![[Heated] Summary of modified rules for the tail-grab game](https://i.ytimg.com/vi_webp/GyIXbiqo7Eo/maxresdefault.webp)
Many of you probably played “tail tag” when you were little, right?
It’s that game where you tuck a towel or a strip of newspaper into the back of your pants and run around!
It’s a classic, beloved recreation enjoyed across generations.
Here, we’ve put together some fun variations on the rules of tail tag.
Even small tweaks to the rules or how you play can make it feel fresh, so kids won’t get bored and will keep having fun.
Use this article as a guide and try it during exercise time at preschools, kindergartens, or elementary schools.
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- [Heated] Summary of modified rules for the tail-grab game
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[Heated] Tail-Tag Variations: Rules Summary (1–10)
Three-Color Tail Tag
If you want to try playing with rules more complex than regular tail tag, we recommend the three-color tail tag.
It’s a recreation activity where teamwork among children is crucial, making it perfect for physical activity time.
Divide participants into three teams—such as blue, yellow, and red—and set a rule that red can only take blue tails, blue can only take yellow tails, and yellow can only take red tails.
Since the number of tails each team can take is limited relative to the number of players, team discussion and strategy are important.
Why not try this recreation activity and experience the sense of accomplishment that comes from team sports?
Team Tag (Flag Pull)
As the name suggests, team tail tag is a game where players split into teams and play a tail-tag match.
Compared to regular tail tag, it helps develop cooperation and situational judgment, making it a good choice for educational settings.
In regular tail tag, athletic ability tends to determine the outcome, but here, team strength comes into play, so it’s ideal even when there are children who aren’t confident in sports.
It’s most often played with two teams, but variations with three or four teams work too.
A tournament format can also make it even more exciting.
Give it a try when you want to play with a large group.
Rock-Paper-Scissors Tail Tag
A recreation game where you guess rock, paper, or scissors hidden behind someone’s back instead of a tail.
You don’t need any equipment to start, so it’s great for play in any setting.
The teacher or parent tells each child which hand shape—rock, paper, or scissors—to make.
At the start signal, everyone goes to check their opponent’s back.
While keeping your own back from being seen, chase after your opponent’s back! Try these simple yet sure-to-get-heated rules.
Crawling tail tag
Here’s a crawling tail-tag game everyone can enjoy.
The runners attach a “tail” to their backside and crawl to escape.
The tagger chases by crawling and tries to grab the tail.
If your tail is taken, do five jumps on the spot to revive and rejoin the game.
Adjust the play area size based on the number of players.
If it’s too large, it can be hard to catch anyone since everyone is crawling.
Choose a moderate space and have fun.
Setting a time limit for each round is recommended.
King Tail Tag
Here’s a game called “King Tail Tag” that also tests team unity.
The runners all face inward, hold hands, and form a circle to get ready.
Inside the circle, one representative wears a tail.
The chaser wins if they manage to grab the representative’s tail! The representative works together with the teammates in the circle, spinning around to keep the tail from being taken.
Watch the chaser’s movements and rotate right or left to avoid getting caught.
Team cohesion and the chaser’s split-second decisions will decide the game!
1v1 hand-holding tail tag
An arrangement of tail tag that helps kids bond is the 1-on-1 Hand-Holding Tail Tag.
Just like the usual rules, you face your opponent and try to grab each other’s tail, but with an added rule: you hold your opponent’s hand and don’t let go.
Even as the battle heats up, the sight of them holding hands is super cute.
It’s a recreation activity that gets bodies moving while deepening friendships.
Since it’s a game where you get close to your opponent, be careful not to bump heads or bodies while you play.
Multi-person rotating tail tag
Rotating tail tag with multiple players lets you enjoy both the fun of chasing friends and classmates and the thrill of being chased at the same time.
You form a circle on the playground or in the gym and run along the circle while trying to grab each other’s “tails.” Anyone who loses their tail steps out of the circle, and the last remaining player wins—it’s a survival-style recreation.
You can also enjoy the mind games: if you focus too much on grabbing tails, you’ll become an easy target when the signal is given to reverse direction.
Why not adopt these rules to guarantee a fired-up, energetic PE session?