Flower Face

Name and Purpose

Flower Face combines map-reading, nature identification, and teamwork in a real outdoor setting.
Teams develop observational skills and a connection to local plant life.

a.k.a.

Age / Group / Time / Space

Ages 8-16 | 16-48 players in teams of 4-6 | 35-50 minutes | Natural area with wildflower variety within a 30-minute walk of base

Materials

Sketch maps of the play area (one per team, laminated for reuse)
Pencil and paper per team
Whistle (recall signal)
Wildflower identification guide or reference sheet per team (optional but helpful)
8+ staff positioned at wildflower locations before play

Quick-Run Card

Setup and Boundaries

Define the play boundary on the sketch map before distributing
Signal: 2 whistle blasts = return to base immediately
Brief staff on their position, the wildflower at their location, and how to give gentle hints
Check all paths for uneven ground, wet areas, or insect hazards in advance

How to Play

Before players arrive, position 8 or more staff members at locations with a wildflower growing close by.
Divide the group into teams of 4-6. Each team receives a sketch map of the area and pencil and paper.
Explain the objective: find as many staff members as possible and correctly identify the wildflower near them.
Teams must stay together throughout the game.
For each staff member found, teams write down the wildflower name and the staff member’s name, and mark the location on their map.
After 30 minutes, the whistle sounds and all teams return to base.
The leader collects maps, tallies correct identifications, and shares results.
Full group discusses the types of wildflowers found and where they grow.

I-OPt Options

A (Active): Navigate between locations and search for staff members
S (Support): Manage the map, record findings, and help with wildflower identification
Q (Quiet): Walk at a comfortable pace as part of the team, contributing observations
O (Observer): At any point, a player may remain with a found staff member and rejoin their team when ready

Inclusion Adaptations

Teams can slow their pace to match their least mobile member; the game rewards accuracy, not speed
Wildflower reference sheets with photos reduce barriers for players unfamiliar with local plant names

Stewardship Moment

Remind teams: identify wildflowers by looking, not picking. Leave every plant as you found it.
Debrief: “Why do wildflowers grow in certain spots and not others?”

Consent

Pre-brief: “This is a team walk through a natural area. Teams stay together the whole time. For anyone who prefers to stay close to base, you can join staff at one of the nearby locations and help record what other teams find.”
For those not comfortable with any part of this activity, sitting out or joining as an observer is another option.
Mid-game check: at the halfway time call (15 minutes), teams give a thumbs up if they are doing well
Opt-out/re-entry: any player can return to base with their team or wait at a comfortable spot; a runner can bring their team’s map back

Risks and Mitigation

Teams going out of bounds or getting lost: boundaries on map, whistle recall, and staff stationed throughout the play area
Uneven terrain: walk-pace for all teams; brief hazards before departure
Insect or plant contact: staff should be aware of known sensitivities in the group

Warm-Up Suggestions

“Name That Plant”: staff shows 3-4 wildflower photos and teams guess the names before setting out
“Map Reading Mini”: teams practise locating two points on the sketch map before the timer starts

Debrief Questions

What? “Which wildflower surprised you the most, and where did you find it?”
So What? “What do different wildflower locations tell us about soil, water, and sunlight?”
Now What? “How might you notice wildflowers differently when you walk around camp or your neighbourhood from now on?”

Cleanup and Reset