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Night activity

Flashlight Tag

Hide-and-seek after dark — the camp classic.

Ages 9–125–10 peopleHigh energy15–30 minNo setupCompetitive

What you need

  • One flashlight per player
  • A defined play area with clear boundaries

How to play

  1. 1.Walk the play boundary together before starting. Identify hard limits — fire ring, road, water.
  2. 2.Pick one player as "It." It counts to 30 with eyes closed.
  3. 3.Everyone else hides within the boundary. Flashlights stay off while hiding.
  4. 4.It hunts with their flashlight on. If the beam lands on a hider and It calls their name, that hider is tagged.
  5. 5.Tagged players become hunters too. Game ends when everyone is tagged.

What success looks like

The last untagged hider wins and is It next round.

Variations

  • Sardines: one person hides, the rest hunt. When you find the hider, you join them silently.
  • Glow-stick edition: each hider must wear a glow stick visible from one angle only.
  • Time limit: 10 minutes per round. Anyone untagged at the buzzer wins.

Safety notes

  • Walk the boundary together before lights-out so everyone knows the limits.
  • No hiding in trees, water, or anywhere requiring climbing.
  • Each player keeps a flashlight on them at all times — even when hiding — for emergencies.

Works great with these trip plans

Already planning one of these? This activity fits right in.