Video:How to Play Capture the Ghost

Transcript:How to Play Capture the Ghost

Hi. I'm Krystyna Rittichier with About.com and today I'll tell you how to play Capture the Ghost. Capture the Ghost is the Halloween-themed version of Capture the Flag but with ghosts.

How to Make the Ghosts for Capture the Ghost

To play Capture the Ghost all you need is 2 ghosts to capture. You can use store-bought ghosts, or make your own with 4 white grocery sacks and a twist tie. To make your own ghosts crumple one grocery sack into a ball and stuff it into the first sack. Grasp the outer sack under the ball, and tie with a twist tie. You can also use a permanent marker to draw a face on the ghost. Do the same with the other two sacks for your second ghost.

Game Rules for Capture the Ghost

Place one ghost for each team in their respective territories. One way to display the ghost for capture is to tie a string to a tree branch, then loosely tie the string to the ghost. To tie the string loosely to the ghost, slide the free end of the string into the twist tie of the ghost. Before the game starts, do a careful check of the playing field. Remove tools, garden hoses, bicycles, or other stumbling hazards from the area.

The object of capture the ghost is to cross into the opponents territory, retrieve their ghost, and get back to home territory without being tagged by an opponent. Boundaries are set at the beginning of the game using landmarks such as trees, or cones or chalk. Choose areas on either side of the playing field to be “out-of-bounds.” Also choose a boundary line to divide the territory of the two teams.

Once a player has crossed into enemy territory, an opponent can tag them at any time. If a player is tagged by an opposing player, they must go out of bounds, lie down, and cross their arms over their chest like they are lying in a casket. They cannot get up until they are tagged by a teammate.

During play, all players must “float like ghosts” by only using baby steps at all times. If a player takes a larger step during the game, this counts as being tagged. If a player goes out of bounds during play, this also counts the same as being tagged by another player. When a player gets the opponent ghost safely to his home territory without being tagged, his team wins the game. Everyone on the team gets a prize. Prize ideas include Halloween themed stuffed animals, masks, candies, or prepackaged goody bags filled with party favors.

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