This is a challenging problem solving activity perfect for a fairly small group of about 10-20 people. One of the nice things about this activity is that it requires no specific props. You just need something to mark the spot where people are standing like a piece of paper.
Traffic Jam
Set Up
- Paper, napkins or anything that can mark a space on the floor. You will need something for each participant on your team plus one.
Briefing
Have your group line up all facing the same direction and place an object to mark their spot at their feet and stand on it. Have one extra marking spot available and place it in the middle of the line but leave it empty. One half of the team stands on the spots to the left of the middle spot, the other half stands to the right. Both teams face the middle, unoccupied spot. Using the following moves, people on the left side must end up in the places on the right side, and vice versa.
Safety
- Caution participants about losing their balance
Rules
ILLEGAL MOVES:
- Any move backwards.
- Any move around someone facing the same way you are, i.e. you are looking at their back.
- Any move which involves two persons moving at once.
LEGAL MOVES:
- A person may move into an empty space in front of them
- A person may move around another person who is facing an empty space.
This sounds simple but can be a very complex challenge for most groups. If you have trouble visualizing the solution, email me and I’ll be happy to send you a diagram of the sequence of moves to solve the problem.
greg.huber@signatureteambuilding.com