Minefield: The Voice You Choose to Follow

Blindfolded, each student crosses a field full of “mines,” guided only by their partner's voice while other pairs talk at the same time. It builds trust, listening and giving precise directions.

How to play

1. Set up a 15 x 10 m rectangle with cones, hoops and beanbags spread out as mines; pairs wait at the edge (3 min).
2. Pairs agree on a code: the walker's name before every command, plus words like “stop,” “small step,” “turn right” (3 min).
3. First crossing: the guide stays outside the field; the walker wears a blindfold and moves slowly; touching a mine means restarting with no penalty (6 min).
4. Switch roles for a second crossing with all pairs at once; this time the walker must pick up a beanbag before leaving (8 min).
5. Group share: what made you trust your partner's voice? (5 min).

Rules

• Walkers keep their hands up at chest height and take short steps.
• When the teacher says “stop,” all blindfolded students freeze and take off the blindfold.
• Guides can't enter the field or touch their partner.
• No one places or moves mines while someone is crossing.

Variations

Adaptations

• Blind students: excellent guides for describing sensations; when crossing, they use their cane or a hand on their partner's shoulder.
• Students anxious about blindfolds: cross with eyes closed and open them whenever they want.
• Wheelchair users: wider lanes, with mines as flat hoops they can roll around.

Learning goals

• Trust a partner and let yourself be guided.
• Give clear, short and well-ordered directions.
• Focus on one voice amid noise.

Equipment for a class of 25

• blindfolds: 15
• cones: 20
• hoops: 10
• beanbags: 15

Teacher tip

If you don't have blindfolds, scarves or folded pinnies work. Common mistake: guiding with “here” or “there”; insist on right, left and number of steps.

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