Capture the flag
This game encourages team members to work together to plan their strategy — splitting into defenders and attackers to collect the opposing teams flag, whilst protecting their own.
Capture the Flag works best in an large outdoor space, with a few hiding places. Fun for children and adults alike, it’s a game that brings people together and gets everyone moving outside.
Here’s how to play…
Step 1
Appoint an ‘umpire’ to set up the game, keep an eye on it as it runs and bring it to an end (a whistle is helpful!).
Step 2
Define the area of play — this can usually be done using naturally occurring boundaries: lines of trees/hedges, fences, rivers, car parks etc.
Step 3
Split into two teams and walk each team to opposite ends of the play area.
Step 4
Each team establishes a base in which to place their flag (it doesn’t have to be a flag, it could be a brightly coloured blanket or item of clothing).
Step 5
The base should be a few metres across and the team are not allowed in their own base.
Step 6
Start the game. The aim is to collect the opposing team’s flag and return it to your own base without being tagged by a member of the defending team.
Step 7
When a player is tagged, they must return to their own base to start again and the flag is returned to the defending team’s base.
Step 8
The game ends when a flag is captured and returned to the opposite base.
Looking for more outdoor game ideas or planning activities for your Big Lunch?
There’s something for everyone, check out our games and activities with plenty more fun things to play and do!
