Spies in the Flax Game

This game we played at VBS when studying the story of Rahab, as her faith saved both herself and her family. I originally found this game here- thanks so much for the idea! The kids loved it!

Students: age 5 and up
Number of participants: 5 and up
Time allotment: 7-10 minutes

Guiding Scriptures:

Joshua 2, 6
Hebrews 11:31
James 2:25

Objective:

Students will play this modified version of tag by either posing as stems of flax, the spies, or the king's men. Students will "hide" in the flax by sneaking in between the two flax team members, placing his or her hands on the other student's shoulders.

Materials Needed:

scarf, hat, or other easily identifying object (optional, but recommended)
a starting "x" or line out of masking tape- place at the edge of the room

Instructions:

1. Separate students into pairs spread out across the play space, instructing the students that these pairs are stalks of flax. Students must face each other and put hands on one another's shoulders.

2. Identify two students as spies, instructing them to keep away from the king's man by "hiding" in the flax. In order to hide, a spy must slip in between two "flax" students, placing his or her hands on the shoulders of one of the students. The student who the spy replaces (now behind the spy) becomes the spy, and he or she must hide from the king's man in like fashion- only in another pair of flax. Students may not return to a former flax partner, if possible.

3. Identify one student (or, if there's an even number of students, yourself) as the king's man. Place the object around the person's neck or on his/ her head to signify the title (optional), and have the student start at the starting "x" or line. This student's job is to attempt to tag the spies, at which point the king's man and the spy trade jobs. After the trade is made, the new king's man must first return to the starting point before he or she can successfully tag any spies.

4. Continue game play until each student has had the chance to become a spy.

Follow-up Discussion Questions:

Were the spies actually caught by the king's men?

What did God think about Rahab's hiding of the spies- was he pleased? Disappointed?

What did the spies promise Rahab?

What did Rahab still have to do, in order for the promise from the spies to be kept?