I can't count the number of hours I spent playing Capture the Flag when I was a kid. It was by far my favorite outdoor game, particularly at summer camp where we were able to play it in the woods. Oh the strategy, the thrill of a good run, and those quiet moments where I got lost in the beautiful shifts of the tree leaves and almost forgot I was playing a game at all.
It would be pretty hard to top this classic, unless. . .
. . . you added a little geography. . .
. . . and . . .
. . . flag history to the mix.
So. Very. Fun.
Capture the Flag Geography Game
Materials:
- Scrap fabric
- Needle and thread (or a sewing machine)
- Globe and/or Atlas (if you don't have either on hand you can always look up maps online)
- Rope
- Bag (optional, but good for keeping everything together)
- Note Cards
The great thing about this game is that it starts as soon as you begin crafting its pieces. Think of the sewing time as a primer for the game. Children can learn about different locations in the world while stitching the flags. You can start building your flag library (this could go on, and on, and on) with locations that your children have been to. State flags are a fun place to start (we just had to make one for Colorado. It's always fun to learn more about the place you live.
Then, start branching out. Talk about the different continents (you could even talk about how they were once connected). Learn about the different locations you are discussing. What is the culture like? What kind of food is prepared there? What are the plants and animals like? Make up cards with this information (you'll use them in the game later). I find a globe is best for this type of geographical exploration because it gives children a better idea of how things relate to each other spatially.
Once you have a few flags made (you could start with as few as two, but the game only gets better the more flags you have) you can start setting up for the game.
How to Play:
For the most part, the game is played the way it would be traditionally, with these additions:
- There can be more than one flag for each team. At the start of the game each team will hide all of their flags.
- The game is played until one team no longer has any flags, but this doesn't determine the winner.
- The final outcome of the game is determined in the geography round where players name flags and can get bonus points for sharing more information about the location. This is where those cards come in handy. The moderator will use them to ask the questions. This stage could be as long or as short as you'd like (depending on the tiredness of the players)
- End the game with a good snack and plans for the next competition :)
With the Kids:
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Have fun!
~ Sarah
* Last time in Crafts and Activities: Summer Moments