Blanket Patrol Tag

Name and Purpose

• Blanket Patrol Tag is a giggly indoor tag game where the tagger is wrapped in blankets and navigates by sound and feel.
• Players practise spatial awareness, movement confidence, and good-natured suspense.

a.k.a.

• Shadow Wrap, Peek-a-Boo Tag

Age / Group / Time / Space

• Ages 8-16 | 6-20 players | 10-15 minutes | Indoor open area; clear floor, soft rugs preferred, no sharp furniture nearby

Materials

• 3 blankets or large fabric pieces (clean, not too heavy)

Quick-Run Card

1. Clear an open indoor area. Check for furniture hazards.
2. One player is “It.” Staff wraps “It” in 3 blankets. “It” counts to 10.
3. Other players spread out and keep moving.
4. “It” tries to tag another player.
5. Tagged player becomes “It” for the next round.

Setup and Boundaries

• Define a clear play boundary (walls of the room or a taped square)
• Remove or pad sharp-edged furniture from the play area
• Signal: one whistle = pause; two whistles = remove the blankets and gather
• Staff stand at the boundary to redirect “It” away from walls and hazards

How to Play

1. Players gather in the cleared space. Staff check the area for hazards (furniture, slippery patches).
2. One player volunteers to be “It” first. Staff wraps “It” in 3 blankets. “It” counts to 10 aloud.
3. Other players spread out within the boundary and keep moving at a walk.
4. “It” moves around inside the blankets, trying to tag another player by touch.
5. When “It” tags someone, that player becomes the new “It.” Staff helps swap the blankets quickly.
6. If “It” has not tagged anyone after 60 seconds, staff call a gentle “Almost!” and help guide “It” toward more populated areas.
7. Continue for as many rounds as the group enjoys.

I-OPt Options

• A (Active): Move freely around the space; dodge “It” actively
• S (Support): Call gentle sound cues (clapping, tapping the floor) to help “It” locate the group
• Q (Quiet): Move slowly and stay toward the edges of the play space
• O (Observer): Watch from just outside the boundary; call out friendly encouragement; join when ready

Inclusion Adaptations

• Players who do not want blankets on their head can instead wear a loose fabric vest or hold a flag ribbon to signal their “It” role
• Walking-pace rule can be enforced for all players, not just “It,” for groups with mixed mobility

Stewardship Moment

• Blankets are reused each round. Fold and return them after the game.
• If blankets get muddy or damp, set them aside for washing rather than discarding.

Consent

• Pre-brief: “In this game, the person who is ‘It’ wears three blankets over their head. For those not comfortable with having their head or vision covered, there is a vest or ribbon option that works the same way. You will never be put in the blankets without agreeing to it first.”
• Mid-game check: After the first round, pause. “How is everyone feeling? Does the walking rule feel right?”
• Opt-out/re-entry: Raise both hands to step out. Call “In!” to rejoin. No explanation needed.

Risks and Mitigation

• “It” colliding with furniture or walls: staff stand at boundaries and redirect gently; remove hazardous items before play
• “It” feeling disoriented or distressed under blankets: use lighter blankets; allow “It” to peek from below if needed; release at any time
• Roughness from other players: walking-pace rule for all players; staff remind the group that gentle movement is the standard

Warm-Up Suggestions

• “Frozen Walk”: all players walk slowly around the space; on “Freeze” they stop instantly. Repeats 3-4 times to set movement pace.
• “Sound Tag”: “It” closes eyes and listens for footsteps; players try to tiptoe. Builds the sensory awareness used in Blanket Patrol.

Debrief Questions

• What? “What was it like to be ‘It’ under the blankets?”
• So What? “What senses did you rely on most?”
• Now What? “When do you have to rely on senses other than sight in everyday life?”

Cleanup and Reset

• Fold and stack blankets
• Return furniture to original positions
• Quick floor sweep for any tripping hazards