Cat & Mouse a.k.a Streets & Alleys - Great Game for a Big Group

Cat & Mouse a.k.a Streets & Alleys - Great Game for a Big Group

The cat tries to catch the mouse, moving through the maze created by the rest of the group who turn from one wall to the one on their left (90degrees) in order to change streets into alleys with parallel and perpendicular pathways.
December 1, 2011
by SDEA
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The cat tries to catch the mouse, moving through the maze created by the rest of the group who turn from one wall to the one on their left (90degrees) in order to change streets into alleys with parallel and perpendicular pathways. Description of Gameplay

Someone volunteers to be the cat (the chaser) and someone to be the mouse (the one to be chased). Line the rest of the group up side by side in even rows. Everyone within the rows extend arms to touch fingertips with the people next to them. A third player or the teacher is the caller who will yell out streets or alleys. The cat and mouse must stay between the people and not duck under nor break through the extended arms.

The caller at anytime can yell out "ALLEYS" and everyone touching hands will drop their hands and turn a 90 degree turn to their left and touch hands with the new neighbors. The caller can then yell "STREETS" at any time. Again the players turn a quarter turn and touch hands again. During this time the cat and mouse are still playing tag and they continue to chase and run while the caller goes from calling alleys or streets. The game continues until the cat catches the mouse or until a set time, such as one minute. Then cat and mouse can choose new people to run, chase and call.

  • Variations: The caller can also call “CHANGE”, then cat becomes mouse and mouse becomes cat
  • Number of Players: 16 to unlimited
  • Ages: 7 and up
  • Activity Level: high
  • Equipment: None

This is best played in a big space. In smaller spaces however, a group can play at walking speed. In this version the timing of when to call “STREETS, ALLEYS and CHANGE. This game, used as a warm up game for drama classes and it’s not about speed but working the brain and thinking strategically. It can be used, for example, in sports training.

This activity is part of the drama games and activities that were shared over the airwaves of Symphony 92.4 2 by is SDEA Committee Members. The segment was called 'Benefits of Arts' and was broadcast Mon- Fri, 7-7.30 am. The presenters were keen to share quick drama bytes with parents sending their kids to school, teachers and people who drove to work during the early morning drive time. Many of these games and exercises can be used on their own or can be applied to various forms of learning to bring focus, encourage team work, get players to use their bodies and to open up language.