Steal the bacon game

The Steal The Bacon Game is ideal for middle school kids and pre-teens. The good news is that it’s a fun game that does not involve stealing bacon from the neighbor’s house. In fact, it has nothing to do with a piece of meat! You will need some objects that can be grabbed quickly, such as toys, balls, fruits, pens, etc., around 30 in number. Grab the kids and head outside for some fun!

Game sheet

• Number of players: from 8 children
• Ages: from 7 years old
• Supplies: aroung 30 objects such as toys, balls, fruits, pens…
• Played outdoors
• Play time: about 25 min

Setup:

1. Choose small objects to be the “bacon,” such as a stuffed animal or a ball.
2. Divide players into two teams and choose a playing area with clearly defined boundaries.
3. Give each player a number, each group should have a one, a two, etc. Use a washable marker to write their numbers on their hands.
4. Place the bacon in the center of the playing area.

Steal the Bacon game Rules

Divide the group into two equal teams. Have the two teams stand face-to-face in two parallel lines, with a sizable gap in between. Get your objects together, but place only one in the center gap between the two lines of partygoers.
Assign a number to each member of both teams, such that every member of one side has a counterpart with the same number on the opposing team.
The moderator will call out a number at random, and the two kids with that assigned number should try to grab the object in the center.
The player who successfully grabs the bacon must run back to their team’s side of the playing area without being tagged by an opposing player.
If a player is tagged while carrying the bacon, they must drop it and return to their team’s side of the playing area. The opposing team can then try to grab the bacon and return it to their side of the playing area.
If a player successfully brings the bacon back to their team’s side of the playing area without being tagged, they earn a point for their team.

The team with the highest score after all of the objects have been collected wins. To make the game a bit more challenging, place all of the objects in the middle and call out both the number and the object to activate the kids.

This game requires running, dodging, tagging, and strategic thinking, making it a fun and engaging way for kids to get exercise and stay active. It also encourages teamwork, communication, and sportsmanship among players.

Variants

• Team version: In this version, players are divided into two or more teams, and the objective is for each team to steal the bacon from the opposing team and bring it back to their own side of the playing area. The first team to reach a predetermined number of points wins the game.
• Point system version: In this version, players can earn different numbers of points based on how they bring the bacon back to their team’s side of the playing area. For example, carrying the bacon back without being tagged could earn two points, while passing the bacon to a teammate could earn one point.
• Elimination version: In this version, players who are tagged while carrying the bacon are out for the remainder of the game. The last player or team standing wins.
• Relay version: In this version, players are divided into two or more teams, and each team has a designated relay point on their side of the playing area. The first player from each team runs to the center of the playing area to grab the bacon, and then brings it back to their team’s relay point. The next player on the team then runs to the center of the playing area to grab the bacon, and so on. The first team to complete a predetermined number of relay cycles wins the game.
• Call more than one number at a time and require players to pass the bacon once before they can score.

The educational advantages of the Steal the Bacon game

• generate fun atmosphere: Steal the Bacon is a fun and exciting game that can help kids develop a love for physical activity and outdoor play.
• Physical activity: Steal the Bacon requires running, dodging, and tagging, which provides a fun and engaging way for kids to get exercise and stay active.
• Teamwork: Steal the Bacon can be played in teams, which encourages cooperation, communication, and strategizing among players.
• Socialization: Playing Steal the Bacon with other kids can help children develop social skills such as communication, cooperation, and sportsmanship.
• Problem-solving: Steal the Bacon involves trying to outsmart and outmaneuver the opposing team, which encourages children to use their problem-solving skills to come up with effective strategies.
• Confidence building: Successfully grabbing the bacon and bringing it back to their team’s side can give children a sense of accomplishment and boost their confidence.
• learning and listening to the rules of the game

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