Activity 2: Game - Steal the Bacon
Activity time: 10 minutes
Materials for Activity
- An object that serves as the "bacon" (something that will not roll or bounce; a glove or hat works well)
Preparation for Activity
- Create a space large enough for the group to form two lines facing each other and about 10-15 feet apart.
- Agree about who will be the umpire. If there is an even number of children, an adult can be umpire; if not, one of the children can be umpire.
- Agree to play the game until one side earns 5 points.
Description of Activity
This game uses fast-paced movement to explore the penalty for getting caught "stealing the bacon." The object of Steal the Bacon is to take the "bacon" back to your own side without being caught.
Form the children into two teams. Ask each team to count off, starting with the number 1. The two teams face one another in a straight line approximately 10-15 feet apart.
The umpire calls out a number. The players on each side who are assigned that number are the players for that round. No other team members may leave their side of the field.
Neither player may touch the other until someone touches the bacon. Once a player touches the bacon, however, the other player may tag him or her.
If a player is able to grab the bacon and carry it back over to their own side, that team scores a point. If a player is tagged after touching the bacon but before returning to their own side, the team that tagged him or her scores a point.
What usually happens is that both kids run out and then hover over the bacon, each waiting for a slight advantage to grab it and run back before the other can react.
The game is over when a predetermined number of points are scored or when all numbers have been called.
Including All Participants
Be mindful of accessibility issues. Participants with those issues may serve as umpire, or the game can be modified. Instead of running in and out of line, have the players whose turn it is sit or stand next to one another with the “bacon” in the center; the first person to snatch it gets the point.