Activity
Trust Walk
In this variation of the trust fall game, one player, the communicator, guides her blindfolded partner through a maze of obstacles using only verbal directions. Thrilling and just a tad nerve-racking, this game builds a sense of trust between partners and boosts listening, communication and teamwork skills as partners work together to reach a common goal. Don't worry if your child is afraid of the dark—in this game being in the dark is part of the fun!
What You Need:
- 2 players
- Blindfold
- Several small objects such as blocks, small traffic cones, stuffed animals, tennis ball canisters or plastic containers (larger objects like plastic trash cans also work)
- Large flat area
What You Do:
- Before you begin placing your obstacles, clear the play area of any items that won't be part of the game and make sure there aren't any uneven surfaces or stairs nearby that could cause injury to the blindfolded player.
- Place obstacles strategically around the play area to create a sort of maze for players to wind through. Make sure you leave no straight, direct path to the other side.
- Have the first pair of players choose which one will give the directions and which one will follow them. Securely blindfold the follower and instruct her not to talk while the game is in play.
- Begin the game. The communicator must give her blindfolded partner directions to help her successfully navigate the maze of obstacles and reach the other side. The communicator can give her partner directional cues, but cannot tell her how many steps to take in each direction. Advise the communicator to speak slowly so her partner has time to follow her directions and doesn't get confused.
- Once the blindfolded player safely reaches the other side, have the two partners switch roles and restart the game.
You can easily play this game with more than two players, and with a few modifications you can also make it into an exciting treasure hunt that's great for birthday parties and other group gatherings. Just put a small gift under or inside one of the obstacles and have the communicator guide her partner to that obstacle.