Dead Ant Rescue

Name and Purpose

Dead Ant Rescue is a tag game built around teamwork: frozen players need the group to unfreeze them.
It rewards players who help teammates over those who simply avoid being tagged.

a.k.a.

Age / Group / Time / Space

Ages 8-16 | 10-35 players | 10-20 minutes | Large open field or gym with clear boundaries; at least 20m x 20m

Materials

Quick-Run Card

Mark boundaries with cones. One or two players start as “It.”
“It” tags players, who freeze in the Dead Ant pose: flat on their back, arms and legs pointing up.
Frozen players call out for help. Four free players each touch one limb to unfreeze them.
Unfrozen players stand up and re-enter the game immediately.
After a set time, rotate who starts as “It” and begin again.

Setup and Boundaries

Mark a clear play area with cones (minimum 20m x 20m; larger for bigger groups).
Signal: 1 short whistle = pause; 2 short whistles = stop and gather.
Check the ground for rocks, roots, or wet patches before play. Players will be lying on the ground.
Staff should be aware of any campers with back, neck, or ground-contact sensitivities.

How to Play

One or two players volunteer to start as “It.” Optional bibs help everyone identify them quickly.
On the start signal, “It” chases other players within the boundaries and tags them with a light touch.
Tagged players immediately lie on their back with both arms and both legs pointing straight up, like an upside-down ant. They call out to attract rescuers.
Four free players rescue a frozen player by each touching one limb (left arm, right arm, left leg, right leg). When all four limbs are touched, the player stands up and re-enters the game immediately.
“It” continues tagging. There is no honour-system count in this version; the role of “It” rotates on a timed basis (approximately every 3-4 minutes) so multiple players experience both roles.
Staff call a pause every 3-4 minutes to rotate new players into the “It” role. Previous “It” players re-enter as free runners.
Play continues for the agreed time. There is no elimination; every frozen player has a clear re-entry path.

I-OPt Options

A (Active): Run, dodge, and help rescue frozen teammates.
S (Support): Focus on rescuing frozen players rather than evading “It”; be the reliable rescuer.
Q (Quiet): Move at a walk; same tagging and rescue rules apply.
O (Observer): Count how many successful rescues happen each round; report to the group. Choose when to join.

Inclusion Adaptations

Players who are not comfortable lying on the ground may freeze in a seated position with both arms raised instead.
Players who cannot reach the ground easily may serve as “It” or as a rescue coordinator (directing free players to frozen teammates).
For groups on harder surfaces, encourage the seated freeze variation for everyone to avoid ground impact.

Stewardship Moment

Before play: “Let’s check our space together and move any sticks or rocks so it’s safe for everyone who ends up on the ground.”
After play: “We all relied on each other to keep the game going. How does that connect to how we work as a team?”

Consent

Pre-brief: “This game involves lying on the ground and being touched on each limb by teammates to unfreeze. For those not comfortable with ground contact, there is a seated freeze option. For those not comfortable with limb-touch rescue, raising both hands and being “rescued” verbally by four players saying your name is another option.”
Mid-game check: After the first rotation, pause briefly. “Thumbs up, sideways, or down. How is this going?”
Opt-out/re-entry: Raise both hands to step out. Call “In!” to rejoin as a runner or rescuer at any time.

Risks and Mitigation

Players hitting the ground too quickly when frozen: encourage a slow, controlled “melt” into the freeze position rather than dropping suddenly.
Rescuers piling on a frozen player: establish that each rescuer tags one limb and moves on; no crowding.
Players staying frozen too long because rescuers are occupied: staff prompt nearby free players to help if someone has been frozen for more than 20 seconds.

Warm-Up Suggestions

“Slow Freeze”: all players practise the Dead Ant pose slowly and safely before the game starts.
“Four-Touch High Five”: pairs practise the four-limb rescue touch on each other while standing.

Debrief Questions

Cleanup and Reset