Duck, Duck, Goose: Rules, Variations and Fair Turns
Duck, Duck, Goose is a circle chasing game for young children. One player walks around the outside of the circle tapping heads and saying "duck", until they say "goose" and run. It needs nothing but space, and it is a favourite in nurseries, schools and parties. Here are the rules, the main variations, and an easy way to make sure every child gets a turn.
What You Need
- At least 6 players, ideally 8 to 20.
- Enough open space to run around a seated circle: a hall, a gym or a lawn.
- An adult to start the game and keep things safe.
How to Play
- Sit in a circle. Everyone sits facing inward, with some space between them.
- Choose the first tapper. One child is "it" and walks around the outside of the circle.
- Duck, duck... The tapper gently taps each head in turn, saying "duck" each time.
- Goose! At some point the tapper taps a head and says "goose". The goose jumps up and chases the tapper around the circle.
- Race for the gap. The tapper tries to run all the way around and sit in the goose’s empty place before being tagged.
- Next round. If the tapper sits down safely, the goose becomes the new tapper. If the goose tags the tapper, the tapper goes again (in some groups, the tapper sits in the middle, the "mush pot", until someone else is caught).
Variations
- Duck, Duck, Gray Duck: the version played in Minnesota, where the tapper names colours ("red duck, blue duck") and "gray duck" is the signal to run.
- Drip, Drip, Drop: a summer version with a cup of water; the tapper drips a little on each head and pours the rest on the goose.
- Animal sounds: instead of words, the tapper makes animal sounds, and a chosen sound means run.
- Walk, do not run: for small rooms or very young children, the chase is done with fast walking, hopping or crawling.
- Drop the handkerchief: an older relative of the game, where the tapper drops a handkerchief behind a player instead of saying a word.
The Fairness Problem: Who Gets Picked?
The tapper chooses the goose, and children tend to choose their friends, so some children are picked again and again while others wait. Even if every choice were random, it would take a long time before everyone had a turn, because the same child can be picked twice. On average:
| Children | Rounds until all are picked, random choice (average) | With a no-repeat rule |
|---|---|---|
| 10 | about 25 | 9 |
| 15 | about 46 | 14 |
| 20 | about 67 | 19 |
| 25 | about 91 | 24 |
That is the coupon collector effect: the last few children are picked much later than you would expect. A simple house rule fixes it. Anyone who has already been the goose crosses their legs (or puts a hand on their head), and the tapper may only pick children who have not had a turn yet. Then every child is picked once before anyone is picked twice.
To choose the first tapper fairly, use a random name picker, or read our guide on how to pick a random student.
Safety Tips
- Taps should be gentle, on the top of the head or the shoulder.
- Leave a wide running lane around the circle and keep bags and chairs out of it.
- On a slippery floor, change the chase to fast walking.
- Keep rounds short, so nobody sits still for long.
Similar Games
For other circle games with no equipment, try Hot Potato or Musical Chairs. For ideas that use a random picker in class, see our classroom games.
Where the Game Comes From
Duck, Duck, Goose is a traditional children’s game, and nobody knows exactly who invented it. Older circle chasing games such as Drop the Handkerchief were played in many countries, and similar games exist around the world in many cultures.
FAQ
How do you play Duck, Duck, Goose?
Players sit in a circle. One child walks around tapping heads and saying duck, then says goose. The goose chases the tapper, who tries to sit in the empty place before being tagged.
How many players do you need?
At least 6 is best, and the game works well with 8 to 20 children.
What happens if the goose tags the tapper?
Usually the tapper goes again. In some groups the tapper sits in the middle, the mush pot, until another tapper is caught.
How do you make sure everyone gets picked?
Use a no-repeat rule: children who have been the goose cross their legs, and the tapper may only pick children who have not had a turn.
What is Duck, Duck, Gray Duck?
The Minnesota version of the game, where the tapper names coloured ducks and gray duck is the signal to run.