Foxes with Colorful Tails
Everyone is a fox with a scarf tail tucked into the back of their waistband; they try to grab other foxes' tails while protecting their own, and anyone who loses a tail grabs a new one from the den and jumps right back in. It works on agility, dodging and quick decisions with no one ever sitting out.
How to play
- Each fox tucks a scarf into the back of their waistband with a good length hanging out; the basket of extra scarves is the den (2 min).
- Practice in pairs at a walk: one tries to grab the other's tail while the partner protects it by turning; then switch (3 min).
- Everyone plays at once, walking fast: if you grab a tail, drop it in the den before going after another; if yours gets taken, go to the den, tuck in a new one and come back (3 min).
- Play again at a run, with the teacher reminding everyone, “Tail grabbed, tail to the den” (4 min).
- The foxes walk slowly back to the den, drop their tails in the basket and stretch like waking foxes (3 min).
Rules
- Grab only tails, never clothes or bodies.
- Your tail hangs outside; don't hide it or hold it.
- If you lose your tail, get a new one and keep playing.
- Any tail you grab goes to the den.
Variations
Easier
For 3-year-olds, only the teacher and two helpers hunt tails; everyone else runs away and picks up a new tail at the den if theirs is taken.
Standard
For 4-year-olds, everyone grabs tails at once, walking fast or jogging.
Harder
For 5-year-olds, play with two colors: red foxes can only grab blue tails and vice versa, switching teams every so often.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: the tail is loosely tied to the back of the wheelchair or walker, and the child plays in a smaller zone where everyone walks.
- Visual impairment: the child wears a tail with a jingle bell and plays with a guide classmate who tells them where others are coming from.
- Autism: the child can start as the den keeper handing out new tails and join the game whenever they're ready.
Learning goals
- Dodge and change direction quickly.
- Decide when to go for a tail and when to protect their own.
- Accept losing a tail and keep playing in good spirits.
Equipment for a class of 25
- fabric scarves: 35
- basket: 1
Teacher tip
Check that all tails hang about the same length, at least a hand's span, and that no one ties them. Keep plenty of extra scarves in the den so no one ever waits.
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