Banana Tag
Overview
Objective: Play an active game while learning spacial awareness; use imagination to improve the game.
Why teach this lesson? Like many of the games by Aware Teacher, this game of tag does not end in defeat. Instead, players have a way to help their friends who get tagged.
Materials: None
Number of players: 3+
Instructions
Divide the group into taggers and bananas using a game of Full-Body Rock, Paper, Scissors or other method.
Taggers: Your objective is to tag friends on their arm or shoulder (not head, legs, or torso).
Bananas: Your objective is to run around and “go bananas” — in other words, act silly — without being tagged.
Hiding: Bananas have an option to “hide” from taggers for 5 seconds at a time. To do so, sit on the ground and make your body into the shape of a fruit bowl (“boat pose” in yoga). Taggers cannot guard a hiding banana.
When Tagged: Put your hands over your head and bend in the shape of a banana.
To be Freed: A friend “peels” you like a banana - they pull both arms down.
Tips
After playing this way one time, give your friends a chance to make up new rules. For instance, not everyone likes bananas! Players can choose their favorite fruit and decide what they do when they’re tagged.
Reflection Questions
1. What do you do with your eyes, ears, and mouth while running?
2. How do you tag safely?
3. How can we change this game to make it even more fun - what other fruit could you be? How would you hide and what would you do when tagged?