Simple Chase Game
Adult or older sibling chases the child gently, then child chases back. Vary by walking, crawling, slow motion, or silly-style movement.
- Age18 months to 6 years
- Time5 to 15 minutes
- EnergyVery active
- CostFree
- WhereIndoors or out
- PrepNone
Take turns chasing each other around a clear indoor or outdoor space. Keep it silly and safe by varying the movement style: walking only, crawling, slow motion, or monster stomps. Works in any space big enough to run a few steps.
How to do it
- Pick a movement style to start with: walking only, slow motion, crawling, or silly stomps. Announce it before chasing begins.
- You chase your child first, calling out what you are ("I'm the slow monster! Coming to get you!"). Move slowly enough that your child can escape but fast enough to feel exciting.
- When you catch them, give a gentle tag and switch: now they chase you. You run slowly so they can catch you.
- Each time you switch, change the movement style. Try: tiptoeing, hopping, walking backwards, crab-walking.
- End when either of you is tired or when the child moves to something else.
What you need
- Clear space
Signs it is working
Your child giggles while being chased. They move purposefully to escape rather than running away entirely. They chase you with similar energy when the roles switch
If it is not quite clicking
Child runs too fast and gets anxious rather than delighted: Dial back the energy: move in very slow motion and make it obviously silly until they relax into the game. Child doesn't want to do the chasing: Keep letting them be the one being chased; role reversal is optional. The space is too small for running: Switch to walking-only mode or crab-walk mode to keep it safe
Make it yours
Younger (2-3y): Use very slow "monster" mode: almost freeze-frame movement: so the child has plenty of time to react. Keep the space small so they don't lose sight of you. Older (5-7y): Add a safe base (a pillow, a chair) where the chased person is briefly safe. Introduce counting to 5 before chasing resumes. Siblings: One chases both, or two-on-one with the parent as the one being chased. Designed stopping signal: Agree on a round count before starting (e.g. three rounds each, cycling through all movement styles). Announce "last round!" so the child can prepare for the end. When all styles have been played once, that is the natural game-complete signal.
Try this with your child.
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