Invisible Animals
Overview
Objective: Actively engage senses (hearing/proprioception) while moving around the room.
Why teach this lesson? The safety lessons taught through this game create a strong foundation for future activities.s
Materials: Bandanas
Number of players: 2+
Instructions
Divide the group into smaller teams or pairs and have each team choose an animal (For example, elephants, tigers, cows, chickens, cats, ducks, etc.)
Next, ask everyone to spread out and tie their their bandanas over their eyes.
Use simple commands such as “move 4 steps backwards” or “take 6 steps to the right” to further mix the room.
On your signal, participants must make the sound of their animal and find other people of the same type.
The game is finished when everyone is back with their own animal team.
Tips
Be clear about expectations, especially safety! If at any point your friends forget, re-establish these expectations.
As the facilitator, make sure to monitor your own emotional state. If you are calm and nonjudgmental, your friends will pick up on it. Everyone, but especially little ones, notice your emotions before they listen to your words!
This activity can also be used at the beginning of a workshop when organizing participants into teams. Give everyone a paper with an animal written on it rather than splitting them into groups first.
Reflection Questions
1. How do our eyes keep us safe during this game? Our voices? Our ears?
2. How would you improve this game?