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/Demon-Chasing Games and How to Play Them (21–30)
Ice tag
It’s a rule where any child touched by the “oni” freezes up like ice and can’t move.
In some regions it’s also called “katamari-oni” or “stop-oni.” If another child touches them, they come back to life, and the game ends when everyone has been tagged.
Treasure-catching game
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Who will win, the police or the thieves? Here’s an idea for a treasure-grabbing game.
Through the roles of thieves and police, players can work with teammates to devise and execute strategies while developing quick decision-making skills—it’s a fun game! The thieves sneak past the police to carry the treasure, while the police run around to catch the thieves.
With a perfect balance of competition and cooperation, kids will burn off energy while getting totally absorbed in play.
The rules are simple, and everyone who joins the game will feel the thrill and excitement!
Tag in the pool
It’s simply a game of tag played in the pool.
Normally, tag involves sprinting at full speed to chase and catch someone, but since it’s in the water, the resistance makes it hard to move quickly, which significantly raises the difficulty.
Three-Color Tag
Ordinary tag works because there are two roles: the chasers and the runners.
So what happens if you split into three? It would surely become a more strategic and fun game of tag.
Let’s try a three-color tag game, an arrangement of the classic version.
First, divide into three color teams such as red, yellow, and blue.
Set it up so that red chases blue, blue chases yellow, and yellow chases red.
If you’re tagged by the color that’s chasing you, you’re captured and taken to the opposing team’s base.
You can add variations—like letting a teammate free you by tagging you, or allowing escapes when the number of people in the base reaches a certain amount—to make the game even more exciting.
Line Tag
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Here’s an introduction to a line tag game that can help improve attention by making you focus on two things at once.
As the name suggests, you draw lines on the floor or ground to play.
Use vinyl tape on floors, or draw white lines on the ground.
Both the tagger and the runners can move only along the lines.
Try to flee and chase while making sure your feet don’t step off the lines.
Because you have to avoid getting caught while also keeping your feet on the lines, it feels more thrilling than regular tag.
can-kicking tag
Prepare an empty can and let’s play “Kick the Can” tag.
First, choose one person to be “It,” then have one of the other children kick the empty can.
Place the can inside a circle drawn on the ground and give it a good kick.
While “It” is picking up the can and returning it to its original spot, the children can hide.
Try to hide where “It” won’t see you, like behind buildings or trees.
When “It” spots someone hiding, they say, “I found you, [name]!” and step on the can.
Anyone unlucky enough to be found is caught by “It” and must wait inside the circle.
But there’s a chance for rescue: if a hidden child kicks the can while “It” is searching, the captured children are freed and can run away.
It’s a fun game where the outcome—whether “It” wins or the kids win—keeps things exciting.
Spider Ogre Tag
Here’s an introduction to Spider Tag, a game that can help build stamina just by playing.
In regular tag, you run either to escape from the tagger or to catch someone, right? That alone uses up plenty of energy, but Spider Tag takes it up a notch! In Spider Tag, the tagger (the ‘spider’) moves on all fours, while the runners move using their hands and feet in a position similar to a back bridge, facing upward.
Many people might find the runners’ position even tougher.
It offers a different kind of fun compared to simply running to chase or escape.
It’s also recommended for kids who are bursting with energy but can’t play outside, like on a stretch of rainy days.
Ball tag
Bōru-oni is a game played in a large open space that removes the infield/outfield distinction from the dodgeball-like game Naka-ate.
It’s best to use a volleyball or a ball about the size of a child’s head.
Like tag, the “it” player catches others, but instead of grabbing them by hand, they tag them by hitting them with the ball.
In some regions, it’s also called Bara-ate.
There are defensive techniques that can only be done with a ball.
Take care when playing, as getting too absorbed can lead to collisions and other hazards.
Tag (growing variant)
At first it’s an ordinary game of tag, but even if the chaser catches and tags a child, they don’t switch roles—the original chaser stays the chaser.
Simply put, every time someone is tagged, the number of chasers increases.
You keep adding chasers and the game doesn’t end until the last child is caught.
Being chased by a crowd of chasers is pretty scary, isn’t it? (lol)
Blind Man’s Buff
The “oni” (tagger) chases the children while blindfolded.
When the oni shouts “Stop!” the children must freeze in place for 10 seconds.
If someone is caught during that time, they’re out and the role of oni switches.
If they aren’t caught after 10 seconds, they can start running again from that spot.
Because the oni is blindfolded, it’s recommended to play indoors or in a relatively small area.