Before you start:

• Before each round, help the group pick a representative: the only person who can ask the three questions allowed during the game.

• Have your group begin in a straight line, blindfold them, and lay a rope out by their feet.

• Make sure everyone understands the game and rules.

How to play:

• On your signal everyone picks up the rope at their feet

  Hands must remain on the rope; they may not let go of the rope for more than two seconds.

•  Instruct the group to form a shape (square, triangle, circle, etc)

• Through their representative, players may ask the leader three questions during the game

  The leader will repeat the question so that everyone can hear and then give the answer.

• When the group feels they have completed the task, have them drop the rope at their feet and take a step back

• Ask the group if they think they have successfully made their shape

• After you get all of their answers, have them remove their blindfolds

Variations:

• Challenge the group with complicated shapes 

  Around the holidays, try a star, a tree, a dreidel, or even a turkey; failure can be just as fun a success as the group laughs over the resulting blobs.

• Consider facilitating a role reversal, with the grownups blindfolded and the kids calling the shots

  At a family gathering, this can be a great way for kids to engage with adults who may not consider themselves “kid people.”

Good to know:

• Tailor instructions as needed

  Some groups will collaborate well from the get go, but for some kids, communicating through or as a representative will be a learning opportunity. Think about where kids need to grow, and tailor your instructions accordingly.

  For example, I knew my friend’s son might not naturally ask other kids for input, so when describing the roles, I told him, “As the representative, you are the ears of the group; your job is to ask questions and listen so you understand where your group needs help.”

More fun:

• Check out the Playworks Game Library

  The Playworks Games Library has hundreds of games for kids of all ages. Here are a few others that are great to play at home:

  Tomato: A fun indoor game that requires quick thinking; no materials required.

  Indoor Hopscotch: If the weather outside is frightful, bring hopscotch indoors — delightful!

  Wright Family Vacation: Kids listen carefully to the story of the Wright Family Vacation, and act when they hear the key words.

  Shadow Shadow: Kids become real-life shadows as they continuously follow a partner without running into him or her.

  Snake: This is a very simple and fun way for kids to learn the eye-foot coordination needed to jump rope.

  Mystery Creature: Kids ask yes-or-no questions to discover the mystery animal.

  Trust Falls: You’ll need a faller, a catcher, and lots of trust.