How to Play Duck, Duck, Goose

Duck, Duck, Goose is a great game to keep kids active. It requires very little set up, and you can play as many or as few rounds as you desire, or have time for. This game is recommended for kids ages 4 and above, and is found to be one of the games of choice (both indoors and outdoors) in grade schools across the nation.

Instructions

1. Sit the group of kids in a circle. This game can be played indoors or outdoors, and can be played with as few as 6 players. The more people, the more entertaining the game can be, and the more exercise the players will get.

2. Name one of the kids in the group the "goose." This person is it, and his task is to go around the circle naming other kids as "duck" or "goose." To do this, the "goose" must walk around the circle, gently tapping the other kids on the heads and saying either "duck" or "goose." Only one goose may be named in a round.

3. Run around the circle or stay seated. The children named "duck" remain seated, while the current "goose" continues around the circle naming "duck" or "goose" to each child. When the current goose names someone else "goose," the first goose must take off running around the circle, while the new goose jumps up and chases after him around the circle.

4. Tag or sit down. If the first goose reaches the empty seat in the circle and sits down before the second goose catches him, he wins, and the second goose repeats Steps 1 through 3. If the second goose catches the first goose before the first goose reaches the empty seat, the first goose remains the goose and repeats Steps 1 through 3.

Tips & Warnings

• Consider using this game as a way to teach young kids a new language. You can use any two words that are different (including colors, numbers, or animals) and have the kids use those words in place of the words "duck" and "goose."

• Don't allow children to get too rough while playing this game. Make sure everyone knows that it is not alright to hit or slap the person on the head who is named the goose. Also, children should not be allowed to tackle or trip one another while they are running around the circle.