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Switching Balloons
Materials: 12 inch or bigger balloons, some permanent markers and a timing device. Plays well with 20 to 30 players - even numbers work the best.
Process: First you'll need to have everyone blow up their balloons to about the size of their own cranium and then write their first name on the balloon (last initial too if needed). After the balloon energy has faded a bit get the groups to make two circles - one inside the other, the inside circle facing the outside circle. Each player should pair up with someone across from them. For the first round the idea is for each circle to move their balloons around their own circle as fast as possible - players start with their own balloon, passing their balloon to the right and eventually getting their own balloon back. When all the players in both circle have their own balloon the time stops (it started when you said "GO!"), you can do a "better your time" round next to improve the process. Then if your group is ready to up the challenge (after you ask them of course) add the "switch." Each player is going to change places with the player across from them after you say "Switch." I like to let them practice this part before any balloon moving. This takes some good communication and planning (with more than just the partner) to make this happen. When the group is ready give them one last parameter, "after the switch the balloons in each circle must continue in the same direction they were going before the switch." (This is where the fun is!). So, the idea here is that the two circles will start moving their balloons on your "GO" and when you say "Switch" (after about the time the balloons make it half way around the circles) they must hold the balloon(s) they have, make the switch, and then continue the balloons moving around the same direction they were going. (The challenge is realizing that if they are moving the balloons to the right at first, after the switch they will be passing them to their left - the "balloons" have to move in the same direction. Some players get it and others don't - this is something that will need to be worked out. Hopefully your group will be motivated to achieve "Switching Balloons" smoothly.
Reference:
Cavert, Chris. “Notebook, Vol. 1, Num. 1, http://www.fundoing.com/notebook_oneone.htm with more Free Team Building activities |
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