Red Light & Green Light Activities for Preschool

Red Light, Green Light

• One person is chosen as the "stop light" and stands about 15 feet away from the other players who line up across a starting line. The stop light faces away from the other players and says "green light." The players creep towards him slowly. He may call "red light" at any time and turn around. The other players must stop moving instantly. Any player caught moving is out. Play continues when the stop light turns away and says "green light." The first player to reach the stop light wins, and becomes the new stop light for the next round. If no one achieves this, the stop light remains in place for another round.

What's The Time Mr. Wolf?

• This classic game is a traditional variation on the Red Light, Green Light game. Similar rules apply, but instead of a stop light the player who is "it" pretends to be a wolf. As the players creep towards her they call, "What's the time, Mr. Wolf?" She answers, "Three o'clock," or any other number she chooses. In this instance the players may take three steps forward, before calling the question again. When the wolf senses they are close, she may turn and call "Dinnertime!" before chasing them back to the start. The person she catches becomes the new wolf.

Red Light/Green Light Obstacle Course

• In this variation of the game, prepare some simple obstacles for the children to tackle as they move toward the stop light. Use items such as a rope line to step over, a box or tunnel to crawl through, a chair to stop and sit on or a hoop to step into. Choose about three easy obstacles so preschoolers do not get confused, and be on hand to help direct them.

Red Light/Green Light Soccer Skills

• This version of the game is used in soccer coaching to help preschool children improve their dribbling and ball control skills. This time, when the stop light calls "green light" each child must move forward dribbling her ball. When the stop light calls "red light" she must stop her ball and freeze. Any player or her ball caught moving takes three steps back towards the start.