Building Connections One Ball at a Time!

When it comes to adult professional development, we often think of workshops, lectures, readings, or collaborative planning .  However, sometimes what your team really needs is a hands-on, playful challenge to reconnect and refuel energy. That’s where an activity like Pipeline can work well. Each person holds a plastic pipe piece, and together the group must guide a rolling ball from the start to the finish without letting it drop. The challenge is to communicate, move quickly, and connect the pieces smoothly so the ball keeps moving as a team effort.

This Game Is Fun, Engaging, and Team Strengthening

1. It’s tactile and physical, not just “talk.”

After long days of sitting and meeting, staff often appreciate opportunities to move, interact, and get active. 

2. It naturally invites collaboration & role differentiation.

To succeed, the group must coordinate: who holds which pipe, who times the drops or passes, who catches or redirects the ball. Different people will naturally step into roles (leader, supporter, strategist). 

3. It encourages communication under mild pressure.

Teams must talk — often quickly — about how to route the ball, how to troubleshoot, and how to adapt when things don’t go as planned. That pressure (just enough to be fun, not overwhelming) helps bring out clear communication strategies and reveals how the team handles missteps together.

This simple but energizing activity reminds staff that teamwork, clear communication, and adaptability are key to success. By playing together, your school community strengthens bonds and builds collaborative spirit !