Squirrels, Acorns, and Foxes
Squirrels dash through the forest to grab acorns and carry them back to their storage hoop while foxes try to tag them. Students practice dodging, changes of speed, and deciding when it is safe to go.
How to play
- Use cones to mark a 65 x 50 ft forest and scatter about 40 acorns (bean bags) across it. Place a hoop in each corner as the storage spot for 4 squirrel teams (2 min).
- Pick 3 foxes wearing pinnies who start inside the forest. Everyone else joins one of the 4 squirrel teams and waits next to their hoop.
- On the whistle, squirrels run in, pick up one acorn, and run back to drop it in their hoop. They can make as many trips as they want during a 2-minute round.
- If a fox tags a squirrel carrying an acorn, the squirrel drops it there and returns to the hoop. Without an acorn, they do 5 hops on the spot and keep playing.
- At the end of each round, teams count their acorns out loud and toss them back into the forest. The fullest hoop wins the round.
- Switch foxes every round. Play 5 or 6 rounds (14 min).
Rules
- Carry only one acorn at a time, in your hand, never tucked into clothes.
- No stealing acorns from another team's hoop.
- Foxes tag with a gentle touch on the back or arm, no pushing or grabbing.
Variations
Easier
Use only 2 foxes and let squirrels carry two acorns per trip.
Standard
Three foxes against four squirrel teams in 2-minute rounds.
Harder
Colored acorns are worth different points (red 3, green 1) and foxes may guard one zone.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: a student using a wheelchair can be a fox tagging with a pool noodle or gather acorns in a zone near their hoop.
- Autism or shyness: show a picture card of each role before playing and let the student start as a squirrel with a trusted buddy.
- Fitness level: students who need a break can gather in the strip closest to their hoop.
Learning goals
- Dodge a chaser using changes of direction and speed.
- Choose the best moment and route to enter and leave the forest.
- Follow the game rules and celebrate team achievements.
Equipment for a class of 25
- bean bags: 40
- hoops: 4
- pinnies: 3
- cones: 8
Teacher tip
Spread acorns across the whole forest, not just the middle, so there are many routes. If foxes camp out by the hoops, mark a 6-foot no-fox zone around each one.
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