Mother May I?

Get ready

1. Choose one kid (or a leader) to be 'Mother' and stand at one end of the room.
2. Line up the rest of the kids side by side at the other end.

How to play

1. Mother picks a kid and gives a command, like 'Ella, take three giant steps forward.'
2. Before moving, the kid has to ask, 'Mother, may I?'
3. Mother answers 'Yes, you may,' or 'No, you may not,' or changes it to something else, like 'No, but you may take two bunny hops.'
4. If a kid moves without asking 'Mother, may I?', they go back to the starting line.
5. The first kid to reach and tag Mother becomes the new Mother.

Tips & variations

• Use fun kinds of steps: baby steps, giant steps, bunny hops, crab walks, spins, frog jumps.
• Give every kid a turn before giving anyone a second turn.
• You can call it 'Captain, May I?' or 'Teacher, May I?' if you like.