5 Fun & Easy Blindfold Games for Team Building

Here are a selection of 5 quick and easy to deliver blindfold team building games. These blindfold activities can be delivered in less than 20 minutes and only require a blindfold and a rope. Great for developing communication skills, especially active listening and they are also good fun!

Equipment Required: Blindfolds, length of rope
Space Required: Small to large (depending on the challenge). Indoors or outdoors.
Group Size: 12 to 15 ideally, but can be done with up to 30 participants.

Key Keeper

In a good sized room or space, set out an area as a start/end point. Next lay a set of keys (or any object) about 5 metres in front of the area. The aim of the challenge is for a blindfolded key keeper to protect the keys and stop the rest of the group from retrieving them.

Select a person to act as the key keeper, they will then sit in the middle of the area on the floor, close to the keys. Everyone else will try and take the keys from the keeper. Participants can only move when they are instructed to by the facilitator (you can do this by pointing at them). Once the person has set off they can then make a play for the keys. If the key keeper points at them at any point, they then have to return back to the start point. Start off with just one person at a time, before building up to several players attempting to retrieve the keys at once.

Once the keys have been retrieved, you can either swap with the person who took the keys or they can select someone in the group of choice to act the next keeper.

Blind Shadow

Organise your group into a circle. Explain that one person will be selected to be the shadow of the group. The shadows aim is to walk around the circle, behind the blindfolded group and try and get them out of the game.

They do this by standing behind another person for 3 seconds – once the 3 seconds is up, the instructor will tap the person on the shoulder and they must then kneel down as they are now out of the game.

To prevent the shadow from catching them out, if someone believes the shadow is standing behind them, they can raise their hand. They will be told if they catch the shadow out. They can only do this a maximum of 3 times, any more and they will be out of the game (prevents constant hand raising).

Once a group member catches the shadow, they then become the shadow and you restart the game.

Blind Animals

This works extremely well with groups of 10 or more. Divide the group into smaller sub-teams and give each team an animal type. Now ask every one to find their own space. Get them to put their blindfolds on. Give some simple commands such as: 5 steps backwards, 4 to your left, 6 to your right etc to mix them up more. On your signal, participants then have to make the sound of their animal and find other people of the same type. Eventually everyone should end up with their own sub-team.

Instead of using sub-teams, you can also do this in pairs or smaller groups of 3.

This can also be used at the start of a workshop when organising participants into teams. Give everyone a piece of paper with an animal written on it and begin the exercise.

Suggested animal types: Elephants, monkeys, cows, chicken, lions, dogs, cats etc

Blindfold Cat and Mouse

Organise the group into a large circle. The aim of the game is for the cat to catch the mouse. Sounds easy, but both will be blindfolded and they can move just one space at a time.

Select 2 people, one to act as a cat the other as a mouse. Invite them into circle and get them to put blindfolds on. You can then move both the cat and mouse to the edge of the circle to create a good distance between them.

They will then take it in turns to move, with the cat going first, followed by the mouse. Remind them they can only move 1 step at a time. When they move they have to say either ‘cat’ or ‘mouse’ depending on the role they are playing.

On your command they can then begin the game. Once the mouse has been caught or the game has gone on long enough. Stop the game and switch the cat and mouse with others in the group and follow the same process.

Blind Rope Line

Ensure you have enough space for this challenge. You will need a rope or something to mark a straight line on the floor. To begin with, start with just a couple of metres to get participants use to the game, and eventually lead up to around 10m.

The aim of the challenge is for team members to take it in turns to walk the line whilst blindfolded, trying to stay as close to the line as possible. The goal is to walk the full length of the rope without putting a foot wrong or straying too from the line. Waiting team member will act as support either side to ensure they don’t fall or trip over.

Useful Tips

Make sure you have more than enough space for these challenges and stay away from areas where there are potential hazards. Think about your positioning when leading these activities, ensuring you have all participants in full view.

Before beginning any blindfold challenge, ask the group if anyone is uncomfortable wearing a blindfold and adapt the activity around them, ensuring they have an enjoyable experience.

Questions to ask in the review:

How did you feel being blindfolded?
How critical was listening during the challenge? How did you feel not being able to verbally communicate?
Did you come up with a strategy before starting the game? If yes, how did you come up with the idea?
How important was the support of others?

Here are 5 more blindfold activities you might want to try:

Blind Count Off
Blind Shapes
Birthday Line-Up
Blindfold Tent Build
Night Trail

The Team Building Activity Book

For step-by-step instructions, printable leader notes and challenger briefs for over 30 of the best team development activities, check out our Team Building Activity Book, available as an instant download PDF.

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