Treasure Keeper

Name and Purpose

Treasure Keeper is a tense, strategic game that builds listening skills, spatial awareness, and creative problem-solving.
Players practise concentration and gentle movement in a unique role-based challenge where sound matters as much as sight.

a.k.a.

Age / Group / Time / Space

Ages 8-16 | 10-30 players | 15-25 minutes | Large open space or gym, minimum 10m diameter clear circle

Materials

3 soft foam bean bags per Guardian (for gentle tagging)
1 blindfold per Guardian (4 total)
3 soft rope rings or small hula hoops per Seeker round
4-6 distinct objects as treasure (e.g., key rings, coloured cones, beanbags of a different colour)
Cones to mark the outer circle boundary

Quick-Run Card

Four Guardians sit blindfolded in the centre, each with soft bean bags; treasure is in front of them.
The outer circle of players forms the arena boundary.
One Seeker quietly enters the circle and tries to reach the treasure.
Guardians throw bean bags gently toward sounds they hear; a hit pauses the Seeker for 3 seconds.
Seeker can place a rope ring over a Guardian’s head to de-activate them for 30 seconds.

Setup and Boundaries

Mark a clear circle with cones, minimum 10m in diameter
Guardians sit evenly spaced in the centre, each with 3 bean bags and the treasure within arm’s reach in front of them
Signal: 1 whistle = go; 2 whistles = pause all action; 3 whistles = reset and rotate
Check the ground inside the circle for any hazards before play
Staff positioned outside the circle to observe bean bag throw force and step in if needed

How to Play

Choose 4 Guardians and one Seeker. Everyone else forms the outer circle.
Guardians are blindfolded and sit in the centre, evenly spaced. The treasure is placed between them.
On the signal, the Seeker quietly enters the circle and tries to reach the treasure without being heard.
Guardians listen for movement and throw bean bags gently in the direction of sounds. A gentle hit from a bean bag pauses the Seeker in place for 3 seconds.
The Seeker has 3 rope rings. Quietly placing a rope ring over a Guardian’s head de-activates that Guardian for 30 seconds (they place their remaining bean bags in their lap and wait).
Players in the outer circle may call out the Seeker’s location to help the Guardians. They may not enter the circle.
The Seeker wins the round by reaching and touching the treasure. The Guardians win if the Seeker is tagged 5 times (not eliminated . just a signal to rotate roles and try again).
Rotate so every player who wants to gets a turn as Seeker or Guardian over multiple rounds.

I-OPt Options

A (Active): Take the Seeker or Guardian role in the centre
S (Support): Join the outer circle, call directions, cheer, and keep the energy up for both sides
Q (Quiet): Observe the Seeker’s strategy from the outer circle without calling out
O (Observer): Count bean bag hits, time Guardian de-activations, or rotate players in and out

Inclusion Adaptations

For players not comfortable wearing a blindfold, Guardians can instead cover their eyes with their hands or sit facing away from the centre
The Seeker role can be played with a partner for players who prefer not to be alone in the centre

Stewardship Moment

Collect all bean bags, rope rings, and treasure pieces after every round before rotating
Prompt: “The bean bags and rings are what make this game magical. Let’s make sure they’re all here for the next group.”

Consent

Pre-brief: “This game involves a blindfold for the Guardian role and being the focus of attention as the Seeker. For those not comfortable wearing a blindfold, covering your eyes with your hands is another option. For those not comfortable being alone in the centre, bringing a partner into the Seeker role works just as well.”
Mid-game check: After the first full round, pause. “How did that feel? Any changes for the next round?”
Opt-out/re-entry: Any player can step out of a role at any time and join the outer circle. They can take an active role in any future round.

Risks and Mitigation

Bean bag thrown too hard: staff model a gentle underhand toss before play; any overly hard throw pauses the game for a reset reminder
Seeker and Guardian collision: Seeker must move slowly and quietly; remind players the pace is deliberate, not a sprint
Blindfold discomfort or distress: staff check in with each Guardian before play begins; the hands-over-eyes alternative is always available
Players in outer circle rushing into the circle: clear boundary expectation set at pre-brief

Warm-Up Suggestions

“Silence Walk”: the whole group walks the circle perimeter in total silence for 30 seconds to tune into sound
“Sound Map”: players close their eyes for 10 seconds and name every sound they can hear

Debrief Questions

What? “What did you have to do differently when you couldn’t rely on your sight?”
So What? “What surprised you about how much sound gives away?”
Now What? “Where in daily life do we rely on sound more than we realise?”

Cleanup and Reset