Chicken Coop Chase

Skill: Run
Time Required: 15
Activity Type: Physical
Group Size: Large Group, Medium Group, Small Group
Age Group: 6 - 9yrs, 9 - 12yrs
Play area: Gymnasium (large indoor space), Outdoor - Field
Safety Considerations: Remind participants to always keep their head up and be aware if they are running towards another chicken.
Remind the farmer that the tag is a light tap and not a push.
Equipment: Hoops for the coops (number is up to the leader).
Rope or chalk for lines.
Rubber chicken or something else for the farmer to hold to signify that they are the farmer.
Objective:
For the farmer to catch the chicken and for the chicken to get escape getting caught!
Set up:
Using chalk outdoors, or using rope (skipping rope) and hoops, create a large circle with hoops on the end and lines connecting the hoops to the centre hoop (see attached document for set up).
You can have as many hoops (coops) as you wish.
Select one participant to start as the farmer, they will start in the middle hoop (the farm).
Step by Step:
1. All the chickens escaped their coops, and the farmer is trying to catch them.
2. All the chickens start on the outside of the circle, and not in a coop (hoop).
3. When the leader says "Go", the farmer is going to try to tag the chicken.
4. The chickens and farmer can only run on the lines, but they can go forward or backwards, so long as there is not another chicken in their way.
5. If using ropes, participants can run right beside the rope.
6. The chickens try to run to the farm, and then change directions.
7. When a chicken is in a coop, they are safe and cannot be tagged.
8. However, they can only stay in a coop for 5 seconds, before they have to leave.
9. If a chicken is in a coop and another chicken runs into the same one, the first chicken has to leave immediately.
10. If the farmer is chasing a chicken, and the chicken makes it to the coop before they're tagged, the farmer has to turn around and run the other way and chase another chicken.
11. If two chickens are running in opposite direction on the same line, they have to either both turn around and run back, or one chicken turns back, they cannot pass each other!
12. When a chicken is tagged, they are the new farmer.
13. If a chicken purposely steps outside the lines, then they are automatically the new farmer.
Variations:
Have more than one farmer.
Increase or decrease the number of coops.
Allow two chickens in one coop at a time.
Participants are only allowed to skip or hop.
In the winter, could use the snow to make the tracks.

Adaptations (General):
Consider allowing participants with disabilities, some of whom may lack comparable speed and stamina, to remain in the "coop" for more than the allotted 5 seconds. Allow more than one participant to occupy these "coops". Despite these adaptations, this activity may be overly challenging for many participants with disabilities given the coordination and fast movement patterns involved.
Sources: Developed for the Leisure Information Network.
Attachments: Download