Sock Tag

In this version of tag, you take a sock -- or a ribbon or clothespin -- and tuck it in your pants, like a tail.

• Once you start the game, each person tries to grab the other kids' "tails."
• If your tail gets taken, you have to do a chosen move -- like 10 jumping jacks or a somersault.
• Then you can start chasing players to get more tails again.
• Whoever has the most tails at the end wins.

Up and Down

This is called "Oonch Neech" in Pakistan. But it's a lot like tag. Here's how you play:

• One person is "It" and runs to try to catch the other players.
• To stay safe from It, players don't just use a "home base." They have to get on top of something, like a bench, a jungle gym, or anything stable you can climb.

Creative Kickball

Want to give kickball a new zing? Try it like this:

• The pitcher rolls the ball to the player at bat who is ready to kick the ball.
• As he pitches the ball, the pitcher shouts out an activity like "Bunny hop!" or "Flap your arms like chicken!"
• Once the batter kicks the ball, he has to hop or flap instead of just run from base to base.

Over-Under-Through

This can be like Follow the Leader. Here's how you play:

• Everyone lines up on an imaginary obstacle course around the playground or field.
• One person is the leader and calls out actions for everyone to follow. They should be ways to move -- "walk like a crab," "crawl under an elephant's legs," or "swim through jelly."
• Keep doing that action over and over until the leader calls out another.
• After you get through the course, the next person in line gets to be leader.

Ankle Races

This relay race is kind of like a potato sack race.

• Grab your ankles and run to the finish line while you're still holding them.
• You have to start over if you fall down or lose your grip, so you don't always have to be fast to win.
• You could also try it while crab-walking.