The Fisher's Net of Hands

The teacher is a fisher who catches fish, and each fish caught takes hold of the fisher's hand to make the net longer, until the whole sea is in the net and we start again. Nobody sits out: tagged kids keep playing as part of the net.

How to play

1. Fish swim around the sea (a marked area) and the fisher explains the net is made of hands (1 min).
2. The fisher tags the first fish and takes their hand: now they're a net of two chasing together (2 min).
3. The net grows with every fish caught; only the free hands at each end can tag (3 min).
4. When the net reaches six, it splits into two nets of three so it's easier to run together (3 min).
5. When everyone has been caught, the whole net makes a circle, opens up and lets the fish back into the sea for one more round (2 min).
6. The circle net slowly lifts and lowers its arms like waves (1 min).

Rules

• The net doesn't let go: we run together.
• Only the hands at the ends can tag.
• Fish don't duck under the net.
• If the net breaks, we stop and hold hands again.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: the net moves at the child's pace; in a wheelchair, a net buddy pushes or rolls alongside without letting go.
• Visual impairment: as part of the net, the child goes in the middle between two classmates who guide them.
• Autism or touch sensitivity: partners in the net can hold a scarf between them instead of hands.

Learning goals

• Coordinate running with classmates.
• Agree on which way to go.
• Keep playing in a new role once tagged.

Teacher tip

Keep the sea small (half the playground at most) or the net will never catch anyone. Running the same way is the hardest part: have each net pick an end leader who says where to go.

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