Types of Tag Games and How to Play Them
Tag, that simple game where the person who’s “it” touches someone to pass on the role, is something just about everyone has played.
It’s said that if you trace it back, its origins lie in Heian-period rituals for driving away demons.
Today, it has evolved into many different variations.
This time, we’ll introduce some of those diverse forms of tag.
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Types of tag/“oni” games and how to play them (1–10)
Mukkuri Kuma-san!
“Mukkuri Kuma-san” is a game of tag where you can enjoy music and singing.
First, choose one person to be “it” (the bear), and the others will be the children who run away.
The bear sits down and covers their face with both hands.
The children form a circle around the bear, hold hands, and walk around the bear while singing along to the music.
In the lyrics, there is a part at the end where the bear wakes up; at that point, the bear opens their eyes and starts chasing the children.
When the bear wakes up, the children should immediately let go of each other’s hands and run away.
Whoever is caught becomes the next bear.
Arranged ice ogre
In freeze tag, if a child is touched by the It (oni), they freeze and can’t move; if a teammate touches them, they can run again.
It’s a classic game of tag that kids have loved for ages.
First, decide who’s It with rock-paper-scissors or similar.
Choose the number of Its based on the total number of players.
At the start signal, the children run away and the It chases them.
The It should not only chase the runners but also guard frozen players to prevent them from being rescued.
When freezing, standing still is fine, but you can also add a twist—like striking a monkey pose—so it’s clear they’ve been tagged.
Tag, where kids and adults both have fun: “Hand-Holding Oni (Tag)”
Participants are divided into one “it” and the “children.” The children form pairs and hold hands.
At the start signal, the children run away, and “it” chases them and tries to touch their joined hands.
When a pair is touched by “it,” they must let go, find a new partner, hold hands again, and keep running.
At the finish signal, any child who is in a pair is safe; any child left alone loses.
If there are many children, you can increase the number of “it” players.
It’s a game everyone can enjoy, and it helps people get friendly even if they’re meeting for the first time.
Types of tag/oni games and how to play them (11–20)
Traditional children’s game “Abukutatta”
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Abukutatta is a fun game that mixes a thumping heartbeat and excited anticipation, and even small children can enjoy it.
Choose one person to be “it,” have them sit in the center with their face covered.
The others join hands to form a circle around “it,” and walk around while singing.
As the song progresses, there’s a part where the people holding hands say, “Knock, knock, knock.” When that happens and “it” says, “It’s the sound of a ghost,” everyone breaks the circle and runs away.
Whoever gets tagged by “it” becomes the next “it.” If you add your own original sounds during the “What sound is it?” part, the game becomes even more exciting.
athletic tag
It’s a game of tag using the playground equipment.
If your opponent touches the ground, they lose.
A tag doesn’t count when their hands or feet are touching the equipment, so the key is probably to lure them down to the ground.
It’s quite intense, so it might be better to play when there aren’t many people around.
Tag, You’re It (Kenken-oni)
As the name suggests, it’s a game of tag played while hopping on one leg.
Both the chaser and the runners have a hard time moving, so it’s quite challenging.
Repeated one-legged jumps also help train your core.
Since it evens out the fitness gap between adults and children, anyone can enjoy it easily.
Name demon
Choose one person to be “it.” The children ask, “Oni-san, Oni-san, who is it?” The person who’s “it” names one of the children.
Then everyone chases and tries to catch the named child, and the person who is the last to catch them becomes the next “it.” It’s like the name-version of the color-tag game.
