Turtle Tag
Overview
Objective: Play an active game while learning spacial awareness; use imagination to improve the game.
Why teach this lesson? This version of tag is slower than others because people move like turtles - it is safe for any classroom. And like other Aware Teacher games, it doesn’t end in defeat but rather gives players the opportunity to help their friends.
Materials: None
Number of players: 3+
Instructions
Divide the group into taggers and turtles using your preferred method.
Taggers: Your objective is to walk around and tag friends on their arm or shoulder (not head, legs, or torso).
Turtles: Your objective is to move like turtles and avoid taggers.
Hiding: Turtles can “hide” from taggers for 5 seconds at a time. To do so, crouch down and pretend to go into your shell.
When Tagged: The turtle is flipped upside down! Lie on your back with hands and feet in the air.
To Be Freed: A friend comes and spins you around one time (if the ground is hard) or flips you over (if the ground is soft).
Tips
Mix up the game by pretending to be other animals, such as giraffes, cats, crabs, or dogs.
Make sure to give your friends the opportunity to change and add rules.
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 animal could you be? How would you hide and what would you do when tagged?