Grade level: 1-4
Equipment: None
Game Description: In this PE game, Farmers will try and tag the animals as they run by. Choose some pigs, cows, sheep, chickens, or whatever you’d like and let the games begin. Once tagged, the animals must run once around the barnyard before re-entering the game.
- Use the basketball court or volleyball court lines as the playing area. That is the barnyard.
- Two farmers (taggers) start in the middle.
- The rest of the players – the animals – start along one end.
- Each player is a type of animal – choose 3 different types in total.
- The farmers will call out an animal, for example ‘SHEEP’.
- When ‘SHEEP’ is called, all of the sheep try to run across to the other end without getting tagged.
- If tagged, the player who was tagged must make a lap around the barnyard before he can get back into the game.
- If farmer calls out ‘BARNYARD’ then all animals run.
- Game continues back and forth for awhile. Switch roles and animal types.
This game can be adapted for play with Kindergarten students by handing out small clip-art photos of 3 different barnyard animals to children before beginning the game. This will help them to remember their animal.