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The game requires two teams of about 5 or six players to be fun, but can accommodate more if you like. You will need a large open space with a few obstacles such as trees to hide behind. A school playground may work well for a location, but a park or large backyard will work, too. You will need to rig up two “flags” of some kind for the two teams. The simplest thing is just to duct tape towels or pieces of fabric in 2 distinct colors to two dowels or yardsticks. You will also need armbands the same colors as the flags, for each player. Ribbons or scraps of fabric will work well for this. Your group should be divided as evenly as possible between the two teams. It will help to have one or more adults to act as referees.

Invitations: Include little flags in your invitations. You can find them at a party store for pennies. Be sure to tell guest they will be outside for the game and that they should dress accordingly.

Arrival: As guests come in, you should have a method of determining if they will be on the “Red” or “Blue” team. They could draw appropriately colored slips of paper out of a box, or number off 1,2,1,2 as they enter the door. When the teams have assembled, have each member put on an armband the same color as her team’s flag. When all players are ready you need to explain the rules.

Main Event: The playing area needs to be carefully defined. It should be divided down the middle with each half belonging to one team. Use rocks, trees, or markers of some kind to indicate the field of play. Anyone who runs outside of the area will be “jailed.” Each team needs to find the safest place to locate the flag and designate one or two team members to guard it. The other members of the team will attempt to sneak across into their opponent’s area and swipe their flag without getting caught. Anyone who is tagged while in “enemy territory” is escorted to the “jail.” Any tree or object can serve as the jail and should be supervised by a referee with a timer who can release the prisoners only after they have served a five-minute penalty. The first team to sneak across and capture their opponent’s flag and carry it into their own area without being tagged wins. You can play several rounds of the game, switching teams around to give everyone a chance to succeed.

Refreshments: Typical picnic fare of sandwiches or hot dogs would work well for this outdoor activity.