Duck Duck Goose

What Do You Do in a Game of Duck Duck Goose?

Players sit in a circle facing inward while one player, the person who is “it,” walks around tapping or pointing to each in turn, calling each a “duck” until finally picking one to be the “goose.” The goose gets up and the chase begins around the circle, with the goal for the goose to tag “it” before “it” can take the goose’s spot in the circle. If the player who is “it” succeeds in sitting without being tagged, the goose becomes the new “it” player.

Simple and traditional, you’ll soon see why this game has been played for generations. Once our playground markings are in place, you’ll even have a permanent spot to do it – installed with colourful markers meant to be sat on so you complete the circle.

Why Duck Duck Goose is Good for Your Children

The game has the potential to engage students in learning and developing a range of skills, including:

• Social Interaction: Duck Duck Goose allows children to learn empathy, fair play, and the importance of inclusion while taking turns as “it.”
• Physical Health: There is plenty of opportunity for cardiovascular exercise, improving stamina, agility, coordination, and balance.
• Sensory Development: The game encourages listening, visual attention, and hand-eye coordination through tapping and tagging.
• Emotional Resilience: It helps children cope with winning and losing, building patience and resilience.
• Strategic Thinking: Players cultivate and nurture problem-solving skills by choosing who to tag and planning the best escape route.

How Duck Duck Goose Can Support SEND

Duck Duck Goose can provide enrichment and be part of the foundation for growth for children with SEND. This is achieved through:

• Adapting for Inclusivity: The game can be easily adapted to ensure all children, regardless of ability, can participate and feel included.
• Building Social Skills: Group play helps children with SEND practise turn-taking, communication, and building friendships in a structured environment.
• Development of Motor Skills: The physical activity involved can be tailored to different abilities, helping improve coordination, balance, and gross motor skills.
• Offering Sensory Engagement: The game provides multisensory experiences – listening, watching, and touching – that can help children with sensory processing needs.
• Managing Emotional Development: Duck Duck Goose supports emotional regulation by offering opportunities to manage excitement, disappointment, and anticipation in a safe setting.
• Improving Cognitive Flexibility: The game’s simple rules help children with SEND practise following instructions, making decisions, and adapting to changes in play.

The Benefits of Permanent Playground Markings 

Having a space permanently fitted with the playground markings you need enhances the experience for all:

• Visual Appeal: Colourful, well-designed markings make playgrounds more inviting; they’ll motivate children to play and keep them active and engaged.
• Durability and Safety: Using durable, non-slip materials is the ideal solution that ensures markings withstand years of use and varying weather conditions, providing a safe play environment.
• Customisation: Schools can create and customise their playground markings to reflect their ethos or mascot, boosting school spirit and creating a sense of pride in their unique play space.

Are There Any Other Games You Can Play on These Markings?

Of course, once you’ve ordered markings to transform your playground, you and your students can use them as you see fit. We’ve got a few ideas to inspire, though. If there is ever a time your kids don’t want to play Duck Duck Goose, they can always use the markings for:

• Tag Games: Variations of Tag or It help to boost speed, agility, and quick reflexes, making them ideal for physical education and enhancing overall fitness.
• Circle Games: These games promote inclusivity and foster a sense of community, ensuring every child can participate regardless of skill level, nurturing social interaction and the value of teamwork.
• Chasing Games: Perfect for breaking up the school day, chasing games allow children to expend energy in a structured and fun way.
• Coordination Games: Games that can be played with a skipping rope are excellent for developing fine and gross motor skills, and can be kept within the game’s circle.
• Team Building Games: These games encourage cooperation among students, teaching them the importance of working together both in and out of the classroom.

Looking for Playground Games Like This?

We’ve got plenty of games and activities ready to help your students progress and achieve excellence. Contact us today to discover how we can bring your vision to life and take advantage of what we have to offer. We’ll even work around playtimes, lunchtimes, weekends, and holidays to see you get the playground you need and your students deserve.