I had the opportunity to try out a new idea (the group named Tube Switch) for the first time with a group of elementary students and adult volunteers. (I would say, Tube Switch is a variation of the team building activity Key Punch and the family favorite Concentration.) There were five students and five adult - so, eventually we played the world record round with ten participants (Standing World Record for 10 players: 3.08 minutes).
Prep: For this first attempt I created a set of number cards from 1 to 12 - you see in the picture I put each number in a circle about the size of the paper tubes (toilet paper rolls) I was using. Using different colored cards turned out to be useful to the group when they were solving the challenge. I also numbered twelve tubes with nice big numbers.
Set Up: I used a basketball jump circle for the playing area (12 feet in diameter) to set up the cards and tubes. The numbered tubes went on cards of a different number (e.g., the number 11 tube went on the number 3 card). I placed each tube right over the number on the number card making the number on the card undetectable.
Prep: For this first attempt I created a set of number cards from 1 to 12 - you see in the picture I put each number in a circle about the size of the paper tubes (toilet paper rolls) I was using. Using different colored cards turned out to be useful to the group when they were solving the challenge. I also numbered twelve tubes with nice big numbers.
Set Up: I used a basketball jump circle for the playing area (12 feet in diameter) to set up the cards and tubes. The numbered tubes went on cards of a different number (e.g., the number 11 tube went on the number 3 card). I placed each tube right over the number on the number card making the number on the card undetectable.
Challenge: This timed challenge required players to pair up each numbered tube with it's numbered card.
Guidelines of Play (at this time):
Guidelines of Play (at this time):
- Only two players can enter the circle at any one time (as soon as the first person steps into the circled area the time starts).
- Number cards must stay in the position they were set down into.
- Each player can only pick up (and set down) one tube before they must exit the circle.
- Tubes must be set down over the top of the circled number on the card (the number on the card cannot be visible when the tube is on the card).
- When all tubes are matched with their numbered cards the time stops. This must be verified by one of the players inside the circle - thinking ahead this verification process can look or sound differently depending on how the group decides to do this.
Considerations: Here are a few things I'm going to try with Tube Switch in the future.
Let me know how this plays for you!! Leave your info in the comments below.
All the best,
Chris Cavert
- More players more cards/tubes.
- I can make a bigger set with these big noodle tubes that I purchased - the hole diameter is about 4 inches. I'll cut the noodles up into 6 or 8 inch lengths.
- I could use paper towel rolls - players will have to lean right over the tube to see the number on the card.
- I discovered that turning the tube numbers in different directions (initially) give people on the outside of the circle opportunities to help each other.
- If I use note cards that are all the same color this will take away some help when problem solving - during this first run players were saying, "The four is on the green card."
- Using a bigger circle there will be more movement - fitness related.
- What if more than two players could be in the circle at once?
- What if one of the players going in with a partner is unsighted?
Let me know how this plays for you!! Leave your info in the comments below.
All the best,
Chris Cavert
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