This one is an oldie, but I was talking to someone the other day, and they had never heard of it, so here we are. I like to use this activity to lead a group to a prayer session on retreat or into a more serious activity on mission trip. It works well to focus the group and can quickly break down people’s walls. It takes little prep and only some blindfolds, so it’s a cheap and easy team-builder to have in your bag of tricks.

Line up your youth and hand each of them a bandana – except the first person. Each will blindfold themselves, then reach forward and place their hands on the shoulders of the person in front of them. The first person can see, and is the leader. They will lead the group down a trail or through an obstacle course. Remind the leader to move slowly and to communicate with the rest of the group what they should be doing.

I use this activity to help build group trust in someone I believe to be an emerging leader in the group, or to help build confidence in the leader themselves. Be deliberate on who you place in the front. Sometimes I will choose the person who isn’t connecting with the group yet or needs a push out of their comfort zone. Decide what you want from this activity, and go for it. It’s a worthwhile activity.