Drama Games: Blindfolded Obstacle Course

Welcome to a part of our blog that will share drama games and rehearsal techniques with you. We make all of these with disability in mind and hope you will find them as valuable as we do.

Summary

In this game one player is blindfolded whilst the other

This is a sensory drama game in which one player is blindfolded and taken on a tour by another using the senses.

leads them around an obstacle course.

Focus/ Skills

Trust, Focus, Team Work, Communication

Description

Set up the room to have simple obstacles in such as chairs, blocks or even just bags and coats. Ask the group or players to divide into pairs. One will be the leader and one will be blindfolded.

The leader must then lead the blindfolded player through an obstacle course without letting them trip or bump into things. The main aim is to use your voice to communicate and give them directions. For beginners use verbal commands.

The blindfolded person will be nervous at first so the leader may want to keep in close contact with them (holding their arm to guide if the person is ok with this (remember some people don't like to be touched so ask first). Take your time and as the players grow in confidence they will become faster and try more daring maneuvers!

Don't forget to swap over so everyone gets a go! Feedback to the group what works and what can be improved in the experience.

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Variations

To make the game more difficult try changing verbal commands to sounds. Players can pre-agree on what sounds mean 'go/ stop' 'left/right' 'forwards/backwards'. Or to make it even harder you could communicate what sounds mean what without pre-agreeing first. It sounds tricky but you'll be surprised how quickly a new language is established.

Replace vocal sounds with instruments for a musical adventure!

To play the game with those who cannot hear or respond to word or sound ques try to use touch instead. Agree on touches for the commands before you put the blindfolds on.

For confident players, try taking their partner on an adventure walk into the real world. Go on a walk and see how you experience the world with no sight and trusting someone else (probably best to say away from roads with this one).

It is really important that in this game there is a facilitator who is keeping an eye on everyone. Make sure obstacles are appropriate for the group's ability and that the room is big enough for the number of participants. You must be able to keep an eye on everyone. If you see people taking risks that may harm their partner make sure to intervene. Also, not everyone will be comfortable with this game so don't pressure anyone into being blindfolded if they feel unsafe.

Players

2 or more. Aged 5 plus

Equipment

Blindfolds (scarves will do), Obstacles (chairs, bags, blocks)