Flashlight Tag

A.K.A. German Spotlight

 


Played at night, this game mixes the popular games, hide and seek with tag. The person who is "it" waits at the "jail" counting to a high number while everyone else hides. Then, armed with a flashlight, this person searches for the others who may be switching hiding spots. The flashlight must remain on at all times and may not be covered. When "it " spots someone, s/he must use the flashlight to get a close enough look at the person to identify him/er and call out his/er name.

What happens when a person gets caught, gives rise to variations of this exciting game. One variaton is to pass the flashlight to the caught person, so s/he becomes "it." Another version is to send each caught person to "jail" to wait until everyone is caught. The first person caught then becomes "it." Another variation is to have more than one person (or a team) be "it." With this configuration, people who are not "it" can tag other people (or team members) free from "jail." One of the "its" may stay near to guard the "jail."

Players will find new and interesting ways to improve their play. One such strategy is to watch where "it(s)" have already searched, and then switch to that hiding spot. One might also find success by following "it(s)." For added challenge, players may camoflouge themselves with dark clothing and face paint. This game is excellent for developing great strategies of guerilla warfare in young minds. This game will also encourage paranoia in parents and entire neighborhoods.

Contributed by Lori Donnahue

Go Back