This would be a fun version, but this would work best if it’s done outside and has more time than just an hour to play. The cop number of a graph G {\displaystyle G} is the minimum number k {\displaystyle k} such that k {\displaystyle k} cops can win the game on G {\displaystyle G} . [1] Example [ edit ] It is best to always separate them according to these age groups. Six to nine years old should be one group of kids. Nine to twelve years old should be another set of kids. One robber at a time at the hula hoop is all that can stay inside. If the robber can make it to the safe zone with the so-called “loot,” which is the bean bag, then they just simply drop the bean bag down and take off again to grab some more bean bags.

In graph theory, a branch of mathematics, the cop number or copnumber of an undirected graph is the minimum number of cops that suffices to ensure a win (i.e., a capture of the robber) in a certain pursuit–evasion game on the graph. Here is how to play cops and robbers if it is outside on a playground or even in the woods. It can even be jazzed up and turned into a maze game.

It is always best to use something big and round like a hula hoop to put the bean bags in but anything can be used or modified. The same rules apply for playing Cops and robbers for kids just about anywhere. Sometimes a stipulations can be added where the robbers can break the prisoners out of jail. If the robber can get to the prisoner and touch their hand this would set the prisoner free for them to continue the game.

If the game is played inside the gym, have first half stand in the middle of the gym together as a group. This team will be the robbers.

About This Game

On the first turn of the game, the player controlling the cops places each cop on a vertex of the graph (allowing more than one cop to be placed on the same vertex). On each subsequent turn, the player controlling the cops chooses a (possibly empty) subset of the cops, and moves each of these cops to adjacent vertices. The remaining cops (if any) stay put.