Fun Leadership Exercises

In these days of committees and group decisions, many people are never given actual “control” of everything. These fun and exciting team activities can teach kids—and even adults—the value of leadership and enhance their leadership skills as well. This allows them to complete any tasks given to them in the best of their abilities.

All of these exercises are performed by at least four people and are designed to be run twice: First as a leaderless activity and next with a designated leader controlling the group. After each game, discuss with group members what they have done in order to achieve the goal of the game and differentiate between the two methods of attaining it (leaderless and with a leader).

Guiding Star

This activity teaches the value of planning and control.

Take two ropes—each 10 feet in length—and lay them out on the floor to make a star pattern made up of two triangles one on top of another. The shape is similar to the symbol that you see in the flag of Israel.

At the beginning of the activity, pick up the ropes and give it to the team.

The members are then blindfolded and be given 15 minutes to arrange the ropes like the star symbol.

After 15 minutes, the members should stop what they are doing, take off their blindfolds, and see what they have created.

Rescue Bobby

This activity makes the participants learn the best method or equipment that should be used to solve a problem.

Mark out a circle measuring 10 feet in diameter and place a large stuffed animal that you will name Bobby at the center of the circle.

Place a large bucket or basin outside the circle. Its size should at least big enough for Bobby to fit in.

At the other side of the circle opposite the bucket, place the following items: two ropes measuring 12 feet each, four bamboo poles measuring 6 feet in length each, 4 old spoons, 2 old magazines, a chair, and a mug.

The team has 10 minutes to rescue Bobby out of the circle and put into the bucket. 

The members are not allowed to enter the circle; they are also not allowed to touch Bobby with their hands; Bobby must not touch the ground outside the circle; and the team may use as much or as little equipment as possible.

Flip Over

This activity tests patience and consideration for others when working with a team in a confined space. 

Place a mat on the floor about one meter by two meters. It should be large enough to accommodate all team members but confined enough to leave them with little space between each other.

Get all the team members to stand on the mat.

At a time limit of 15 minutes, the team should turn the mat completely upside-down without stepping off of it.

If they do step or fall off the mat, they should start all over again.

If they completed it without much difficulty, add a few more members and tell them to try again.

If they find it too difficult, remove a person or two but they should do it at a shorter time limit.

Human Shoelace

This activity requires as many people as possible.

Take a shoelace and tie a simple knot by the middle. Then tie another simple knot on top of it. After which, tie two simple knots at each end of the shoelace. Remember not to tighten all of the knots. This will be used as a reference.

Take a rope long enough for everyone in the team to hold with both hands.

Line up all the people taking part in the activity in a straight line with the long rope on the floor in front of them.

The members then put their hands out in front of them, palms facing downward. After which, they pick up the rope.

Assign where in the rope the knots should be made. For instance, the first knot should be between the second and third member.

At a time limit of 15 minutes, the group should be able to make the knots just like in the shoelace at the locations assigned to them without letting go of the rope or sliding their hands along with it.

This activity should be marshaled carefully, preferably with more than one person.