Two children start as the chain. When they tag someone, that child joins hands between them and becomes part of the chain. The chain grows with every catch and must stay linked while it hunts. The last child to remain free wins. In a single room the chain tangles itself hilariously; outside it becomes a coordination challenge for the whole group.
How to do it
- 1"Two of you start holding hands. Everyone else runs free. When you tag someone, they join the chain in the middle."
- 2Two players start as the chain, hands linked. Everyone else runs free.
- 3Tag someone and they join the chain in the middle. It grows with every catch.
- 4Hands break, the whole chain relinks before tagging again. That's the rule that makes it hard.
Variations
- Korb-Tür: If chain-linking breaks the game, drop the linking rule: "When you're tagged, you're frozen and the game ends."
- Ausstieg: When one player remains free, chase them hard for 30 seconds and catch them, then declare them the winner and start a new game.
💡 Parent tip
The chain works best with 6 or more players. With fewer, the chain catches everyone too quickly to build any real momentum. At 8 or more, the tangles and recoveries become the game.
What your child develops
- Cooperative coordination — the chain must move as a unit, requiring constant negotiation between members
- Spatial strategy — free players must read the chain's movement and find gaps; chain members must coordinate to close them
- Physical endurance — a growing chain that stays linked is a sustained physical challenge
Safety notes
- Clear the space of furniture before playing indoors. The chain moving together can topple objects at corners.
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