If you wish to add a competitive element to the game, players that perform the wrong action are out and the last player standing becomes the new captain.Keep the game fun and flexible to keep the kids moving, especially for young children.Tips and hints for playing Captain’s Orders: Crow’s nest: players pair up and the lightest player rides on their partner’s back (piggy back).Love boat: players pair up and dance together.Abandon ship!:players must pair up, sit face to face and pretend to row a lifeboat.Climb the rigging: pretend to climb a rope.Captain’s coming: stand to attention and salute.Twist the raised foot as if a scanning periscope
Up periscope!: lie on back with one leg raised straight in the air.Clear the deck: everyone must have their feet off the floor.Scrub the deck: crouch down and make a scrubbing motion with hands.To the island: run to the left boundary (can also be a command of ‘port’).The faster the actions are called and performed, the trickier (and funnier) the game becomes. Play continues with the captain calling and the ‘crew’ responding. The players do the action associated with the command.ĥ. When ready for play to commence, the captain calls out a command. Introduce the various commands and actions to be used in the game.Ĥ. All other players line up single file, facing the captain.ģ. Alternatively, with younger children an adult should play the role of captain.Ģ. The captain stands at the front of the designated play space. Recommended Age: 4+ years (it is easy to adapt this game according to the age and abilities of the players)ġ. The game can be easily adapted by reducing or increasing the number and complexity of the commands, which makes a great game to play with children of all ages (and even adults) – in fact, I remember playing it at youth group many, many years ago! The faster the game commands are called, the faster (and funnier!) the actions become! Captain’s Orders is a great group game for kids as it get’s children moving and thinking…fast!