Group games are a great way to have everyone in a room moving. In this icebreaker game, Guardians, you’ll find ways to have all your players actively running around while having tons of group game fun.
If you think exercise is boring will definitely change your mind after a round or two of this game.
Features of the Guardians Game
| ★ Game Name | Guardians |
| ★ Group size | small and medium |
| ★ Age | any (8+) |
| ★ Type | active |
| ★ Skill | reaction / balance / running |
| ★ Place | indoor and outdoor |
| ★ Time | up to 10 – 20 min |
| ★ Preparation | no |
| ★ Materials | any small objects like a scarf |
The Aim of the Game Guardians
Your aim in Guardians is to reach out for the bib that is tucked in another player’s pocket while guarding your own bib. This is also a great game to teach young children to be responsible for their belongings, as they’ll have to work hard to keep their bib safe.
Group Size and Age
Guardians is ideally played among 4 to 10 friends. You can have larger groups come together, although you may have to split everyone into smaller teams.
Guardians can be played with anyone aged 8 and above.
Preparation and Needed Materials
To play Guardians, you’ll need a large space for all your players to run around and prepare a bib for every player.
In case you don’t have a bib ready or run out of bibs, you can also replace it with a belonging of the player’s choice. For example, the player can choose to place their own tie, a shoelace, a scarf, a t-shirt, etc. in their pocket instead.
Be sure to pick a belonging that can be left tucked outside your pockets and isn’t too valuable.
How to Play Guardians
Before you start playing Guardians, you’ll have to get your players to place their bibs in their pockets. Allow a smart part of their bibs to remain tucked out, so other players can reach over and grab them. Teams are not required for Guardians.
Step 1: When the game starts, you’ll have to run around the room and try to grab as many bibs from your opponents as you can.
Step 2: While you’re reaching out for someone else’s bib, you will also have to work on keeping your bib safe. You can do this by blocking someone else’s hands with yours.
Step 3: If your bib has been stolen, you will be eliminated. The last player in the group who still has their bib in their pocket will be crowned the winner.
Alternative ways to play Guardians
1. If you’d like to encourage teamwork while playing Guardians, you can also separate your players into 2 teams. Have both teams start from either edge of the room and watch as they try to steal the bibs of the players from their opposing team. When a player from either team loses their bibs, they will be eliminated. The team with the most players remaining wins.
2. It is also possible to play 1-on-1. Eventually, there will be two players left that go head to head – keep playing until there is an Ultimate Guardian!