Space Invaders (Running)

Kiddo CAMSA Demo M2410BJ Screen Grab 03.jpg

A fun invasion game that requires teamwork and pace adjustments to keep everyone moving together until all players have been tagged. Players attempt to evade the Space Invaders by running along the lines and changing direction to avoid being caught. 

Set up

This game requires an area with lots of marked lines (such a court with basketball and netball line markings, or a rugby field with many line markings). 

How to play
Step 1:
  • Nominate one, two or three 'Space Invaders' (depending on the size of your group). Give the Space Invaders a bib to wear. 
  • Ask children to spread out on the marked lines. Everyone (including the Space Invaders) must run on the lines. 
Step 2:
  • Runners have to run away from the Space Invaders for as long as possible. 
  • However...  
    • All players are only allowed to run along the lines.
    • All players must change direction every time they get to a junction. They may turn to travel in any direction they want - except backwards (no player is allowed to turn around and go backwards in the direction they have just run from). 
  • Once a runner is tagged by a Space Invader, they must join in and run behind the Space Invader (following the leader). The Space Invader must run at a pace that everyone in the 'snake' line behind them can keep up with. 
  • This continues until all players have been caught by the Space Invaders. 
Step 3:
  • Restart the game and choose different children to be the Space Invader leaders. 
  • Ask questions - how did you ensure no one was left behind when you were the Space Invader? (Slowing down to ensure the Space Invader and their snake is moving at a pace that everyone who has been caught can keep up with).
Variations
Make it easier
  • Play the game in a smaller area
Make it harder
  • Play the game on more than one court (courts will need to be side-by-side)
  • Add in more Space Invaders (taggers)
Activity information
Age: Pre-Primary, Year 1, Year 2, Year 3, Year 4, Year 5, Year 6
Participants: 10 +
Equipment: Bibs
Duration: 10 minutes
Skill focus
Explore these skills for teaching tips
Skill teaching

Encourage a smooth, relaxed, rhythmic running style: 

  1. HEAD: still and eyes up and looking ahead. 
  2. ARMS: bent and travel from 'hip to lip'. 
  3. REV YOUR ENGINE: high knee lift, running along an imaginary line. 
  4. LAND: on the ball of your foot. 
Physical literacy tips
  • Gradually increase the size of the playing area to challenge their stamina and improve fitness.
  • Add in more Space Invaders to speed up the game and challenge the group