Participants use ropes to control a single writing pen held upright by a plastic disk resting on a large sheet of paper. As the participants pull the ropes, the disk slides around leaving behind a trail of ink from the pen. Even with a shared objective in mind, drawing as a team is difficult until the group learns how to work together. Once the lines of communication are running smoothly and everyone has a feel for how they influence the outcome, the group can draw effectively as if they are one.
This activity can be staged in many ways. Pre-designed templates can present the group with a winding path to follow or a maze to solve. If the objective is to write a word or a phrase or draw a shape or a company logo, planning, leadership and extra coordination are required. The paper sheet can be prepared in advance with cards half-hidden in slits so that when the pen reaches a card, a new topic of the day is revealed.
Name Compass
Instead of giving each other directions in the usual way (“up”, “down”, “left”, “right,” etc.), the participants are only allowed to use each other’s names (“A little more towards Anita and Rob!”). This is an unusual way of learning names that will set your workshop apart from anything the participants have seen before.
Guide Dog
4–6 participants put on blindfolds. The others take the lead and verbally coordinate the drawing activity. The “blind” experience the importance of sharing essential information; the seeing discover just how much precise instructions help overall success.
SHARE THIS TOOL
Use it for a fun and easy kick off, learning names, activating the group, creating team spirit
Use it for communicating effectively and explicitly, motivating through information, generating trust
Use it for identifying interdependencies, adapting and synchronizing the actions of the parts to achieve system goals
Use it for focus on progress along a path toward a goal, realizing gains as skills improve, organizational learning
Use it for coordinating actions, cooperating and sharing responsibility
Participants (min / optimal / max) | Time for Activity |
---|---|
6 / 10 / 30 | 15-30 mins |
Materials | Space Needed |
1 folding case made from solid beach wood, 18 braided ropes (1.2 m x 3 mm, detachable), 10 printed maze sheets (16.5 x 23.4 in)1 pen, 1 detailed instructions manual | 3 x 5 ft (0.3 x 0.5 m) |
Dimensions (boxed) | Weight |
23.75 x 16.5 x 3.75 in (60.3 x 41.9 x 9.5 cm) | 15.2 lb (6.9 kg) |
We ship anywhere in North America. Ground shipping, express and overnight service available.
We accept returns for a full refund for any unused products sent back within 14 days of receipt.
All products come with a 12-month warranty, covering any material manufacturing defects.
We provide personalized email and phone support during standard business hours, Monday - Friday on Pacific time.
I participated in a webinar put on by Metalog Tools USA and it was phenomenal! The very next day I used some of what I learned in a team building I did, and it was a magical time -- actually one of the best team building moments I've had in 21 years. Thank you Jeff & the entire Metalog Tools USA staff! 5 stars well earned!
Steve Venable
Sept 27, 2022
I am a huge fan of Metalog Tools. Team building activities are a big part of what my organization does and their products are always a big hit. It cost a little more than some of the other products out there but I think of it as an important investment.
Bobby Williams
May 26, 2022
Loved the Metalog Tools that I ordered for Training. We had 20 people in the class and some of their favorite exercises were those using the Metalog Tools. The tools are a little bit pricey but everything is made extremely well. I anticipate being able to use them in training for a long time! I would give them an "Excellent" rating.
Bob Hileman
May 4, 2022
Amazing service and great quality. Laura and team were so helpful to get me the order in record time. Thank you
J B
Mar 24, 2022
High-quality, unique experiential training tools. Well worth the cost. Many options to fit training needs. Highly engaging with verifiable outcomes. Customer service is top notch. Responsive and easy to work with.
Ryan Bertram
Dec 9, 2021
Great product and team building activity. These people have some good ideas.
Michael Donaldson
Mar 4, 2022
Excelentes productos!
Mariana Caceres Ruiz
April 13, 2022
Since I meet METALOG TOOLS everything changed. In terms of interaction, this kind of tools allow the expansion of dynamics, also facilitates the adoption of concepts and the evaluation of what is done in the workshops. The tools have a high, medium and low level of complexity, they are tailored to the participants and have a facilitation guide, this allows their proper use. In general terms, I recommend Metalog Tools as an ally in your training and education processes.
Ivania Artunduaga Rubiano
Dec 17, 2021
Fantastic customer service! We had several questions about the items before we ordered, and some of the items were coming from Germany. We got all of our questions answered, and they handled all of the details with shipping from Germany. Everything arrived on time in perfect order.
Brandy Damron
Dec 17, 2021
We love using Metalog tools and trainings within our organization. The fun, hands-on approach has helped solidified learning and application!
Amy Oliver
Dec 13, 2021
These tools have transformed our training programs. Our participants are fully engaged and able to learn and retain the material naturally. For our facilitators, the ways we can use these tools are seemingly endless.
Bob Jacobson
July 11, 2021
Metalog Tools achieve something that few other forms of training can: the ability to quickly tap into my customers’ visual and tactile senses, and utilize them for the learning process. I am so happy every time to see how, when I tailor the activity precisely to the needs of my customers, I can achieve deep and long-lasting learning, confident in the knowledge that my work is not just useful, but also great fun.
Mark Wagner
Jan 10, 2021