Picnic Games for Children - 01

Capture the Flag

Equipment:

Two flags (you can make flags with two sticks and bandanas)

Set Up:

Divide the kids into two teams and decide on the teams' territories (front and back yard works well). Be sure to specifically state the boundary lines of each team's territory because once a player crosses that boundary line they are subject to being caught. Also, decide where each team's jail will be located. For the first few minutes of the game, each team decides where to place its flag. It must be visible and it cannot be moved by its team. A 10-20 foot circle around the flag is a safety zone that cannot be entered by its team unless the opposing team enters the circle first.

Play:

Of course, the object of the game is to grab the other team's flag and carry it safely back to your team's territory. Part of the team stays to guard their flag and part of the team goes on the capture mission in enemy territory. If a player sees an opposing team member enter his territory, he can catch him by tagging him long enough to say "Caught!" three times (Boy Scout rules). When a player is caught, he must go to the jail area. The player stays in jail until one of his teammates sneaks in and tags him. Only one prisoner at a time can be freed.

When a player grabs the flag, he must make it all the way back to his home territory without being caught. If he does, his team wins!

Chain Hide and Seek

Equipment:

Play:

This is an easy and wild hide and seek variation. It counts to 50 while everyone hides. When the first child is found, he takes It's hand and goes with him to find the others. Each child joins the chain as he is found.

Flashlight Hide and Seek

Equipment:

Darkness, one or two flashlights

Play:

It holds the flashlight (turned off) and counts to 50. All the kids hide while It counts. It looks for the other children with the flashlight turned off. When he finds a child, he shines the flashlight on him. That child now takes the flashlight and goes to find the other hiders. This can go on for a while without having to recount and rehide.