Inspired by the traditional Italian game Lupo Mangia Frutta (literally “Wolf Eats Fruit”), this emotional variation helps children recognise, express, and regulate emotions while engaging in a fun and active game of tag. Instead of naming fruits, children take on different emotions, which they must express and defend before being caught by the “wolf.”

Skill focus

Primary Skill Focus

• Emotional awareness, regulation and communication

Complementary/Secondary Skill Focus

• Empathy
• Connectedness
• Critical thinking
• Decision making

Age group	Student number	Duration
6-10 years old	6 to 20 children (team of 4-6)	15-25 minutes

How to play – brief game rules

1. Choose one player to be the “Wolf” and have them stand in the centre of the playing area (gym, courtyard, or open field).
2. All other children line up on one side of the play area, opposite the Wolf.
3. Each child silently selects an emotion from a predefined list (e.g., happiness, sadness, anger, fear, excitement, frustration) and keeps it secret.
4. The Wolf loudly calls out: “Wolf eats…” followed by one of the emotions (e.g., “Wolf eats… fear!”).
5. All children who had chosen that emotion must run to the opposite side, trying not to get tagged by the Wolf.
6. Any child who is tagged must stop and express the emotion in one of three ways:

• Describe a time they felt that emotion.
• Mime or act out the emotion using body language.
• Show the emotion clearly on their face.

7. If the emotion is expressed clearly and convincingly, the child can return to the main group.
8. If not, they become a “baby wolf” and help the main Wolf in the next round to catch others.
9. The game continues until all children have had a turn and most have experienced being both players and wolves.