Have you ever checked out management development books in a bookstore, endlessly searching for the activities, only to discover that nothing entirely meets your needs?
Talk about frustrating.
Whether you’re looking for activities for team workshops or business meetings, hundreds of activities are trying to catch your attention.
The “Build a Bridge” training game is a dynamic, hands-on activity that fosters teamwork, communication, problem-solving, and creativity within a group.
Here’s a little secret: Build a Bridge is a versatile game that can be adapted to various settings using nine instructional strategies, from corporate team-building events to educational environments.
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Rationale for the “Build a Bridge” Training Game
The “Build a Bridge” game is an effective team-building tool because it encourages participants to work together towards a common goal.
It challenges teams to think creatively and strategically while promoting effective communication and collaboration.
The game also provides a tangible outcome – the bridge – that visually represents the team’s collective effort and achievement.
Features and Benefits of the “Build a Bridge” Training Game
The Build a Bridge activity is a massive deal for team-building workshops, and it’s a great exercise that you’ll want to try to get the best results for teams.
The Bridge Builder Workshop Challenge is characterized by its simplicity, adaptability, and the valuable lessons it imparts.
- Teamwork: The game necessitates collaboration and cooperation, as individuals working in isolation cannot complete the task. We hear this from customers who regularly use our training course materials.
- Communication: Teams must effectively discuss their ideas, strategies, and progress to succeed.
- Problem-solving: The game presents a challenge that requires creative thinking and strategic planning.
- Fun: The game’s hands-on, competitive nature makes it an enjoyable activity that can boost morale and strengthen relationships within the team.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Divide participants into teams: Depending on your group size, you can have multiple small teams or a few larger ones. Aim to complete a skills gap analysis to generate a mix of skills and personalities in each team.
- Provide materials: Each team should be given the same set of materials to build their bridge. This could include straws, tape, cardboard, popsicle sticks, etc.
- Set the challenge: The goal is to build a bridge that can support a certain weight (like a toy car or a book) for a certain amount of time. You can also set additional criteria like the length or height of the bridge.
- Start the game: Give teams a set amount of time to plan and construct their bridges.
- Test the bridges: After the building time is up, test each bridge according to your set criteria—the team whose bridge meets the criteria best wins.
Resources Needed
No surprise, we have some of the most practical training activities available, which all but guarantee that you’ll be able to deliver this activity as your own. These are the resources that you will need.
- Building materials (straws, tape, cardboard, popsicle sticks, etc).
- Weights for testing (toy car, book, etc).
- Timer.
- Prizes for the winning team (optional).
Variations of the “Build a Bridge” Game
Are you on the hunt for alternative build-a-bridge team-building activities? A targeted team-building game is a fun activity that’ll help your audience to improve their skills forever.
- Limited Resources: Give each team a budget and make them ‘purchase’ their building materials. This adds an element of resource management to the game.
- Silent Building: Teams are not allowed to communicate verbally during the building process, which challenges them to find nonverbal ways to collaborate.
- Blindfolded Building: One team member is blindfolded and must do the building based on the instructions of their teammates.
- Longest Bridge: Instead of a weight-bearing challenge, the goal is to build the longest bridge that can stand independently.
- Design Challenge: Teams must build a bridge that meets the functional criteria and adheres to a specific aesthetic or theme.
With 30+ years of experience, Catherine Fitzgerald, B.A., M.A., PGDip, founded Oak Innovation in 1995. Catherine received her Bachelor’s degree and Master’s from University College Cork. She holds qualifications in Professional Development And Training from University College Galway. She is completing a second Master’s from University College Cork. Since 1995, clients include Apple, Time Warner, and Harvard University.
