Body Map Stories

Name and Purpose

Body Map Stories is a creative identity activity where each player builds a visual self-portrait guided by playful prompts.
Players practise self-expression, learn something new about each other, and create a lasting group display.

a.k.a.

Age / Group / Time / Space

Ages 8-16 | 6-30 players | 20-35 minutes | Large flat surface: gym floor, blacktop, or tables with butcher paper rolls

Materials

Quick-Run Card

Each player lays their paper flat on the floor and a partner traces their body outline.
Players decorate their outline using prompts called out by the leader.
Leader calls 5-8 prompts, one at a time, giving 1-2 minutes each.
Finished portraits go on display face down.
Group flips one at a time and guesses whose portrait it is.

Setup and Boundaries

How to Play

Each player lays their large paper sheet on the floor or blacktop.
A partner traces the outline of their body while they lie or stand still.
Players stand up and look at their outline.
The leader calls out one prompt at a time (see examples below). Players draw or colour their response inside their outline.
Example prompts: “If you have a pet, draw curly hair. If you do not, draw straight hair.” / “If you play a sport, colour your shirt red. If you prefer music or art, colour it blue.” / “Draw one thing inside your chest that you care deeply about.”
After all prompts, players add their name on the back of their portrait (not the front).
All portraits are displayed face down. The group reveals one at a time and guesses whose it is.
Players confirm or clarify after each guess.

I-OPt Options

A (Active): Trace a partner, respond to every prompt, add extra details.
S (Support): Help a partner trace their outline carefully; encourage creative choices.
Q (Quiet): Respond to only the prompts that feel comfortable; leave others blank or add a simple colour.
O (Observer): Watch the first round of tracing and prompts; join the display and guessing phase.

Inclusion Adaptations

Players who are not comfortable lying on the floor for tracing may stand against a wall while a partner traces around them, or trace just their hands and arms.
Players with limited fine motor ability may colour large sections with a marker rather than drawing detailed images.

Stewardship Moment

Collect and store reusable markers after the activity.
Outdoor version: sidewalk chalk washes away with rain or water; no paper waste.
Reflection: “We each started with the same blank outline. What made each portrait unique?”

Consent

Pre-brief: “We are going to trace each other’s body outlines and decorate them. For those who would prefer to trace just their hands or arms rather than a full body outline, that works perfectly. For those who would rather trace their own shape, that is fine too.”
Mid-game check: After the tracing step, pause. “Everyone feeling okay? Thumbs up, sideways, or down before we start decorating.”
Opt-out/re-entry: Players may choose how much or how little to add to their portrait. There is no wrong amount of detail.

Risks and Mitigation

Players feeling self-conscious about body tracing: leader models the tracing step and frames it matter-of-factly; the partner role is chosen freely.
Prompts feeling too personal or revealing: keep prompts lighthearted and activity-based rather than emotional unless the group has established strong trust.
Marker bleed-through to floor: use a second sheet beneath each portrait or check that markers are washable before starting.

Warm-Up Suggestions

“Colour Me This”: each player picks a colour that represents their mood today and shares why.
“Favourite Object”: players name one object they would draw if they were decorating a shirt.

Debrief Questions

What? “What was easy to draw? What was hard to choose?”
So What? “What did you learn about someone from their portrait that surprised you?”
Now What? “How might knowing these things about each other change how you connect this week?”

Cleanup and Reset