This game was played at a "Robin Hood"-themed camp, but it can be adapted to any other theme. The goal is to use a riddle to figure out the location of a person or object and then find them.
Materials
- One sheet of paper per group with the puzzles/tasks that lead to the solution word
- One pen per group
- One city map per group
- Possibly something to signal the start and end of the game (e.g., a whistle)
- possibly a prize for the winners
Preparation
- Think about which city you want to hold the game in.
- Decide on the destination where the children need to run to and what they should find there. The address or name of the location is the solution word that the children must figure out based on the puzzles and tasks. (e.g., Market Square)
- Create a task sheet/puzzle (the more scattered the locations are, the longer the game will take).
- Provide one city map per group.
- Before the game begins, hide the object to be found or have the person to be found take their place at the destination.
Example of a Puzzle
Objective of the Game
- The groups try to solve the puzzle as quickly as possible so they can be the first to find the object or person they’re looking for.
Procedure
- Divide the participants into groups. Make sure that those who know their way around the city well are distributed evenly among the groups.
- Each group receives a city map, a task sheet, and a pen.
- If the city map doesn’t help the players at any point, they’re of course allowed to ask passersby for directions.
- At least one staff member should accompany each group.
- Participants may decide for themselves in what order they will complete the tasks at each checkpoint.
- The group that finds the person or object first wins.
- If there is a tie, the house number puzzle used in the example can be used to determine a winner. The group that figures out the correct house number wins.
References
- Cover image: MariES
- Files listed: MariES
