Nature Trail Code Game

This game requires two teams of at least two players each – one of the players on each team can be an adult. You can play this in a large, forested backyard or along the trail in a state forest. Avoid playing this in a wide open space because one team will be setting trail markers that tell the other team where to go.

You can make the patterns below with sticks or stones (or leaves, but they can get blown away). Of course, you can create your own codes, but both teams should do this together so the teams speak a common language. A representative of each team should record the codes on index cards or in a nature notebook so they don’t forget their stick and stone language.

One team heads out, laying trail codes that the other team will follow. Set the markers in the center of the trail. Although the sticks or stones should be large enough to be easily seen, there is no need to make them so large that they become a tripping hazard. After a ten minute or so head start, the second team sets out, reading the codes and following the team.

The first team continues laying markers for another ten minutes and then they can find an ending spot, just off the trail, where they can wait, perhaps with some snacks to share with the second team. For the trip back, the second team heads out first, laying new trail markers for the other team to follow.

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Go Straight

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Turn Right (reverse the direction of the arrow to indicate “Turn Left”)

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Turn around and Go Back


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Not This Way

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Cross the Stream

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Gone Home