LEGO Serious Play: What is the duck challenge?

LEGO Serious Play: What is the duck challenge?

LEGO is about more than just iconic sets and creative builds – it’s also a powerful tool for connection and business performance improvement. One of the most engaging activities within the LEGO Serious Play methodology is the LEGO duck challenge, which provides an ideal starting point to unlock creativity, foster collaboration, and discover fresh perspectives in group settings, whether it’s the workplace or a friendly get-together.

What is the LEGO duck challenge?

The duck challenge is one of the most popular activities used in LEGO Serious Play sessions, and for good reason. Not only is the duck challenge a perfect ice breaker, but it also encourages participants to think creatively, offering a glimpse of the innovation potential within the session.

The premise is simple: each participant is given the same six LEGO parts and instructed to build a duck. No instructions, no rules – just 60 seconds to create a duck.

The results never fail to amaze us. Who knew there were so many different ways to build a LEGO duck? Herein lies the beauty of the duck challenge: it quickly demonstrates the diversity of thought and the different ways individuals approach the same problem.

Not only is the duck challenge an instant conversation starter, but it also sets the tone for what’s to come in any corporate session, where business performance and creative collaboration are key outcomes.

How our LEGO duck challenge packs work

Just as the duck challenge is the perfect starting point for a LEGO Serious Play session – or as an ice breaker for any get-together – our duck challenge packs are the perfect starting point for a workplace, a research team, business, school, or team-building event looking to learn more about group LEGO play. We have even supplied our duck challenge kits to birthday parties!

Our 10-kit packs contain the LEGO parts needed for 10 participants to build their ducks, individually bagged for ease. Their compact size means they can be posted ahead of time for a virtual workshop or online training, handed out during small team meetings or brought along to a larger event.

Why we love the Duck Challenge

It’s a perfect icebreaker

In our experience, nothing gets participants talking and laughing quite like the duck challenge. It’s the perfect warm-up activity, helping to break down barriers and make everyone feel more comfortable with collaboration. With so many different possible outcomes, curiosity, humour and creativity are guaranteed.

It encourages out-of-the-box thinking

The challenge may be simple, but it can unlock complex creativity. Many participants will take the opportunity to think outside the box, approach problems in new ways, and let their imaginations run wild. The results are always surprising and often reveal new perspectives that can help participants get to know one another better or – in corporate settings – be applied to the session’s main goals.

It encourages team collaboration

Though each person builds their own duck, the duck challenge naturally encourages group reflection and collaboration. After the builds are complete, participants can share their creations and discuss their thought processes – in turn, this can spark conversations that highlight different problem-solving approaches. This is especially important in organisations, where diverse approaches lead to better solutions and a better business environment.

It’s quick and simple to set up

Our duck challenge packs are designed for ease of use. Each kit is compact and organised, so you can quickly set up your activity and get everyone building within minutes. It’s a great addition to any LEGO Serious Play session, ensuring participants are engaged from the very beginning.

It’s fun for all ages and groups

Whether you’re working with corporate teams, school groups or family and friends, the duck challenge has universal appeal. It’s simple enough for young children and engaging enough for adults, making it a versatile tool for any group setting.

Learn more about the LEGO Serious Play method with BrickResales

In today’s world, finding ways to bring people together and create meaningful connections is more important than ever.

LEGO Serious Play was developed by academics Johan Roos and Bart Victor in the mid-90s and was integrated by The LEGO Group soon after.

First established as a tool for managers to describe, create and challenge their views on business, LEGO Serious Play has since transformed into an experiential process for use in guided workshops of all kinds—rooted in extensive research from various fields, including business, organisational development, psychology, and learning.

The core process of the LSP method starts with a question from a trained LEGO facilitator certified to facilitate LEGO Serious Play sessions. Participants then use LEGO bricks to create 3D models that represent an idea or response to the posed question.

By incorporating fun, hands-on challenges like the duck activity, participants can engage in open communication, share knowledge, and spark innovation. All of this is achieved in a matter of minutes with just a few simple LEGO bricks.

So trusted is the LEGO Serious Play method that it has been used by global corporations like IKEA, Virgin and Samsung for strategy development, stakeholder consultation and team building.

Introduce the powers of LEGO Serious Play to your business today.

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