In brief: To pass gesture without talking.
Intensity: Low
Introduction: A game to set the mood or wrap up a teaching session on communication. Similar to ‘Broken Telephone’ except that actions are used instead of words.
Prop(s): None
How to play:
- Divide the group into 2 or more teams (with at least 5 members each).
- Team members form a line by standing behind one another.
- Only the first member of each team will face you. The others must turn their backs to you (see picture).
- Demonstrate a series of simple actions to the first member of each team.
- Upon receiving the message, this member (the ‘sender’) will tap the shoulder of the next person in the line (the ‘receiver’) and get him/her to turn around.
- The sender will then repeat the same series of actions to the receiver, who will tap the shoulder of the next person and process is repeated.
- No verbal communication of any kind is allowed.
- The actions can only be demonstrated once. No repetition is allowed.
- Only the sender is allowed to demonstrate the actions. Receiver is only allowed to watch.
- When all the last members of each team have received the message, invite each last member to repeat the actions they were shown.
- Demonstrate the original actions to the whole group.
- Chances are, the final display will be different from the original. Discuss the possible causes.
Variation(s):
- This can be done for a large, seated group of people in an auditorium. Show the actions to the first person in each row and get them to pass the display along the row.