Types of Tag Games and How to Play Them

Tag (growing variant)

[Skip Tag] 1/3 First, a normal game of tag! (growing tag)

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)

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utatane

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Ice tag

[House Destruction] So who ended up in first place? We tried playing freeze tag indoors (be careful if you try this) [Kokoroman Channel]

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.

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Saitō Ayumu

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Blind Man’s Buff

Everyday Play: Blindfolded Hide-and-Seek! We played with special rules☆ Maa-chan [6 years old] Oo-chan [3 years old] #520

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.

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utatane

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lecher; sex maniac; satyr

Younger Class – Color Tag (Color Oni Game)

As the name suggests, “Color Tag” is a game of tag that uses colors.

The tagger calls out an easy-to-understand color, and anyone touching that color cannot be tagged—simple as that.

Once everyone has found the color and can’t be tagged, the game moves on to the next color.

It’s a great version of tag for young children who are learning colors.

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Saitō Ayumu

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High Tag

Siblings playing at the park — high tag, swings — Rehiha Channel

Depending on the region, it’s also called takataka or takataka tōban, and it’s a variation of tag.

In addition to the normal rules of tag, it adds a rule that if you’re in a high place you can’t be caught by the chaser.

I think it’s especially fun to play in places like parks where there’s lots of playground equipment.

9-square tag

[SixTONES] '9-Square Tag'—You Can’t Go Wrong with the Blue Tracksuit!!

Nine-Square Tag is a quirky twist on tag played in an area divided into nine squares.

At a cue, everyone on the grid moves one square at the same time.

If the chaser (“it”) lands in the same square as someone else, that person is out.

If the chaser can’t catch anyone within ten turns, they lose.

It’s perfect for camps or indoor gatherings because it works even in small spaces.

Kids and adults can enjoy it, and although simple, it engages both mind and body—great as a lively brain workout.

Give it a try!

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kojifumi

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Dribble Tag

Kaoru Mitoma shows astonishing speed in a 'dribble tag' game! He also gives advice to the kids at 'Mitoma Dream Camp 2025 supported by Google Pixel'.

This is a game of tag played while dribbling a soccer ball within an area marked off with cones or similar boundaries.

There are various rules for dribble-tag, but the type where both the chaser and the chased have to dribble is recommended, as it gets both sides really fired up.