Shark Attack

One person stands in the middle as the 'shark,' while the rest of the participants are divided into groups that position themselves around the shark. It can be a good idea to mark the area where the groups should stand. Before the game begins, each group chooses a name for who or what they are, for example, types of fish, animals, or other themes you prefer.

The game involves the shark standing in the middle and calling out the groups one by one. The group that is called out should 'swim' around the shark. After a little while, the shark shouts: 'Shark Attack!' Then everyone in the group must run back to their spot before the shark manages to tag anyone. Those who are tagged also become sharks and help to catch more in the next round. As more and more become sharks, it becomes harder for those who are still 'fish' to get home before they are tagged.

If there are many participants, it can be a good idea to make the play area larger. This prevents children from running into each other, and the game will flow better. Vary the direction the groups must 'swim' around the shark, so it's not always the same way. Remember to clearly mark where each group has their 'home base,' so there's no discussion about whether someone made it home or not when the shark comes.

Variations

• The game can also be played on skis or in the water.
• To make the game more challenging, you can decide that participants are only allowed to run when they are outside their own base, and they must walk inside the base.
• You can also vary the way they move, for example, by crawling, jumping, walking backward, or using other imaginative movements.
• Feel free to let the children themselves suggest and decide on ways of moving.