Tag – You’re It!

Tag is one of the most popular games among children, especially preschoolers. Here are several variations of tag your children are sure to love.

Red Light, Green Light

One player is IT and stands a far distance from the rest of the players. With his or her back turned, IT calls out "Green Light" and all the players rush forward. When IT yells "Red Light" all the players must freeze. IT turns around. Anyone IT catches moving must go back to the start line. The game continues until someone tags IT.

Cartoon Tag

One player is IT and chases around all the other players. When players are tagged, they must call out the name of a cartoon character. If they can't think of one fast enough or call out a name already used, then they are IT.

What Time is it Mr. Wolf?

One player is the wolf and stands with his or her back to the other players. The remaining players stand at the start line, about 15 metres away. The players call out "What time is it Mr. Wolf?" And the wolf turns to them and responds with a time (for example, 5:00). Players then take steps towards the wolf based on the time (in this case, 5 steps). The wolf turns around again and the players repeat the question. The game continues until the wolf decides to yell "Super time" at which point the wolf spins around and chases all the players back to the start. The first person caught becomes the next wolf.

Chain Link

This time, two players are IT. They hold hands and chase all the other players, but can only tag them with one of their free hands. Each tagged player joins hands with the IT players. Only the players at the end of the chain can tag people. As the game progresses, the chain gets larger and larger and harder to control. The game ends when everyone is tagged.

Shadow Tag

Perfect for sunny days - in winter or summer! The person who is IT chases everyone else's shadow. When IT successfully steps on someone shadow, that person becomes the next IT.

By Rochelle Strauss