COVID FRIENDLY INITIATIVES: #10 TIN CAN

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This week’s COVID friendly initiative is #10 Tin Can. Like Keypunch, Kick ‘n’ Choose and Frantic, it’s an initiative where the touching of items that occurs is designed to be done with the feet. Additionally, the typical strategies employed organically support the requirement for physical distancing.

#10 Tin Can (Inspired Educator, Inspired Learner p. 148) gets its name from the size of the tin can that has historically been used to play it – think camp or school cafeteria-size containers of tomatoes, fruit cocktail, etc. The task is for the group to pass the item around the circle (group members may sit in chairs or on the ground or both) using only their feet AND without the item touching the ground. It is usually necessary to remind the group that “feet” means that part of the body below the ankles. If you are feeling generous, feel free to define “feet” as that part of the body below the knees. Most strategies involve foot to foot contact while seated. Although not everyone’s legs are three feet long, many people lean back with their body so distancing is reasonable (not perfect) for the moments it takes the exchange to occur. With masks and an outdoor setting, this classic requires no further modification.

Several levels of challenge are possible…

  1. Pass the item. While the activity is called #10 Tin Can, feel free to use a bucket, ball, or box. The groups I have been working with have loved the craziness of using a large exercise ball. A bucket with a handle creates opportunities for strategies based on the size of people’s feet/shoes.
  2. Pass the item with additional items in it. When you place 1 or more tennis ball sized objects in the tin can, bucket, or box which can’t fall out then it obviously has an impact on the methods that may be used to manoeuvre the item from person to person.
  3. Pass multiple items. Either in the same direction of in opposite directions. 

  4. Pass the items with eyes closed. Again, there are several options. 
    1. Only the people touching the item need to have their eyes closed. 
    2. People touching the item and on either side of it need to have their eyes closed. 
    3. People may open their eyes once they have passed the items. Eyes remain closed while passing the item and waiting for it to get to you.

Finally, when you have a large group, divide it into separate grouplets. Give each group a different item to pass and develop expertise. Then, when you combine the grouplets back into one large group, there is an opportunity to for grouplets to share the learnings and strategies they developed for “their” item.

Written by Kathy Haras, Ph.D