Anishinaabe / First Nations (widely documented across North American Indigenous communities)

Keeper of the Fire

Also known as Blind Fire Keeper, Steal the Fire

A blindfolded Fire Keeper guards a pile of objects using only hearing; players creep forward in total silence to steal them.

4+ playersAges 6-14OutdoorsCalmBig space
The rules

How to play

1

One player is the Fire Keeper and sits blindfolded at the center with 5, 8 small objects (stones, acorns, sticks) arranged in front of them.

2

All other players spread out 10 metres away.

3

On a signal they creep forward, no running, trying to steal one object each and return to the start without making a sound.

4

When the Fire Keeper hears a noise, they point at it; if they're pointing near a player who did make a sound, that player goes back to the start.

5

No clearing debris to make a quiet path.

Keep it fair

The Fire Keeper must point and hold for at least three seconds, quick flailing doesn't count as a fair catch.

Good for building
stealthpatienceawarenessfocus
What you need
Just: a blindfold (cloth or clothing) and small found objects like stones or acorns
More to play

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