Leaning Tower Of Feetza Group Game

Leaning Tower Of Feetza is a great teamwork activity for large or small groups.

Benefits

• Easy to set-up
• Fast paced
• Encourages teamwork
• Involves creativity
• Very interactive

Those activities that appear to be straightforward often turn out to be the best. Get your large group to divide into smaller groups of say 8 – 15 and instruct them to stay together.

Explain to them that their objective, as a smaller group, is to erect the highest free-standing structure. They can only do this by making use of their shoes. As soon as you give the word ‘Go’ they will have 3 minutes to complete the task.

When the 3 minutes has expired, get the groups to stand aside from their structure. Now, implement some type of ‘Measuring Ritual,’ which will decide whose structure or building is the highest.  

This measuring device can be your own body, stand next to the structure and mark its height. Then move on to measure the other structures.

This activity great fun and is usually enjoyed by all.

Contextual Framing Ideas of Leaning Tower Of Feetza Game

Everyone is aware that when you build a house or any other structure, it needs to have a solid foundation. This is true for any structure built, but it also applies to other things such as relationships, business initiatives and even new promotions or improvements.

Anything that you build, and you want it to last, needs to have a solid foundation. If you fail at this stage then disaster looms ahead for you, this will become clear in the following exercise.     

You will only have restricted resources to complete this task, but when you look at the finished product you may be surprised at what you have accomplished. Right from the start, take note of your initial thoughts, procedures and your enthusiasm. Then throughout the exercise see if any of these change……….   

Step-by-Step Instructions for Leaning Tower Of Feetza

• Get the larger group to break up into smaller groups of about 8 – 15 members.
• Instruct them that they need to build the highest free-standing building or structure they can. But they are only allowed to make use of their shoes.
• Give the groups 3 minutes in order to complete the task.
• The group that builds the highest structure is declared the winner.

Facilitators and Leaders Tips

As the game progresses, you will find that some groups will try to make their own rules as to what the term free-standing means. Inform them of the true definition, which is, nothing can support the structure including walls, feet or any other solid item.

If you find yourself in a hot or humid atmosphere, it may be advisable to conduct this exercise early in the day, as to avoid any nasty aromas.

Once the exercise is complete, have everyone take the shoes from the structures at random. They can then attempt to locate the owner. This usually turns out to be a great way for them to get to know each other.

After this activity, you already have all the people with their shoes off. This could be a good time to introduce them to the game ‘I Pass This Shoe’.

The interpretation of the games name ‘Leaning Tower of Feetza’ was invented by Karl Rohnke. I’m sure you can figure out his inspiration, of course, the real “Leaning Tower of Pisa’.     

Debriefing and Reflection Strategies

Here are some questions to ask the group, which will help them to process their experience of the game  ‘Leaning Tower of Feetza’:

• What tactics did your group use in order to build their structure? What worked and what did not?
• Given the 3-minute time limit, did this in any way affect your group’s performance?
• If you were asked to redo this exercise what would you change?