Forcing the City Gates

Object of the Game:

To finish with more players on your team than on the opposing team.


How to Play:

1. Divide the children into two equal teams, and select a captain for each.
2. Have the teams form two lines running distance apart from each other.
3. Team members should stand shoulder-to-shoulder, holding hands and facing the opposing team and create a link by holding hands.
4. The captain of the first team selects a player to try to break through the opposing team's city gates. The other team chants:
"He stuck a feather in his hat,
And hurried to town
And children met him with a horse
For the gates were broken down."
The chosen player then runs toward the calling team and tries to break through the city gates.
5. If the player is successful, he or she gets to pick a member of the opposing team to take back to his or her team. If the player is unsuccessful in breaking through the line, he or she becomes a prisoner of the the opposing team.
6. Play then alternates to the other team, and so on until time is up.
7. After a designated period of time, the team with the most players wins.