This game has both random and whimsical aspects that speak to small children, in addition to requiring some creativity in thinking up and executing new steps.
One player is chosen to be the Mother. The other players form a line approx. 10-30 yards away (depending on ages of players.) The first player calls out, “Mother may I take _____ (number) _______ (type) of steps?” Mother answers either “Yes, you may” or “No, you may not,” and the player advances or stays where they are. (Some people play that Mother can offer an alternative number and type of step.) Players continue to inquire and take various steps. The first one to reach Mother wins and is the new Mother.
Steps can include:
- Baby Steps – As small as possible
- Newborn Baby Steps – Crawling
- Giant Steps – As big as possible
- Backward Steps – With back toward Mother
- Bunny Steps – Hops on two feet
- Scissor Steps – Feet cross or uncross on each step
- Robot Steps – Stiff and robotic
- Cinderella or Princess Steps – Ballet twirls
- Umbrella Steps – starting by standing with legs apart and facing the side of the field instead of the front, each step begins with the back leg and makes a 180-degree arc so that the player moves forward and faces the opposite direction on each step
