Cat and Mouse Tag

Chase one person at a time until you can safely bump someone into the game.

• Set Up

  • Have all players pair up

  • Create a Large playing space with boundaries

• Equipment

  • Cones (optional)

• Objective

  The goal of the game is for the player who is the Cat to tag the Mouse.

• Directions

  Demonstrate proper tagging before beginning play.

  2. Instruct all players to find a partner, link elbows with that partner, and find a spot to stand in the given space. 

  3. Choose 3 players to start with two designated as the “Cat” and the other as the “Mouse”. On GO, the player who is the Cat will try and tag the runner. 

  4. The runner can avoid being tagged by running throughout the space and connecting elbows with one of the standing groups. 

  5. When the runner connects arms, the player connected to the other arm of the chosen players must leave the group and now becomes the new runner. 5. If the player who is the Cat tags the Mouse, the round ends and a new Cat and Mouse are selected. 

• Variations

  • The game requires a lot of running for the player who is the Cat. If they do not tag the runner within 2-3 minutes, add two more cats to the mix. 

  • Play “Train Tag” where the pairs lie on their stomachs like railroad ties and switch positions by lying next to a pair, and the outside “tie” gets up and runs.

  • Another variation could be that instead of a Mouse linking elbows and giving rise to a new mouse, the player who comes off the elbow pair becomes the Cat, and the former Cat becomes the Mouse.

  • Use Beanbags to add a new level to the game seen here

• Coaching Points

  • Make playing space smaller for younger kids

  • Have those waiting cheer for their teammates

Reflection: Social Awareness

1. How did you work together as a team?

2. How did you encourage your teammates?

3. What is challenging about this game? What solutions did you try?