The Badge Archive

Items Needed

• Scarves, ropes, or pieces of fabric for the Tails
• Open, safe area for Scouts to run and play

Instructions

1. Scouts line up, each placing their hands on the waist or hips of the Scout in front of them. The last Scout in the line tucks a scarf or fabric into their waistband or pocket to act as the Tail.
2. The first Scout in the line is the Head.
3. The leader says “Go” to start the game.
4. The Head tries to catch the Tail’s scarf while the rest of the Scouts follow along, holding onto the person in front of them without letting go.
5. When the Head catches the Tail, the round ends, and the Head becomes the new Tail while the second Scout in line becomes the new Head.
6. Play continues until all Scouts have had a turn as Head and Tail.

Variations

Group Tail Chase:

• Give each Scout a scarf or fabric to tuck loosely into their waistband or pocket as a Tail.
• Scouts try to grab the Tails of others while protecting their own.
• If a Scout loses their Tail, they sit out until the next round.
• The round ends after a set time limit or when one Scout collects all the Tails.

Tail Stepping:

• Replace scarves with long ropes that drag on the ground as Tails.
• Scouts step on each other’s dragging Tails to make them drop while protecting their own.
• Scouts cannot hide, lift, or tuck more than a foot of their Tail into their waistband or pocket.
• If a Scout’s Tail falls off, they are eliminated until the next round.
• The round ends with a time limit or when only one Scout remains with their Tail intact.

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References:

• Daisy Girl Scout Leader’s Guide. 1984. New York, NY, Girl Scouts of the U.S.A. pg. 61.
• “Mouse Tail.” Street-Smart.be, 2025, play.street-smart.be/en/game/view/1042. Accessed 14 Apr. 2025.