Chain Reaction

In this lively team building activity, teams collaborate to create fun tabletop contraptions inspired by the one and only Rube Goldberg. The idea is to design insanely complicated machines as a way to accomplish simple tasks.

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Available as

In-Person

Why this event?

This activity offers a funny, engaging challenge designed to unleash creativity and foster healthy teamwork. The concept of making things far more complicated than they need to be is actually a powerful way to make the point that simple is usually better.

A bit of history on the inspiration behind Chain Reaction: Rube Goldberg was a Pulitzer Prize-winning cartoonist, sculptor, author, engineer and inventor. He somehow managed to combine all his talents into one genius-level superpower. Goldberg would dream up and illustrate a series of bizarrely complex mechanisms meant to accomplish very simple tasks. 

Once divided into smaller teams, your group will move into friendly competition mode as they design and assemble their own “simple” machines. Each team designs builds and tests a number of simple machines. But ultimately, each of their individual inventions must also work together as part of a greater whole. Since the mission is challenging, teams need to think strategically as they develop a common vision to bring their crazy inventions to life. Collaboration has never been so fun.

Team size
  • 10-1000
Time needed
  • 2-4 hours
Space requirement

This works best as an indoor activity. You’ll want a large private function space with a long table for each team, plus four big rectangular tables at the front of the room. Chairs are optional. If your group is larger than 50, we’ll also need a microphone and speaker setup.

Ideal for
  • Supporting strategic planning
  • Friendly competition
  • Improving time management
  • Inspiring creativity and fun
Tailoring

TeamBonding is all about customization. Would you like specific elements of company branding, culture and/or mission statement woven into your program? Just let us know what you have in mind.

*For another variation on this popular event, check out Domino Effect.

Let's talk.

For more than 20 years, we’ve been helping teams like yours enhance open communication and build team camaraderie. If you want to rekindle the bonds your team once shared, or you’re assembling a new virtual team for the post-pandemic world, we are here to help.

Questions? Need a quote?

Complete this form to get started or call 877-472-2725.

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