How to Play: Red Light, Green Light

Filed under: Kids' Games, Activities: Toddlers & Preschoolers, Activities: Big Kids, Activities: Tweens, Activities: Family Time

Don't move after a 'Red Light'. Credit: Getty Images

What you need: All you need for this game is a group of children. This game can be played indoors or outdoors.

How to play: The person designated as "it" stands at the opposite end of the room or playing field from the other players. "It" turns his or her back to the other players and calls out "Green light!" The players then run towards "it" until "it" turns around and yells "Red light!" Then the players must freeze in place where they are until "Green light!" is called out again. Players who do not freeze at "Red light!" must return to the starting line.

The rules: Who will be "it" can be determined by a counting-out game, such as One Potato. "Yellow light!" can be called out as a diversion, or it can mean players must walk instead of run.

How to win: The first person to reach "it" is the winner.

What else you need to know: There are many variations of this game around the world, such as "1, 2, 3, Calabaza (Pumpkin)" in Mexico. "It" counts out "1, 2, 3!" which signals the players to run, and when "it" shouts out "Calabaza!" the players must stop.

Related:! More Kids Games

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