Shadow Tag
What you need
- a sunny bit of open grass or the playground
How to do it
- On a sunny day, find your shadows on the ground and wave, jump and wiggle to see them copy you.
- Explain the game: whoever is chasing tries to step on the other person's shadow.
- Chase each other, trying to stamp on a shadow while keeping your own out of reach.
- Let them make up a new rule for the next round: shadows can only be caught with a jump, or the chaser has to hop.
Why it matters
A shadow can't be left behind, only kept out of reach, and guarding it at full pelt means thinking about where the sun is.
What they're learning
- Dodging and turning
- Quick changes of direction.
- Watching the shadow
- Where is it now?
- Making rules
- A new rule for each round.
What to look for
Notice them turning their back to the sun to keep their shadow in front.
A tip
Hats and sun cream on, and pick a clear patch well away from roads, with nothing to trip on.
Make it easier or harder
Easier: you're always the chaser, and they keep their shadow away from your feet
Harder: try to make your shadows shake hands without your real hands touching
