Human Machine

Supplies: None.

This can be done with large or small groups.

If you have less than 10 people you’ll create one machine. If you have more than 10, you’ll want to divide into teams of 10 to 20 people and have each team create a machine.

Give them the following instructions: You are to make a human machine using all of your team members. Choose an appliance, machine or contraption of any kind, and act out all of its parts with all the members of your team. For example: if you were to choose an electric toothbrush, several people could lay down to be the handle, others would be vibrating bristles. The sky is the limit.

It’s best to let them come up with their own ideas. But here’s a few great ones:

• A pinball machine (with a kid rolling around as the ball)


• A ski lift (with kids being scooped up by kids with locked arms)


• A washing machine


• A car wash

Discover Jonathan’s top team builders in his book about developing student leaders, “Ministry By Teenagers: Developing Leaders from Within”