Name and Purpose Hook and Dash is a circle tag game where players constantly swap partners through quick movement and decision-making. Players practise reaction speed, spatial awareness, and social connection in a fast-moving format. a.k.a. Elbow Tag, Link-Up Tag Age / Group / Time / Space Ages 8-16 | 12-40 players | 10-20 minutes | Large open area or gymnasium, …
Read MoreHigh Activity Games
These high activity camp games keep everyone moving! Play these camp games with those children who love to run, run, run! Adapt many of these games to embrace our "Everybody Wins" philosophy.
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How to Play Capture the Flag at Summer Camp: Rules, Variations, and Setup
By the UCR Team | Updated: May 2026 Ages: 8 to 16Players: 20 to 100+Time: 20 to 60 minutes (multiple rounds recommended)Space: 1 to 2 acres outdoor (more for very large groups)Materials: 2 flags, cones, optional pinnies and flag football belts TL;DR: Capture the Flag is a team strategy game where two groups compete to steal each other’s flag from …
Read MoreJump and Freeze
Name and Purpose Jump and Freeze is a listening and reaction game that sharpens focus, body control, and quick decision-making. Players practise distinguishing signals under pressure in a fun, repeated-round format. a.k.a. Sound and Move, Listen Up Age / Group / Time / Space Ages 8-16 | 10-40 players | 10-15 minutes | Open gym or field with flat, clear …
Read MoreLizard Link Tag
Name and Purpose Lizard Link Tag is a paired movement game where two-player “lizards” protect their tail while trying to grab others. Players practise coordination, communication, and spatial awareness while staying physically connected to a partner. a.k.a. Paired Tag, Tail Grab Age / Group / Time / Space Ages 8-16 | 12-40 players (must be even) | 15-20 minutes | …
Read MoreMinute Jog
Name and Purpose Minute Jog is a quiet body-awareness game that challenges players to sense time through movement. Players practise mindfulness, self-regulation, and estimation while getting light physical activity. a.k.a. Time Sense Jog, Sixty Seconds Age / Group / Time / Space Ages 8-16 | 6-40 players | 10-15 minutes | Any open indoor or outdoor space; in-place jogging or …
Read MoreMusical Balls
Name and Purpose Musical Balls is a fast, energetic variation on Musical Chairs using soft balls instead of seats. Players practise quick reactions, spatial awareness, and graceful transitions in and out of active play. a.k.a. Musical Chairs (ball variation) Age / Group / Time / Space Ages 8-16 | 10-30 players | 10-20 minutes | Large open gym or outdoor …
Read MoreNo-Base Kickball
Name and Purpose No-Base Kickball strips away the complexity of bases so any open green space becomes a playing field. Teams practise kicking, fielding, and counting strategy with minimal equipment and setup. a.k.a. Lap Kickball, Circle Kickball Age / Group / Time / Space Ages 8-16 | 10-30 players (5-15 per team) | 20-35 minutes | Open field or park, …
Read MoreNoodle Hockey
Name and Purpose Noodle Hockey brings the fun of hockey to any space without hard sticks or a hard puck . safer, sillier, and still full of teamwork. Players develop passing, positional play, and communication in a fast-moving team game. a.k.a. Foam Stick Hockey, Soft Hockey Age / Group / Time / Space Ages 8-16 | 8-20 players | 15-30 …
Read MorePit Stop Race
Name and Purpose Pit Stop Race is a lively circle game using silly movement challenges to keep everyone active and laughing. Players practise listening, creative movement, and a little friendly racing. a.k.a. Car Rally, Circuit Run Age / Group / Time / Space Ages 8-16 | 10-40 players | 10-20 minutes | Open outdoor area or gymnasium; circular formation Materials …
Read MorePoisonball
Name and Purpose Poisonball is a dynamic ball game where your fate is tied to the player who tagged you . creating unexpected alliances and come-backs. Players build throwing accuracy, spatial awareness, and strategic thinking. a.k.a. Rescue Ball, Back-In Ball Age / Group / Time / Space Ages 8-16 | 10-25 players | 15-25 minutes | Large open space, minimum …
Read MorePoop Deck
Name and Purpose Poop Deck is a fast-moving listening and reaction game using nautical commands . a great warm-up or cabin bonding activity. Players practise quick listening, memory, and playful movement. a.k.a. Ship to Shore, Four Corners Nautical Age / Group / Time / Space Ages 8-16 | 10-40 players | 10-20 minutes | Open gym or field with 4 …
Read MorePoop Deck Revised
Name and Purpose Poop Deck Revised is a full-group command game that builds listening, quick movement, and silly group coordination. The group-formation commands (pairs, threes, fours) make it a strong team-building warm-up. a.k.a. Ship Commands, Deck Drills Age / Group / Time / Space Ages 8-16 | 10-40 players | 15-25 minutes | Large open gym or field . no …
Read MorePrisoner’s Base
