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Trust-Building Games

Building trust is important in many areas of life, such as personal, family and work situations. Trust doesn't always come easily, and neither does learning to trust someone, especially if you don't know him or have been hurt in the past. By using a variety of activities and games, you can form bonds of trust that will serve you, and those with whom you need to build trust, well.

Square Rope Game
- For this activity, intended for small groups of up to 12, you need a 30-foot rope and a space free of obstacles. Provide each participant with a blindfold. Have them cover their eyes with the blindfold and turn slowly in circles until you tell them to stop. Let the group turn until they are slightly disoriented. Lay the coiled rope within reach of a group member and tell the group that they must work together to shape the rope into a perfect square on the floor. Once the task is complete, have the group take off their blindfolds and share their experiences. Ask questions such as who the leader turned out to be or how the participants felt while carrying out the task blindly.
Minefield Game
- Secure a location, perhaps a field outside, where you can place obstacles, or "mines." You can use a variety of objects, such as balls, cups or bowling pins, as obstacles. Place the obstacles randomly in the field. Assign paired partners, one of whom is blindfolded, the task of navigating through the mine field without touching a "mine." The blindfolded partner, who will walk through the minefield, is not allowed to talk; the other partner provides instructions, but may not enter the minefield. The penalty for touching a "mine" is to start the course over.
Hug-a-Tree Game
- This activity involves pairs, a blindfold and a forested area, perhaps a park or schoolyard. The first partner is blindfolded and led by the hand by his partner to a tree, where he is allowed to touch and feel the tree. After an allotted amount of time, the blindfolded partner is led by his partner back to the starting point and is given the task of locating his tree without the blindfold on. Have the partners trade places and repeat the activity.
Trust Fall Game
- The Trust Fall can be done one-on-one or as a group. A willing participant is selected to fall backward into the arms of a partner or group with her eyes closed. The receiving partner, or group, must catch the faller before she hits the ground. In a group, it's best to have at least eight people stand facing each other, with their arms intertwined in a catching position. The faller then falls from a slightly elevated platform, such as a footstool or bench.

Role Playing Games