Back-to-Back Puzzle Making: Building Teamwork through Puzzles

What is Back-to-Back Puzzle Making?

In Back-to-Back Puzzle Making, participants work in pairs to complete a puzzle without looking at each other's puzzle pieces. Each person is given a different section of the puzzle and they must communicate effectively to assemble the puzzle correctly.

This activity encourages participants to actively listen, communicate clearly, and collaborate with their partner in order to successfully complete the puzzle. It is a great way to break the ice and foster teamwork among participants.

Materials needed for Back-to-Back Puzzle Making

• 2 Pieces of Paper (Per pair)
• 2 Pencil or Pen (Per pair)

How to play Back-to-Back Puzzle Making

• Prepare the Puzzles: Select a variety of puzzles with different difficulty levels. Make sure each puzzle can be divided into sections for each participant.
• Pair up Participants: Have participants pair up with someone they don't know well or haven't worked with before. Each pair will work together to complete one puzzle.
• Blindfold and Back-to-Back: Instruct participants to stand back-to-back with their partner and blindfolded. Ensure they cannot see each other's puzzle pieces.
• Distribute Puzzle Sections: Give each participant their designated puzzle section. Ensure that the sections are different and cannot be easily matched.
• Start Communicating: Participants can now start communicating with their partner to describe their puzzle section and the shape, color, or pattern of their puzzle pieces.
• Assemble the Puzzle: Using the information provided by their partner, participants must work together to assemble the puzzle correctly. They can continue to communicate and ask questions throughout the process.
• Reflection and Discussion: After completing the puzzle, facilitate a reflection session where participants can share their experiences and discuss the importance of effective communication and teamwork.

Benefits of Back-to-Back Puzzle Making

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 Puzzle Making include:

• Improves teamwork: Participants learn to collaborate and work together towards a common goal.
• Enhances communication skills: Participants practice active listening, clear communication, and problem-solving.
• Promotes creative thinking: Participants must think creatively to solve the puzzle using limited information.

Why we like Back-to-Back Puzzle Making

We love this activity because it not only encourages teamwork and communication, but also requires participants to rely on their listening skills and problem-solving abilities.

Reflection questions for Back-to-Back Puzzle Making

Reflection questions are a great way to help your team process their experience after playing Back-to-Back Puzzle Making.

1. What challenges did you face while trying to assemble the puzzle blindfolded? This question encourages participants to reflect on the difficulties they encountered and the strategies they used to overcome them.
2. How did effective communication contribute to your success in completing the puzzle? This question highlights the importance of communication in achieving a common goal.
3. What did you learn about teamwork from this activity? This question prompts participants to consider the role of teamwork in accomplishing tasks.

Which skills does Back-to-Back Puzzle Making 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.
• Listening - Listening skills in icebreakers and team building promote effective communication, understanding, and empathy among participants, fostering a positive and cohesive team dynamic.