Red Light, Green Light is a learning game for youngsters that needs no special equipment. It can be played at parties, on the playground or in your own home. Teachers and babysitters appreciate this easy activity that teaches listening skills and traffic awareness, while keeping kids socially engaged. Grown-ups might be surprised to find this game a challenge, too.
Instructions
Play Red Light, Green Light
1. Choose one person to be the "Stoplight." All the other players are "Cars."
2. Mark a starting line. Have the Stoplight stand opposite the starting line a distance away--closer for younger kids, farther for older kids or to make the game last longer.
3. Begin the game when the Stoplight turns around, facing away from the starting line, and calls, "Green light!" This means all cars can go, moving at a walk toward the Stoplight in order to tag it.
4. Run when the Stoplight, still facing away from the starting line, calls "Yellow light!"
5. Stop fast when the Stoplight calls "Red light!" and whirls around, trying to catch Cars in the act of moving.
6. Lose your turn and sit out if the Stoplight says, "I saw you move!" This aspect of the game requires honesty by both players, which is reinforced by the other Cars watching.
7. Win if you tag the Stoplight first. Then you get to be Stoplight for the next game. The Stoplight wins if it gets all the Cars out before they can tag it.
8. Find rule variations and game ideas from PBS Kids by visiting Sprout online (see Resources below).