Pipeline (a.k.a., Channels) Obstacles

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If you've been following the FUN for a while, you know Pipeline (a.k.a., Channels) is one of my go-to team building activities - I use this activity in so many ways. I've posted some Pipeline considerations in the past: 

• Pipeline: Variation
• Immobile Chopsticks (w/video) - Pipeline using foam noodles. 
• Bridges & Traits (A Pipeline Enhancement)
• The Channels Project: Creating with (new) Bloom's 

Looking through my collection of 'Blog Post Ideas' recently, I found some Pipeline Obstacles I've used in the past - fun ways to make transporting a round object a little more interesting. So, place these challenges along the path from Point A to B - let the group know your expectations of each challenge. When I program this one, any object drop results in a restart. 

Passing Through: Find something the object has to roll through - like an opening in a chair (see picture), a hanging tire on a ropes course, a window, a hair scrunchy, a mailbox slot, a hole cut in a cardboard box (maybe there is a hole in two sides of a larger box and channels have to be used inside the box to get the object through the second hole!), the handle of a purse...what else?

The Ice Pond: This is a laminated blue sheet of paper with a little 'Ice Pond' graphic. This paper is placed on the ground. When a group gets to it, one player (or two) must pick it up, another player, with the object, rolls it onto the pond, another player 'catches' the object at the other end of the pond. After success, the pond is placed back on the ground - the group travels on to the next challenge. 

The Rabbit Hole: In the picture, the group is using a Deck Ring, but any circular object can work. Cut a plastic water bottle into a ring shape, how about a small cardboard ring or a plastic cup with the bottom cut out. The challenge is to DROP the object down onto the next channel through the Ring. The wider the Ring the harder the challenge. 

Drop It In: Use ending containers with different sized openings and different sized bases. Smaller bases are less stable and more challenging to keep upright - unless the group solves for this problem. Container openings just big enough to accept the size of the round object will be more challenging than large openings - of course, unless the group solves for this challenge (see picture). When I play, if the container falls a restart is enforced. 

What are your favorite obstacles? Share in the Comments below. 

All the best, 

Chris Cavert, Ed.D.