Prepare yourself to chase or be chased, today is American Touch Tag Day.

Touch tag is a favorite game amongst children around the world, and dates back thousands of years. It is an informal playground game that usually involves two or more players, one of which attempts to “tag” the others by touching them with an object, usually their hands.

There are many, many variations of tag, here are just a few you might try today:

• Alligator tag:  The game of tag takes place on a Jungle Gym or other large piece of playground equipment that is easily navigated. The person that is “it” cannot get on the equipment, trying to tag the person while on the ground, similar to an alligator.
• Ball tag:  Ball tag is a variation of tag that is played with a ball (surprise!). It is usually played with a tennis ball. The game is played with standard tag rules, except the person who is “it” uses a ball to tag the other players.
• Laser tag:  Laser tag uses beams of light for the purpose of tagging. Players carry “guns” and wear electronic equipment that can detect the light beams, and register if someone has been hit.
• Freeze tag:  Freeze tag is very similar to regular tag, except that players who are tagged are “frozen,” and must stand in place until they are “unfrozen.” To get “unfrozen, a player that has not yet been tagged mush crawl between the legs of the frozen person.

So whatever version you decide to play, find that inner child, and play some tag today. You’re it!

Image from www.sportmanawatu.org.nz.