What Makes A Good Blindfold? – Revised
A blindfold should be thick enough to stop light from getting in, but not too thick that the person wearing it feels suffocated. It must be firm and secure, and the material touching the eyes should be nice and comfortable. Aside from the eyes, the rest of the face should remain uncovered. You need to bear in mind, that thick dark cloths let in less light and is harder to see shadows. Do you want the player in pitch black darkness, if so use a black wool scarf. Dark colours make darker blindfolds, like brown, or black or dark blue, White cloths can be dark if folded to be thick enough.
Sleep masks make good blindfolds as they are designed for that purpose and are often black on the inside. They can be purchased at chemists, travel stores online. Velcro straps can help. The first blindfold I wore in a game was a fluffy red cloth with a strap to going around the head. Sleep mask patterns are online. Apart from this website, the best (non adult)website about blindfolding is www.dreamessentials.com. The down side to sleep masks is that often let light in, are not always comfortable and hard to adjust. Top tip: for messy play don’t use the same mask that you wear in bed.
Cloths you can use as blindfolds include:
- Rolled or folded up jumpers or t shirts (they are great as you can fold up the main body and use the sleeves to tie a knot)
See my post on why jumpers make great blindfolds https://blindsensoryexploration.com/2018/06/18/jumpers-make-great-blindfolds/ Neck/head scarves are thin and can be folded and are a popular choice, for games and surprises and are easy to come by, any teacher or mother should have some. If a teacher is wearing a scarf to school she has easy access to a blindfold for games. For one class, we needed a blindfold and the lady just used her scarf. But have your blindfold cloth(s) ready before the lesson.
- Wool scarves can sometimes be a bit hot and big but can be very dark and warm and snug and prevent sight.
- Tea towels are great but sometimes not long enough to fit all the way around your head. You might want to check if they smell first, or buy a pile of tea towels that you only use for blindfolds.
- Hand towels if not too short are great, also try cloth nappies.
- Pillowcases (they also make good feely bags) but are too thick.
- Bandanas are good and can be folded different ways, sorry I don’t have a dark one.
- Long socks might work or sweat bands.
- block out out ski masks
- handkerchiefs but maybe too small
- face washers, great for covering eyes when washing hair.
- Hooded jumpers back to front
https://agentura7.rajce.idnes.cz/Tabor_Varvazov_2018%2C_7_turnus
Wooly hat/beanie pulled low
https://projekt-fenix.rajce.idnes.cz/Jaro_v_Ostrave_19.3.2016 (kids playing)
See this link
Towards the end of this is a woman blindfolding herself with a cot blanket. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6KapWxdxr-8&t=1136s Children blindfolded with bath towels http://naskoc.rajce.idnes.cz/Tabory_2011_paty_a_sesty_den/ If you need blindfolds for a group, cut strips from old sheets but they might not be dark enough. The cloth will determine if you fold it on a diagonal to make a triangle or if you just fold length ways. Most people secure with a nice firm knot but you could also use a safety pin. You should wash cloth blindfolds so dirty material doesn’t enter eyes. One way to prevent peeping is placing cotton balls over closed eyelids before the blindfold. To secure your cloth have the person your blindfolding hold the cloth with their hand over their eyes so you secure it nice and snug. Whatever you use just make sure the wearer cannot see.
