Hot Foot Game
Based on a game played by children at ABNC’s Eco Camps
This game is fitting for students learning about predator-prey relationships.
Materials:
Yellow and red bands (paper, ribbon, or bandanas) – about 10 of each color
Multi-colored (Twister-style) spinner
Hula hoops (optional)
How to Play:
1. Select two students to be the first raccoons. All of the others will be prey – in
this case: frogs.
2. Attach colored bands to the raccoons’ arms and legs. Red bands are for the left
arm and right leg. Yellow bands are for the right arm and left leg.
3. Raccoons bend over so that all four limbs are touching the ground.
4. Spin a multi-colored spinner to determine how play proceeds. Each color has a
different meaning:
a. Red: Raccoons lift red-banded limbs in the air (and put down yellow, if
they’re already up). If a raccoon doesn’t hold its position until the next
spin, it falls into the water. The raccoon then has to sit out the next spin.
b. Yellow: Raccoons lift yellow-banded limbs in the air (and put down red, if
they’re already up). If a raccoon doesn’t hold its position until the next
spin, it falls into the water. The raccoon then has to sit out the next spin.
c. Green: Raccoons chase frogs for food. (Raccoons can use all limbs but
must run around on all-fours.) The teacher should allow 10 seconds for
each “green” chase session. (Counting aloud, backward from ten works
well.)
d. Blue: Raccoons must find shelter (natural shade or a designated spot, such
as a hula hoop) within 10 seconds. Only one raccoon can claim each
shelter spot. If no shelter is found, the raccoon becomes a frog.
5. Frogs play Follow-the-Leader around the raccoon grounds until “green” is called
by the teacher. Then they may scatter to evade the raccoons. After the 10
seconds are up, the remaining frogs resume playing Follow-the-Leader.
6. If a frog is caught by a raccoon, the frog becomes a raccoon.
7. Have fun!
© Armand Bayou Nature Center
September 2009
Discussion Notes:
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Who are the predators in the game? Raccoons
What are predators? Animals that hunt for and eat other animals
Who are the prey? Frogs
What are prey? Animals that are eaten by other animals
Give some other examples of things raccoons might prey on. Possible answers:
Insects, clams, fish; they also eat plants, but plants are not “prey”.
In the game, the raccoons had to hold their arms and legs in the air and crawl on
all-fours to make it harder for them to catch the frogs. What are some challenges
real raccoons might have when hunting for food? Possible answers: danger from
other predators; not enough food or habitat to support food; prey that is too fast
or hard to catch
What would happen if (or did happen when) the raccoons ate all of the frogs?
There would be lots of raccoons, but then they wouldn’t have anything to eat.
They would have to travel to another hunting ground or find something else to
eat, or they wouldn’t survive.
What are some adaptations (special characteristics) raccoons have that allow them
to catch frogs? Hand-like paws with pose-able thumbs; tail for balancing; eyes in
the fronts of their heads for depth perception; sharp teeth and claws
What are some adaptations frogs have that help them avoid being caught by
raccoons and other predators? Possible answers: large eyes on the sides/top of
their heads for looking around; long, strong legs for jumping; webbed feet for
swimming; sometimes a toxic coating on their skin
© Armand Bayou Nature Center
September 2009