The Dragon Chasing Its Tail
In groups of four, children form a dragon holding each other's shoulders; the last child wears a scarf tail and the head tries to catch it without breaking the dragon apart. It works on cooperation, moving as a coordinated group and body control on turns.
How to play
- Form lines of four with hands on the shoulders of the child in front and walk around the playground like a dragon train (2 min).
- The last child tucks a scarf into their waistband: that's the tail. The dragon wakes up and walks in curves and circles without letting go (2 min).
- The dragon's head slowly tries to catch the tail, and the tail swings away while no one lets go of shoulders (3 min).
- When the head catches the tail, the dragon roars, the head becomes the tail and we start again until everyone has been the head (3 min).
- The dragons go to sleep: let go and curl up on the ground, breathing like tired dragons (2 min).
Rules
- Don't let go of your classmate's shoulders.
- Walk and turn slowly, no pushing.
- The head only grabs the scarf.
- Everyone takes turns being the head and the tail.
Variations
Easier
For 3-year-olds, dragons of three with an adult as the head setting the pace, and no catching: they just chase the tail in circles.
Standard
For 4-year-olds, dragons of four walking quickly.
Harder
For 5-year-olds, dragons of five or six that also try to catch the tail of a nearby dragon.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: the child is the dragon's head in their wheelchair with the others holding the backrest, and the dragon turns slowly.
- Visual impairment: the child goes in the middle of the dragon for security, and the others call out the turns.
- Autism: if hands on shoulders feel uncomfortable, link the dragon with scarves held between each child.
Learning goals
- Move together as a coordinated group.
- Adjust speed and turns to classmates.
- Cooperate to keep the dragon together.
Equipment for a class of 25
- fabric scarves: 7
Teacher tip
Groups break apart at first because the head pulls too hard: ask for “a grandpa dragon” who goes slowly. Be the tail yourself in the demo so they see how to turn.
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