Team Kick the Can
A school version of Kick the Can, the classic hide-and-seek chase game: one team guards a can while the other tries to knock it over to free captured teammates. Students work on reaction speed, decision making and teamwork.
How to play
- Put a recycled plastic bottle with a little sand (the can) inside a cone circle with a 6 ft radius. Mark the boundaries and point out safe hiding spots.
- Two teams in pinnies: 5 guards, everyone else hides. Guards count to 20 touching the can.
- When a guard spots someone, they run to the can, touch it and call "one, two, three on" plus the name; that player goes to jail by the circle.
- If a hidden player knocks the can over with their foot before a guard gets there, everyone in jail is freed and hides while guards reset the can and count to 10.
- Rounds last 4 minutes or until everyone is caught. Switch guards each round.
- Play 4 rounds and wrap up by talking about strategies.
Rules
- The can may only be tipped over with the foot, no hard kicking: just knock it down.
- Guards may not stay inside the can circle for more than 5 seconds in a row.
- Nobody hides outside the boundaries or anywhere the teacher can't see.
- Safety: no pushing or colliding at the can; if two arrive together, the first to touch it without contact wins.
Variations
Easier
Guards may only call players they can see completely, not just a part of them.
Standard
Five guards, 4-minute rounds and everyone freed when the can goes down.
Harder
Use two cans at opposite ends; both must be knocked over to free everyone.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: the student can free others by touching the can with a hand or a dowel, and their approach circle is 6 ft closer.
- Hearing impairment: the teacher raises a colored pinnie to signal the start and end of each round.
- Fitness level: the fastest players on each team must hide farther away, in a zone marked with red cones.
Learning goals
- Decide when to leave a hiding spot based on where the guards are.
- React quickly in short sprints toward a target.
- Learn a traditional street game and play it with agreed safety rules.
Equipment for a class of 25
- recycled bottles: 2
- cones: 20
- pinnies: 6
Teacher tip
Walk the area first and put dangerous or hidden spots off-limits. If guards camp at the can, enforce the 5-second rule firmly to keep the game moving.
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