still on one side!) and then move everyone else from one side to the other.

The wall is a group dynamic game of skill. It is very similar to the spider's web variant, but requires less preparation.

Material: A rope is required.

Procedure: The rope is stretched across the room, higher or lower depending on the level of difficulty; normal is around the players' stomach or chest height.
The group is now given the task of getting all the players over the rope. The rope should not be touched, or at least not pushed down. Can the group manage to get over the "wall" without any help?

VI Gordian knot

Rules: All players line up in a circle. They stretch their hands towards the center of the circle and close their eyes. Each player then tries to find a partner for their two hands. Each hand must find a different hand. If possible, avoid holding two hands of the same person.

The subsequent task is easy to explain, but often difficult to complete: the Gordian knot that has been created must be untied. Depending on the initial situation, several circles may remain, which can also be intertwined.

VII "Wandelnder Pflock"

Wandelnder Pflock is a game of skill with group dynamic elements.

Material:

A wooden peg (or similar)
Ropes or strong cords, as many as players
Floor markings for obstacle course

Preparation: The strings are all tied to the peg so that they run away from it in a star shape. An obstacle course is laid out or indicated on the floor.

Procedure: The players line up in a circle and each take a rope in their hand. By pulling on the rope, the wooden stick begins to float and move in the direction of the strongest pull.

The peg must now run through the obstacle course. To do this, the players must pull on the ropes together "correctly" so that it moves along the course. Of course, the peg must not touch the ground or the course.

VIII. Writing together

Writing together is a group dynamic exercise. Using an oversized pen with strings attached, the group has to write something together, but may only touch the strings.

Materials:

a large sheet of paper (A3 or larger)
a thick colored pencil (Edding, etc.)
a light stick, about one meter long (made of wood, for example)
strings (approx. 2 meters long, one per player)
adhesive tape

Preparation: The game leader attaches the pencil to the stick with adhesive tape to create an oversized pencil. The strings are then tied to the stick so that they are distributed over the entire length (it is best to fix them with adhesive tape as well).

Procedure: The participants are given this oversized pen. Their task is to write a given text. However, they are only allowed to hold the ends of the strings, one per player. They stand in a circle so that the pen floats in all directions due to the equal tension of the strings. The pen can be moved by pulling it in certain directions; with a little cooperation, it can be written on the paper provided. The game leader can specify a text to be written or let the group decide for themselves.

IX. Egg crane

The egg crane is a game of skill with group dynamic elements. The players have to transport an egg onto a glass bottle without touching the egg.

Material:

Glass bottle (should be stable and have a thin neck, for example a beer bottle)
Egg (or alternatively: small ball, such as a table tennis or tennis ball)
Strings (1-2 meters, at least as many as the number of players)
Ring that fits loosely around the neck of the bottle (can also be made from string)

Preparation: The strings are tied to the ring in a star shape. The ring should then fit around the neck of the bottle (not too loosely).

Procedure: The bottle is placed on the floor in the middle of the room and the egg is placed next to it. The ring with the strings is also placed next to it.
The players are given the following task: you must place the egg on the neck of the bottle. Of course, you are not allowed to touch the egg or the bottle. You may only use the strings as aids. However, you may only touch them at the very end.

The following procedure is not described to the players, but they will (hopefully) figure it out quickly:
The players now sit in a circle around the bottle at the distance between the strings and the ring. Each player takes one of the strings in their hand. By skillfully pulling together, the ring can be moved anywhere in the room. This first places the egg on the ring (for example by pressing it against the bottle). The egg is then lifted onto the bottle.

The level of difficulty can be varied by varying the length of the strings. If you are afraid of catastrophes caused by broken eggs, you can also use a small ball.

X. Tilting chair

Material: A chair (four fixed legs, not too heavy) is required for each player.

Procedure: Each player gets a chair. These are placed in a circle, with some distance between them. The participants now "tilt" their chair and balance it as well as possible on two legs.

At a command from the game leader, all participants move one place forward. Of course, all chairs are "unattended" for a short time. The change must therefore take place quickly enough so that none of the chairs tip over. Can the group manage this, even several times in a row?
The game naturally becomes more difficult if the distance between the chairs is increased, if heavier chairs are used or if the command is given unexpectedly.