Prisoner’s Base is a large-group pursuit and strategy game built on a freshness mechanic: the player who most recently crossed their end zone line can tag anyone who crossed before them. Teams capture opponents by tagging and escorting them to a prison base, and free teammates by tagging the outermost player in the prison chain. The technical goal is full …
Read MoreRide That Pony
Name and Purpose Ride That Pony is a circle name-and-movement game that builds group energy, memory, and connection. Players take turns leading a short dance sequence with a partner, learning names along the way. a.k.a. Pony Circle, Name Dance Circle Age / Group / Time / Space Ages 8-16 | 10-40 players | 15-25 minutes | Open indoor or outdoor …
Read MoreShipwreck Raft Build
Name and Purpose Shipwreck Raft Build is an adventure-based team challenge that blends navigation, problem-solving, and creative construction. Players practise leadership, communication, and resourcefulness as they move through a multi-stage outdoor challenge and build something together under time pressure. a.k.a. Island Survival Rally, Navigation Challenge Age / Group / Time / Space Ages 10-16 | 10-40 players in teams of …
Read MoreShuffle Your Seat
Name and Purpose Shuffle Your Seat is a fast-paced reaction game that builds awareness, lateral thinking, and quick decision-making. Everyone stays active the whole time. a.k.a. Musical Chairs (co-op), Empty Chair Chase Age / Group / Time / Space Ages 8-16 | 8-30 players | 10-15 minutes | Flat indoor or outdoor space, enough room for a close-knit circle of …
Read MoreSnake’s Tail
Name and Purpose Snake’s Tail builds teamwork, spatial communication, and whole-group co-ordination. Players practise moving together, listening to each other, and making quick decisions as a unit. a.k.a. Dragon’s Tail, Worm Chase Age / Group / Time / Space Ages 8-16 | 10-40 players | 10-20 minutes | Large open space, minimum 20m x 20m, indoor or outdoor Materials Optional: …
Read MoreStar Base
Name and Purpose Star Base builds fast decision-making, team strategy, and co-ordination under pressure. Players practise throwing, catching, and working together to protect and rescue teammates. a.k.a. Space Tag, Jedi Rescue Age / Group / Time / Space Ages 8-16 | 10-40 players | 15-25 minutes | Large open outdoor space, minimum 20m x 30m Materials 10-20 soft foam or …
Read MoreSwat
Name and Purpose Swat builds alertness, quick reactions, and the thrill of a safe chase in a circle format. Players practise anticipation, speed, and fair play. a.k.a. Duck Duck Swat, Boffer Tag Circle Age / Group / Time / Space Ages 8-16 | 8-25 players | 10-15 minutes | Flat indoor or outdoor space, enough room for a circle of …
Read MoreThe Smiths
Name and Purpose The Smiths is a high-energy listening game that builds focus, fast reactions, and team spirit through a shared story. Players practise sustained attention, character recognition, and quick movement. a.k.a. Family Story Race, Character Run Age / Group / Time / Space Ages 8-16 | 14-30 players (core game: 14; add a narrator, scorekeeper, and extra observers for …
Read MoreTic-Tac-Toe Relay
Name and Purpose Tic-Tac-Toe Relay combines classic strategy with active movement. Players practise quick thinking, teamwork, and spatial reasoning while running. a.k.a. Noughts and Crosses Relay, X and O Relay Age / Group / Time / Space Ages 8-16 | 10-40 players (2 equal teams) | 10-20 minutes | Flat field or gym, at least 20m x 30m Materials 9 …
Read MoreTip the Bottle
Name and Purpose Tip the Bottle is a balance and strategy game played in a tight circle. Players practise lateral movement, reading group dynamics, and cooperative resistance. a.k.a. Circle Push, Bottle Balance Age / Group / Time / Space Ages 8-16 | 8-20 players | 10-15 minutes | Small flat space (gym or grass), circle roughly 4-5m diameter Materials 1 …
Read MoreTortoise Tag
Name and Purpose Tortoise Tag is a freeze-and-rescue tag game with a built-in safe pose. Players practise spatial awareness, quick movement, and helping each other. a.k.a. Frozen Tag (Tortoise), Turtle Tag Age / Group / Time / Space Ages 8-16 | 10-30 players | 10-20 minutes | Large flat space, at least 20m x 20m Materials 4-6 cones for boundary …
Read MoreToss and Catch Circle
Name and Purpose Toss and Catch Circle builds co-ordination, teamwork, and the fun of working together as a moving unit. Teams practise communicating, moving in sync, and tracking a flying ball. a.k.a. Elephant Skin Ball, Circle Toss Age / Group / Time / Space Ages 8-16 | 10-30 players | 10-15 minutes | Open flat space, indoor or outdoor, minimum …
Read MoreTouch That
Name and Purpose Touch That is a fast-moving, no-equipment activity that gets players moving and observing their environment. Players practise listening, quick movement, and environmental awareness. a.k.a. Colour Dash, Run To It, Touch and Back Age / Group / Time / Space Ages 8-16 | 6-30 players | 5-15 minutes | Any space with varied objects, colours, or textures; works …
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