Capture the Flag Game
Instructions on how to play the fun classic children's game of strategy, tag and teamwork called Capture the Flag. Teams hide their flags and protect it from the other team while trying to capture the other teams flag. Included with the Capture the Flag rules are some fun variations that can be added to the game to make it even better. The game requires several children to play. The more kids the better!
What you need to play
2 flags - make flags from bandanas or old cloth.
Object of the Capture the Flag Game
Capture the other teams flag and return it to your home base.
Set up Capture the Flag
Separate children into 2 teams. Each team determines their territory and boundaries. Usually one team takes the front yard and the other team takes the backyard. Each team decides where their jail and flag will be located.
The flag must be visible - it can not be moved. There is a safety zone around the flag ( a 10 - 15 ’ circle). The flags team may not enter this circle unless the other team enters first.
How to play Capture The Flag
Send part of the team to “enemy territory” to capture their flag. The team members left behind guard their flag. If you are caught (tagged) by the opposite team you have to go to their jail. The only way out of jail is to be tagged again by one of your teammates. (Only one person in the jail can be set free at a time.)
After capturing the flag the team member must make it back to his territory - without being caught - to win. If someone has the flag and he is tagged - the person goes to jail and the flag is returned to it’s original location.
Options and Variations
Spies and Lookouts
When teams are placing their flags spies can be sent out to see where the flag is located - and look-outs can be sent out to catch the spies.
Jail Chain
If the jail is far from the boundary line players can form a human chain from the jail heading towards the boundary. The more people in jail then easier it is to get rescued.
Jail Break
With mutual consent teams can both yell “Jail Break!!” and prisoners are all free to run back to their home territory.
Glow in the Dark Capture the Flag
Glow in the dark Capture the Flag Rules
Instead of playing the Capture the Flag game during the daytime, this game is played at night with players using glow in the dark bracelets and a large glow stick for their flag.
For the glow in the dark game you will need 2 large glow sticks that are differeent colors for each teams flag.
For each team you will need 2 glow bracelets for each player that match the color of their flag. The players will wear these on thier wrists.
Tips to make the game more fun:
1. Don't activate the glow sticks until right before the game starts so you will have more playing time.
2. If a glow stick flag is taken from the other team, but then dropped, it has to be returned to where it was taken.
3. Great game for outdoors at night, but can also be played inside in a gymnasium, playground or any large venue during the day by turning off the lights and blocking any windows with paper.