What is it?

Build a Bridge is a game for teams of 4–6 people where they are tasked with building a sturdy bridge from the provided materials.

Why is it useful?

• Works as both a team building exercise and a recruitment/assessment tool.
• Lets you observe collaboration, leadership, problem-solving, and group dynamics.
• Encourages planning, communication, and fun.

Objectives

When team building:

• Work to a shared short-term goal.
• Learn each other’s strengths quickly.
• Establish leadership roles.
• Practice listening to a brief before problem solving.
• Reinforce collaborative benefits.
• Have fun as a group.

When recruiting/assessing:

• Observe positive engagement and natural leadership.
• See who listens carefully to instructions and asks clarifying questions.
• Identify collaborative problem-solvers.
• Spot individuals who disengage or disrupt the group dynamic.

When would you use it?

• Away-days and team building sessions.
• Recruitment or assessment centres (works across job levels from warehouse staff to senior managers).
• Best with groups of 4–6 people.

Resources Required

For the Facilitator

• Flip chart.
• Marker pens.
• A shoebox (or similar container) filled with 2kg of sweets or biscuits per team.
• Stopwatch.

For Teams

• 1 large ball of string.
• 30 x 1m garden sticks/bamboo canes (or 15 x 2m).
• 1 pair of secateurs.
• 1 roll of clear sticky tape (25mm).
• 1 pack of index cards or similar card.
• 2 broadsheet newspapers.
• 12 pencils.
• 1 tape measure or ruler.
• Scissors.
• Refuse sack (for clearing up).

Ground Rules

• Treat all insights as constructive feedback.
• Use the activity to improve culture and collaboration.

Process

1. Set the challenge

Explain that the task is to build one bridge per team.

2. Give the instructions

Show the slide with the rules and talk through each one carefully so everyone understands.

3. Start the task

Begin the clock (60 minutes) and answer questions as they arise.

4. Debrief

Run a plenary discussion:

• For team building: capture reflections on teamwork, learning, and improvements.
• For recruitment: use observers with scoring criteria to note behaviours, then record and compare scores.

Instructions

1. Build one bridge per team.
2. Use only the materials provided.
3. Bridge must allow the shoebox “lorry” to pass underneath and across.
4. Structure must be free-standing.
5. At least one span must measure 1m.
6. Deck must support the “lorry” along its full length.
7. You have 1 hour.
8. Teams keep the contents of the “lorry” if successful.

Secret Sauce

• Don’t label it as a competition – the best teams will often help others. Praise this collaboration.
• Vary the challenge for repeat use (e.g. pier, crane, Ferris wheel).
• In recruitment, word can spread quickly, so rotating the structure keeps the task fresh.