Traditional Street Games

A typical day can often consist of endless to-do lists, school runs, taxi service and a little stress.

If you can spare 10 minutes I’d like you to sit down, relax and think about your childhood and the games you played with your friends.

Did your neighbourhood have a real buzz? Did you and your friends decide what to play? Did you set the craze for that week e.g. hopscotch, marbles, rounders, jacks, bulldog, roller skates or cycling? I hope you imagined hot summer nights with lots of friends, staying out late with little or no parental supervision.

I don’t honestly believe that the “good old days” were genuinely all good. There was room for improvement back in the day, and there’s always room for improvement now.

Did I learn more through my childhood experiences? I don’t know, all I can say is that it taught me to;

Have we lost the ability to freestyle in this commercial new world with structured sessions pre- planned and booked for months in advance e.g. Karate Class on Monday, Swimming Lessons on Tuesday, Music on Wednesday, Dance on Thursday etc? When I introduced hopscotch to my local youth group I expected the children to quickly get bored but they didn’t. This simple game tested the children’s ability to communicate, resolve problems, score, play fairly, challenge themselves and others, apply common sense, obey the rules set but more importantly exercise outside. The following morning, I introduced hopscotch to the children at my local school. Although they had this game marked out on their playground no one had taught them the rules. Within 5 minutes there was a real buzz with a huge crowd watching the players and asking if they could have a go. The children thought this was a new game and I felt quite sad that this wonderful game was slowly disappearing. I’m all for moving forward in a modern world but I honestly believe there is still room for some of the wonderful games and activities from our bygone years. What’s your view on this? In my last article I showed you how to play the snail trail so this time I thought I would reintroduce the rules for hopscotch and add in a few variations to make it more interesting once you grasp the basic principles of this fabulous street game.

The benefits include increased physical activity, body control, balance, and strengthened hand and eye coordination. Outline your court using chalk or paint with natural products e.g. spices/turmeric.

The first player throws a stone, bean bag, bottle top or other small object which should land in square one. If it lands outside the square, in the wrong square or on a line the player loses their turn.

The player hops on one foot into the first empty square and keeps going from there using both feet in the pairs section (4,5 and 7,8). DO NOT hop into the square your marker is on. Hop all the way to the end of the court and then back again. When you get to the square with your rock in it, pick it up (while still on one foot) and

hop out. If you finish perfectly, pass the marker to the next player. Now it’s their turn! If a player steps outside of the line, loses their balance and falls, jumps outside the line, misses a square or hops into the square with the marker they lose their turn and have to repeat the same number on their next turn.

Whoever reaches 10 first wins!

Try a few of these variations or get creative and add some of your own ideas.

Instead of going in order of the numbered squares, toss the small rock and see where it lands.

Set a timer for 30 seconds. Each player must complete the course within the time frame agreed or lose their turn.

Try kicking the marker from one space to the next with your hopping foot as you make your way through the course.

Label each hopscotch square e.g. ice cream’s, animals, movies, books, etc. As each player lands in a square they must shout out an appropriate item in that category and if you repeat another player’s item you lose your turn.

Switch up the traditional hopscotch squares. Why not get the children to search online for new and interesting combinations? Let’s get physical! Scan the QR code below and enjoy a wonderful local family walk together.