Ambulance Tag
A tag game where tagged players become injured and only get back in when two classmates form an ambulance and walk them to the hospital. Students practice running and dodging while paying attention to classmates who need help.
How to play
- Mark an area about 20 × 20 yards and put three hoops together in the middle as the hospital. Choose 3 taggers wearing pinnies.
- When tagged, a player freezes, puts a hand on the spot where they were tagged, and shouts "Ambulance!"
- To rescue them, two free classmates hold hands to form an ambulance. Each takes one of the injured player's hands and they walk to the hospital.
- At the hospital, the injured player steps into a hoop, counts to five out loud, and comes out healed. Ambulances cannot be tagged while walking a patient.
- Play 2-minute rounds and switch taggers every round until at least 15 different students have been taggers (about 6 rounds).
- Wrap-up (2 min): Who rescued you? How did it feel to wait for help? What did you do when you saw someone injured?
Rules
- Tag gently on the back, arms, or shoulders, never with a push.
- Ambulances walk, not run, holding the patient's hand.
- You cannot be an ambulance with the same partner twice in a row.
Variations
Easier
Use only two taggers and keep the hospital very close in the middle.
Standard
Three taggers, and it takes two classmates to make an ambulance.
Harder
Four taggers, and ambulances need three students, one of them a paramedic who calls out dangers.
Adaptations
- A student with limited mobility can be the hospital doctor who heals patients with a high five.
- For a student who is deaf or hard of hearing, the ambulance call includes raising both arms as well as shouting.
- For fitter students, taggers must hop on one foot or move in a bear crawl.
Learning goals
- Run and dodge while changing direction.
- Notice and help classmates who need it.
- Share how it feels to ask for and receive help.
Equipment for a class of 25
- pinnies: 4
- hoops: 3
Teacher tip
Early on, many students forget to rescue because they want to keep running, so pause the game and ask who is waiting for help. Praise students who rescue classmates they rarely play with.
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