Catch the Bunny

Name and Purpose

Catch the Bunny builds coordination, attention, and group timing.
Players practise passing accuracy and spatial awareness while tracking two moving objects.

a.k.a.

Age / Group / Time / Space

Ages 8-16 | 8-30 players | 10-15 minutes | Any flat seated or standing circle indoors or outdoors

Materials

Quick-Run Card

Players sit or stand in a circle. One player starts with the Bunny (small ball) and passes it in one direction.
When the Bunny is about halfway around, the same starting player releases the Farmer (large ball) in the same direction.
Players pass both balls as quickly as they can. The Farmer is trying to catch the Bunny.
If the Farmer changes direction, the Bunny must also change direction.
Round ends when one player holds both balls at the same time. That player starts the next round.

Setup and Boundaries

Seated or standing circle with arms’ reach between players
Signal: raised hand by the leader = pause; two claps = stop and reset
Make sure both balls are clearly different in size so players can tell them apart at a glance
Check the floor or ground for hazards before play

How to Play

Players form a circle, seated or standing, facing inward.
One player (the Starter) holds the Bunny (small ball).
The Starter passes the Bunny to the left (or right). Everyone passes it along in that direction.
When the Bunny is about halfway around, the Starter releases the Farmer (large ball) in the same direction.
Both balls travel around the circle. The group’s goal is to keep the Bunny ahead of the Farmer.
If the Farmer reaches the Bunny, the leader may call a direction change: both balls reverse direction together.
The round ends when one player holds both balls at the same time.
That player becomes the next Starter. Play as many rounds as the group enjoys.
Variation: try to make the Farmer catch the Bunny intentionally. See how fast the group can do it.

I-OPt Options

A (Active): Pass as fast as possible; try to outrun or catch the other ball; be the Starter
S (Support): Call out where the balls are to help the group stay aware; encourage fast passers
Q (Quiet): Pass at a steady, careful pace; focus on accuracy over speed
O (Observer): Watch from beside the circle; track which lap the Farmer catches the Bunny on; time the rounds

Inclusion Adaptations

Players with limited hand strength can use two hands to receive and pass each ball
Seated players on chairs can join seamlessly; the pass height adjusts naturally to seated level
Slow the game down with a beach ball as the Farmer for younger or mixed-ability groups

Stewardship Moment

Use equipment already in your activity kit. Both balls should be reusable and stored after play.
Reflection: “The Bunny only stays safe because of everyone’s timing together. When have you relied on the whole group to protect something?”

Consent

Pre-brief: “We are going to pass two balls around a circle at the same time. If at any point two balls arrive at once and it feels like too much, just set one gently on the ground and the person beside you will pick it up. No stress.”
For those not comfortable with any part of this activity, sitting out or joining as an observer is another option.
Mid-game check: After 2-3 rounds, pause. “Feeling good? Too fast, too slow, just right? Give me a hand signal.”
Opt-out/re-entry: Step back from the circle at any time. Tap the shoulder of the player nearest you to rejoin when ready.

Risks and Mitigation

Two balls arriving at one player simultaneously causing confusion or collision: remind players that dropping a ball is fine; the game resets easily
Faster players dominating the pace: the leader can call “walk-pace pass” to slow the group down
Young players losing track of which ball is which: use clearly different sizes and colours; name them out loud before play begins

Warm-Up Suggestions

“Single Pass”: start with just the Bunny and build a rhythm before adding the Farmer
“Name and Pass”: say the recipient’s name before each pass to build awareness across the circle

Debrief Questions

What? “What happened to your focus when the second ball entered the circle?”
So What? “How did the group adapt when things got more complicated?”
Now What? “When do you have to track more than one important thing at a time in real life?”

Cleanup and Reset