Frog Finder (Revised)

Name and Purpose

• Frog Finder (Revised) is the updated version of game 8855. This shorter format works well when time is limited.
• Builds observation, patience, and light-hearted group fun with no materials and no running.

a.k.a.

• Tongue Freeze, The Frogger

Age / Group / Time / Space

• Ages 8-16 | 8-25 players | 10-15 minutes | Circle seating, indoors or outdoors

Materials

• No materials required.
• Optional: chairs or floor cushions for the circle.

Quick-Run Card

1. Players sit in a circle. One player is secretly chosen as the Frogger. One player volunteers as the Detective and sits in the centre.
2. The Frogger quietly sticks their tongue out at players one at a time.
3. Anyone who sees the signal waits a moment, then freezes with a funny face.
4. The Detective gets 3 guesses to identify the Frogger.
5. Roles rotate. New round begins.

Setup and Boundaries

• Form a clear circle with comfortable spacing.
• Signal: a raised hand or a quiet “Pause” from staff stops the round at any time.

How to Play

1. All players sit in a circle facing inward.
2. One player volunteers to be the Detective and sits in the centre.
3. The leader quietly taps one player to be the Frogger while the Detective looks away.
4. The Frogger sticks their tongue out at players secretly, one at a time.
5. Any player who sees the tongue-out waits a moment, then freezes with a funny face.
6. The Detective gets 3 guesses to name the Frogger.
7. Correct guess: the Frogger becomes the new Detective. New Frogger is chosen. If not correct, start a fresh round with new volunteers.

I-OPt Options

• A (Active): Volunteer as Frogger or Detective.
• S (Support): Play as a circle player, keeping suspense high without giving anything away.
• Q (Quiet): Sit in the circle and participate at your own level of expression.
• O (Observer): Watch one round from the edge, then join the next.

Inclusion Adaptations

• Players who prefer not to be chosen as Frogger or Detective can indicate this to staff quietly before the round.
• Freezing can be any still position, not necessarily a funny face, for players who find expressive play uncomfortable.
• Chair option at the circle edge for players who cannot sit on the ground.

Stewardship Moment

• No materials used. No cleanup needed.
• Prompt: “This game needs nothing but attention and a bit of silliness. What else can you do with just that?”

Consent

• Pre-brief: “This is a watching and guessing game. For those not comfortable being in the Detective seat or the Frogger role, staying as a circle player is a great choice.”
• Mid-game check: Quick thumbs check after the first round.
• Opt-out/re-entry: Stay seated during role selection. Raise a hand to join any round.

Risks and Mitigation

• Detective feeling self-conscious: frame every outcome as a win. The Frogger is skilled; the Detective is a great sport.
• Peer pressure to make exaggerated faces: normalise subtle freezing as equally valid.

Warm-Up Suggestions

• “Funny Face Mirror”: pairs mirror silly faces for 30 seconds before the game starts.
• “Freeze Practice”: everyone freezes on the leader’s signal once before play begins.

Debrief Questions

• What? “What gave the Frogger away, or what kept them hidden?”
• So What? “What does it feel like to hold a secret while being watched?”
• Now What? “When is staying calm and subtle a useful skill in real life?”

Cleanup and Reset

• No materials to collect.
• Return chairs if used.