Duck, Duck, Goose

Set up

Sit everyone on the floor or the grass in a circle, facing inward, with a little space between each player. Clear the area outside the circle of bags, toys and anything else to trip over. Choose one player to be the tapper.

How to play

1. The tapper walks around the outside of the circle, gently tapping each player on the head and saying “duck” with each tap.
2. Whenever they choose, the tapper taps someone and says “goose!”
3. The goose jumps up and chases the tapper around the circle in the same direction.
4. The tapper runs to sit in the goose’s empty place.
5. If the tapper sits down before being tagged, the goose becomes the new tapper.
6. If the goose tags the tapper first, the tapper goes again, or sits in the middle, depending on your house rule.

Safe running

Agree beforehand that both players run around the outside, in the same direction, without cutting across the circle. Taps go on the top of the head and stay gentle. For very young children or a small room, change running to fast walking: the chase is just as exciting.

Ways to change it

• Gray duck: in this regional version, the tapper names colors, “red duck, green duck”, and “gray duck” starts the chase. It keeps everyone listening closely.
• Water goose: in summer, the tapper carries a cup of water and drips a little on each duck, then tips the rest over the goose.
• Animal goose: the chase has to be done as an animal the tapper names: hopping like a bunny, waddling like a penguin.
• Two circles: for groups over about twenty, split into two circles so turns come round faster.

Who it suits, and who it doesn’t

Duck, Duck, Goose suits children from about three to seven, a preschool class, a birthday party in the yard or a family gathering on a lawn. It needs no equipment and explains itself after one round. It needs room to run around the circle safely. Older children tire of it quickly, and some young children do not like being chased; let them be the tapper instead.