Odds and Evens Tag

  • Grades 1-2

  • Cones

Development Goal

To develop problem-solving, cooperation, teamwork, conflict resolution, strategic thinking, number sense, and math skills

Before You Start

  • Introduce concept of odd and even numbers.
  • Split the group into two teams and name one the even team and one the odd team.
  • Review boundaries.
  • Demonstrate safe tagging.

Set Up

This game is most easily played in a gym or a square space, or outside with two lines of cones on the far ends of the playing area.

How to Play

  • The game is played by both teams walking into the middle of the playing area in a side by side line, facing the opposite team.
  • The leader calls out a math problem. If the answer is odd, then the odd team chases the even team back to their side, and vice versa.
  • If members from the even team can reach their side or safe area without being tagged by a member of the odd team, they are safe. However, if you get tagged before you reach the safe area then you become a member of the other team.
  • The game concludes when all players are on one team.

Variations

 

  • The math problems can change based on the age of players. If playing with younger students, call out a single number, and players run or chase based on whether it’s odd or even. For older players, use more challenging math problems.