Meow, Moving Day! Hoop Mouse Holes
Each mouse lives in a mouse hole (a hoop) and is safe inside; when the cat meows “Meow, moving day!”, everyone must leave and find a different hole while the cat tries to tag them on the way. It practices running, finding an open space and making decisions.
How to play
- The teacher spreads the hoops on the floor, one per child, and each mouse crouches in their own (1 min).
- The mice go out to look for cheese; when the cat (the teacher) says “Meow!”, everyone returns to any hole (2 min).
- Now the signal is “Meow, moving day!”: you must go to a different hole and the cat tags anyone outside; a tagged mouse is the kitten helper for one move, then becomes a mouse again (4 min).
- The teacher removes some hoops: now mice share, two in a hoop (3 min).
- Slow move: the mice tiptoe to a new hole so they won't wake the sleeping cat (1 min).
- Each mouse curls into a little ball in their hole and rests (1 min).
Rules
- Inside my mouse hole I'm safe.
- On moving day I go to a new hole, not the same one.
- If the cat tags me, I help for a bit and then I'm a mouse again.
- In a shared hole, we make room for each other.
Variations
Easier
For 3-year-olds, there is always a free hoop and the cat only pretends to chase; any hoop counts.
Standard
For 4-year-olds, moving to a new hoop is required, and there's one kitten helper each time.
Harder
For 5-year-olds, hoops are shared and the teacher names the color of hole to move into.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: the child's hole sits right next to another so the move is short; they can also be the cat who calls the signal.
- Autism: the child may keep a fixed hole marked with a sticker if changes are overwhelming, and move only when ready.
- Visual impairment: hoops edged with textured tape and a buddy who goes along on each move.
Learning goals
- Find an open space quickly.
- Change direction to dodge the cat.
- Share space with a classmate.
Equipment for a class of 25
- Hoops: 25
Teacher tip
Space hoops about 6 to 10 feet apart so each move is a short sprint. Kids often stay in the same hole; stand beside them and say “You don't live here anymore, moving day!”
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