After some experimentation, we discovered that these 12 letter tiles can actually represent 17 different letters by thinking creatively:

• I can also be used as a lowercase l
• U can be used as a C or a lowercase n
• W can be used as an M
• P can be used as a lowercase d

This encourages participants to think outside the box, which is exactly the type of creative problem-solving we want to promote.

To improve visibility, I stenciled each letter onto the wooden tiles and outlined them with a permanent marker. A colleague also built a custom tile holder, making storage and transport quick and easy.

Ready to Play!

Rules (2023)

I introduced Stepping Words during our recent camp staff training with two groups. Based on those sessions, these are the rules we plan to use with our campers this season.

• Boundary Area: Approximately 1,525 cm (15.25 metres) from the Start line to the Finish line. We use lengths of webbing to mark the banks of our Lava River (our camp’s prehistoric theme).
• The objective is to spell words to move safely across the Lava River.
• Words must contain 2 to 5 letters.
  • We originally allowed longer words, but they made the challenge too easy and reduced teamwork and interaction.
• Words must be placed in alternating directions:
  • UP words move towards the Finish line.
  • ACROSS words run parallel to the Finish line.
• As each letter tile is placed, a participant must step onto it within one second, otherwise the tile is considered to have floated away and is removed.
• Any participant who places a tile becomes responsible for that tile for the remainder of the activity.
  • Example: If you place the W tile, you remain responsible for it throughout the challenge.
  • (We’re still testing this rule to see how it affects gameplay.)
• Participants may be responsible for up to two tiles, provided they are maintaining physical contact with both.
• Once a complete word is formed and every letter is occupied by a participant, that word may be dismantled so the letters can be reused to create new words further along the route.
• No jumping is allowed. At least one foot must remain on a letter tile at all times while inside the boundary area.
• If a participant touches the Lava (the ground), they must return to the starting shore for first aid before rejoining the activity.
  • Returning participants may only re-enter the course by stepping onto a correctly formed 2 to 5 letter word.

Ready… Set… Go!

Courtesy of  Chris Cavert, Ed.D. 

If you’ve been a AYOBA Follower , you know we love variations of Pipeline (Gutter Ball). Here is an idea of one’s we’ve used over the years during our team building sessions: 

‘Circle Run’ 

• Group is in a circle – each person with a channel (like the image above).
• Every other person has a marble/ball in their channel or, to make it easier, every third person.
• One player has a distinguishable marble/ball – or we can call it the ‘Pace Car’.
• Time movement of all the objects around the circle, through the channels.
• Only one object can be in any one channel at a time.
• When the Pace Car gets back to the player it started with time stops.
• Add 5 seconds to the overall time for every dropped object.
• A restart happens if two marbles end up in one channel. 

After reading about Pipeline Activities (Gutter Ball), We would start with just one marble going around the circle of channels. This will give the group a chance to warm up and start talking to each other with fewer ‘problems’ to solve. Then I would add a second marble, each starting at opposite sides of the circle. This will change the attention and communication behaviors of the group. Then add a third marble… You see where this is going.

To make this work, there will need to be at least one open channel between two marbles. Groups of 8 to 15 participants will make it a good challenge. If you have more than 15 in a group, divide them into groups of at least 8 players.

This is a good version of Pipeline (Gutter Ball) to use if you don’t have the room for a traveling leap-frogging line. You don’t need a lot of space to form circles with your groups.

Have fun out there!

Courtesy of  Chris Cavert, Ed.D. 

If you are new to Word Circle Puzzles, a cognitive team building activity.

Here’s a quick overview

Needs & Numbers: One Word Circle Puzzle for every 3 to 4 participants. You will also need 1 ‘Help Card’ for each group and some index card and markers.

Set Up: Have one word circle puzzle ready for each group you intend to form (e.g., 20 people in your group, you plan to form groups of four – so you need five puzzles and five Help Cards). Use the same puzzle for each group. NOTE: The longer the puzzle, the more time is usually takes.

Then, from each puzzle, take out one word card – take out a different word from each puzzle.

After forming groups and assigning each a spot to work on their puzzle, hand each group a puzzle, one Help Card, one blank index card and a marker.

Activity Objective: Connect all the word cards provided and then determine what one word is missing to complete the puzzle so all the word cards form a circle.

Here’s an example of a 6 Word Circle Puzzle:

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At Ayoba Group, we specialize in dynamic team-building experiences designed to strengthen communication, improve collaboration, boost morale, and create lasting connections among colleagues. Whether you’re looking for adventure-based activities, problem-solving challenges, leadership development, or simply a fun day out of the office, we tailor every event to meet your company’s unique objectives.

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Innovative Ideas for Team Morale

In today’s dynamic work environment, traditional team-building exercises often fall short of igniting the creativity and collaboration needed to drive success. To truly engage and inspire your team, consider exploring innovative ideas for team morale, activities that go beyond the usual fare. From immersive virtual reality experiences to impactful community service projects, these activities offer fresh approaches to strengthening team bonds and enhancing productivity. In this post, we dive into a variety of cutting-edge team-building ideas. These promise to energise your team and foster a more connected and collaborative workplace.

Escape Rooms with a Twist:

• • Virtual or In-Person: Customise an escape room challenge that reflects your team’s goals or industry. For example, a tech company could have a cybersecurity-themed escape room.
  • Team Rotation: Rotate team members between different rooms or puzzles to ensure everyone works together.

Hackathon or Innovation Day:

• Innovation Challenges: Host a day where teams compete to solve a real problem or create a new product idea within a set time.
• Collaboration: Encourage cross-department collaboration to combine diverse skills and perspectives.

Volunteer Together:

1. • Community Service: Organise a day of volunteering for a cause that aligns with your company’s values.
   • Impact Projects: Engage in projects that require team problem-solving, such as building homes or organising charity events.

Team-Building Retreat:

1. • Themed Retreats: Choose a theme like “survival skills” or “creative arts” and plan activities that challenge the team in unique environments.
   • Skill Workshops: Include sessions where team members can teach each other skills, like photography or cooking.

Cultural Exchange Potluck:

1. • Global Teams: If your team is diverse, host a potluck where everyone brings a dish from their culture and shares its significance.
   • Cultural Learning: Pair this with storytelling or presentations about each culture to build deeper understanding and appreciation.

Virtual Reality (VR) Experiences:

1. • Immersive Challenges: Use VR for team-building activities, such as virtual escape rooms, treasure hunts, or even virtual travel experiences.
   • Interactive Learning: Incorporate VR simulations that align with your work, like simulating a difficult project scenario.

Murder Mystery Dinner:

1. • Themed Events: Host a dinner where team members play characters in a murder mystery, requiring them to work together to solve the crime.
   • Storyline Customisation: Tailor the mystery’s plot to your industry or a specific project challenge.

Outdoor Adventure Challenges:

1. • Survival Skills Workshop: Teams learn and apply survival skills like building shelters or foraging, fostering teamwork in a fun, hands-on environment.
   • Obstacle Course Races: Set up or participate in obstacle races that require teams to strategise and support each other physically and mentally.

Creative Collaboration Workshops:

1. • Art Jamming: Engage in a group art project, like a mural or collaborative painting, where each member contributes to the overall piece.
   • Storytelling Circles: Encourage storytelling sessions where each team member adds to a story, fostering creativity and collaboration.

Mindfulness and Wellness Retreats:

1. • Wellness Workshops: Incorporate yoga, meditation, or mindfulness workshops into a team retreat to help members de-stress and connect.
   • Nature Walks: Organise guided nature walks or hikes that encourage reflection and team bonding in a relaxed setting.