Chicklets

I found out what Chicklet was named after...

Returning from a pickup soccer game, I ran into the boys from across the hall. They looked ready to go outside, so I asked if they wanted to play some soccer. They were non-committal, and instead were interested in teaching me a new game called "Chicklets." It's a bit complicated, but I'll post the rules in case anyone needs a game to play with kids outdoors. It's best with between 4 and 6 players (but it worked with just us three).

First pick someone to be It. Call the other three players B, C, and D. It picks a category: planets in the solar system for example. B, C, and D huddle, each of them thinks of their favorite planet, and player B reports to It that the favorite planets are (for instance) Mercury, Jupiter, and Pluto. (Player B randomizes the planets so It doesn't know which planet is whose favorite). It closes It's (Its? hrmm...) eyes, turns around and calls out one of the planets ("Pluto!"). Pluto walks quietly up to It, taps It on the back, and walks quietly back to the group. It opens It's eyes and guesses who Pluto is. If It is right, Pluto become It for the next iteration.

If It guesses incorrectly, the real Pluto identifies him/herself and It chases him/herself. If It tags Pluto, Pluto becomes It. But, the catch is that as It gets close to tagging Pluto, Pluto can yell out another planet ("Jupiter!") and Pluto must try to tag Jupiter. Jupiter may use the same escape mechanism (yelling "Pluto!" or "Mercury!"). Clearly, in this scenario, It will tire quickly. When It is ready to give up, It sits down and yells "Chicklets!" Then, Pluto, Jupiter, and Mercury all run as fast as possible to It. The last one to touch It is now It.

Once you get done explaining the rules, it's fun. Trust me.