This is an exciting game but not perhaps for young children or indeed anyone uncomfortable with or afraid of the dark.
You can play it on a cloudless night when there is a full moon (giving players plenty of light) or if you are more daring, play it on a night with a waining moon and some or full cloud cover, in which case it will be very dark indeed.
The hardest part of this game is finding the right area in which to play it. You will probably need to search for the best spot during daylight. The ideal place to play would be a clearing in a forest. A large area is required with plenty of obstacles like large rocks, bushes and shrubs, tree stumps, rises and falls in the land and trees with thick trunks.
- To begin, divide players into two teams, say Red and Blue (teams need to be of equal numbers), and have each team choose a team leader.
- Hand out a blue ribbon to each member of the Blue team and a red ribbon to each member of the Red team. Each player should write their names on the ribbon then pin it to their clothing.
- Everyone moves into the centre of the play area. This may be a short walk or even a short car ride.
- Each team is given a flashlight and they move off to distribute themselves around the playing area.
- Ideally circle the playing area, dropping off one team member at a time until they are scattered around evenly.
- When everyone is settled each team leader turns off their flashlights.
- The referee turns on a third torch, and places it face upward in the middle of the playing area so it shines up into the sky.
- Then the referee sounds a whistle or horn, something that is loud enough for everyone to hear clearly; this signals the start of the game.The object of the game is to reach the flashlight shining upward into the sky without being seen.
- If someone sees you, they approach you and tap you on the shoulder. If the player is on your team then there is no further action to take. However if the person is on the other team, the player who has been 'tapped' must hand over their ribbon to the 'tapper' and the 'tapped' player is out of the game.
This means that players will be moving through the darkness hearing not only the occasional squeal or scream when someone taps them on the shoulder, but also the noises made by other players as they try to move forward, not to mention any four legged inhabitants coming to check out all the commotion of the player area. The players will be trying to keep low and move slowly so as not to be seen or heard at the same time as looking out for other players and trying to get closer to the beacon in the centre of the playing area. As players move forward they may try to hide behind what they think is an obstacle but be careful because what appears to be an obstacle could be another player ready to tap you on the shoulder.
Players also need to use caution when about to tap someone because in doing so they are giving away their position.
The winner is the person who gets to the flashlight first ,and whoever it is has to do it without being seen or tapped.
Play Safe
Remember, players are in the dark, so be careful. Check the playing area in daylight for unwanted obstacles and clear them away. Ensure players are wearing suitable clothing and footwear.
For more ideas try Outdoor Games for Kids.
