When a player has emptied their hand of cards or all but one player have scouted instead of playing, the round ends. Players receive 1 VP for each face-down card, then subtract one point for each card in their hand (except if they were the player scouted repeatedly to end the game). Play as many rounds as the number of players, then whoever has the most points wins. If a player’s tagged while on the other team’s side of the space, they’re sent to ‘jail’. This should be the ‘jail’ on the side of the opposing team. A round can end one of two ways, either a player showing all their cards, or by someone putting on such an extravagant show, the other players could only scout. You then add up your scout tokens and face down cards before subtracting the number of cards in your hand. If your show ended the round, you do not lose points for cards in your hand. After all rounds have been played, the person with the highest score is the winner. Explain the following rules and give teams some time to discuss their tactics, before saying ‘go!’:

Split the group into two teams, then divide space into two areas (one for each team) with a line of tape, cones or chalk. Each team should get into their space and stand along the line, making sure they’re facing the other team. A team captain should be chosen from each team and stand behind their team. If a player hits another player below the shoulders, that person is out. If a player throws the ball and the person they’re aiming at catches it before it bounces, the player who threw the ball is out. Place five balls in between the centre lines of the court. The two balls to the left of each team belong to them, the middle ball is neutral and can be taken by either team. In turn, players can play cards from their hand that supersede that of the active set in play. This is called a show. You can only play cards that are next to each other in your hand (hence not being allowed to shuffle and rearrange your cards). To determine which set of played cards is better, you first look at the number of cards played. If this is tied, you look at the type of set. Groups of numbers (for example three 2s) always beat runs (for example 4, 5 & 6). If this is also tied, you look at the numbers on the cards. The highest value cards reign supreme. If your show beats the active set, you take the cards and place them face down in front of you. The cards you’ve placed now become the active set, and the show to beat.Divide everyone into two teams of about eight players. If there’re more than 16 players, some people can be subs. Each team should stand behind their start line. Let the dice decide, as it’s up to the roll of the dice to decide what you’ll be doing in this all-action activity. A game will last about 10 to 15 minutes. Everyone plays until either time is up, all the ‘flares’ are at the ‘beach’, or until all survivors have been caught by the dragons. Ideally, you are looking for groups or runs of numbers. If you don’t have a strong hand, you have the option of turning your hand upside down and using the other side of the cards instead. Again, being very careful not to shuffle or rearrange them. Once everyone has chosen their starting hand, the game can begin. Scout Or Show?

To create a ‘boat’, set up a hoop that’s a suitable running distance away from the rope. You could also have several bases or ‘boats’ dotted around the area. Sneak to succeed and retrieve the keys in this escape game. But don’t get spotted by the Night watchers! An adult volunteer or young leader should referee for each team. Play until a whole team is out or set a time limit where the game ends and the team with the most players left wins. The aim of this game is for the smugglers to try and get all their treasure to the pedlars’ base. However, the coastguards want to stop them. If the coastguard tags and catches a smuggler or pedlar, the coastguard can put the treasure that the smuggler or pedlar has into their own base. Scout is a 2-5 player game where you have been appointed leader of a circus. Your aim is to put together a show that beats your rivals. The game is played over a number of rounds equal to the number of players. This is done to ensure everyone has a chance of being the first player. Once all rounds are over, the person with the highest points total is declared winner.

Resources

Try The floor is lava and work as a team to move across the playing area. Whatever you do, don’t touch the floor! Don’t get me wrong, I don’t generally look at the Spiel des Jahres nominees as a barometer for games I’ll enjoy. There have been games nominated in the past that I’ve not liked or had indifferent experiences with. However, Scout lives up to the hype. Play a classic sport while seated in Chair football. Talk tactics and positions before you start and see which team wins!

Divide the group into sheep and shepherds. A fifth of the group can be the sheep and everyone else will be shepherds. When the game starts, everyone can then run towards the balls, trying to collect the two balls belonging to their team, as well as claim the neutral ball. Divide the space you’re using into two sides. You could use cones, chalk or tape, but make sure it’s something that won’t become a trip hazard. Can you copy the person in the middle in Punchinella, little fella, a traditional Jamaican children’s game? The Mine Field (15-30 minutes) – The idea behind this exercise is to improve team members’ trust, their relationship, and to communicate in a more effective way. You will need an open space such as an empty room or hallway in which you will distribute ‘mines’ that are placed haphazardly around the area. The ‘mine’s can be cones, balls, bottles etc. Team members are paired into teams of two. One team member will be blindfolded and the other can see and talk, but is not allowed to enter the field or touch their partner. The challenge is for the blind-folded person to walk from one side of the field to the other, avoiding the mines by listening to the verbal instructions of their partners. (Optional: Have more than 1 pair walking through the mine simultaneously, so the difficulty of focusing and listening to the right instructions increases)Give each team a box or hoop to put their treasure in. This’ll be that team's base. Teams can only add or take treasure from their own base. Anyone who’s out must step off the court. But, if a player catches the ball before it bounces, a player from their team who’s out can re-join their team. The winning team gets one point. You can play as many rounds as you like. The winning team is the one with the most points at the end. To create the ‘dragon's den’, set up a coned space somewhere in the playing area. Any survivor caught by the dragons will have to go and stand in the dragon’s den. A survivor can be released from the den if another survivor tags them and sets them free.