Jab-er-Walkie

Name and Purpose

Jab-er-Walkie is a listening and trust game where players navigate by sound alone.
Builds auditory focus, trust in others, and the ability to filter out distractions.

a.k.a.

Age / Group / Time / Space

Ages 8-16 | 8-30 players | 10-20 minutes | Open indoor or outdoor flat space, clear of obstacles

Materials

Quick-Run Card

Form a circle and clear the play space of any trip hazards.
Choose 1-2 middle players who will close their eyes and walk bent forward with hands near their knees.
Assign a Guide outside the circle who calls ‘Jab-er-Walkie’ to lead them out.
Assign a Misdirector outside the circle who calls a different sound to create friendly confusion.
Circle sings ‘Row, Row, Row Your Boat.’ Middle players navigate toward the Guide and out through an opening.

Setup and Boundaries

Check the floor or ground carefully for trip hazards, wet patches, or debris before play.
Mark one opening in the circle as the exit point.
Signal: 1 short whistle = everyone stops and opens eyes immediately.
Staff stand at the edges to spot and steady middle players if needed.

How to Play

The group forms a large standing circle. Identify one gap as the exit opening.
Choose 1-3 players to stand in the middle. They close their eyes and walk in a comfortable bent-forward posture (hands near knees). For those not comfortable closing their eyes, a soft blindfold or simply looking down at the ground is another option.
A Guide stands just outside the circle at the exit opening and calls ‘Jab-er-Walkie’ steadily to help the middle players find the way out.
A Misdirector stands at another point outside the circle and calls a different word or sound to create friendly confusion.
The rest of the circle sings ‘Row, Row, Row Your Boat’ throughout.
Middle players work together to find the exit by following the Guide’s voice. When they make it out, the round ends. Rotate roles.

I-OPt Options

A (Active): Be a middle player navigating by sound.
S (Support): Serve as the Guide, calling clearly and steadily to help middle players succeed.
Q (Quiet): Sing softly as a circle member, focus on watching carefully.
O (Observer): Watch from just outside the circle and rotate in when ready.

Inclusion Adaptations

Players with balance or mobility differences can be circle members or the Guide rather than middle players.
Soft blindfolds are available for middle players who prefer them over closed eyes.
Staff spotter stands close to middle players throughout.

Stewardship Moment

Consent

Pre-brief: ‘In this game, some players will close their eyes and navigate by sound. For those not comfortable closing their eyes or walking with limited vision, being the Guide or a circle member is another great option.’
Mid-game check: After the first round, pause. ‘How did that feel? Thumbs up, sideways, or down. Who would like to try a different role?’
Opt-out/re-entry: Any middle player can open their eyes and step to the circle any time. Raise a hand to signal staff.

Risks and Mitigation

Middle players losing balance while walking bent over: staff spotter stays within arm’s reach of each middle player throughout.
Middle players walking into circle members: remind circle to stay firmly in place and use gentle hands to redirect if someone walks toward them.
Noise level becoming overwhelming: signal a pause if volume gets too intense. Remind singers to stay at a comfortable volume.

Warm-Up Suggestions

‘Eyes Closed Walk’: everyone takes 5 slow steps with eyes closed in their own space, then opens eyes. Builds comfort with limited vision.
‘Marco Polo Pairs’: partners stand 3m apart, one calls a name and the other walks toward the voice with eyes closed.

Debrief Questions

What? ‘What made it easy or hard to find the right voice?’
So What? ‘What does it feel like to trust someone you can hear but not see?’
Now What? ‘When do you need to focus on one voice or signal in a noisy situation in daily life?’

Cleanup and Reset