Big Heads Festival Chase
Inspired by the big-head festival figures who chase kids through town parades: a few Big Heads holding foam noodles try to tag students as they cross the plaza from one neighborhood to the other. Students work on dodging, changes of pace, and handling excitement.
How to play
- Mark a 65 x 50 ft plaza with two 10 ft safe neighborhoods at the ends. Four Big Heads with pinnies and noodles wait in the middle (2 min).
- On the call "Here come the Big Heads!", everyone crosses and the Big Heads try to tag them with the noodle below the shoulders (1 min per crossing).
- Tagged players go to the marching band zone on the side, clap an 8-count rhythm, and return to their neighborhood; nobody is out (included in the crossings).
- Each player counts their untagged crossings. After 6 crossings, switch Big Heads; play three sets (15 min).
- To wrap up, students share what they did to escape (2 min).
Rules
- The noodle touches gently below the shoulders and never swings hard.
- Big Heads stay out of the neighborhoods, and nobody stays in one longer than 5 seconds after the call.
- Safety: cross looking ahead; anyone who pushes sits one round in the band zone.
Variations
Easier
Two Big Heads who may only speed-walk.
Standard
Four running Big Heads in the 65 x 50 ft plaza.
Harder
Big Heads work in hand-holding pairs to cut off paths.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: the student is a Big Head with a longer noodle or crosses in a side lane with only one Big Head.
- Students with autism or fear of chase games: they start in the band zone and join when ready, crossing with a buddy.
- Lower fitness: they rest in the band zone whenever needed without losing crossings.
Learning goals
- Dodge chasers using fakes and changes of direction.
- Manage the excitement of a chase while respecting others.
- Learn about a popular festival tradition through play.
Equipment for a class of 25
- pool noodles: 4
- pinnies: 4
- cones: 12
Teacher tip
Model a gentle noodle tag on the leg or back first. Showing pictures of parade giants and big heads gets students excited.
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