Leadership Icebreakers
Balloon Fight

Title & Description

Leadership Icebreakers - Balloon Fight is a physical game that can be used to break the ice for a group of strangers or used for observing group dynamics of a team in a competitive setting. Do note that this game may be inappropriate for certain groups due to its physical nature.

Purpose

• For icebreaking purposes
• To observe group dynamics with a group of participants

Team Size

About 10 or more

Materials Required

One balloon per person (get a few extra, in case)
One piece of elastic band per person

Time Required

20 minutes

Instructions

1. Divide everyone into groups of twos or threes.

2. Give everyone a balloon and a piece of elastic band each.

3. Get everyone to blow up the balloon into considerable size (if you haven’t already done so) and tie it to their ankle facing outwards.

4. The objective of the game is for a team to destroy all other teams’ balloons by stepping on them. (Their balloons, not their feet!)

5. Before you start the game, allocate each team to a particular location within the playing space.

6. Announce the scoring system to them:

• For destroying one balloon, 1 point is awarded.
• For being the last team standing, 3 points is awarded.

7. Give the teams 5 minutes to strategize.

8. After 5 minutes, set the game off.

9. Every time a person’s balloon is burst, that person is eliminated and will be asked to sit down on the side.

10. Call the time when only one team’s members are left standing.

11. The winning team is the one with the highest score.

Debriefing Notes

1. What behaviours did you observe from your team members before and during the balloon fight?

2. What behaviours did you observe from your opponents during the balloon fight?

3. How do you think that behaviour is reflected in the workplace?

4. Talk about a behaviour that you thought was helpful toward the team effort.

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