Steal the bacon facts for kids
Steal the bacon is a fun, traditional game where teams try to grab an item, often called the "bacon," from the middle of a playing area. The goal is to bring the "bacon" back to your team without being tagged by an opponent. This game is also known by other names like steal the flingsock, Dog and the Bone, or Rumal Jhapatta in India. It's a tag-based game that's great for getting active and working with a team!
Contents
How to Play Steal the Bacon
Steal the bacon is a classic game where two teams compete to grab a central object. The game needs a referee, who is usually an adult or teacher, to help make sure everyone has a fair chance.
Setting Up the Game
- Players divide into two teams.
- Each player gets a special number or "call-sign." Someone on the other team will have the same number.
- The teams line up on opposite sides of the playing area.
- A small object, the "bacon," is placed in the very center of the playing area. This can be anything easy to grab, like a flag or a handkerchief.
Playing the Game
- The referee calls out a number or "call-sign."
- The players from each team who have that number must run to the center.
- Their goal is to grab the "bacon" and run back to their team's line without being tagged by the other player with the same number.
- You can only tag someone after they have touched the "bacon."
- If a player grabs the "bacon" and makes it back to their team without being tagged, their team gets a point!
- If a player grabs the "bacon" but gets tagged by the opponent before reaching their line, the other team gets the point.
- The referee can call out more than one number at a time, making it even more exciting with multiple players trying to grab the "bacon."
- Sometimes, the referee might even call "steal the bacon!" This means everyone on both teams can try to grab the object at the same time.
Fun Game Variations
Steal the bacon can be played in different ways to make it even more interesting or challenging!
Learning While You Play
Some versions of the game are great for learning. Instead of calling out a number, the referee might ask a question, like a math problem or a history fact. The answer to the question would be a player's call-sign. This means players have to solve the question first to figure out if it's their turn to run! It's a fun way to test your knowledge and get some exercise.
More Active Versions
For older kids and teenagers, there are more physical versions of the game. In these games, the player carrying the "bacon" isn't just tagged; the opponent has to stop them from crossing their team's line. This makes the game more about strength and teamwork. Sometimes, unusual items like old tires are used instead of a small "bacon" object, adding to the challenge.
Steal the Bacon in Pop Culture
This classic game has even appeared on screen! A documentary from 2010 called New York Street Games mentioned "Steal the Bacon" as one of the many traditional games played by kids in the city.
See also
In Spanish: Juego del pañuelo para niños
