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Octopus Tag: a sticker of a friendly purple octopus waving its arms

Octopus Tag

The octopus in the middle tags the fish crossing the ocean. Tagged fish sit down as tentacles and can tag passing fish from where they sit.

  • Whole class
  • 10 min
  • Cones for the two end lines
  • Kindergarten to 5th grade
  • Lively
One page with all five steps

How to Play

5 steps
  1. Octopus Tag, step 1: Set the ocean

    Set the ocean

    Mark two end lines. The octopus stands in the middle.

  2. Octopus Tag, step 2: Call the fish

    Call the fish

    The octopus calls 'Octopus!' and the fish run to the other side.

  3. Octopus Tag, step 3: Tagged become tentacles

    Tagged become tentacles

    A tagged fish sits or kneels right where they were tagged.

  4. Octopus Tag, step 4: Tentacles tag too

    Tentacles tag too

    Tentacles tag passing fish with their arms but can't move from their spot.

  5. Octopus Tag, step 5: Last fish wins

    Last fish wins

    The last untagged fish becomes the next octopus.

Ways to Change It Up

  • Color CallsThe octopus calls a shirt color, and those fish run first.
  • Turning TentaclesTentacles may pivot on one foot.

What You Need

No tools needed: Octopus Tag takes cones for the two end lines.

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Octopus Tag Questions

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