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Duck Duck Goose

Preschoolers love Duck Duck Goose as it provides them with lots of action and suspense.

duck duck goose game

The suspense of whose going to be called on to be the goose adds to the excitement of this popular preschool game.

Can be played indoors if you have plenty of room, but outdoors would be best for larger groups.

Hard tapping should be discouraged, kids can get carried away when they're playing. Make sure to stress that the taps are done lightly.

Object of game

To tag the Fox before he gets into your seat

Number of players

5 or more

Equipment

Room enough for the children to sit in a large circle with space for running around it

Set up

All the players sit in a circle with their legs crossed.

How to play

The players sitting in the circle are Ducks.
Pick one child to be the Fox.

The Fox slowly walks around the outside of the circle gently tapping each Duck on the head or shoulder while saying "Duck" with each tap.
After awhile the Fox should choose a Goose by saying "Goose" instead of Duck.

The Goose must quickly rise and chase the Fox around the circle trying to tag him before he reaches the spot where the Goose was sitting.

If the Fox makes it back to the Gooses spot, the Goose becomes the Fox and starts tapping heads.
If the Fox is tagged by the Goose, then he or she must continue being the Fox.

Winning the game

There are no winners or losers in this game. Everyone should get a chance to be the Fox.

Variations of duck duck goose

You can change the names of the Duck, Goose, and Fox to other animals to make the game a little more challenging.

For older children have the Fox call out each child's name as he taps them. To signal the chase he calls the person by another name instead of the right one.

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