Raft Building is an activity that will surely bring the team together. Participants form teams, tie two giant sticks together to create a single pole, and construct a raft using whatever materials are nearby (tables, chairs, ropes). The rules for building the rafts are few (they must sit on top of water), but participants should be encouraged to discuss and propose ideas.
After participants work together to build their raft, teams need to test it by pushing the raft into the water from a dock or poolside. If they can make it across without sinking, they win! This activity is great for team building because participants will have to communicate with each other as well as collaborate with colleagues to build a raft that can be paddled across a pool or lake.
This is a great team building activity because it is fun and easy, but still provides participants with important skills about working together. Participants will gain confidence in each other as they face conflict and work through difficult problems on this task. As they sort out ways of approaching the challenge of building their raft, participants will set the foundation for teamwork during more complicated tasks later in the day or retreat!
After participating in Raft Building activities – whether large-scale at a retreat center or small-scale at an office – coworkers learn to trust one another and communicate effectively under stress. They also recognize how much easier activities run when everyone works together toward a common goal instead of going at it alone.
When groups work together towards a common goal, they learn to trust one another and communicate effectively while under pressure. They also realize how much easier activities run when everyone works together instead of going at it alone!
Table of Contents
What is raft building?
Raft building is a team-building project, where groups form teams and build rafts out of whatever materials they can find to get across water.
How do you build a raft team?
Gather participants into teams of four or five people. Provide each team with approximately 10 square feet of rope, one table and two chairs (or two square feet of rope and one chair each). Give the teams five minutes to plan and discuss how they will construct their raft and 10 minutes to build it. The raft should be able to float and support the weight of at least one person to win!
What is the purpose of a raft?
A raft is a water vessel that floats and provides support for people to stay above the water.
How do I make an easy raft?
You make a raft easy or hard based on the materials you use, and how much time you have for building. In general, the more time you have, the more complex your raft can be.
How do I make a small wooden raft?
On a flat surface, place two chairs side by side. Take one chair and place it on top of the other so that they are perpendicular to each other. Tie one end of your rope to the front leg of the chair on top, and tie the other end to the back leg of the chair on the bottom. Take your remaining chair and place it behind the first one, creating an “X.” Tie one end of your rope to the front leg of the chair on top, and tie the other end to the back leg of the chair on bottom. Now, take your remaining two pieces of rope and make a hammock by tying the ends to each of the legs on either side.
How long does it take to build a raft?
It takes approximately ten minutes to build a raft out of chairs and rope.
Can you make a raft out of bamboo?
Yes, bamboo is very buoyant and works great for rafts!
How do you lash a raft?
Take your rope and make a “shepherd’s hook” by creating an upside-down U shape. Bring the two ends of the “U” together and thread them through the opening. Gather both ends into a loop by attaching them to your hook. Now, thread one end of your rope through the loop on your hook and pull it out so that you have a double length of rope attached to the hook. Now, thread the other end of the rope through the loop on your hook, but this time thread it under and then back over the first piece of rope. Pull both ends of the rope to tighten.
What makes a good raft?
A good raft is one that floats and supports the weight of at least one person.
How do you make a homemade river raft?
To make a homemade river raft, use whatever materials are readily available to you. Plywood is ideal because it floats well and can support heavy weights, but you can also use logs, empty paint buckets and household appliances like vacuum cleaners and microwaves (although not all at once, of course).
Building a raft is all about creativity and innovation. The crazier the better!
What material is used to make a raft?
The material used to make a raft varies based on the materials that are available. For example, if you use bamboo it is very buoyant and floats easily.
How does a wooden raft float?
A wooden raft floats because of its buoyancy. Buoyancy is the upward force that keeps any object afloat on water.
