Maze, The

Supplies:
1 Blindfold per student
150-200ft of rope (depending on group size)
Chairs or Posts or Poles or Cones

Have all participants sit in the middle of where you intend to construct the “maze.” Blindfold all participants BEFORE you begin building the “maze.”

Participants may talk during the construction of the “maze” but MUST NOT take off their blindfolds for any reason! To build the “maze,” make a simple closed square using the rope and cones/poles/chairs/posts/etc. OK, so this isn’t really a “maze” – but the students don’t know it! Just make sure the rope is about waist high.

When the maze has been completed, instruct the group that they are in a maze of rope and must find their way out. Assure them that there IS a way out of the maze, but they CANNOT go over or under the rope. Neither are they allowed to untie any part of the rope.

Finally, tell them that if they need help, all they have to do is raise their hand and say, “I need help.”

During the game, when/if a student raises their hand and asks for help, quietly take the blindfold off of them and silently lead them under the rope out of the maze. As students leave the maze have them shout that they are out. Periodically ask those who have escaped, “Is there a way out of the maze?” to which they will answer “YES!”

If some go for a long time without asking for help, ask them if they need help. If they refuse, let them continue. This can be a lesson in asking for help.

After a certain amount of time, or when everyone has finally gotten out, you can ask the following questions:

What was the secret to getting out?
Did you find this activity to be difficult? Why?
Why did some of you say you didn’t need help when you knew you couldn’t escape on your own?
Are there things in our lives we sometimes need help with, but are afraid to ask for it? Give some examples.

Idea by Josh