Peg Tag Group Fun Game

The Peg Tag Game is another version of the ever popular ‘Tag’ style of ice-breaker, energizer or Fun Game which comprises of lots of energetic running and swerving. 

The Benefits of the Peg Tag Activity 

• Very playful & fun
• Highly-energetic
• Very interactive
• Focus on safety

Props required 

• Big bag of clothes-pegs

You will need to gather enough clothes-pegs so that every person in your group will have four to eight each.  Hand the pegs out to the all the members of the group and instruct them to pin the clothes-pegs anywhere they like on their clothing.

The clothes-pegs need to be pinned somewhere that is accessible, preferably on the upper body, like the arms, the back or the front of clothes. It won’t be necessary to set any boundaries for this game, as all the excitement happens in the centre, but if you like, you can set limits, so members remain together.

As soon as you say “Go”, the whole group needs to remove the clothes-pegs, one at a time from their own clothing, then attempt to fasten them onto somebody else’s clothing. Be sure they understand; all the other clothes-pegs need to stay fastened onto their own clothing and can only be removed once they have placed the first peg onto somebody else’s clothes.

You will soon discover that you can’t concentrate on only placing your own peg onto someone else, as other members will cunningly be fastening a clothes-peg to your back when you least expect it.

Continue with the game for as long as you like, or until you see the enthusiasm beginning to fade. Stop the game and have each member count the number of clothes-pegs still remaining on their clothes.

Obviously, the one with the least number of clothes-pegs attached is the winner.  

Contextual Ideas for Peg Tag Game

In the early days before the “automatic tumble-dryers”, the clothes-pegs were used to fix wet clothes to the clothesline. Often, you would find among your dry folded clothing, a wayward clothes-peg still fastened to the hem of a garment. This game may remind you of those days and have you feeling like you have just been taken out of the laundry basket. 

Step-by-Step Instructions for running the Peg Tag Activity 

• Hand out about four to eight clothes-pegs to everyone in your group.
• Instruct them to fasten the pegs to their clothing, anywhere they like but the pegs must be easily accessible and on the upper body only.
• When you say the word “Go”, they must attempt to fasten their own pegs onto somebody else’s clothes but should only do it one peg at a time.
• All the other clothes-pegs need to stay fixed onto their clothing, while they attempt to fasten their peg onto somebody else’s clothes.
• At the end of the game, the one with the least number of pegs attached to their clothing is the winner.   

Facilitator and Leaders Tips

When selecting the type of clothes peg, it is advisable to make use of the “spring-loaded clothes-pegs”, as they are easier to work with. These can either be the wooden or plastic pegs.

You need to ensure that the intention is to fasten the clothes-pegs to someone’s clothing, and not onto somebody’s body. However, this practice may regularly occur, and this is when you should stress the importance of safety. This game is not similar to other tag games, as you make use of a prop. Bring to everyone’s attention that when used incorrectly and attached in the wrong place, the peg can cause harm and hurt someone.

While you are trying to pin a peg to someone’s clothing, it may occur that the peg falls to the ground. In this case, take note, the peg belongs to the one who is attempting to fasten it to another member’s clothes.       

Debriefing and Reflection Strategies

Here are a few questions to ask the group, which will help them process their experience of the game ‘Clothes Peg Tag’

• Did you find any part of this activity difficult?
• Did you notice any tactics others were using, to pin a peg onto another player, or when they were trying to escape from being pinned?
• Did you have any problem with safety during this activity? Were there any particular safety measures you were aware of?
• If you had to play this game over again, what would be the safety measures you would use, to ensure the safety of all the members of the group? 

Popular Variations of Peg Tag Group Fun and Tag Game Activity 

• Team Event: Form teams, and then count the number of pegs each team has accumulated when the game is over. The team with the most pegs will be the winners.
• Steal & Collect: Let the game be played in reverse. The aim will be for each person to see how many pegs they are able to take from somebody else and then fasten onto their own clothing.
• There are many other tag games available out there, such as ‘Round and Round’ and ‘Blob Tag’.