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How to Play Monkey in the Middle

Monkey in the middle is a children's game you can play with 3 or more players. The object of the game is to toss the ball between two players while a third person in the middle tries to get the ball. The game can be played almost anywhere including in a swimming pool. Variations of this game can be combined with other sports like soccer.

Things You'll Need

Three or more players
Ball
Pool
Water Ball
Soccer Ball

Instructions

- 1
  Have three children stand a few feet apart from one another. One should be in the middle of the other two.
- 2
  Give a ball to one of the children on an end. Children on the ends toss the ball back and forth past the child in the middle.
- 3
  Jump to get the ball if you are in the middle. Play continues until the person in the middle gets the ball away from the other two players.
- 4
  Replace one of the end players if you catch the ball from the middle.
- 5
  Play the game in the pool with a water ball. One player stands at one end of the pool, one stands in the middle and another stands a few feet further. Swim after the ball if it gets away.
- 6
  Add more players to the game. The person in the middle turns to catch the ball as it is passed across the middle from player to player. The person who intercepts the ball takes the place of an outside player. The person who threw the ball when it was caught takes the place of the person in the middle.
- 7
  Combine the game with a sport like soccer. Place a team around in a circle with one player in the center. Kick a soccer ball back and forth across the middle. The person in the middle tries to get the ball.

Kids Games