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grayActivity Ideas - Kick the Can

RULES and HOW TO PLAY:
  1. All you need to play kick the can is an open space with places to hide, a can, and at least four people.
  2. Kick the can be played anywhere from an open field, to a parking lot, to a playground, or even your back yard.
  3. Choose a space to play. The space you decide to use for the game should have both open areas and good hiding spots.
  4. First, you need a can with some sort of lid or cover.
  5. Place some small stones, marbles, or pennies into the can so that it makes a sound when it is kicked. Make sure the seal is on tight.
  6. Next, everyone needs to agree to the placement of the "jail."
  7. Once this is decided, mark the jail area with chalk or some other marker.
  8. Only one person out of the group can be "it" to start the game.
  9. The player who is "it" starts the game by placing the can on the ground. The player can place the can wherever he or she chooses. This is called "home base."
  10. Now,the player who is "it" covers their eyes and counts out loud up to 50.
  11. All of the other players try to find a hiding spot.
  12. Once they reach 50 they can uncover their eyes and look for the other players.
  13. When "it" finds someone, he or she calls that player's name out and the player that was hiding must run and try to kick the can before they are captured.
  14. The player who is "it" can capture others by either reaching the can first or tagging the player.
  15. Any captured player must go to "jail."
  16. The players that are hiding can change hiding positions as long as they are not TAGGED by the person who is "it."
  17. Any uncaptured player can free the captured players in jail by tagging them out of the jail, but if they are seen by the player who is "it" and their name is called out, they must try to kick the can.
  18. If they are tagged by the player who is "it" they go to jail, too!
  19. If a player does successfully kick the can without being tagged, he or she can go back and find a new hiding spot.
  20. The can must be returned to its original place in "home base" whenever it is moved or kicked by a player.
  21. Once everybody is in jail the game is over.
  22. The first player to be captured becomes "it."
  23. Played fairly, this game can go on for hours, especially if a fair number of hiding places are present.
  24. Some other variations of the game involve playing when it is dark, and "it" is the only player with a flashlight.
  25. Pushing, shoving, and tackling are illegal.
  26. Remember to always be a good sport.
  27. The entire point of this game is to have fun, so don't take it too seriously.
  28. Play safe and have fun.
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