Capture the Flag Game

by Jennifer Z.
(Brandon, Manitoba, Canada)

Capture the flag is the best and most fun game you can play! It is ideal for playing outside in an open area (for example - park, field, etc.) And the rules are easy, too.

Split the group into 2 teams. If you have a large group, get the players to wear clothing of similar color. That way they know who is on their team and who is not.

Divide the area into 2 halves by marking each team's territory on the ground. The players are "safe" on their own territory. If they enter another team's turf, then their opponents can tag them.

Each team has a flag that they're defending. The object of the game is to gain entry into the "enemy's" territory, capture the flag, and return safely home without getting tagged all the way through.

For a flag, you can have a real flag, a piece of material, or anything else you can think of! You can place the flag in an open visible location, or you can hide to make the game more challenging. (Make the capturing process more simple for younger kids.)

The team defends its flag mainly by tagging their opponents. When the players get tagged, they go to "prison" (a designated area on each team's territory). They stay there without moving until one of their teammates performs a "prison break". (He or she simply tags one or several prisoners to free them.) The players who have been freed must return to their own territory first before they can go for the flag.

When the flag gets captured, the person carrying it must return to his own territory to win the game! If that person gets tagged, he goes to prison, but the flag stays in exact location where the player was tagged.

The flag carrier may hand it to other team members for them to continue moving closer to their territory. The person carrying the flag is not allowed to perform prison break.

You can set up time restrictions for the game, if you need to. For example, if none of the teams brought the enemy's flag home in 1 hour, then the team with the most prisoners, wins!

Capture the Flag game is a lot of fun! We played it many times with our 3 children and their friends. Give it a try at your party!