Pairs Tag

What: A wonderfully active way to begin a workshop or raise sagging energy. Loads of fun!

Group Size: Depending upon available space, from ten on up.

Time: For both variations, 10 minutes. Can be done in as little as five. A "quick hitter."

Props: None, except open space.

Instructions:

Instruct each participant to find a partner and go stand by him/her. Explain that as a group, we are going to play a game of tag, with three significant modifications:

1. one-half of the participants in the room, or one person in each pair, is IT;

2. each IT is only chasing after his/her own partner; and

3. there is NO RUNNING - this is a "walking only" game. When any IT tags his/her partner (gently above the waist and below the neck in non-sensitive areas), the tagged individual must spin around in place two times - this avoids endless "tagbacks" - and then give pursuit to his/her partner.

Facilitator Notes:

1. Although participants will initially forget that the game is "walking only" or will creatively reinterpret what the word "walking" means, verbally remind participants throughout play to walk. If necessary, use the STOP word.

2. All tags should be above the waist and below the neck for safety.

3. Position yourself in the exact middle of the playing area. Participants will begin to "swirl" around you as the pivot point. This allows for good game play even given a small space. In fact, this game plays best with lots of participants in relatively small spaces. Lots of ducking and hiding behind others.

4. Before playing Pairs ask if anyone in your group has had any shoulder injuries. If so, they may want to hold hands with their partner or sit this one out.

If you like "Pairs Tag," check out the new activities in Funn Stuff (Vol. 1) by Karl Rohnke.