The Spiderweb Challenge
The Spiderweb Challenge is a group activity for people to foster collaboration by helping each other through a web of threads.
Build a huge spiderweb with threads tied between two trees. Ask your group to stand on one side of the web.
Challenge your group to pass every member of their team through the open sections of the web, one person per unique section, without anyone touching the web. For safety purposes, team members can position themselves as spotters on either side of the web at any time but only those who belong on a particular side may physically assist those on their side.
If any person touches the web, that person and one other (who has successfully passed through the web) will be required to return to the starting side of the web. No person is permitted to be passed over or under the web.
Allow enough time for your group to complete the task. Process your group’s experience at the conclusion of the task.
Moment of Reflection
- How did your group make decisions, eg who would be passed through and when?
- What challenges did you encounter? How well did your group manage these?
- Is there one thing you would do differently next time?
- What surprised you during this exercise?
What didn’t surprise you? Why? - What forms of support were offered during the exercise?
- How can we support one another in day to day activities?
The topics of this publication: interactions, strategy, collaboration, leadership, teamwork, cooperation, integration, adaptability skills
