The Bonding Belt Activity
Bonding Belt is a fun and energizing team bonding game to promote collaboration and develop many teamwork skills.
In teams of six, they are literally held together by a cling film waistband. They then have to race around the room against the clock with the intention of bettering their time on each attempt.
In advance, assess the participants’ receptivity to fun, this exercise requires an open mind and a good sense of humour.
You need a large space, with a sufficiently clear area to allow the team/s to move between two distinct points. A roll of cling film per team and a timer.
Introduce this as a very light hearted activity in which the team/s will have an opportunity to assess and improve upon their performance. Tell the teams that they will have to move as one unit between point A and point B in as short a time as possible.
Tell them that to ensure they stay ‘bonded’ as one unit they will be held together by a cling film belt, tightly wrapped around their waists. Give the teams 5 minutes to discuss their strategy, advising them that at the end of this time they should be in position ready to be ‘bonded’.
When applying the cling film do so at waist height of the mid-sized participant, make the belt sufficiently tight so that it will not fall when the team starts to move. Make the belt several layers thick.
Reiterate the position of the start and finish lines and set the teams off against the clock
Advise the teams of their times giving them a minute to catch their breath and agree their strategy for the next attempt.
Repeat several times until the teams achieve their best time
Moment of Reflection
- Ask each group to share the strategy they adopted for the exercise
- Ask what was missing from their strategies
- Ask the team to assess the effectiveness of their communication
- Identify times when similar communication occurs in the workplace
The topics of this publication: interactions, strategy, collaboration, leadership, teamwork, cooperation, integration, adaptability skills, adaptation, communication
