Walking a course with a guide

One participant wears a blindfold and is “blind”, the other is the guide. Together they move through a course where the sighted guide leads and explains what is happening and what the blindfolded person should do.

The level of difficulty depends on how the course is designed. If the course feels demanding, the pairs can start by holding hands the first time they go through it.

When the pairs have mastered the course, they switch roles: the former guide becomes blindfolded, and vice versa. The blindfolded participant then goes through a course that can include, for example:

• balancing on a bench (wide and narrow)
• climbing a little up and down a wall bar
• climbing over a vaulting box and landing on a mat
• walking zigzag between cones without touching them
• crawling through hoops

The sighted guide leads the blindfolded participant through the course using clear verbal instructions. Make sure the guide takes the task seriously and takes responsibility for safe and good guidance. Use several benches, cones, hoops and other equipment to avoid queues.

Variation

• Adapt the course to the available equipment and obstacles in the hall or gym. The activity can also be done in the forest. In that case, it may be useful to tie ropes between trees for the blindfolded participant to hold onto or use as a guide.
• Start with the guide holding the blind person by the arm or hand.
• Later, the guide can walk beside them without physical contact – then the verbal instructions become crucial.
• Let the blindfolded participant try walking backwards in parts of the course, if it is safe.
• For older children, the course can also include being guided safely up and down stairs.

Adjust difficulty and safety according to the group’s age, experience and level of confidence.