Freeze Tag
Tagged players freeze until a teammate frees them, a running classic of chase and cooperation.
- Age5 to 8 years
- Time15 to 30 minutes
- EnergyVery active
- CostFree
- WhereIndoors or out
- PrepNone
A chasing game where one player is "it" and tags others, who must freeze in place until a free teammate unfreezes them with a touch. A high-energy running game that mixes chase with teamwork.
How to do it
- Mark out the boundaries of the play area so everyone knows where they can run.
- Choose one player to be "it"; everyone else spreads out inside the boundary.
- The player who is "it" chases and tags players, who must freeze in place the moment they are tagged.
- A free player can unfreeze a frozen teammate by touching them, sending them back into the game.
- Play until everyone is frozen or swap "it" after a set time, then start again.
What you need
- Space
- Players group
Signs it is working
Your child runs and dodges to avoid being tagged and freezes when caught. They notice and free frozen teammates. They stay within the boundaries and ask to play again.
If it is not quite clicking
One player is always "it" and gets tired or discouraged: Switch "it" regularly or have two taggers. A young child struggles to stay frozen: Let them freeze in an easy standing pose and count to help them hold it. Chasing gets too rough: Add a no-grabbing rule where only a light tag counts.
Make it yours
Younger, 5 years: Shrink the play area, walk or slow-jog instead of full running, and use two taggers so no one is chased too long. Older, 7-8 years: Add more taggers, a bigger area, or a rule that freeing a teammate takes a special action such as crawling under their arm. Group: Scales well to large groups; add safe zones where players cannot be tagged.
Try this with your child.
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