Blindfold kids, and have them identify an instrument by its sound alone. This works well for younger children, and you can use similar-sounding instruments to make it more challenging for older ones. For a game on the importance of hearing, break players up into pairs. Have one blindfolded player describe every sound he hears, while the other writes those things down. Have children switch roles and repeat the exercise. Each pair writes a story about several of the sounds they heard.
While some blindfold games single kids out, you can use others to nurture empathy and understanding of differences. Have half the children wait outside the room or in another area while the others create a maze or safe obstacle course using furniture and large items. Blindfold the waiting players, and give them walking canes before returning to the area, and have them slowly navigate the obstacle course from one end of the room to the other. Do the same with the other kids, and then discuss, write or draw pictures about how they felt while blindfolded.
Teach your little ones how to work with others by having them participate in a blindfold game. Break the group up into pairs, and have one child blindfold herself. The other child removes her shoes and places them in a pile with all the other participants' shoes. The blindfolded player must find her partner's correct pair, and the seeing player may give clues and about how the shoe feels and whether the blindfolded player has the correct pair or not. Pairs can also draw the name of a certain animal from a hat. Everyone gets blindfolded and mixed into a crowd. The kids must find their partners using only sounds made by their particular animal.
Blindfold games can help teach about how important other senses are. Have half the kids paint a large piece of butcher paper outside while they are blindfolded. The children without blindfolds instruct their partners to draw specific scenes or animals -- a beach scene or bird, for instance. Partners help their painters by directing them as they draw. Have kids take turns painting, and then have a discussion on which senses they used the most to accomplish the task. You can also have them identify objects while blindfolded by touching, smelling and listening to any sound the item might make.