Two Exciting Variations of The Minefield Game

The team has come to a battlefield that has been laid with mines. Your eyesight is not effective when you can’t see underground. For you to be successful you will demonstrate trust and effective communication with you team while taking risks to make it safely across the minefield.

Minefield Game Team Building Variation 1

Group Size

Any size group as long as you have enough space.

Equipment Required

Blindfolds, Tape, and any item for the mines (that if stepped on will not cause a slip or fall)

• Blindfolds – bandanas are used regularly
• Tape – masking tape or some other tape to mark the start and finish
• Mines – This can be any item that is stepped on or bumped into and will not cause a trip or slip
  • Cones
  • Plastic Cups
  • Toilet Paper rolls
  • Wadded-up paper balls
  • Anything you have lying around (Get creative – as long you can be safe)

Space Required

The larger the group the bigger the space you’ll need

Time Required

20-30 minutes

Minefield Game Directions

Minefield Game Setup

1. Set up a start and finish line with the tape- This can be varied but typically in the range of 10-20 feet
2. Scatter the items being used for the mines randomly between the start and the finish line (Make sure the items do not cause a tripping or falling hazard)
3. Split the group into teams of 2 – ideally, these two people don’t know each other very well to get more out of the activity

Minefield Game Rules

1. Each group of 2 people will work together to get through the minefield
2. One partner will need to keep their eyes closed or blindfolded and can not talk
3. The other partner will be allowed to talk and see but is not allowed to touch their blind partner
4. Have each pair decide which role they want to play
5. Explain that the blind team member will be guided by the voice of their partner from the start to the finish line without stepping on or touching a mine
6. If a mine is touched then you must go back to the beginning and start again
7. Give each team a couple of minutes to strategize together
8. Depending on the group, space, and desired outcome you can either let one team or multiple teams go at a time
9. After the team of 2 is successful in reaching the finish line let them redo it but have them swap roles and repeat the exercise

Suggested Outcomes

• Effective Communication
• Cooperation
• Problem-Solving

Debrief Questions

1. What did you think of the activity?
2. How did it feel being blindfolded?
3. Was it difficult not being able to see or talk?
4. When talking your blind partner through the minefield
5. What did you learn from the activity?
6. What role does trust play in this exercise?
7. What role does effective communication play in this activity?
8. How can you apply this to obstacles you may face when working with others? (If the response is too general or you want to bring it into a specific context such as a specific team or work role feel free to)

Minefield Game Team Building Variation 2

A good way to think of this version is to think about playing the minefield game on a chess or checker board with nothing visibly showing you where the mines are. The activity facilitator has the key to tell team members where the mines are.

One person at a time must attempt to cross the battlefield without stepping on a mine. Once a team member steps on a mine, they must return back to the start. They have to remember where the last mine was and not go on that square again. So it is a trial error process to eventually find a path to the end without hitting a mine.

Group Size

2-30 participants. Works better with larger groups.

Equipment Required

• Minefield (8 x 8 squares) set out in giant chess/checkers mat, tarp (with taped squares), carpet tiles, or even cones can be used to create a grid.
• Route Card/s (Available in The Team Building Activity Book)

Space Required

Small. Indoors or outdoors.

Time Required

 60 minutes

• 5 minutes to brief and set up
• 35-45 minutes to achieve the outcome
• 10 minutes to review and debrief

Minefield Team Challenge Instructions

• Lay out your Minefield on a flat area with plenty of space
• Organize the group and brief them on the task: The team has come to a battlefield that has been laid with mines. The entire team must cross the minefield without stepping on a mine.

Minefield Rules

1. Only one person is allowed on the Minefield at any time
2. Every person must step on the mat and attempt to cross, if unsuccessful in their attempt to cross they must go to the back of the line and the next person must try to cross.
3. Once a participant is on the minefield, the rest of the team must be silent.
4. Active participants can only move one square at a time. A move can be in any direction.
5. Only the facilitator knows which squares are safe and will indicate appropriately (download the map above for an example).

The full description for Minefield can be found in my eBook, The Team Building Activity Book. The eBook provides easy-to-follow, step-by-step instructions for leading the activity including activity notes, challenger brief, 4 x route cards, variations, coaching points and review questions. The book also features 29 other team activities that are guaranteed to inspire and motivate your team. Buy it now for just $19 USD.

Suggested Learning Outcomes

• Communication
• Cooperation
• Decision making
• Memory chunking
• Problem-Solving

(* featured image used via CC license, from Flickr user Shannon McGee)