Sharks and Minnows

  1. Recess Games
  2. Tag Games

  • 11+ Players

  • Grades 1-2

  • Cones

  • 5-10 Minutes

This is a great game for large groups at recess. In this game, players run from one end of the playspace to the other and try to avoid getting tagged by the shark.

Goal

To run from one side of the play space to the other and be the last player to get tagged.

Before You Start

  • Demonstrate safe tagging:
    • Light touch, like butterfly wings, on the shoulder, upper arm or upper back.
    • Unsafe tags: hard contact that might cause the person being tagged to fall.
  • Review what to do when you get tagged. Players freeze until the next round of play, and then become sharks.
  • Review the boundaries of the game and remind all players to be aware of their surroundings so that they do not run into others.

Set Up

  • Designate a clear playing area large enough for the group size using cones to mark visible boundaries.
  • All players start lined up at one end of the playing area.

How to Play

  • Identify one or two players to begin as the Sharks (taggers). All other players will begin as Minnows and line up on one side of the play space.
  • To begin the round, the shark(s) move to the center of the play space and, without moving, say,”Fishy, fishy, come out and play.” 
  • On this signal the minnows begin to slowly walk towards the sharks.
  • At any time, the sharks can yell, “Shark attack!”.  
  • On this signal sharks can begin trying to tag the minnows, and the minnows must run to the opposite end of the play area.  
    • Once minnows cross the far boundary, they are safe from being tagged.
    • If a minnow is tagged they freeze.
  • Once all minnows have either been tagged or safely made it to the other side of the play area the frozen players turn into sharks and gather in the middle of the area for the next round of play.
  • The game resets when there are only one or two minnows left.  The remaining minnows become the starting sharks in the next game.

Variations

  • Instead of minnows crossing to the other side when “Shark Attack!” is called, have them run back to the starting line.
  • Change the animal pairings.  Ex. Spiders and Flies, Penguins and Polar Bears, Hawks and Mice, etc.
  • Change the consequences for getting tagged:
    • Turn into “seaweed”: players remain frozen for the rest of the game, but are able to tag any minnows swimming nearby.
    • On the first round, tagged players become a shark, on following rounds players become seaweed
  • Modify the player’s movement.  Ex. walk like a zombie, hop like a bunny, move like you are walking through glue, or skipping.