Pipeline Game / Röhrli Outdoor Game

Groups must build the best possible connection (pipeline) between two points using drinking straws. The group that can channel the most water – out of one litre – from A to B through the straw system, i.e. the group that lets the least water drip out, wins.

Material

Plastic straws (lots)
Plastic cups
Clothespins (one colour per group)
Adhesive tape
Barrier tape
Matches
Rubbing surfaces

Game description

First, groups are formed (2 or more), and each group is assigned a starting point and a finishing point. The starting point must be significantly higher than the finishing point so that the water can flow from top to bottom. The construction area should be marked out with barrier tape.
Each group is given some starting materials (a few plastic cups, some straws, and possibly some sticky tape) and one paper clip per person.
Explain the rules of the game.

Rules of the game

Building

The tubes can be slotted into one another to form a piping system. The joints can be sealed and secured using adhesive tape. The cups serve as reservoirs and temporary storage. The groups can test the piping system with water at any time to identify weak points. In the end, the start and finish points must be connected to the tubes, and there must be at least one start cup and one finish cup. It is advisable to lay several pipes side by side (redundancy) to make things more difficult for saboteurs from the opposing group.

Fighting

The groups must always wear a clip on their upper arm. Each group is given a
different colour. If they are torn off or lost, they must fetch a new one from the centre of the playing area, e.g. by completing a task at a station (singing a song, looking up Bible verses, doing a somersault, etc.). The armbands can be taken from members of other groups, but only outside the construction zone. Only builders and saboteurs are allowed to enter the construction zone; no battles take place there. The peg battle can also be made less intense, for example, by allowing older players to take pegs only from those of the same age. With the pegs from the opposing group, players can buy new building materials or sabotage materials
.

Sabotage

Saboteurs can buy sabotage materials in the centre of the game or at a station
(e.g. a match and a striking surface, or – for older participants – a ‘woman’s fart’) using ‘Klämmerli’ or by earning them in some other way. With these materials, they can make their way into the construction zone. If they manage to do so, they can sabotage a pipe there undisturbed; afterwards, they must leave the construction zone again.

Notes

You can create additional tasks relating to equipment or team support as you see fit.
The game can either have a fixed time limit (e.g. 60 minutes) or an open-ended format.
The game can be played indoors or outdoors.