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How to Play Cops & Robbers Outside

Cops and robbers is a classic children's game. It is played in a large outdoor area such as a playground. Two teams are formed, the cops and the robbers, and just like in a game of tag, the cops chase the robbers until they catch them all.

Instructions

- 1
  
  It is better to have more robbers than cops, instead of more cops than robbers.
  
  Form two equal or near equal teams. One team will be the cops, and the other team will be the robbers. If you have an odd number of people, add extra people to the robbers.
- 2
  
  A big tree would make a good jail area.
  
  Pick out a jail area. This can be a tree, playground equipment or any big object.
- 3
  Put the cops in jail and have them count slowly to 15. During this time, the robbers will run and scatter to get away from the cops.
- 4
  After completing the count, the cops must run to try to capture the robbers by tagging them.
- 5
  Put each captured robber in the jail. Continue until all the robbers are caught.
- 6
  Switch teams after all the robbers are in jail.

Kids Games