Frog Finder

Name and Purpose

• Frog Finder is a quiet circle guessing game that builds observation, patience, and a healthy sense of humour.
• Great as a transition activity or calm energiser. No running, no scoring, easy to set up anywhere.

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, a small marker for the Detective spot.

Quick-Run Card

1. Players sit in a circle. One player volunteers or is chosen as the Detective and steps just outside the circle.
2. The leader quietly taps one player to be the Frogger while the Detective is away.
3. The Detective returns and stands or sits in the middle of the circle.
4. The Frogger slowly and secretly sticks their tongue out at players. Anyone who sees it waits about 10 seconds, then freezes with a funny face.
5. The Detective gets 3 guesses to find the Frogger. Celebrate, then start a new round.

Setup and Boundaries

• Form a clear circle with comfortable spacing so everyone can see each other.
• Signal: a raised hand or a quiet “Pause” from staff to stop the round.
• Confirm everyone can sit comfortably. Chair and floor options are both fine.

How to Play

1. Players sit in a circle facing inward with comfortable spacing.
2. One player volunteers to be the Detective. The Detective steps just outside earshot while the Frogger is chosen.
3. The leader quietly taps one seated player. That player is the Frogger. No one says anything out loud.
4. The Detective returns and sits or stands in the centre.
5. The Frogger’s goal is to stick their tongue out secretly at other players, one at a time, without being caught by the Detective.
6. Any player who receives the tongue-out signal waits roughly 10 seconds, then freezes in place with a silly face held until the round ends.
7. The Detective watches the group and tries to spot who the Frogger is. The Detective gets 3 guesses.
8. If the Detective guesses correctly, the Frogger becomes the new Detective and a new Frogger is chosen. If not, a new round begins with volunteer roles.

I-OPt Options

• A (Active): Play as the Frogger, using timing and misdirection to avoid detection.
• S (Support): Play as a seated player, helping the group stay in suspense without giving anything away.
• Q (Quiet): Sit in the circle, observe the action, and enjoy the funny faces without being pressured to freeze dramatically.
• O (Observer): Watch a round from just outside the circle, then join in for the next round when ready.

Inclusion Adaptations

• Players who prefer not to be chosen for a role can opt out of Detective or Frogger and remain as circle players throughout.
• For players who find making funny faces uncomfortable, “freezing” in any still position is equally valid.
• Players who cannot sit on the ground may use a chair at the edge of the circle.

Stewardship Moment

• No materials are used, so there is nothing to clean up. This is a “leave no trace” activity.
• Prompt: “This game needs nothing but us. What does that tell you about what makes a good game?”

Consent

• Pre-brief: “This game involves being secretly watched and freezing in a funny way. For those not comfortable with being in the spotlight as the Detective or Frogger, staying as a circle player is a totally great way to join.”
• Mid-game check: After the first round, check in. “Thumbs up, sideways, or down. Was that a fun level of silly?”
• Opt-out/re-entry: Any player can quietly stay seated during role selection. Raise a hand to join the next round as a circle player at any time.

Risks and Mitigation

• Detective feeling embarrassed if they cannot find the Frogger: celebrate the Frogger’s skill rather than the Detective’s miss. Frame it as the Frogger winning, not the Detective losing.
• Frogger being pressured to perform: normalise quiet, subtle tongue-outs. Big dramatic ones are optional.
• Circle players laughing too early and giving away the Frogger: treat that as part of the fun, not a mistake.

Warm-Up Suggestions

• “Funny Face Mirror”: pairs face each other and mirror silly faces for 30 seconds before the game.
• “Freeze Frame”: the leader calls “freeze” and everyone holds their current position for 3 seconds as a practice.

Debrief Questions

• What? “What strategies did the Frogger use? What almost gave them away?”
• So What? “What did it feel like to keep a secret while everyone was watching?”
• Now What? “Where in everyday life do you notice small signals that most people miss?”

Cleanup and Reset

• No materials to collect.
• Return chairs if used.
• Check that all players feel good before moving to the next activity.