Tigers are one of the most beautiful big cats on the planet, and the fact that they are rare and difficult to spot in the wild make them all the more fascinating. If you’re throwing a tiger themed party this summer, or you have tiger-mad kids who will love games that are all about this wonderful creature, here are five ideas to get them running about outdoors and burning off some energy. And don’t forget that fans of tiger stories can head to the Theatre Royal Haymarket this summer to catch The Tiger Who Came to Tea play. At just 55 minutes long with no interval, it’s perfect for kids aged three and up.
Tigers are renowned for their hunting skills, so why not send your kids on a hunt of their own? Head into a suitable outdoor space, such as a garden or local park, and hide paper tigers for them to find. Give each tiger a name and then give each child some paper and a pencil to write the tigers’ names down as they find them. When they have found them all, they can win a prize.
Put a tiger themed twist on What’s the Time, Mr Wolf? by renaming it, What’s the Time, Mr Tiger? Each child can take a turn at being the tiger while the others try to sneak up as close as possible and run away when lunchtime comes.
Create a bunch of stripy tails from coloured card or fabric and hand them out to the kids. They can tuck them into the waistband of their shorts or skirts. The child who is ‘it’ can don a tiger mask and chase the others, attempting to pull their tails out. The last one with their tail still attached is the winner.
Grab a skipping rope and have the kids stand in a circle, with one child in the centre holding the rope. This is the tiger tail. The child holding the tail spins around while those forming the circle have to jump over it. If the tiger tail touches them, they switch into the centre of the circle.
This game can be adapted depending on the number of children playing. Divide the kids into two teams - some will be the tigers and some the explorers. The tigers go and hide while the explorers count. The explorers then go looking for the tigers, who are allowed to move around to avoid being seen. Once all the tigers have been spotted, they can become the explorers.
The Tiger Who Came to Tea musical is playing from 14 July - 7 September 2025 at the Theatre Royal Haymarket. Based on Judith Kerr’s bestselling picture book, it’s packed with songs, dancing and magic to enchant the whole family. Get your The Tiger Who Came to Tea theatre tickets today with KX Tickets and join in the fun!
