Core Routines: Animal Forms, Wandering
Skills Practiced: Agility, speed, boundary awareness
Ecological Indicators: Trees, mammals
Qualities Fostered: Playfulness, Spatial Awareness, Reactivity
Directions (Shields): South (Activate), Southeast (Challenge), East (Inspire)
Suggested Age Range: 5+ (great for all ages; easy to adapt on the fly)
Timing & Energy Level: High energy; good warm-up or transition game (South/Southeast)
Set-Up & Materials:
- A wooded area with plenty of sturdy, well-spaced trees
- No props or setup required
- Brief safety check for tripping hazards
Description:
A fast-paced, playful game of tag. One person is “It.” Everyone else can only be safe while touching a tree. Players must leave the trees and run to another one—but only when It is distracted or chasing someone else. If tagged while in the open, they become the next It. This game naturally teaches pattern watching, anticipation, and bursts of movement. It keeps everyone laughing and alert.
Coyote Mentoring Tips:
- Let kids create their own boundaries and rules: “two hands for safety?” “can you tag from behind?”
- Add layers like animal movement styles: “Only hop like a rabbit today”
- Use as a release after a focused activity
Variations:
- “Tree Hug” version: freeze and name the tree species you’re touching
- Cooperative version: tag someone to unfreeze them
- Quiet Tree Tag: no talking allowed
Debrief Prompts:
- “What did you notice about how people chose their trees?”
- “Did you find a favorite tree?”
- “What helped you stay in the game?”
Story Seeds:
- Trees as protectors in myth
- Animal games in the forest
- Childhood memories of running in the woods