EQUIPMENT
24 fuzzy balls
4 hula-hoops
4 short cones
4 flags
STORYLINE
Today we are playing Squirrels and Acorns. In this game, your goal is to gather all the acorns (fuzzy balls) and bring them back to your team without being caught by the cats (taggers).
INSTRUCTIONS
I will divide you into four teams. Each team must line up behind one short cone.
I will select two of you to be the cats (using flags to tell who they are). The cats must start in the middle of the field.
When I say, “GO!” the person in the front of each line will run into the field, take an acorn from one of the hula-hoops, return it to their hula-hoop and high-five the next person on their team without being tagged by a cat.
If you get tagged, you must return the acorn to its hoop and go back to your team empty-handed.
You can only grab one acorn at a time.
You cannot throw an acorn. You must place it in your hula-hoop.
We will begin a new round after two minutes or when all acorns have been gathered.
Game 1: Play as indicated above.
Game 2: Play with three cats.
Game 3: Play with four cats.
Variation: Put a time limit of 20 seconds each squirrel is allowed out in the field. Have their teammates count down from 20.
TEACHING TIPS
Approach: Start with two capable defenders to challenge the rest of the students.
Approach: Depending on your class size, have more or less teams of squirrels.
Discussion: Ask students to share how pushing off their back foot allowed them to transition into a faster run. What was easy or hard for the squirrels to use standing starts to get the acorns?