What Others Are Saying
Our instructor took time to involve everyone and answer questions with good solid answers. His expertise is very strong. He was very thorough in presenting and being sure we understood what he was teaching.
Seminar Attendee
Balloon Balance
From: “99 of the best Experiential Corporate Games We Know!” - Activity #85 - Used with Permission.
SETUP:
- PROPS: Balloons, at least one per person, with extras
- GROUP SIZE: 1-10
- SPACE: Small area
- ORIGIN: Karl Rohnke
- TIME: 15-30 minutes
INTENT:
To identifying supporting factors that help balance people.
ACTION:
Group balances a member on a bed of supportive balloons.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Make sure the ground being used is not likely to burst balloons, or use a tarp or blanket between balloons and its surface.
PREPARATION:
Distribute one balloon to each person. Ask them to inflate it and tie off the neck. Have a few extras ready to replace the couple that burst. Give each person a fat tipped permanent marker (NOT pointed pen) and ask them to write their name on the balloon. You may use balloon colors to divide a large group into small ones.
SCRIPT:
Along with your name on the balloon, write something you do to support people in your group as they try new things and take risks (people do this). Now, I'd like to get one volunteer who is willing to try something new and take the risk of lying down on the supporting balloons of the group. Any takers? (get a volunteer).
Okay, the challenge here is to float or balance this
risk taker, who may metaphorically represent the team or your
company, on a bed of support without touching anyone or anything
other than balloons and without anyone holding balloons in place.
You can help your group member into position, but support must be by
balloons only. Any questions? (give the group ten minutes to
strategize, then five minutes to actually "float" the person, and
decide if you will allow other groups to share their balloons and
spread the
support around).
(Click for larger pic)
VARIATIONS
Extend the challenge by very carefully withdrawing one balloon at a time and experimenting with the fewest number to float a person. Float several people, side by side, at the same time. Change the topic from support to commitments or contributions.
What does one do with leftover balloons? Many can be saved and used again in another program, or you can have partners hug one another, while squeezing a balloon between their bodies, trying to burst it quickly: Fire in the Hole!
Sam is the founder of DoingWorks Inc., a training organization that specializes in experiential
learning techniques. Sam trains, facilitates, and speaks in a
variety of corporate and educational settings including Fortune 500
companies, small businesses and universities. Best known for his
creativity, Sam has trained groups of as few as two people and as
many as three thousand.
No, Sam didn't really snap the trap on his lip.
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