Zombie Tag | Simple Tag Game | The Go 2 Teacher

Struggle to get your students to participate in whole class games? A big part of engaging students in physical activity is to have something to draw them in….. a story or a theme.

Here is a basic tag game that can be easily modified and made more complex as your students adapt. This game is a creative spin on classic tag games and encourages a bit of fun a excitement in your classroom that will be sure to entice all students to participate, even the most reserved ones!

What Do You Need?

An appropriate area that students can run in
Size: a basketball court size area would be ideal
An area where you can identify clear boundaries for the game
Equipment optional- a sash for taggers so they can be identified
Coloured cones to mark the playing area

How To Play?

All students start the game in the playing area
All students are against each other, there are no teams in this game
Students are required to tag another student whilst not getting tagged themselves
When a student is tagged- they play a game of rock, paper, scissors
Whoever loses the game, is slowly becoming a zombie! To represent that they’ve already lost one game and are now turning into the Un-DEAD! They need to continue playing the game but on one foot. Hopping around but continuing the game as per normal.
The other player who won the game continues on
If a student gets tagged and loses rock paper scissors for the second time, they are not playing the game on their knees as they have lost both legs… they are not out and can continue to play as per normal.
If they lose for a third time in a row, the student is now a full zombie and has to lay on their back until they are revived by another student.
To be revived they will need to get a hi- from another student or the teacher.
Zombies can get their legs back! – if a student who has lost a game and continues to play and then tags another student and wins their rock, paper and scissor game they get their leg back.
Each time you win, you get a limb back, each time you lose, you lose a limb.

What Is The Goal Of The Game?

To turn as many other students into zombies as you can without becoming zombie yourself!
To tag and not be tagged!

How Can You Modify It?

Make It Easier!

Remove the rock paper scissor game and who ever gets tagged has to sit down
If you get tagged, you sit down for a count of 10 seconds and then return to the game
Select one or two students to be taggers

Make it Harder!

You can get limbs back if you lose them
Make the playing area larger or smaller!
You can only tag knees!
You can only tag elbows!
If you become a zombie you are out of the game! Elimination tag

What Are The Main Skills Being Utilised?

Fundamental Movement Skills:

Locomotor- run, jump, dodge, lunge, side step, leap, hop
Stability- turning, balance, stopping, bending, stretching

Tactical Skills:

Scanning the field of play to make decisions
Looking for gaps on the field to avoid being tagged
Cooperative play, supporting teammates
Following rules and structures of a game
Critical thinking through decision-making

Why Should You Play Tag Games?:

Active Play: Tag games increase kids’ physical activity by 25%, keeping them healthy and fit. (Source: Journal of School Health)

Making Friends: Playing tag helps kids learn how to talk and cooperate with others. (Source: American Academy of Pediatrics)

Better Focus: Kids who play tag often do better in school because they can concentrate more. (Source: Journal of Physical Activity and Health)

Less Stress: Playing tag helps kids feel happier and less worried. (Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

Moving Better: Tag games help kids get better at running, jumping, and moving their bodies. (Source: Journal of Motor Learning and Development)

Tag games are a fantastic simple style of activities to get your students physically active and engaged in co-operative play. If you want to read a more in-depth article on why tag games are extremely important to use as a classroom teacher for fitness activities or a physical education teacher as part of your curriculum, click here!

Here are some other great articles that may help you in your teaching journey!