Hopscotch — The New Old Game

Well it’s 2010 and time to reintroduce this new, old game. What is great about hopscotch is that it is cheap (you only need chalk), it can be played almost anywhere and children love it. And parents, this is a game that you can also play along with your children; provided they allow you to join in the fun.

To get you started, I have included a diagram as a guide. Following are instructions for the basic game. There are also different versions of hopscotch from other cultures in case you would like to change things up. To find variations on the traditional American game, do a quick search on the internet for instructions from other cultures.

So, grab some chalk and hustle the kids outside and remember, it would not hurt to join them. Enjoy!

Instructions:

  1. Use chalk to draw a hopscotch pattern on the ground. Please, do not draw in the street as this can be dangerous for both kids and passing cars. Instead, use a sidewalk or walkway. (see sample diagram) Or ask permission to use a vacant parking lot.
  2. Have each player choose a playing piece such as a small stone, bottle cap or button.
  3. Decide who will go first, second and so on.
  4. The first player begins by standing behind the starting line ( in front of square #1) and tosses his or her marker in square one. Next hop on one foot on each square until reaching square eight, turn around and hop back until you reach square 2. Pause, pick up your marker, hop in square 1 and then out of the diagram back to the starting point. The player must hop through all squares on one foot except where a square is side by side; and then two feet, one in each square, is allowable. Continue by tossing the marker in square # 2 and repeat through square #8. Continue until marker does not land in the right square, player steps outside of or on a line, loses balance or accidentally puts two feet in one square. If any of these happen, the player is called out, he/she leaves their maker in the same square and the next player begins their chance.
  5. The first person to successfully go through all 8 squares wins the game.
Tip: This game is a great way to include exercise in a fun way, helps to build social skills and teaches how to cooperate with others.