The game of tag is a popular activity for children. Tag teaches many important basic physical and mental skills. Tag shows a participant to be observant of their surroundings, play fair, follow rules, learn to work cooperatively in a group, be imaginative and creative, develop speed, strength and agility, and to use hand and eye coordination.

• It is important to teach about safe tagging—a light touch on the shoulder, arm, or back is always appropriate.
• A player is out if they argues with the "tagger."
• It is important to talk about safety issues that are specific to the game, such as boundaries and unsafe sections in the playing area.
• Make sure boundaries are clearly marked and communicated to the group.
• Have students quiet and sitting down as you explain the directions to the game.
• Model any unusual or tricky movements.
• Join in the game, if you wish, but also keep an active watch on the proceedings.
• Talking about tag games after they are played maximizes the learning. Take a few minutes after playing to reflect by asking questions such as, "What made this game work?" "Were there any problems with this game?" "What could we do better next time?"
• Have children cool off by having them get a drink of water at the conclusion of the tag session.
• Try a stretch/cool down and tell a related story to calm and relax the children. In this next section there are some ideas for encouraging fitness and health with children using tag.
  

Kick the Can

Materials: Three cans and a piece of chalk for the centre.

Draw a circle and stack three cans in the centre. Everyone stands on the circle. "It" chooses a kicker, who starts the game by kicking the cans. Everyone runs to hide while "It" stacks the cans back in the centre. Then "It" looks for players, saying the name and place ("I see Katie behind the fence"). Katie is now in jail (inside the circle) unless she can get back to the circle before "It" does. Other players can free those in jail by kicking the cans before "It" can get back to the circle. Then "It" must stack up the cans and begin the search again. The game ends when "It" finds all the players and puts them in jail.

Sardines

This indoor/outdoor game is Hide and Seek in reverse. "It" gets a twenty second head start to hide, then everyone goes to look for "It." When a player finds "It," he tries to join "It" in the hiding spot without being seen by the others. As more and more players find "It," they pack into the hiding spot "like sardines"! The last one to find "It" becomes "It" for the next round.

Freeze Tag

"It" chases players within a certain area. Tagged players are "frozen" but can be unfrozen if tagged by a free player. The game ends when all players are frozen. The last one frozen becomes "It" for the next round.

Marco Polo

Materials: Blindfold or hat to fit over eyes.

Students may also close their eyes. Choose boundaries in an open area (inside or outside). Blindfold "It" and spin "It" around five times. Everyone runs from "It" and must freeze when "It" finishes spinning and yells, "Stop!" Then "It" shouts "Marco!" The players may move, but they must freeze before replying "Polo!" (A disguised voice for "Polo" is fun!) Keep up the "Marco … Polo … Marco … Polo …" as "It" tries to track a voice and tag a player. Whoever is tagged becomes "It" for the next round. This game is also fun in the pool. Be sure to assign someone to walk with Marco to help him avoid crashing into anything.

Capture the Flag

Materials: Two scarves or two bandannas

Choose boundaries for two teams with a middle line. Each team hides its "flag" somewhere on its side of the field; the flag must be visible when you approach it, not concealed. Each team also chooses an area for its jail. The object of the game is to find the other team's flag and bring it back to the middle line. When a player crosses over to the opponent's side to search for the flag, he can be tagged and put in jail. Players are freed from jail when tagged by a team-mate. The game ends when one team captures the other's flag. Make sure that boundaries and jails are clearly marked and understood by the players.

Get Kids Active would like to thank Chris Chapan from Fit for Fun Kids Fitness website for supplying us with these great ideas and games.