The Long Worm

The Long Worm

A collaborative game that challenges coordination and communication.

  • 10+ years
  • Group size: 8+
  • Duration: 20 min
  • Alternative physical activities
  • Mountains, forests and fields
  • Gym / Sports hall
  • Open space

One participant is chosen to be the worm's head. The head's task is to catch the other participants and build as long a 'worm body' as possible.

When the head catches a person, they hold each other's right hand, facing opposite directions. Now the head has the first part of the tail. The next person caught connects by holding their left hand with the next in line, and so on. In this way, about half of the worm will face one direction and the other half the opposite direction.

Only the worm's head is allowed to catch new participants. However, the tail can assist by blocking, encircling, or pressing those who are still free, helping the head catch them. The longer the worm becomes, the easier it is to catch those remaining, but at the same time, it becomes harder for the worm to move as one cohesive body.

Participants who are trapped by the worm can try to escape by crawling between two people in the tail or by breaking the chain by climbing over hands and arms. The person who is caught last wins and gets to be the worm's head in the next round.