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Activity-creative thinking- Balls in Water bottles

Balls in Water Bottles – A Hands‑On Creative Thinking Challenge

Category: Games & Activities
Estimated Time: 20 minutes
Group Size: Teams of 4–5 participants
Best for: Problem‑solving, creativity, collaboration, lateral thinking

Objective:

Teams must remove two ping‑pong balls from a water dispenser bottle using only the provided chopsticks, tape, and their wits—without turning the bottle upside down. The exercise highlights how assumptions can limit creativity and how reframing a problem can reveal an elegant solution.

Materials Needed (per team):

  • 1 empty water dispenser bottle (5‑gallon style or similar)
  • 2 ping‑pong balls
  • 4–6 chopsticks
  • Roll of tape
  • Stopwatch or timer

Setup Instructions:

  1. Divide participants into teams of 4–5.
  2. Give each team a bottle, two ping‑pong balls, chopsticks, and tape.
  3. Have each team drop the balls into the bottle before the challenge begins.
  4. Explain the goal and rules (see below), then start the timer.

Rules:

  • No tilting, shaking, or turning the bottle upside down.
  • Teams may only use the chopsticks and tape provided.
  • The first team to get both ping‑pong balls out wins.

Trainer Tip:

Let teams experiment freely; avoid hinting at the solution. The “aha” moment is where the learning sticks.

Solution:

The simplest approach is to fill the bottle with water. As the water level rises, the ping‑pong balls float to the top and exit easily—no elaborate tool‑making required.

Debrief & Discussion:

  • What assumptions led you to focus on mechanical solutions first?
  • Did anyone consider adding water early on? Why or why not?
  • How does this exercise mirror real workplace challenges where obvious resources are overlooked?

Learning Outcomes:

  • Reveals how fixed assumptions restrict creativity
  • Highlights the power of lateral thinking under constraints
  • Encourages rapid experimentation and team collaboration
  • Demonstrates reframing problems to uncover simple solutions

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