Let's Play in the Woods While the Wolf's Away

Children stroll through the woods singing the ring song "Jugaremos en el bosque" while the wolf, at home, gets dressed one piece of clothing at a time; when the wolf shouts "Here I come!", everyone runs to their safe house. It builds reaction to a signal, running and handling a fun scare.

How to play

1. The teacher uses cones to mark the wolf's house at one end and the children's safe house at the other. The wolf (the teacher at first) crouches at home, pretending to sleep (2 min).
2. Holding hands in a circle, children move toward the wolf's house singing the Spanish song ("Let's play in the woods while the wolf isn't here, because if the wolf shows up he'll eat us all. Wolf, are you there?") (3 min).
3. The wolf answers by miming getting dressed: "I'm putting on my underwear!", "my shirt!", "my socks!", "my shoes!", "my hat!", and the group sings again after each item (3 min).
4. When the wolf shouts "Yes, here I come!", everyone runs to the safe house. Anyone the wolf tags becomes a wolf pup and goes back to the wolf's house for the next round, where the pups howl the clothing items along with the wolf (5 min).
5. Last round: the tired wolf puts on pajamas and falls asleep; the children tiptoe up, sing softly and lie down to sleep beside the wolf (2 min).

Rules

• We only run when the wolf says "Here I come!"
• The wolf tags gently on the back, with no grabbing or pushing.
• Nobody can tag you in the safe house.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: set a closer safe house for that child, or let them be the wolf at home, naming clothes and giving the start signal.
• Autism or fear of scares: explain ahead that the wolf is pretend, show the shout beforehand, and let the child run holding an adult's hand or be the one who asks "Wolf, are you there?"
• Hearing impairment: as well as shouting, the wolf raises both arms to signal the chase.

Learning goals

• React to an agreed signal by running to a safe zone.
• Enjoy a playful scare and manage the feeling.
• Learn the wolf ring game as it's sung in Mexico.

Equipment for a class of 25

• Cones: 8

Teacher tip

In Mexico it's sung as "Jugaremos en el bosque" and the wolf puts on one item of clothing at a time; let kids invent silly items to stretch out the suspense. Kids often run before the signal, so practice the "Here I come!" once before you start.

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