Group Size: 10-100
Age Group: preK-5th grades
Length of Activity: 10 minutes
Developmental Goals: To develop listening skills and a sense of boundaries.
Skills Practiced: Agility and awareness
Equipment Needed: None (cones could prove helpful)
Set Up: Set up a clearly designated rectangular play area with visible boundaries.
Before You Start: Once the students understand what the sharks will say, what the minnows do and when and where to run when ‘Shark Attack!’ is called, they are ready to start.
Choose a few students to be sharks and everyone else will be minnows.
The sharks stand in the middle of the play area and say “Fishy, fishy, come out and play.” The
minnows slowly walk towards the sharks.
At any time, the sharks can yell “Shark Attack!”
The minnows must run to the opposite boundary line without being tagged.
If a minnow is tagged, they become a shark.
When there are only one or two minnows left; they become the sharks in the next round.
Variation(s):
Another option is to have minnows run back to the starting line when “Shark Attack” is called.
You can choose different predators and prey.
Change the consequences for getting tagged.
If you get tagged on the first attempt to get to the other side, you become a shark.
On all following attempts, if you are tagged, you become seaweed and you cannot move your feet.
Indoor Modifications:
Instead of running, only toe-to-heel walking is allowed for both sharks and minnows.
If there are too many kids to play safely in the space, divide into groups and play multiple rounds.
Another option would be for the Sharks to say “Fishy, fishy, come out and play, if...” and call out different characteristics (“if you are wearing the color green” or “if you have a sister”.) This would help limit the number of people moving at any one time.