How much can you learn about someone without spoken words? This partner activity uses gestures, drawings and objects to make communication visible.
Contents
At a glance
- Time: 20–30 minutes
- Group: 6 or more
- Setting: Indoors
What you need
Paper and pens are optional.
How to play
- Pair people who do not know each other well. Explain that each person will share three simple things, such as a hobby, favourite animal or something they enjoy learning.
- For two minutes, the first partner communicates without speech. The listener watches and may point or gesture back.
- The listener says what they understood. The speaker then explains what they meant and clears up any guesses.
- Swap roles, then discuss which signals were clear and where assumptions crept in.
Keep it comfortable
Nonverbal does not mean silent compliance. Participants may pass, write instead of gesture or use their usual communication support. Never imitate a disability for entertainment.
Try this variation
Give each pair three picture cards to use as prompts.
What children practise
The game slows conversation down and helps children notice expression, context and the limits of guessing.
