Minefield

Purpose

Minefield is a trust and communication exercise where one participant is blindfolded and must navigate through a field of scattered objects (the mines) guided only by a partner's verbal directions. It develops precise communication, active listening, trust, and the ability to give and receive clear instructions. The exercise is a vivid metaphor for remote collaboration, delegation, and coaching.

At a glance

• Group size: 6–30 participants (working in pairs)
• Duration: 25 minutes
• Difficulty: Beginner to Intermediate
• Facilitation style: Setup and observe
• Setting: Indoors or outdoors; flat area of approximately 5x10 metres

How to run

1. Set up the minefield (3 min): Scatter soft objects (cones, balls, pool noodles, shoes) across the area. Density should make navigation challenging but not impossible.
2. Brief (3 min): One partner is blindfolded at one end. The other stands outside the field and guides them verbally to the other end without stepping on any mine. If a mine is touched, the pair restarts or incurs a penalty.
3. Round 1 (7 min): Pairs navigate. Multiple pairs can go simultaneously for energy, or one at a time for observation.
4. Swap roles (7 min): Partners switch. Rearrange mines between rounds.
5. Debrief (5 min): What instructions worked best? What was frustrating? How clear are we in our everyday communication?

Materials needed

• Blindfolds (one per pair)
• Soft objects for mines: cones, balls, pool noodles, shoes, cushions
• Flat open area

Pitfalls & common mistakes

• Hard or sharp objects as mines: Use only soft items to prevent injury.
• Mines too sparse: The field needs to be challenging. Aim for 15–25 objects in a 5x10 metre area.
• Too many pairs at once: Competing verbal instructions create chaos. Fun, but manage the noise level.
• No role swap: Both experiences (guiding and being guided) are essential for the learning.

Inclusion & accessibility

• Participants with hearing impairments can use tactile signals (tapping shoulder, tugging a rope) instead of verbal directions.
• For wheelchair users, ensure the field is navigable and mines are at appropriate heights.
• Offer eyes-closed as an alternative to blindfolds for those with sensory sensitivities.

Variations

• Remote Minefield: The guide cannot see the field and must rely on a third person describing the layout — simulates telephone-game communication.
• Team Minefield: The entire team gives instructions to one blindfolded person. Tests how groups organise competing voices.
• Timed Minefield: Add a stopwatch. Fastest pair with fewest mine hits wins.

When NOT to use this

• When the floor surface is uneven or slippery and a blindfolded person could fall.
• In very noisy environments where verbal instructions cannot be heard.
• When participants have severe anxiety about being blindfolded or losing orientation.

Source & further reading

• Rohnke, K. (1984). Silver Bullets. Project Adventure.
• Priest, S. and Gass, M. (2005). Effective Leadership in Adventure Programming. Human Kinetics.