Band-Aid Tag
Everyone is it and everyone runs: each time you are tagged, you put a hand on that spot like a band-aid and keep playing. It is a fun warm-up that forces students to move in new and different ways.
How to play
- Mark an area about 50 × 50 ft. Students spread out and start with 1 minute of power walking.
- On the whistle, everyone can tag everyone. A tagged student puts one hand on the spot where they were tagged: that's their first band-aid.
- If you are tagged again, put your other hand on that spot and keep running with both band-aids on.
- On the third tag you go to the hospital, one corner of the area, do 5 jumping jacks, and come back healed with no band-aids.
- Play 90-second rounds. Between rounds, do 20 seconds of dynamic leg and arm stretches.
- In the final round, the way of moving changes: hop on one foot for 5 seconds each time you get a band-aid.
Rules
- Tag gently, and only on arms, back, shoulders, or legs; never the face or head.
- A band-aid stays in place until you are healed at the hospital.
- No tagging students who are at the hospital.
- No one stands still waiting; keep moving.
Variations
Easier
Play at a walk, and go to the hospital after the second tag.
Standard
Everyone is it, three tags send you to the hospital, and rounds last 90 seconds.
Harder
It takes 4 tags to go to the hospital, and the area shrinks to 30 × 30 ft.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: a student using a wheelchair can place a handkerchief on their leg as the band-aid, and their hospital is closer.
- Autism or touch sensitivity: the student carries a short pool noodle and tags are made with it, with no direct contact.
- Fitness level: a student who needs a break can stay at the hospital longer doing easy jumps.
Learning goals
- Warm up the body with varied, nonstop movement.
- Control the body while moving with hands occupied.
- Play while respecting the allowed tag zones.
Teacher tip
Explain and demonstrate where tagging is allowed first: it's the key rule that keeps the game safe. Band-aids on ankles and knees get lots of laughs and keep motivation high.
PatioLab has "Band-Aid Tag" and 1299 more activities ready to drag into your lesson and run from your phone in the gym.
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