Before you start
Ensure you have all materials:
- Blindfolds (if available)
- bits and pieces to make a structure (e.g. building blocks, material, clothes, plastic, cardboard, tubes etc) with enough of each for smaller groups to construct simultaneously if desired.
What to do
Split the group in two. Half of the group will be required to be blindfolded. You can use blindfolds or have them close their eyes.
The other half of the group can see but they cannot speak. Each person can make a unique noise (e.g. one person may snap their fingers, another may clap, another may thump their cheek, another may whistle, etc).
A structure is built quickly by the leader in the middle of the room which only the speechless members may study for up to one minute and then the leader should disassemble the structure and place the pieces around the room.
The sightless team members may touch the building materials and may speak. The speechless team members may see and make noises, but may not touch the blindfolded people or the building materials.
The whole group’s aim is to reassemble the structure as the leader originally built it.
Discussion
Afterwards, ask the group:
- How it felt to be without sight?
- How did it feel to not be able to speak?
- How the group reached a solution?
- What was easy or difficult about the challenge?