Escape from [Building Name]

Name and Purpose

Escape from [Building Name] is a slow-burn stealth game that rewards patience, observation, and creative movement.
Players practise reading a space, making decisions, and supporting each other quietly.

a.k.a.

Age / Group / Time / Space

Ages 8-16 | 8-30 players | 20-45 minutes | Indoor building with furniture, corridors, or natural cover; best in low-light evening conditions

Materials

A designated escape objective: a flag, a cone marked “base,” or a specific exit point
Glow sticks or low clip-on safety lights for evening play (one per player or one per pair)
Whistle for signals
Optional boundary markers for restricted zones

Quick-Run Card

Set the escape objective (flag, base, or exit) and brief everyone on the building boundaries.
Watcher takes their position and counts to 30 while others spread out.
Watcher calls out any player they can clearly see; that player moves to the Sideline Circle.
Sideline Circle players complete a quick task (e.g., 5 quiet star jumps) then re-enter.
Round ends when a player reaches the objective, or time is called.

Setup and Boundaries

Walk the group through the full play space before starting; show them any off-limits areas
Signal: 1 whistle = freeze and listen; 2 whistles = round over, gather at start
Check the space for tripping hazards, especially in low-light conditions
Glow sticks or clip-on lights for all players in evening play; staff carry a torch
No running. No hiding in enclosed spaces (lockers, closets). No climbing furniture.

How to Play

Choose one Watcher. The rest are Escapers.
The Watcher stands at a central point and counts to 30 while Escapers move quietly into position.
No one may run. Crawling, crouching, and slow movement are the tools.
The Watcher calls out any Escaper they can clearly see by saying “I see [name].” That player moves to the Sideline Circle.
Sideline Circle players complete a short re-entry task (5 quiet jumping jacks, a 20-second balance hold, or 3 deep breaths) and then re-enter the game from the start position.
An Escaper wins the round by reaching the objective without being seen.
The player who reaches the objective (or the last unspotted player when time is called) becomes the next Watcher.
If no one reaches the objective before time, the Watcher wins the round.

I-OPt Options

A (Active): Play as an Escaper, navigating the full space
S (Support): Pair up with another Escaper as a silent partner; one distracts, one moves
Q (Quiet): Play at the edges of the space, using slow and patient movement
O (Observer): Take on the Watcher role, or act as a round timer and scorekeeper from a stationary spot

Inclusion Adaptations

Players with mobility differences may take on the Watcher role or a stationary decoy role (drawing attention to one area while others move)
In low-light play, ensure glow sticks are visible on all players to help with spatial awareness

Stewardship Moment

At the end of play, collect all glow sticks and store for reuse (they last several sessions)
Reflection: “How did the space itself help or challenge you?”

Consent

Pre-brief: “This game is slow and quiet. For those not comfortable with low-light conditions, a well-lit version with the same rules is another option. For those not comfortable being named out loud during play, we can use a colour or number signal instead.”
Mid-game check: After the first round, pause and ask “Thumbs up, sideways, or down for how this feels.”
Re-entry: The Sideline Circle is always active. Players rejoin after completing a short task, no waiting required.

Risks and Mitigation

Trips and falls in low light: require glow sticks on all players, no running rule enforced from the start
Players feeling singled out when called: frame it as part of the game, not a failure; Sideline Circle has a quick re-entry path
Spaces becoming too cramped: set firm off-limits zones before play begins

Warm-Up Suggestions

“Ninja Walk”: players walk heel-to-toe across the room as silently as possible; group rates each other on sound level (1-5)
“Freeze Tag Lite”: standard freeze tag at walking speed only, to prime the no-running expectation

Debrief Questions

What? “What was the hardest part about moving without being seen?”
So What? “What did patience get you in this game that rushing would not?”
Now What? “When do you need to slow down and observe before acting in everyday life?”

Cleanup and Reset