What is Back-to-Back Building?
Back-to-Back Building is a variation of the classic 'Back to Back Drawing' game. In this activity, participants are paired up and sit back to back. One person is given a set of building blocks or Legos, while the other person is given a picture or design to recreate using the blocks. The challenge is that the person with the blocks must guide their partner to build the design without ever seeing it.
This activity encourages effective communication, teamwork, and problem-solving skills. It's a great way to break the ice, promote collaboration, and have some fun!
Materials needed for Back-to-Back Building
- 2 Pieces of Paper (Per pair)
- 2 Pencil or Pen (Per pair)
How to play Back-to-Back Building
- Pair up: Ask participants to pair up with someone they don't know well. Each pair should sit back to back.
- Assign roles: Designate one person as the 'Builder' and the other as the 'Guide'. The Builder will have the set of building blocks, while the Guide will have the picture or design to recreate.
- Start building: The Guide must give clear instructions to the Builder on how to build the design, without actually describing the design itself.
- Communicate effectively: The Guide can use words, gestures, or any non-visual cues to guide the Builder. The Builder must listen carefully and ask questions if they need clarification.
- Complete the task: The goal is for the Builder to successfully recreate the design based on the instructions given by the Guide. Encourage participants to work together and overcome any challenges.
Benefits of Back-to-Back Building
Team building activities are far more than just fun and games. They pack a punch when it comes to the range of benefits they can deliver.
Some of the benefits of Back-to-Back Building include:
- Teamwork: Participants learn to collaborate and work together to achieve a common goal.
- Communication skills: This activity emphasizes the importance of clear and effective communication.
- Problem-solving: Participants must find creative solutions and overcome obstacles to complete the building task.
Why we like Back-to-Back Building
We love this activity because it promotes teamwork, enhances communication skills, and fosters a sense of accomplishment when participants successfully complete the building task.
Reflection questions for Back-to-Back Building
Reflection questions are a great way to help your team process their experience after playing Back-to-Back Building.
- What communication techniques worked best? Reflect on the strategies used to convey instructions effectively.
- What challenges did you face? Discuss any difficulties encountered during the activity and how you overcame them.
- How did teamwork contribute to the success of the task? Explore the role of collaboration in accomplishing the building challenge.
Which skills does Back-to-Back Building build?
- Teamwork - Teamwork skills are crucial for icebreakers and team building because they foster effective communication, encourage collaboration, and promote a sense of unity among team members, leading to better problem-solving and increased productivity.
- Communication - Communication skills are essential for icebreakers and team building because they facilitate effective and open dialogue, allowing team members to connect and understand each other better, which leads to improved collaboration and problem-solving.
- Problem-solving - Problem-solving skills are essential for icebreakers and team building as they help break down barriers, foster creativity, and encourage collaboration, resulting in stronger relationships and more effective problem-solving within the team.
Jon Zajac
