As a parent or educator, it can be challenging to find activities that are both educational and fun for young children.
One game that fits the bill is the tag game, which is a classic game that has been played for generations.
We’ll explore tag game for kindergarten kids and some variations that can make it even more engaging.
What is Tag Game?
Tag is a game where one person is “it,” and their goal is to tag another player. Once the tagged player is “it,” the game starts again.
The game continues until everyone has had a chance to be “it,” or until the players decide to stop playing.
How to Play Tag with Kindergarten Kids
Playing tag with kindergarten kids is a great way to get them moving and improve their gross motor skills. Here’s how to play:
- Choose who is “it”: The person who is “it” is chosen by a method agreed upon by the players, such as rock-paper-scissors or eeny-meeny-miny-moe.
- Start the game: The person who is “it” starts the game by trying to tag another player. The other players run away and try to avoid being tagged.
- Tagging: If the person who is “it” tags another player, that player becomes “it,” and the game continues.
- Restarting the game: If the players decide to stop playing, or if everyone has had a chance to be “it,” the game is over. Alternatively, the players can decide to restart the game with the same or different players as “it.”
Benefits of Playing Tag
Playing tag has many benefits for young children, including:
- Improving gross motor skills: Tag involves running, jumping, and dodging, which can help children improve their coordination and balance.
- Encouraging socialization: Tag is a social game that requires players to communicate and interact with each other.
- Developing strategy skills: Tag requires players to think about how they can avoid being tagged and how they can tag other players.
List of 20 Fun Tag Game Ideas for Kindergarten Kids
Freeze Tag:
In Freeze Tag, when a player is tagged, they must freeze in place until another player unfreezes them. The last player to be frozen is the winner. This game can help kids develop their gross motor skills and also teach them about following rules.
Colors Tag:
In Colors Tag, each player is assigned a color, and the person who is “it” can only tag players of a certain color. This game can help kids learn their colors and practice their running and dodging skills.
Alphabet Tag:
In Alphabet Tag, players must tag someone whose name starts with a certain letter of the alphabet. This game can help kids learn their letters and also work on their social skills as they introduce themselves to other players.
Octopus Tag:
In Octopus Tag, when a player is tagged, they must stand still and stick out their arms, becoming “seaweed” that can tag others who run by. This game can help kids work on their agility and quick-thinking skills.
Related: 30 Gross Motor Activities for Preschoolers (3 – 5 Year Olds)
Band-Aid Tag:
In Band-Aid Tag, players who are tagged must place a hand on the spot they were tagged as if applying a Band-aid. This game can help kids learn about first aid and also work on their coordination skills.
Flashlight Tag:
In Flashlight Tag, players play tag in the dark with a flashlight. The person who is “it” must shine the flashlight on players to tag them. This game can help kids work on their sense of direction and also teach them about light and shadows.
Time Bomb Tag:
In Time Bomb Tag, players who are tagged must count to ten before they can start playing again. This game can help kids work on their counting skills and also teach them about patience.
Partner Tag:
In Partner Tag, players must find a partner and hold hands to become “safe.” The person who is “it” must tag both players to make them “it.” This game can help kids work on their social skills and also teach them about teamwork.
Musical Tag:
In Musical Tag, players play tag to the beat of the music. When the music stops, the person who is “it” must freeze in place. This game can help kids work on their rhythm and also teach them about following directions.
Doctor Tag:
In Doctor Tag, players who are tagged must hold their “injured” body parts and limp around until another player “heals” them by tagging them. This game can help kids learn about empathy and also teach them about basic first aid.
Shadow Tag:
In Shadow Tag, players must tag each other’s shadows instead of their bodies. This game can help kids work on their spatial awareness and also teach them about light and shadows.
Duck, Duck, Goose Tag:
In Duck, Duck, Goose Tag, players sit in a circle and one player walks around tapping each player on the head and saying “duck” until they tap one player and say “goose.” The “goose” then chases the “tapper” to try and tag them before they reach the empty spot in the circle. This game can help kids work on their social skills and also teach them about turn-taking.
Red Light, Green Light Tag:
In Red Light, Green Light Tag, players must run towards the person who is “it” when they say “green light,” but must stop when they say “red light.” The first player to tag the person who is “it” becomes the new “it.” This game can help kids work on their listening skills and also teach them about following rules.
Animal Tag:
In Animal Tag, players are assigned an animal and must move like that animal when they are tagged. This game can help kids learn about different animals and also work on their gross motor skills.
Bridge Tag:
In Bridge Tag, two players join hands to form a “bridge” and other players must crawl under it to avoid being tagged. This game can help kids work on their agility and also teach them about spatial awareness.
Sharks and Minnows Tag:
In Sharks and Minnows Tag, players start on one side of the play area and must run to the other side without being tagged by the “sharks.” Any player who is tagged becomes a “shark” in the next round. This game can help kids work on their running and dodging skills.
TV Tag:
In TV Tag, players must freeze in place and shout out the name of a TV show when tagged. If another player shouts out the same TV show, they can both unfreeze and continue playing. This game can help kids work on their memory skills and also teach them about sharing their interests.
Four Corners Tag:
In Four Corners Tag, players are assigned a number and must run to a designated corner of the play area when that number is called. The person who is “it” must try to tag players who are in the wrong corner. This game can help kids work on their listening and direction-following skills.
Blob Tag:
In Blob Tag, players who are tagged must join hands with the person who tagged them to create a “blob” that can tag other players. This game can help kids work on their teamwork skills and also teach them about strategy.
Statue Tag:
In Statue Tag, players must freeze in place when the person who is “it” says “statue.” They can only move again when the person says “Go.” This game can help kids work on their listening skills and also teach them about following rules.
Related: 20 Quick Interactive Activities for Preschoolers & Toddlers (Age 3 – 5)
Conclusion
Tag is a classic game that is easy to learn and can provide hours of fun for young children.
By adding variations to the game, you can keep it fresh and exciting while helping kids develop important skills.
So, the next time you’re looking for a fun and educational activity for your kindergarten kids, consider playing tag!
