Let’s Play!

Cat and Mouse -

Materials: none

1. The children form a circle and hold hands. One child stands in the center and is the “mouse.” Another child stands outside the circle and is the “cat.”
2. On a given signal, the “cat” must chase the “mouse.” They can enter or leave the circle only if the other players hold up their hands and form an arch.
3. When the “cat” catches the “mouse,” let them choose classmates to take their places.

• Change the characters for different seasons. You could have the farmer chase the turkey, the witch chase the bat, etc.

Hug Tag

Materials: none

1. Designate a playing area. One child is “it.” “It” chases other children who must “freeze” when they are tagged.
2. Players hug those who are “frozen” to “unfreeze” them

• Stoop Tag - Children stoop down on the ground when they are tagged.
• Cartoon Tag - Children must name a cartoon show when they are tagged.
• Shadow Tag - Children must freeze when “it” steps on their shadow.
• Sticky Tag - Children must hold the part of their body that is tagged.

Step School

Materials: pebble or small toy, stairs

1. The children sit on the bottom step, which is "kindergarten".
2. One child, who is "the teacher" stands on the ground and faces the others. "The teacher" takes the pebble, puts it behind her back, and then hides the pebble in one of her hands. "The teacher" then brings forward both fists.
3. The first child on the step chooses a hand. If she selects the hand with the pebble, then she may move up a stair to "first grade." If she selects the empty hand, then she continues to sit in "kindergarten."
4. "The teacher" continues hiding the pebble and allows other members in the game to select the hand with the pebble.

The game continues until a child reaches the top step. That child then becomes the next "teacher."

Relays

Materials: none

1. Divide the children into teams with five or six players on each.
2. Have the players line up single file behind a line and run one at a time to a designated point and back. The first player tags the second player, who then runs the distance.
3. The first team to have all players run is the winner.

• Ball Relays - Have the children pass a ball over their heads and under their legs. The last person runs to the front of the line and continues passing over and under. When the first person is in his or her original position, their team wins the game. Relays where children must dribble a ball, kick a ball, or throw a ball into a target can also be played.
• Animal Relays - Let the children walk like crabs (on backs with hands and feet), bears (on all fours), birds (flapping arms), monkeys (scratching sides), or elephants (swinging arms like a trunk.)
• Quick Change - Prepare bags with a shirt, pants, and hat for each team. The first player puts the clothes on, runs to a designated point, takes the clothes off, and then runs and gives the clothes to the second person.
• Pig Relays - Move the ball with your nose.
• Movements - Have children hop, jump, skip, gallop, walk backwards, or do other movements.
• Toesie Relay - Have the children take their shoes off, pick up a peanut with their toes, carry it to a basket, and drop it in.
• Potato Relay - Ask the children to carry a potato in a large spoon without dropping it.

Hot Potato

Materials: ball, whistle

1. Children stand in a circle and pass around the ball (hot potato).
2. When the teacher blows the whistle, the child holding the ball must leave the circle.
3. The game is played until there is just one child left standing.

• This game can be adapted easily to play inside. Have the children sit in a circle and pass a beanbag while you play music. When the music stops, the one holding the beanbag is out of the game.
  

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