Why do it?

Games help the class learn to mix well with each other and to build group cohesion and social confidence. 

Use this game to help students discuss the importance of behaving responsibly within trust relationships, and of clear, reliable and honest communication within respectful relationships.  

This activity has been adapted from the Resilience, Rights and Respectful Relationships Program and was developed as a help-seeking activity.  However, it can be used in any class to discuss respect and trust at school. 

How to do it?

1. In this game people work in pairs or trios. The person who is the ‘airplane pilot’ is blindfolded. Their partner who is the ‘air traffic controller’ must talk them through the obstacle course so as to travel down the runway to their safe landing spot. They may not guide them with their hands. However they can walk close by so as to be heard and to prevent any ‘emergencies or crashes’. (For an added challenge if playing in trios, the pilot can have a passenger who stands behind them with hands on the pilot’s shoulders. They must follow the pilot, but do not have to be blindfolded. However they cannot speak. Best to try in pairs first!) 

2. Set up a few pairs to play at a time, with others as the observers. Each plane can have its own ‘runway’ to travel across one side of the room to another, with either some simple obstacles to steer around such as a chair, or if wanting to avoid three-dimensional obstacles, place some sheets of paper on the ground to mark places to steer around. 

3. Play the game again swapping roles, so all students have the experience of being trusting and trusted. 

4. After the game ask: 

• What was it like to be the blindfolded pilot? 

• What was it like to be the air traffic controller? 

• What kinds of communication helped to make it work? 

• When is it important to have clear, helpful and honest communication in the classroom? 

• How can you tell the difference between someone who is good for you to work with in class and someone who does not support you to learn in class? 

Who can you ask?

Michelle Sanders