My kids play tag. It’s a game I know well and I can’t help but laugh to myself as I watch them shout out rules as they chase each other. I love how they make the game up as they go when to anyone else a game of tag seems so self explanatory. I tag you…you’re it. You tag someone else…someone else is it. But it’s not that simple. I decided to jot down the 10 rules of tag as I’ve observed them:
1. If you tag me you’re cheating.
2. If I’m not winning I don’t want to play.
3. If I can’t feel you touch me, I’m not it.
4. If you push me too hard, I’m not it.
5. If you’re not easy for me to tag than I don’t want to play.
6. If I tag you, you can’t tag me back.
7. If I run out of breath I get to call a time out.
8. If I get scared because you’re getting too close to me I can call anything near me ‘base’.
9. Any rules YOU make up while playing tag don’t count because it’s not fair for you to make rules up in the middle of a game.
10. I don’t want to play anymore.
SO WHO WANTS TO PLAY!?!?!
My kids are playing tag with the dog because he's the only one who doesn't cry when he's "it".
— Kat (@mamakatslosinit) August 9, 2014
Karen and Gerard says
The only rule here I was aware of is no “tag backs.” I wouldn’t want to play tag with your kids, I hate when people make up their own rules, especially during the game!
Kat says
Yes no tag backs is HUGE!
SmithShack71 says
Those are all dead on. Too funny!
-Angie
Kim says
When I insist I tagged you all the way from across the yard, admit your fate – now you’re it.
Kat says
Yes! Hahaha “I TAGGED YOU!!” …liar.
Carol Covin says
Great list! As the mother of sons and no daughters, it seemed to me that it was little girls who liked to make up rules as they went along and little boys who liked to enforce the rules they started with. Girls seem to be able to navigate this fluidity with other girls, but not when the group is mixed.
Kat says
I think it’s usually the youngest of the group that have the hardest time just playing the game. They get tagged so much more often (because they’re slower) and then they’re It for such a long time (because they’re slow). So when my little guy gets tagged he definitely tries to squirm out of being It AGAIN.
Jamie@SouthMainMuse says
So true. But I’m old enough to remember playing and when you were tagged you were out. No negotiating. I guess that’s why playing tag intimidated me. Hated it. That’s a good discussion to have with a therapist.
Loy says
Very funny and ridiculously true! (I’m from Grams Made it!)
tammigirl says
We didn’t so much play tag, but woe be to the one who knocked chocolate after a fart. Please tell me I’m not the only one who understands this.
Tracy P. says
Oh, there are so many variations on this theme. Universal truths here, Mama Kat!
AnnMarie says
This is so spot on, I felt like I was watching my kids play while I was reading it. I hate when my kids play tag because it ALWAYS ends up with one of my kids crying. Now that I think about it, all games end up that way.
Jennifer says
Sounds like the way my girls scouts play tag. The other day Cady said, “Mom at school they always pick me to be ‘it’ in tag because they know I’m not fast enough to catch them.” Be still my heart. I remember that feeling exactly. I told her everyone can’t be good at everything. They may be able to run faster, but she’s definitely prettier. ;)
Kisatrtle says
So very true! My kids make up the most annoying and complicated rules.
Jen says
Hey, what do you know… that is the same way my kids play tag.
Andrea says
Don’t forget the different sets of rules associated with variations of Tag, like Freeze Tag, TV Tag, Nerf Tag, Ball Tag, Hide and Seek Tag… and my personal favorite, Temper Tantrum Tag.
Megg says
Oh, goodness, I work with kids and these are so true! Especially taking a break/not playing when they get tagged!
I have to add that rock, paper, scissors solves everything! If you can’t figure out who tagged first, rock, paper, scissors works great! Surprisingly, there’s no argument from the loser, too!