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Duct Tape Games

The film "Invictus" tells a true story of how Nelson Mandela was able to inspire and transform South Africa&'s rugby team from one that was constantly defeated to 1995 World Cup champions. Part of Mandela&'s strategy was to organize team-building activities that included having the team run clinics for impoverished youth. Team-building activities can improve morale at your workplace, among team members or in the classroom. Believe it or not, you can lead or participate in such activities using duct tape and a few other materials.

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.

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