How to Play the Cat and Mouse Game with Friends

An easy game rules guide for teachers, parents, and kids

Co-authored by Denise Stern and Elaine Heredia, BA

Last Updated: December 9, 2025 Fact Checked

Cat and Mouse is a fun, yet surprisingly tricky version of tag in which one player is the "mouse" who must avoid being tagged by another player called the "cat." The chase isn't that simple, however, because the cat has to get past other players who are protecting the mouse! Keep reading to learn how to play this playground game, including tips for choosing the next mouse and a rule about physical contact between players.

Cat and Mouse Game Rules

Two players are chosen as the cat and the mouse, and the other players hold hands and form a circle. The mouse moves inside the circle, while the cat reaches in from the outside to try to tag the mouse. After 10 seconds, the mouse must leave the circle. If they're tagged before they return, they become the new cat.

1

Have all the players hold hands in a circle.

Download Article

Alternatively, the players can stand in rows with their arms held out. They can also lie down on the ground or floor on their stomachs. All that matters is they're able to block the "cat" from tagging the "mouse."
- The more players, the better! This game is hard to play with only 2-4 people. Try to get as many friends, family members, or classmates as you can to join in.

2

Pick a player to be the mouse and stand inside the circle.

Download Article

If they get tagged, they become the cat and must try to tag a new mouse. If they can get outside the circle and back in without being tagged by the cat, they win the round and can join the circle.

3

Choose a player to be the cat and stand outside the circle.

Download Article

They can do so by reaching inside the circle past the players, but they can't actually step into the circle. They also have an opportunity to tag the mouse when they leave the circle. If they can tag the mouse before they have a chance to duck back inside the circle, they win the round and can join the circle. Then the mouse becomes the new cat.

4

Tell the mouse to run inside the circle for 10 seconds.

Download Article

The mouse can't stop moving once the round starts. They must constantly trot, run, or walk inside the circle of players. This gives the cat a chance to tag them if they can reach their hand into the circle at just the right moment. But it also makes the game more challenging because the mouse is never still!^{[1]
X
Research source}
- After 10 seconds, the mouse must leave the circle.

5

Tell the cat to try to tag the mouse.

Download Article

The cat can stick their hand around the players standing in a circle to tag. They must be quick and clever, however, because the players in the circle can raise or lower their arms or move their legs to block the cat. If the players are freestanding instead of holding hands, they can move to stand in front of the cat and block them directly.
- No touching rule: The only player who can touch another player is the cat when they tag the mouse. The cat can't touch the players trying to block them, nor can the blocking players touch the cat. This prevents pushing, kicking, and hitting.

6

Tell the mouse to leave the circle after 10 seconds.

Download Article

The mouse can choose where in the circle they want to emerge, but they have to choose quickly because they can only stay inside the circle for 10 seconds. After they leave the circle, they must avoid being tagged by the cat and make it back inside.^{[2]
X
Research source}

7

Make the mouse the new cat if they're tagged.

Download Article

If the mouse avoids getting tagged, they win! If the cat manages to touch them, however, they lose. They also become the new cat, and the game starts over.
- Try these other fun playground group games with your friends!

8

Choose a new player to be the mouse and start over.

Download Article

This can be a volunteer, or you can choose the next youngest or oldest. You can also sort through the players alphabetically. For example, a child with an "A" name, like Alice or Adam, can be the first mouse, then a child with a "B" name, like Billy or Bonnie, can be the second mouse, and so on.

Expert Q&A

Search

Add New Question

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Video

Tips

"Cat and mouse" is also an English idiom that describes people who treat other people like cats treat mice when they're chasing them. A cat often plays with a mouse before killing and eating them. A person playing "cat and mouse" might be trying to lull someone else into a false sense of security before beating them at something.^{[3]
X
Research source} The phrase can also refer to two rivals who can never beat each other (like the cartoon characters Tom and Jerry).

Thanks
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0