How to Play Mine Field

Mine Field is a teambuilding activity involving trust and teamwork.

• Materials Required: A very large outdoor or indoor space; several light, soft objects to serve as obstacles (such as large paper cups, empty plastic bottles, cones, soft foam balls, etc.); a blindfold.
• Recommended Number of People: A small group of about 6 people can go at a time.
• Time Required: 30 minutes to an hour
• Can be easily adapted according to your needs.

How Do You Play the Mine Field Teambuilding Activity?

Setup

Find a good large outdoor field or large indoor space.  Be sure there are no dangerous items or hazards nearby.  Set up the “minefield” by placing “mines” (large paper cups, empty plastic bottles, cones, soft foam balls, etc.) in many places all over the space.

Once the minefield is set up, divide players into pairs.  Create pairs carefully.  In each pair, one person will be blindfolded and will be not allowed to see or talk.  The other person is allowed to see and talk, but is not allowed to touch the other person or enter the minefield.  Have each pair decide which role they want to play and distribute blindfolds.

Playing the Mine Field Game

As you lead the activity, try to inspire the players and emphasize the importance of trust and safety.  Promote a serious environment.

The goal is for each blindfolded person to get from one side of the field to the other.  He or she must safely avoid touching the “mines,” by carefully listening to the verbal guidance of their partners.

Give each pair a few minutes of planning and preparation for their communication strategy.  Then, have all three pairs go to one end of the minefield.  Once blindfolds are worn and everyone is ready, say “Go!” and the activity begins.  The blindfolded person can not talk; he or she just listens and walks.  The guider can’t touch his or her partner, but he or she can speak to his partner and use whatever verbal strategy he or she wishes.

After a pair successfully reaches the other side of the minefield, swap roles and repeat the process.

Note:

• Be careful that blindfolded people don’t crash into each other.  The facilitator should ensure collisions don’t occur.  He or she can walk around and help keep people separated.
• Create a penalty for touching a “mine”.  Perhaps a time delay, or a loss of points, or (worse case) a restart.
• Perhaps suggest that a pair develop a unique communication system.  When participants swap roles, give participants some review and planning time to refine their communication method.
• If a person prefers not to play, do not force a person to be blindfolded.

At the end of the time, debrief and allow for reflection; ask pairs what they learned from the experience.