Sharks and minnows

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Sharks and minnows
Age Range 5-8 (grades 1-2), 8-11 (grades 3-5), 11-14 (grades 6-8), 14-18 (grades 9-12), 18+ (adult)
Group Size medium (6-20), large (21+)
Setting outdoors
Setup Time short (0-5 min)
Duration medium (11-30 min)
Materials a large space
Alias fishy fishy cross my ocean
Presentation Style active, interactive, student led

Brief Description

Students are minnows that are trying to cross an ocean. A shark tries to tag them. If the minnow is tagged, they become seaweed that can either help the minnows or the shark.


To get the kids moving, burn some energy, and get them comfortable touching and being around each other.

This Is How You Play

  1. Form a line at one end of the area- this is one shore line of the ocean (both ends of the area are shore lines and are the safe or free zones)
  2. A shark is chosen and that person is placed in the middle of the ocean.
  3. The shark yells out either "MINNOWS AWAY!" or "FISHY FISHY, CROSS MY OCEAN!" or simply "SWIM!"
  4. The fish swim from one shore to the other- they try to avoid being tagged by the shark.
  5. The shark's job is to go after the fish. If the shark touches a fish, the fish now becomes a seaweed.
  6. The seaweed stands still (seaweed can not move its feet), and servers as a safe area for the fish. If the seaweed touches the shark, the seaweed turns back into a fish and can swim to shore. Alternatively, The seaweed could be EVIL. if a fish touches a seaweed, they also become a seaweed. This speeds up the game.


Variations for Older Students

  • Add more sharks to the game!
  • Also play this game in the pool!


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