This is a fun activity with lots of points for great debriefing and application in collaboration & sharing ideas.

Give each of your participants a piece of paper for 5- to 8 minutes and instruct them to make a paper airplane using only the piece of paper provided. Set up an area or start on one side of the room and have a contest to see who has the airplane that travels the farthest in the building. Then, take it outside and place your attendees in groups of three or four….

Great for Communication, Collaboration, & Creative Thinking

Duration: 45 minutes

Players: 6+

You’ll need Paper, stapler, paperclips, throwing target area(s), cardboard, rubber bands, tape, scissors

VIDEO 1: Make a Paper Airplane Launcher

VIDEO 2: How to Make 5 Easy Paper Airplanes That Fly Far

VIDEO 3: How to Make the World Record Paper Airplane for Distance

How to Lead the Activity

Once you’re outside, have the teams work in groups to create a paper airplane that flies further using additional tools and resources and even provide them tools to “build” a launch pad. They can watch the videos above or devise a solution that may work. They’ll have 30 minutes total to create their team plane and launch pad.

The team that builds the plane that travels the longest distance or gets the highest score in the target areas wins the competition.

Reflection of Paper Airplane Activity

When you ask a group to reflect on a team-building activity, it's like opening the door to a deeper level of understanding and learning. It's about recapping what happened, uncovering the underlying dynamics contributing to the outcome, and connecting it back to the purpose of the activity.

Reflection questions can strengthen relationships within the team. They encourage open dialogue and allow everyone to express their thoughts and feelings. They can reveal hidden issues, boost team morale, and promote a sense of shared responsibility. Plus, they provide a safe space for people to voice their ideas and concerns, which can build trust and respect among team members.

1. What was your strategy for finding for building your plane and launch device??
   1. This question encourages participants to reflect on their approach to the activity and consider what strategies worked well or could have been improved.
2. How did communication affect your success or challenges during the activity?
   1. This question prompts participants to think about how clear communication between partners was necessary to navigate this activity.
3. What emotions did you experience during the activity?
   1. Asking about emotions helps participants explore their experiences and connect with others who may have had similar feelings during the event.
4. What surprised you about the activity?
   1. This question encourages participants to think outside of the box and consider unexpected outcomes or impressions of the exercise.
5. What did you learn about teamwork and trust during the activity?
   1. This question helps participants reflect on the importance of trust and collaboration in problem-solving situations and how those skills can be applied in other settings.
6. What could you have done differently to improve your results by 10%?
   1. Participants can use this question to identify personal growth areas and brainstorm solutions for future teamwork challenges.