Mbube, mbube Back to results

Social / Speech / Language / Cognitive / Gross motor / 5 or more children / outdoor / Ages 6-11 / Age 12+ / 10 mins With equipment

Mbube, mbube is a fun, imaginative, sensory game from South Africa. During the game, players are blindfolded so that they use senses other than sight to achieve their goal. Children also need to rely on other players if they are to win, thus helping them build communication, teamwork and social skills.

Fun fact!

Mbube means ‘lion’ in Zulu!

Equipment needed

Scarves or tea towels (for blindfolds!)

About the activity

In a open outdoor space, get the children to stand in a circle. One child/player is to be the ‘lion’ and another the ‘impala’. Both players are blindfolded and guided to different places in the circle. Now let the game begin! The lion’s aim is to catch the impala, reaching out with their arms to find them, whilst the impala tries to stay away. Everyone else in the circle can make as much noise as they want to, chanting ‘Mbube, mbube!’ when the lion gets close to the impala. Once the impala is caught, two different players are blindfolded and the game continues.

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