Sleeping Bag Adventure

Name and Purpose

Sleeping Bag Adventure turns a cabin staple into a silly, memorable physical challenge.
Players practise problem-solving and perseverance while sharing big laughs in a familiar space.

a.k.a.

Age / Group / Time / Space

Ages 8-16 | 6-20 players | 20-30 minutes | Cleared indoor space (cabin, gym, or multipurpose room)

Materials

Quick-Run Card

Setup and Boundaries

Remove all sharp objects, breakable items, and furniture from the play area before setup
Mark a clear start and finish point
Build the course in a single path so players do not cross each other’s lines
Signal: one clap = pause; two claps = stop and look to staff
Staff walk the course before players to confirm it is safe

How to Play

Players and staff build the obstacle course together (5-8 minutes). Suggest sections: wiggle under a chair, over a pillow mountain, around a soft bumper.
Staff walk the course and remove any hazards.
Players step into their sleeping bags at the start line.
On signal, players wiggle, roll, and squirm through the course at their own pace.
Staff cheer and offer a hand at tricky sections if a player wants it.
Once through, players gather at the finish and cheer for those still going.
Offer a second run. Invite players to suggest changes to the course layout.

I-OPt Options

A (Active): Wiggle through the full course in your sleeping bag
S (Support): Help build the course, cheer loudly at the finish line, or spot players at tricky sections
Q (Quiet): Sit in the sleeping bag and wiggle across a shorter section of the course
O (Observer): Watch the first run from the side and join the second run when ready

Inclusion Adaptations

Players who prefer not to be fully enclosed can sit inside the sleeping bag (not zipped) and shuffle along
A parallel crawl-only lane can be set up alongside the sleeping bag course for players who need a different physical option

Stewardship Moment

After play, fold and store sleeping bags neatly together as a group
Reflection: “What does it feel like to use everyday gear in a completely different way?”

Consent

Pre-brief: “This game involves getting into your sleeping bag and wiggling through an obstacle course. For those not comfortable being fully zipped in, keeping the bag unzipped or using a crawling lane are great options.”
Mid-game check: Halfway through the first run, pause and check in. “Thumbs up, sideways, or down. Feeling okay in there?”
Opt-out / re-entry: Players can unzip and step out at any time. Step back in at any point in the course.

Risks and Mitigation

Players overheating inside sleeping bags: keep runs short (under 3 minutes each); staff watch for signs of heat stress
Collision between players: use a single-path course with enough space between players
Furniture tipping during crawl-under sections: staff hold chairs steady during crawl-under obstacles
Enclosed-space discomfort: unzipped option available; staff check in with any player who pauses

Warm-Up Suggestions

“Wiggle Wave”: sitting on the floor, everyone wiggle from side to side in a wave down the line
“Sleeping Bag Design”: spend 2 minutes as a group deciding on one change to make the course more fun

Debrief Questions

What? “What was the trickiest part of the course for you?”
So What? “How did you figure out how to get through a section when it was hard?”
Now What? “When do you need to problem-solve in small steps in everyday life?”

Cleanup and Reset