This ice-breaker game is part of the resources made available by Earthchild Project, used by our facilitators in under-resourced schools in South Africa. Additional lesson plans, games, songs and a Seed Pack guide to teaching holistic education can be found at: Earthchildproject.org/teaching-resources
HUG A TREE
Type: Sensory awareness & trust-building
Age: 12yrs and up
Resources: Blindfolds
Time: 20 – 30 minutes
Group Size: An even number so that pairs can be formed
Ideal location: Forested area
Once you are surrounded by trees in a forested area, stop on the path to introduce the activity. Children will divide into pairs, with one of them being blindfolded. The blindfolded person is to be the tree-hugger. The tree-hugger is lead to one tree in the surrounding forested area. The tree-hugger touches the tree and tries to memorize its size, shape, location, texture, etc. The tree-hugger is then lead back to the starting point, takes his/her blindfold off and then tries to locate his/her tree. The pair will then swap with the tree-hugger now being the guide. It helps to do the blindfolded walk in silence.
After everyone has had a chance to be a tree-hugger, you can close with a discussion with the following questions:
- How did it feel to be blindfolded? How was your partner as a guide?
- What other sense could you use?
- How did it feel to hug a tree?
- How was it to try and find your tree once the blindfold had been removed?
These teaching resources are freely offered by Earthchild, to support others in their journey connecting children to themselves, others and the environment. Support our work with Earth Children from under-resourced communities by donating.