I Guide You to the Treasure with My Voice

In pairs, one child has covered eyes and hands out like bumpers while the other guides them with voice alone to a hidden ball: “forward, stop, turn, crouch down.” Children work on listening, finding their way without sight and trusting a partner.

How to play

1. Practice the four guiding words together with eyes closed: forward, stop, turn and crouch down (2 min).
2. In pairs, the guide puts the ball on the floor a few steps away while the seeker puts on a mask or closes their eyes (1 min).
3. The seeker moves slowly with hands out front like bumpers while the guide, walking alongside, directs them by voice to the ball (3 min).
4. When they find it, the seeker takes off the mask, sees where it was, and the pair switches roles (3 min).
5. Harder round: hide the ball behind or under something and add “to the side” or “lower” (2 min).
6. Sit in a circle and share how it felt with covered eyes (1 min).

Rules

• With my eyes covered, I walk slowly with my hands out front.
• My guide always stays by my side and stops me if something's in the way.
• If I want to take the mask off, I can, and that's OK.

Variations

Adaptations

• Visual impairment: the child guides in some rounds, using a ball with a bell to know where it is.
• Hearing impairment: the guide directs with taps on the shoulders (both to stop, one to turn that way).
• Autism or fear of the dark: play with eyes open looking at the floor, or with the mask pushed up on the forehead.

Learning goals

• Follow simple spoken directions.
• Find their way without sight.
• Look after a partner and trust them.

Equipment for a class of 25

• Sleep masks: 13
• Soft balls: 13

Teacher tip

Clear the room and run fewer pairs at once if space is tight. Guides tend to lag behind and the seeker bumps into things: the guide stays right alongside and their first word is always “Stop!”.

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