SEND Barrier Game – Build a Scene Space

This SEND barrier game – Build a Scene Space – is a structured speaking and listening activity designed to strengthen communication skills through purposeful interaction. Pupils work in pairs to recreate a space-themed scene using verbal instructions only, developing clarity of language and careful listening in the process.

Using an information-gap format, one pupil arranges planets, astronauts, rockets and stars on their baseboard. With a barrier in place so their partner cannot see, they must describe what they have placed and where it belongs. The second pupil listens carefully and attempts to recreate the scene exactly. Once finished, the barrier is removed to compare layouts.

Adapting the level of challenge

This Space barrier game allows you to increase or decrease complexity depending on pupils’ communication targets:

• Simple instructions: Place a rocket on the moon.
• Adding descriptive detail: Place the red alien on the sun.
• Using positional language: Place the yellow astronaut below the sun.
• Multi-step directions: Place the orange robot on the sun and then put the blue robot next to the yellow star.
• Describing without naming: Place the circle with a ring around it next to the blue object with five points.

By gradually increasing vocabulary, positional language and the number of steps in each instruction, you can tailor the activity to suit a wide range of SEND learners.

Skills supported

• Expressive and receptive language development
• Speaking and listening
• Understanding and giving precise instructions
• Vocabulary linked to colour, size and position
• Turn taking and collaborative interaction
• Attention, sequencing and working memory

This space-themed barrier game works well in small-group SEND interventions, speech and language sessions, classroom communication work or targeted social interaction practice. The clear visual scene and familiar space vocabulary help pupils focus on structure and clarity while building confidence in structured conversation.

Explore more structured communication activities in our barrier games collection.