You’re Only Safe If…

Inspiration

This is a tag game with a twist: a facilitator calls out constantly changing prompts that challenge participant’s nature knowledge and physical abilities.

Themes

Nature knowledge, Agility, Balance, Evasion, Listening

Group size

Any # players

Timing

5-10 min/round

Play area

Forest

Energy

High (running)

Age range

8+ years

Start formation

Scatter

Equipment

List of prompts

Hazards/safety

• Players tripping on obstacles. Make sure the playing area is (relatively) clear of hazards (brambles, roots, rocks).

Instructions

• In a wooded area, identify a general game boundary (“that tree over there to that gully”).
• Get a volunteer to be the “predator” for a game of tag (if you’re working with a large group, consider starting with two predators). Everyone else is “prey,” and the predator’s goal is to tag them. When a predator tags a prey, the prey immediately becomes a predator and can begin hunting other prey.
• But, there’s a twist: every few seconds, the facilitator will call out a “safety” prompt, such as “You’re only safe if you’re touching an oak tree.” The facilitator then counts down from three, four, or five (depending on how difficult it is to achieve the prompt) to give prey a chance to complete the prompt.
• While the facilitator is counting down, the prey are safe (though predators can move to be close to prey for when the count ends). As soon as the facilitator finishes saying “one,” prey can be tagged, unless they have successfully completed the prompt (i.e., they’re touching an oak tree. If so, they’re safe so long as they’re touching an oak tree, and predators can’t touch them).
• A few seconds later, the facilitator calls out a new prompt and counts down to one, and prey must scramble to complete the new prompt.
• This repeats, and play continues, until the last person is tagged. Then a new round can begin.
• See below for a list of possible prompts.

You’re only safe if prompts

Note: for participants who like to question rules, for some of these prompts you might have to clarify that “the ground” includes fallen leaves and any fallen stick smaller than your thumb.

You’re only safe if you are…