Strega Comanda Colore: The Italian Witch Calls a Color
A traditional game from Italy: the strega (witch) says "Strega comanda colore..." and a color, and everyone runs to touch something that color before the witch can tag them. In our version nobody is out, and children practice reacting quickly, running and making decisions.
How to play
- The teacher explains that kids in Italy play "strega comanda colore" and teaches the Italian phrase and colors: rosso (red), blu (blue), verde (green), giallo (yellow) (2 min).
- No witch at first: the teacher calls "Strega comanda colore... rosso!" and everyone finds and touches something red in the playground or on a friend's clothes (2 min).
- Now the teacher is a friendly witch who gives gentle shoulder taps to anyone not yet touching the color; anyone tapped becomes a helper witch (2 min).
- Change how we move while looking for the color: hopping, walking like robots, crawling (2 min).
- Finish with "Strega comanda colore... tutti i colori!" (all the colors): everyone meets in the middle for a rainbow group hug (2 min).
Rules
- Wait to hear the color before you go.
- Touch the color with your hand, no pushing.
- The witch gives gentle shoulder taps.
- If you get tagged, you become a witch and keep playing.
Variations
Easier
For 3-year-olds, play without a witch and use colored cones spread around the playground.
Standard
For 4-year-olds, add the witch and call colors in Italian and English.
Harder
For 5-year-olds, Italian only, and the witch can call a color plus a body part ("verde with your elbow!").
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: place colored cards within reach, and let the child be the witch who calls the colors.
- Hearing impairment: the witch holds up a card of the color while saying it.
- Color blindness or visual impairment: also use different shapes and textures for each color (rough red circle, smooth blue square).
Learning goals
- React quickly to a cue.
- Find and touch an object by its color.
- Learn about a traditional game from Italy.
Teacher tip
Spread out cards or cones in the four colors so not everyone ends up in the same spot. Have the witch walk, not run: that keeps it a reaction game instead of a chasing game.
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