Schoolyard Stratego: Hidden Ranks in the Pinny
A movement version of Stratego: every player keeps a card with a hidden rank from 1 to 6 in their pinny pocket, plus a spy and two fixed mines. When a player tags an opponent, both show their card and the lower rank goes back to base; a team wins by capturing the opposing flag.
How to play
- Explain the ranks: 6 general (one), 5 colonel, 4 captain, 3 sergeant, 2 private, spy (beats the general only if the spy tags first) and mine (two per team, cannot move and beats everyone except a 2) (4 min).
- Each team hands out cards in secret and decides the starting setup and who guards the flag (4 min).
- Game 1: when tagged, both players stop, quietly show each other their card, and the loser runs back to base and touches the return cone; on a tie both go back (9 min).
- Tactical break: each team shares which opposing ranks it thinks it has spotted and reassigns its cards (4 min).
- Game 2 with new cards and switched sides (7 min).
- Discussion: when is it worth revealing a high-ranked player and when should you hide them (2 min).
Rules
- Show your card only to the opponent who tagged you, without saying it out loud.
- Tag gently with the hand; duels are settled standing still with no wrestling.
- Lying about your rank means your team loses its flag immediately.
- Mines stay inside a hoop and can only tag players who step into it.
Variations
Easier
Use only three ranks (high, medium and low) with no spy or mines.
Standard
Ranks 2 to 6 with a spy and two mines, two games with secret reassignment.
Harder
A team may promote a private who makes three captures by swapping their card for a higher rank.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: play a mine inside a hoop or the flag guard.
- Visual impairment: cards are raised (stacked stickers by rank) so they can be read by touch.
- Autism: provide a visual chart of which rank beats which and assign a go-to partner.
Learning goals
- Analyze the opponent's hidden information to make attacking decisions.
- Design a starting setup that fits a team plan.
- Treat honesty as the foundation of fair play.
Equipment for a class of 25
- pinnies: 28
- cards: 30
- cones: 16
- bandanas: 2
Teacher tip
Keep spare cards in case some get lost. Stopping to settle duels reduces collisions and lets you check honesty at a glance.
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