When I was a young girl I loved playing “Fox and Geese” with my brothers in the snow.  Mostly, I liked making the paths and geese nests because when it came right down to playing the game, I wasn’t a fast runner and was usually the fox for the majority of the game.

My husband likes to play “Fox  and Geese” too so when we had a couple years ago when we had a snow party for my family we were excited to share this game of tag with my nieces and nephews.

How To Play Fox and Geese

The game of Fox and Geese is played in the snow where the players clear paths in the snow.  As I have learned, in the “olden days”, the paths were made in the shape of a spoked wheel, but most of the fun for us has been to make our creative paths with special safety zone “nests” scattered throughout the paths.

Make Fox and Goose Trails

It’s best to play Fox and Geese when  there is fresh snow on  the ground or at least snow that no v one has been walking on.  To make paths or trails, walk through the snow packing it down until it makes a clearing defined trail.  Make several goose nests that are safety zones for the geese to get away from the fox.  These are just a circle of packed down  snow big enough for one person  to stand in a time.  You don’t want too  many goose nests or it will be difficult for the fox to catch a goose.

How to Play Fox and Geese

Choose one person to be the fox. The fox tries to tag the rest of the players, who are the geese. All the players must stay within the boundaries of the paths. Whoever is tagged by the fox then becomes the fox and has to chase the geese. Only one goose can be in a nest at a time.  If you have a big group  playing you  may have more than one fox.

A “No Snow” Alternative

An alternative to playing in the snow is to mark four squares on the playground, each 10 feet across. Every player stands on one of the lines forming the square. A signal is given, and the person who is “it” has 10 seconds to touch as many players as he/she can. Players who are tagged sit down in the marked area. All players must stay on the lines while being chased.

Fox and Geese Board Game

Another Fox and Geese Variation that I have recently become aware of is a “Fox and Geese” board game.  It’s an old-time game using marbles. Fox chases Geese. Geese try to hem Fox in. If you’re from the country, you understand the strategy. Then game is available here and in the family reunion helper store.