The Flying Carpet exercise for exciting Team-Building

The Flying Carpet is a team-building exercise that teaches collaboration and communication. It is a great way to develop these skills that are necessary for working together effectively. There are many different exercises that can be used to teach collaboration and communication, but one of the most effective is the flying carpet also known as the rug-flipping activity.

The exercise may seem simple, but it requires a high level of collaboration and communication to complete successfully. Each participant must work together with their team to move in unison, adjusting their movements to ensure that no one steps off the carpet.

Table of Contents

Toggle

Preparation

The preparation of the flying carpet activity is easy and requires only a few components, which are:

1. An open space or large meeting room
2. A carpet, tarp, or rug

How to do the Flying Carpet exercise

In this exercise, a small, carpet, tarp, or rug is provided that has enough room for all workshop participants to stand within its boundaries.

The goal of the exercise is for the team to work together to flip the carpet, tarp, or rug over without any participant stepping off. In case a participant steps off, the team must begin again.

You can provide the team as much time as you wish. However, 10 minutes is usually sufficient, and plan some time for the debrief.

Why this exercise is so effective?

This exercise can be used in a variety of settings, from corporate workshops to team-building events, to help individuals develop important skills that are essential for success in any collaborative environment. Here are a few ways in which the rug-flipping exercise can benefit teams:

1. Promotes Communication: The rug-flipping exercise requires constant communication between team members to ensure that everyone is on the same page. Team members must communicate their movements, provide feedback, and make adjustments on the fly, all while working towards a common goal.
2. Fosters Collaboration: The exercise encourages individuals to work together in a way that is both coordinated and supportive. The team must work as one cohesive unit, which requires everyone to be aware of their individual roles and how they fit into the larger team.
3. Builds Trust: By working together to accomplish a shared goal, the team develops a sense of trust that is essential for success in any collaborative environment. The exercise promotes teamwork, which helps to build trust and create a strong sense of camaraderie among team members.
4. Enhances Problem-Solving Skills: The rug-flipping exercise requires the team to adapt to unexpected challenges and make adjustments on the fly. This helps to develop problem-solving skills and encourages individuals to think creatively and collaboratively.

Debrief

The following questions might be helpful to debrief the exercise in the group to reflect on the behavior as a team and each individual during the exercise.

1. In what way does this activity correlate with teamwork?
2. Did a leader arise within the group? What qualities distinguished that individual as the leader?
3. Did anyone experience anxiety during the activity? What factors contributed to that feeling of anxiety?
4. What are the implications of this activity for our team moving forward?

Conclusion

In conclusion, the rug-flipping exercise is a powerful team-building exercise that teaches collaboration and communication in a fun and engaging way. By providing a small tarp or rug, and challenging the team to work together to flip it over without anyone stepping off, this exercise can help individuals develop the skills that are essential for success in any collaborative environment. So, next time you’re planning a team-building event, consider including the rug-flipping exercise to help your team develop their collaboration and communication skills.

Literature

Play the magic carpet game | Activities | Scouts