The Maze
Dynamic problem-solving initiative that can be linked powerfully to real life
At A Glance
A group attempts to navigate the correct path across a series of spots on the ground.
What You Need
- Bunch of rubber spots / carpet tiles / chalk circles
- Pen & paper
What To Do
This is an ideal problem-solving exercise when you don’t have a lot of room to use.
In advance, lay a series of rubber gym spots /carpet tiles or simply draw chalk circles on the floor, arranged in rows and columns (see photograph). There’s no magic number, but the more spots, the more difficult the task will be.
Start your group at one end of the spots, and explain that you would like the group to navigate their way through the maze – one step at a time – to identify the secret pathway. The correct path starts with one of the spots in the top row (closest to the group), and will finish with one of the spots which form the final row. How the path travels between those two points is a secret.
As with electricity, suggest that the secret pathway will follow the path of least resistance, so it will not run in a straight line, and may turn in any direction, but it will never cross itself, nor use any spot twice (see sample below). Also explain that once identified, the path will not change.
Instruct your group that only one person is entitled to enter the area of the spots at any point in time. To this end, the group may choose to task several people to enter the area to navigate the path, but only ever one person at a time. Explain that every time a spot is stepped on (with both feet), you will either give the thumbs up (yes, part of the path) or thumbs down (no, not the correct path). Tally the number of “errors,” challenging the group to navigate the path with as few errors as possible.
This is the basic set-up. To add extra spice, add one or more of the variations described below.
Note, like many problem-solving activities, this activity and its execution are wonderfully applicable to many a metaphor. For example, the maze represents a journey (or the life of a group), because it has a start and an end and many unknowns in between, and to be successful the whole group must work together, etc.
Variations
Each time an error is made (stepped on wrong spot, or perhaps in wrong sequence), require the stepper to retrace their correct steps back out of the maze returning to the start.- Establish a maximum number of “errors” the group can incur to be “successful.” Based on the maze I often use (illustrated at right), most groups are able to be “successful” in 30 or less errors.
- Ask the group to complete the task silently, ie no verbal communication once the spotted area is entered for the first time. This may mean that they group can talk during their designated planning time.
- For groups still developing their social skills, use less spots or a greater number of allowable errors.
Do you have other ideas about this exercise? If so, let me and the world know by clicking here…
Comments
2 Comments on The Maze
- Melissa on Tue, 8th May 2012 10:12 pm
I am a Education Assistant Student in WA at the moment and today I had to present a 20 minute lesson to a group of students. After flicking through a few websites for ideas for an introductory game, the maze took my eye. It worked brilliantly and even my supervising lecturer loved it. I will certainly be keeping an eye on your blog and recommend it to anyone in education.
Melissa 
- Mark Collard on Wed, 9th May 2012 5:00 am
That’s great news Melissa, well done on impressing your supervisors. And keep an eye out for my new online resource which will blow this blog out of the water – http://www.playmeo.com – it will launch in July 2012, and will become the largest online resource of play and adventure-based activities in the world. Have FUNN, Mark
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Hi, I'm Mark Collard.
This blog shares some of the most successful group games, team-building activities & programming tips I know.
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