Follow the Jingle Through the Gates

In pairs, the guide wears a jingle bell on the wrist and moves through a field of cone gates while the blindfolded partner follows by sound alone, one or two meters behind. Students develop selective listening, orientation, and trust.

How to play

1. Set out 15 gates of two cones 1.5 m (5 ft) apart. Form pairs and tie a jingle bell to each guide's wrist.
2. Practice (2 minutes): with eyes open, the follower walks about an arm and a half behind the guide, who shakes the bell nonstop.
3. The follower puts on the blindfold. The guide walks slowly through gates; if the bell stops, the follower freezes. Each gate cleared is a point.
4. Rounds last 2 minutes, then partners switch. From the third round, guides change speed and direction, and gates cleared without brushing a cone count double.
5. Final round (3 minutes): half the class guides at once, each with a unique rhythm, and followers must pick out their own bell.

Rules

• Guides walk and check that nobody is in front of their follower.
• If the bell goes quiet, the follower stops with hands out front.
• Guides do not talk except to say "stop."
• Do not use a gate another pair is using.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: a student who uses a wheelchair can guide or follow, with 2 m (6 ft) gates and a classmate spotting.
• Visual impairment: the student plays without a blindfold on equal terms and can coach others on listening.
• Autism or noise sensitivity: limit the final round to a few pairs and announce when it starts.

Learning goals

• Distinguish and follow a moving sound.
• Orient themselves in space without vision.
• Take responsibility for a partner's safety.

Equipment for a class of 25

• jingle bells: 13
• blindfolds: 13
• cones: 30

Teacher tip

The final round gets loud, so have guides agree on their rhythms first and start with a few pairs. No wrist bells? Tie jingle bells to an elastic band.

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