Back

Traditional

Lawin at Sisiw

Also called Hawk and Chicks, Hawk and Hen, Mother hen

A 'hawk' tries to catch the last chick in a line while the 'mother hen' at the front spreads her arms to block.

people
8–20
time
10 min
energy
Chaos
materials
No materials
Kids-safeChurch-safe
Watch it played
How to play4

Before you start

Clear an open area about 10 × 10 m. Choose one hawk and one mother hen; the rest line up behind the hen, each holding the waist or shoulders of the player in front.

  1. 1The hen faces the hawk with arms out wide; the chicks hold on in a line behind her.
  2. 2The hawk tries to get around the hen and tag the last chick in the line.
  3. 3The hen blocks by moving side to side; the line swings to follow her. Chicks must not let go.
  4. 4If the hawk tags the last chick, or the line breaks, the tagged chick becomes the next hawk, the hawk becomes the hen, and the hen joins the line.
What to say3
  1. 1“Mama hen, arms out! Chicks, hold on tight!”
  2. 2“The hawk is circling… swing left! Swing right!”
  3. 3“Caught the tail! New hawk!”
Host tips3
  • Lines longer than 8 whip the last chick off their feet. Cap lines at 6–8 and split bigger groups.
  • Chicks pull the shirt of the person in front, which tears clothes and chokes necks. Hands on the shoulders, not the collar.
  • Swap hen and hawk every round — the hen gets exhausted and the game becomes one-sided.
Variants1

  • Two lines

    For 16+ players, run two hen-and-chick lines with one hawk each so nobody waits.

Safety3
  • The tail of the line gets swung hard; play on grass and keep lines short.
  • Hands on shoulders or waist only, never neck or collar.
  • Body contact in a chain — kids and youth groups, not adults who don't know each other.
Good for

Occasions

SchoolBirthdayFiestaRetreat

Venues

OutdoorIndoor, largeChurch hall