Latin America (widespread, Brazil, Colombia, Chile, Mexico)
Cat and Mouse
Also known as El Gato y el Ratón, Gato e Rato
A circle shields the mouse inside; the cat must weave through linked arms to catch it.
8+ playersAges 5-11OutdoorsHigh energyBig spaceNo kit
The rules
How to play
1
One child is the ratón (mouse) inside the circle; one is the gato (cat) outside.
2
The group holds hands and sings a taunting rhyme.
3
The cat asks to enter; the circle lifts arms to let the mouse duck in and out but lowers them to block the cat.
4
When the cat catches the mouse, both choose two new players and the game restarts.
Keep it fair
The circle must lift and lower arms equally for both cat and mouse, pure favouritism kills the game. If the cat has been chasing more than two minutes, call a reset and choose new players.
Good for building
runningagilityteamworksinging
What you need
Nothing at all, just the kids.
More to play
