The Little Mouse Who Frees the Lion
Based on Aesop's fable of the lion and the mouse, children play a no-elimination tag game where anyone can free those who are caught. It builds running, changing direction and helping others.
How to play
- The teacher tells the fable: a lion spares a mouse, and later the mouse saves him by gnawing through the net that trapped him. Mark out the jungle with cones (2 min).
- Everyone is a lion prowling the jungle on all fours and roaring; then quick little mice on tiptoe (2 min).
- A few hunters (holding a scarf) gently tag the lions, who get caught in the net: they sit down and roar for help. Any little mouse who comes along gnaws the net (tickles their hand saying “nibble, nibble”) and the lion is free to run again (5 min).
- Switch hunters. A rescued lion says thank you and then saves someone else: “I help you today, you help me tomorrow” (3 min).
- Finish lying down like lions resting in the sun, with a little mouse (a hand) on the tummy going up and down (2 min).
Rules
- Hunters tag gently with a hand on the back or arm.
- If I'm caught, I sit and roar for help.
- Whenever I see a trapped lion, I go help.
Variations
Easier
For 3-year-olds, the teacher is the only hunter and moves slowly.
Standard
For 4-year-olds, two or three children are hunters.
Harder
For 5-year-olds, add more hunters, and it takes two mice together to free a lion.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: the child in a wheelchair is the wise mouse: trapped lions who reach them are freed; or they hunt with a pool noodle.
- Visual impairment: the child plays holding a buddy's hand and trapped lions roar so they can find them.
- Autism: let them always be a rescuing mouse if being tagged is stressful.
Learning goals
- Move with changes of pace and direction.
- Help classmates keep playing.
- Understand that everyone, big or small, can help.
Equipment for a class of 25
- Scarves: 6
- Cones: 4
Teacher tip
Keep the play area fairly small so trapped children don't wait long. Practice tagging first: “like touching a bubble.”
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