Group games are a great way to get everyone to play together in a room or field. Include an active icebreaker game like Cat and Mouse, and you’ll be in for a fun time where everyone will be expected to run, laugh, and have a great time ahead.
Features of the Cat and Mouse Game
| ★ Game Name | Cat and Mouse |
| ★ Group size | any |
| ★ Age | kids (6+) and teens |
| ★ Type | active |
| ★ Skill | balance / running |
| ★ Place | indoor (gym) and outdoor |
| ★ Time | up to 5 – 15 min |
| ★ Preparation | no |
| ★ Materials | rope |
Aim of the Game
If you’re familiar with the game of tag, then a game of Cat and Mouse will come easy for you. Just remember that your goal as a mouse is to avoid being tagged by the cat while the cat must try to tag the mouse.
Ideal Age and Group Sizes for Cat and Mouse
Cat and Mouse is a great group game even when you have small groups of 4 players. Of course, more players are always welcome, but you may want to separate everyone into smaller groups so they can take turns alternating roles.
Cat and Mouse may be played by anyone aged 6 and up. Younger children playing Cat and Mouse should receive adult supervision to avoid being hurt by the jump rope.
Preparation and Needed Materials
Cat and Mouse require a large space and a jump rope to play. This is a game that requires active participation, so be sure that everyone is wearing comfortable shoes to jump and run.
How to play Cat and Mouse Group Game
To play Cat and Mouse, you must first assign these 4 roles to your players:
- 2 rope holders
- Cats
- Mice
To ensure all players get to enjoy Cat and Mouse the same way as others, you’ll want to alternate these roles for everyone. One simple way to do this is by switching their roles each time a mouse is caught. And without further ado, here’s how to play Cat and Mouse:
Step 1: Begin by having the rope holders swing the jump rope continuously. The mouse will first run in a figure-8 and jump over the rope. Continue running in this figure-8 to avoid being caught by the cat.
Step 2: Once the mouse has made his or her first jump, the cat will follow through. Like the mouse, the cat must also run in a figure-8 and jump over the rope before he or she continues to chase after the mouse.
Step 3: Both the cat and mouse must run in a figure-8 without going too far from the jump rope. Each time they approach the jump rope, they must make a successful jump. If either the cat or mouse gets caught by the jump rope, they will be eliminated. The game ends when the cat catches up to the mouse.
Step 4: Continue the game by alternating the roles of the players, allowing more playtime for everyone to train their hand-eye coordination as they play this active group game.
Different ways to play Cat and Mouse
Like most group games, Cat and Mouse can also be played with alternative variations. Here are some ideas on how to switch up your game of Cat and Mouse:
- Omit the rope: If you’re playing with younger children or the elderly, you may opt to omit the jump rope for your players’ safety. Instead, you could add a rule like having your Cat and Mouse give the “rope holders” a High 5 each time they pass through.
- Jump twice: To make the game a little more difficult, you may also opt for your Cat and Mouse players to jump the rope twice instead of once. As a result, you may want to include a rule in which the cat cannot tag the mouse when they’re jumping.