Magic Word Tag

Skill: Dodge, Run
Time Required: 15
Activity Type: Physical
Group Size: Large Group, Medium Group
Age Group: 6 - 9yrs, 9 - 12yrs
Play area: Gymnasium (large indoor space), Outdoor - Field
Safety Considerations: Ensure the lines are not too close to a wall.
Remove any safety hazards from the area.
Remind participants to be aware of their surroundings and to keep their heads up when running.
The tag is a gentle tap.
Equipment: No equipment necessary.
Pylons or rope to outline boundaries (if necessary).
Objective:
For participants to not get tagged by the category master (participant that is It).
Set up:
Use the two end lines on the gym floor, or if outdoors, place pylons or rope abound 50 meters apart.
Select one participant to be the category master. They will stand in the middle of the play area.
All the other participants will start behind one line.
Step by Step:
1. The group decides on the category to use for this game. It could be: animals, colours, food, cities, names, TV shows etc.
2. Once a category is selected, the category master will decide on the magic word.
3. If the category is animals, then the category master will select any animal to be the magic word.
4. If they select horse, then whenever the category master says "horse", the participants have to run from their line to the other line without getting tagged.
5. Here's the trick, before the category master says "horse", they can say many different animals to try to trick the other participants.
6. The category master can say "Chicken, dog, cat, cat, cow, pig, horse", and as soon as they say "horse", the participants have to start running to the other side.
7. When the category master tags a participant, they join them in the centre and can now tag participants as well.
8. If a participant starts to run and crosses the line when the category master didn't say "horse", they have to join them in the centre as well.
9. The last participant to not get caught is the new category master!
10. The group can decide on a new category.
Variations:
Use more advanced categories for older participants, such as even or odd numbers, countries, prime ministers etc.
For younger participants, the leader could say the words from the category for the category master.

Adaptations (Blindness/Visual Impairment):
Have another participant guide those who are blind or visually impaired.

Adaptations (Cognitive/Learning Impairment):
Try to ensure that participants with a cognitive limitation clearly understand the rules of the game, and provide additional support as necessary.
Sources: Developed for the Leisure Information Network.