Moles vs Squirrels 🐿️🎾
Story / Theme:
The moles are busy hiding tennis balls under the ground, while the squirrels want to stash them safely on top of the cones. Can your team complete their mission before the other side?
Equipment:
· 2 buckets or baskets (1 at each end of the space)
· Plenty of tennis balls
· Round dome cones (any colours) scattered through the centre area
How to Play:
1. Split the group into two teams – Moles and Squirrels.
2. Place a bucket of tennis balls for each team at opposite ends of the hall or court.
3. Scatter round cones throughout the centre to make the “field.”
4. Moles: hide balls under cones.
5. Squirrels: place balls on top of cones.
6. At the start, players may only place balls on empty cones.
7. When all balls are placed (or after a set time), the coach calls “Steal!” – teams can now take balls placed by the other side and move them to their position.
Progressions:
1. Role Swap: At any point, the coach can call “Swap!” and Moles become Squirrels, Squirrels become Moles.
2. Timed Rounds: Limit each round to 1–2 minutes for quick, high-energy play.
3. Extra Obstacles: Add cones or markers that players must run around before placing a ball.
Variations:
· Competitive: Count how many cones are “won” by each team at the end to declare a winner.
· Colour Match: Assign each team a cone colour they must use (e.g., Moles = blue cones only).
· Relay Version: Only one player per team can be in the field at a time — tag teammates to swap.
.
Seasonal alternatives for Moles vs Squirrels 🐿️🎾 — one for each key celebration:
🎄 Christmas – “Elves vs Snowmen” ☃️🎁
The Elves are busy hiding presents under snow mounds (dome cones), while the Snowmen want to stack them neatly on top for Santa to collect.
🎅 Use festive-coloured balls (red, green, gold) and call “SNOWSTORM!” to trigger the Steal phase where teams can switch up the other’s presents!
🐣 Easter – “Chicks vs Bunnies” 🐰🥚
🐣 Chicks want to bury their eggs under the grass (under cones), while Bunnies want to hide them in bushes (on top of cones).
🌸 At “EGG HUNT!” the sides can sneak the other team’s eggs back to their side.
Use pastel-coloured cones and eggs for full effect!
🎃 Halloween – “Witches vs Goblins” 🧙♀️🎃
Witches hide spells and potions under cauldrons (cones), while Goblins try to place their pumpkin stash on top.
🕸️ When the coach shouts “TRICK OR TREAT!” the teams can sabotage each other’s stash.
💘 Valentine’s – “Hearts vs Hugs” 💞💌
One team hides valentines under envelopes (cones), while the other stacks chocolates or flowers on top.
💌 Playfully chaotic — when “LOVE STORM!” is called, teams rush to move each other’s tokens before the timer ends.