Island Parent Pre-Summer 2023

Run Rabbit Run
Audience age: 4+
Time needed: 15–20 minutes
Materials: a handful of bandanas can mark the boundary
lines on each side.
Where to play: Field or grassy meadow
How to play: One player starts as “it,” (the wolf), everyone
else are rabbits. The wolves start in the middle, and the rabbit’s
line up on one side of the play area. When the wolves say,
“run, rabbit, run,” the players try to run to the other side. If
the wolves tag them before they get to the other side, the player
must sit down where they were tagged. They become a tree and
can use their arms to tag other runners. The game ends when
all but one player has been tagged.
How many can play: 6+ players
Variation: Play with two wolves
Source: greatgroupgames.com/run-rabbit-run
If a child needs a break from pursuit games, try:
Hungry Birds
Audience age: 4+
Time needed: 15–20 minutes
Materials: 2–3 balls of yarn, each in a different colour
Where to play: A forest or garden
How to play: Cut 20 strips of yarn (15 cm long) for each colour.
An adult hides all yarn pieces, keeping in mind the height
of players. Explain the game on the edge or away from the play
area. Players are birds and need to find worms (yarn) because
they are hungry! But you can only pick up worms that are your
team’s colour. The other colours are poisonous. Depending
on player age, you can set a time limit or play until they’re all
found. Collect worms into a pail or tie them to a stick. Ask kids
to reflect on how they found them? What colours of yarn were
easiest to find? Count the worms!
How many can play? 4–20+ players
Fun fact: This game encourages observation skills (developing
a search image), kids learn about camouflage (nature’s adaptation),
test fine motor skills and practice counting. Kids love
to take turns hiding the worms for their playmates or parents.
Scent Scavenger Hunt
Audience age: 3+
Time needed: 15–20 minutes
Materials: 1 egg carton/child
Where to play: A forest, field or garden
How to play: On the top cover of an egg carton write these
six scents—piney, earthy, mossy, fruity, flowery. Send teams to
find 1–2 items for each scent. Embrace respectful harvesting
practices, like only taking one blossom or fruit.
How many can play? 4 or more players.
Lindsay Coulter is a writer, educator, facilitator,
naturalist, community catalyst, soul activist, mentor,
and dedicated mother of two. She’s the Director of
Communications, Culture and Community at EPIC
Learning Centre, a forest and nature school in Victoria.
Find her @SaneAction on Instagram and Facebook.
IslandParent.ca
Pre-Summer 2023 11