Blindfold Cleanup: Your Partner's Voice Guides You to Each Cone
In pairs, one blindfolded student picks up the lesson's cones guided only by their partner's voice. It builds trust, precise communication and an orderly cleanup.
How to play
- In pairs. Cones from the main activity stay where they are. One person puts on a blindfold or closes their eyes (1 min).
- The partner guides by voice only ("two steps forward, turn right, crouch") until three cones are collected (3 min).
- Switch roles and pick up three more cones (3 min).
- Pairs walk the cones to the stack together and share which instructions worked best (1 min).
Rules
- The guide doesn't touch their partner except to stop them if there's danger.
- The blindfolded student walks slowly with hands out at chest height.
- Pairs stay well apart from each other and from walls and goals.
- Anyone can open their eyes at any time.
Variations
Easier
The guide may hold their partner's hand.
Standard
Voice only and three cones each.
Harder
Only four words allowed: forward, left, right and stop.
Adaptations
- Blind or visually impaired students: follow instructions using their usual way of moving, or act as the guide describing what they hear.
- Deaf or hard-of-hearing students: use agreed shoulder taps instead of voice.
- Anxious students: keep eyes open but fixed on the floor.
Learning goals
- Give clear, precise instructions.
- Trust your partner.
- Put equipment away in an orderly way.
Equipment for a class of 25
- blindfolds: 15
- cones: 30
Teacher tip
Clear the floor of obstacles before starting. Guides usually say "over there": ask them to count steps and use their partner's left and right, not their own.
PatioLab has "Blindfold Cleanup: Your Partner's Voice Guides You to Each Cone" and 8714 more activities ready to drag into your lesson and run from your phone in the gym.
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