What Time Is It Mr. Fox?

Name and Purpose

What Time Is It Mr. Fox? is a classic call-and-response movement game that builds anticipation and listening skills.
Players practise counting, spatial awareness, timing, and reading risk.

a.k.a.

Age / Group / Time / Space

Ages 8-16 | 8-30 players | 10-20 minutes | Large open field or gym, at least 30m long

Materials

Quick-Run Card

One player is the Fox and stands at the far end with their back to the group.
The group stands at the start line and calls out “What time is it Mr. Fox?”
The Fox calls any hour from 1 to 12. The group takes that many steps forward.
When the group is close, the Fox can call “Midnight!” and turn to chase.
Players tagged before reaching the start line join the Fox pack next round. Everyone re-enters after each round.

Setup and Boundaries

Mark a start line (group) and a Fox line (opposite end) at least 20m apart; adjust for group size and energy
Signal: 1 whistle = pause the whole game; 2 whistles = stop and gather
Check the field for holes, slippery patches, and debris before play
Make sure there are no obstacles behind the Fox end where players might run into them

How to Play

One player volunteers to be the Fox and stands at the far cone with their back to the group.
All other players line up at the start line.
Together, the group calls out: “What time is it Mr. Fox?”
The Fox calls back any hour from 1 to 12 (e.g., “Three o’clock!”). The group takes exactly that many steps forward.
The group calls again. The Fox names another time. The group steps again.
At any point when the group is within range, the Fox may instead call “Midnight!” and turn around to chase.
Players who are tagged before reaching the start line join the Fox pack and help catch in the next round.
Players who reach the start line safely are safe and line up for the next round.
After each Midnight chase, everyone resets: Fox pack returns to the far cone, group returns to the start line. A new round begins. No one is permanently out.

I-OPt Options

A (Active): Rush forward on every call, take risks, sprint back on “Midnight!”
S (Support): Walk with a friend, help them count steps, call out the time together
Q (Quiet): Take small steps; stay at the back of the group; choose when to advance
O (Observer): Watch from the sideline, count steps with the group, call out the time in unison, join the next round

Inclusion Adaptations

Players may take any size step (large, small, or shuffled); step size is never checked
Players in wheelchairs or with mobility aids count wheel-lengths or chair-widths as steps

Stewardship Moment

No materials used; no waste
After the game: “What did you notice about the space you were in? How did it feel to move across it slowly versus suddenly?”

Consent

Pre-brief: “This game involves chasing and light shoulder-touch tagging. For those not comfortable with being chased or tagged, a walk-only Fox role is another option, and stepping to the side during the Midnight chase is always fine.”
Mid-game check: After the first Midnight chase, pause. “Thumbs up, sideways, or down. How did that feel?”
Opt-out/re-entry: Step to the sideline at any time. Raise both hands. Re-enter at the start of any new round.

Risks and Mitigation

Players tripping when turning and running: remind the group to take a moment to find their footing before sprinting
Group running into the Fox or past the safe line: mark the start line clearly with a cone; once both feet cross it, the player is safe
Younger or slower players always getting tagged: the Fox pack mechanic means tagged players stay active and help, removing the stigma of being caught

Warm-Up Suggestions

“Slow Walk”: the whole group walks from one end to the other together, pausing on a clap; builds spatial awareness of the field
“Echo Count”: counsellor calls a number, group repeats it and counts out that many steps in place; warms up the step-counting mechanic

Debrief Questions

What? “When did the Fox call “Midnight!” and catch you off guard?”
So What? “How did you decide when to take big steps versus small steps?”
Now What? “When in life do you have to decide how much risk is worth taking?”

Cleanup and Reset