Escape from the Labyrinth!™ 4-team | Team Training Activity

• The key points about group interaction
• To practise problem-solving skills
• To highlight the need to plan ahead
• To practise collaboration within a team
• To test ability to listen to other idea
• To think before acting
• 10-team version also available here

Labyrinth is a computer program accessed via the online Northgate Trainerhub, so for this Northgate activity, each team requires its own device and internet access. It is suitable for both virtual and face-to-face training sessions.

Essentially, teams are trapped in an underground labyrinth and have just 60 minutes to escape. To do so they must solve problems and puzzles - or at least attempt them. Correct solutions gain 30 points each - so it’s not just about being the first to get out!

The problems and puzzles are located in three different rooms, reached via tunnels. To help, teams have a map. Once in a room they click on particular objects to reveal a problem: these may involve lateral thinking, logic, spatial reasoning, attention to detail etc. Once all problems have been attempted, teams are issued a golden key which opens the Exit door (if they can find it) and gives them a completion time and a final points score.

Of course, there are some surprises. A monster roams the tunnels, appearing whenever a team supplies a wrong solution, and denying them their 30 points. In addition, at one point, flooding fills the tunnels. Teams must stop everything and locate a lever to halt the rising waters. Stimulating and fun - and packed with lessons on teamwork and joint problem-solving!

NOTE: You receive two version of Labyrinth: one is less challenging than the other, so each time you use it you can choose what best suits your target audience.

Access via the Northgate Trainerhub

This Northgate training activity is hosted on the online Northgate Trainerhub. 50 game sessions (25 each for Level 1 & Level 2) PLUS x2 FREE practice sessions included. You can run the activity with up to 24 participants per game session within your organisation. 10-team version also available.

1. Choose which level to use (Level 1 or Level 2) and enter one email address per team to set up access codes via the Northgate Trainerhub.
2. Introduce the session in plenary using the optional PowerPoint to simply explain the basic mechanics of the activity, before sending teams to breakout rooms.
3. Send access codes to each team leader. The operates the computer program and shares their screen with other team members. The whole team considers the Team Brief and Map and then decides how to navigate the labyrinth. When they encounter a problem, it is discussed by the whole team and the leader enters their solution.
4. Observe teams in action, collecting any anecdotes or observations which can be interesting or instructive at the debrief.
5. If a team finishes before the deadline, they can work together on a review of their overall performance using the Team Review Form - what they did well and what not so well.
6. Bring all teams together for a review of what occurred. Announce the team with the winning score.
7. At the Debrief, work through the problems as necessary - all the solutions and explanations are supplied in the Trainer's Notes and on the PowerPoint.
8. List the main learning points arising from the experience (as in the Trainer's Notes) plus any others you might like to add that you observed in the session.

Full guidance supplied in the Trainer’s Notes.

• Trainer's Notes
• Trainer's PowerPoints (for Level 1 & Level 2)
• Computer Program (internet access required)
• Team Brief
• Labyrinth Map
• Team Review Form

This activity is supplied digitally via the Northgate Trainerhub. No delivery charges apply.

This Northgate Training activity comes with a licence for repeat use, for up to 50 game sessions (25 for Level 1 & 25 for Level 2) with up to 24 participants at a time, for use by Trainers based at one licence-holding site. Please see our 10-team version here for use with up to 60.

All Trainers physically based at the same office location can access the Northgate resources during the five-year term, including the digital resources supplied on the Trainerhub via your own site-specific Trainer Dashboard. If you have Trainers based at other locations, and/or remote workers, who would like to access and use the Northgate resources, we can advise further depending on your requirements.

For further information on our licence terms please view the Northgate Licence Agreement.