Sharks and Minnows
One shark stands in the middle while the minnows try to cross the ocean without being tagged. Tagged minnows become seaweed and help catch the rest.
- Whole class
- 10 to 15 min
- Cones to mark two end lines
- Kindergarten to 5th grade
- Lively
How to Play
5 steps
Mark the ocean
Set two end lines with cones. The space between them is the ocean.
Pick a shark
One student stands in the middle. Everyone else lines up on one end as minnows.
Fishy, fishy, cross my ocean
The shark calls it out, and all the minnows run for the other end.
Tagged turns to seaweed
A tagged minnow freezes where they were tagged and can tag others with their arms, without moving their feet.
Last minnow wins
Keep crossing until one minnow is left. They start the next round as the shark.
Ways to Change It Up
- Two SharksAdd a second shark for a big class or a small space.
- Animal MovesMinnows cross hopping, skipping or crab-walking.
What You Need
No tools needed: Sharks and Minnows takes cones to mark two end lines.
More PE Games
All PE Games
Kickball
LivelyBaseball with a rubber ball: roll the pitch, kick it and run the bases.
Capture the Flag
LivelySneak into the other team's half, grab their flag and bring it home without getting tagged.
Steal the Bacon
LivelyCall a number and two players race to grab the bacon and get it home untagged.
Sharks and Minnows Questions
Plan the Game into the Week
Drop a game into any lesson plan in EMStudio, with the rules attached. Free to start.
Get Started for Free