Tin Can Telephone
Resources you will need:
A large ball of string
Plenty of empty and clean tin cans (or you can use plastic disposable cups)
Enough scissors
A hammer and a nail
Aim
To enable young people to listen and have the confidence to ask people to repeat information they don’t understand. To highlight that listening isn’t as simple as we tend to think.
Overview
This is a fun activity that practically gets young people to focus on listening to others but also helps the young people to explore ways of asking for more information or for information to be repeated. It involves making traditional tin can telephones out of string and tin cans.
Instructions
Get a piece of string and two empty cans.
Punch a hole at the bottom of each can just small enough for string to fit through.
Pass the string through the hole and into the bottom of one can or cup. Make sure the string is long enough to allow a good distance between the cans when stretched out.
Tie a knot in the end of the string that is inside the cup and repeat with the other cup.
Place the open end of one can over your ear and have your partner speak into the open end of the other can.
Ask the young people to take turns in giving instructions such as “wave to me”, “Jump up and down”. Allow the instructions to get more complicated and detailed.
Discuss with the group the methods or tactics that worked to listen or ask for clearer instructions.