Ice Breaker Games Blind Drawing
One person describes a picture while their partner draws it without seeing the original. Shows how hard clear communication really is and creates lots of laughs at the hilarious results.
Group Size:
4-20 people
Duration:
15-20 minutes
Difficulty:
Easy
How to Play:
- 1
Divide participants into pairs and assign one as 'describer' and one as 'drawer'
- 2
Show the describer a simple image while keeping it hidden from the drawer
- 3
The describer explains what to draw using only shapes, sizes, and positions
- 4
Drawers cannot ask questions and must interpret instructions literally
- 5
After 5 minutes, reveal both the original image and all drawings
- 6
Compare results and discuss what communication strategies worked best
Blind Drawing turns simple instructions into unexpected masterpieces. Your marketing director describes “a circle with two smaller circles inside” and somehow the drawer creates an alien spaceship. This gap between what we say and what others hear is exactly what makes teams struggle.
In 15 minutes, pairs discover their communication blind spots through laughter rather than lectures. The quiet analyst who gives pixel-perfect directions? The confident manager whose vague “make it bigger” creates chaos?
You’ll meet them all. No artistic skill required—the worse the drawings, the better the learning.
Best For:
Communication workshops, team building sessions, training on giving clear instructions. A perfect ice breaker game for groups learning to work together.
Pro Tips
-
Start with simple geometric shapes before moving to complex images
-
Ban words that name the object directly to increase the challenge
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Encourage describers to use clock positions for placement guidance
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Debrief afterwards about communication gaps and assumptions
Variations
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Competitive Blind Drawing: Award points for accuracy and speed
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Chain Drawing: Drawer becomes the next describer with a new partner
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Themed Drawing: Use industry-specific images relevant to your team
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Silent Feedback: Drawers can only knock once for 'repeat' or twice for 'next'
FAQ
- What materials do I need for Blind Drawing?
- Each pair needs paper and a pen or pencil. The facilitator needs 5-10 prepared images ranging from simple shapes to moderately complex objects.
- How do I choose good images for Blind Drawing?
- Start with basic geometric combinations like a house shape or simple flower. Avoid images with text, fine details, or cultural references that may not translate across teams.
- Can describers use hand gestures in Blind Drawing?
- No, describers must use only verbal instructions. This constraint is what makes Blind Drawing such an effective ice breaker game for revealing communication patterns.
- How do I debrief Blind Drawing effectively?
- Ask three questions: What instructions were clearest? Where did assumptions cause errors? How does this apply to daily team communication?
- Does Blind Drawing work for remote teams?
- Yes, use screen sharing to show images privately to describers while drawers use paper at home. This ice breaker game adapts well to video calls.
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