Back-Drawing Telephone
A line relay game: the last student sees a simple drawing and traces it with a finger on the back of the student in front, who passes it on to the front, where it is drawn on paper. It builds tactile perception, focus, and calm after exercise.
How to play
- Groups of 5 sit in a line, one behind the other, facing the wall. The front student has a sheet of cardstock and a marker.
- The teacher shows only the last student in each line a card with a simple drawing: a sun, a house, a number, or a letter.
- The last student slowly draws it with their index finger on the back of the student in front, who passes it forward the same way.
- The front student draws it on the cardstock and the group compares it to the original. Then the front student moves to the back.
- Play 5 rounds of 1 minute with rising difficulty: simple shape, letter, three-letter word, and combined shape.
- At the end, each group shows its cardstock to the class.
Rules
- Draw with a finger and light pressure, only on the upper back.
- No talking or whispering the drawing.
- The receiver may ask for one repeat with a tap on the shoulder.
- Only the last student in line looks at the card.
Variations
Easier
Lines of 3 and only geometric shapes.
Standard
Lines of 5 with rising difficulty over 5 rounds.
Harder
Send two drawings in a row or a five-letter word.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: draw on the palm or forearm instead of the back.
- Touch aversion or autism: draw on a piece of cardstock held against the back or in the air in front of the student.
- Hearing impairment: the game is visual and tactile; just make sure the start signal is clear.
Learning goals
- Interpret touch cues with attention.
- Pass on information precisely without using the voice.
- Cooperate as a group in a calm, fun setting.
Equipment for a class of 25
- cardstock sheets: 10
- markers: 5
Teacher tip
Prepare the drawing cards ahead of time and ask for big, slow strokes; that is the key to getting it through. Laughing at the results is normal, so finish with one silent breath.
PatioLab has "Back-Drawing Telephone" and 2499 more activities ready to drag into your lesson and run from your phone in the gym.
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