Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
£3
A compilation of games forchildren to play by
themselves or with adults
IntroductionTraditional games are returningto playgrounds (did they evergo away?) as parents, teachersand playworkers recognise thesocial, physical, cultural andeducational benefits of theseactivities.
As is made clear in the book‘Children’s Games in Street andPlayground,’ traditional gameshave been passed from child tochild throughout thegenerations. They make thecase that children’s games areone of the last true spokentraditions left in the British Isles.Games are excellent ‘peermaterial’ for sharing, and byplaying together, children alsoshare thoughts and ideas,dreams and fears.
Research into schoolplayground games has alsoshown that children tend totake their games ‘underground’if they feel they are not wantedby adults; the play continuesbut away from adult gaze!
Of course, the games are notjust played in school yards butcan be adapted to a variety ofplay spaces. Our intention withthis compilation is to remind
you, or rekindle in you, thegame traditions that are part ofthe children’s heritage.
BenefitsChildren interact with eachother and change the games tosuit new circumstances. Thesegames as well as being aboutfun and companionship, alsohelp children grow healthily.We have shown at thebeginning of each sectionsome of the core skills thatchildren can develop thoroughtheir play, such as:u Fundamental movement
skills such as running, jumping, throwing
ABC Agility, balance, and (hand-eye) co-ordination
J Improved personal confidence and self esteem (from making choices and taking decisions)
I Familiarity with and respect for other ways of doing things (cultural awareness)
O Understanding of team and group relationships (workingco-operatively, working witha leader)
TTrraaddiittiioonnaall GGaammeess ooff tthheePPllaayyggrroouunndd
The focus in most play is aboutfun, fitness and practising basicmuscle skills, rather thancompetition and winning. Basicmuscle skills acquired at thisstage will provide a sound basefor continued involvement inplay, sport or other forms ofactive recreation, and thereforelead to positive, lifelong benefitsin health and social skills -especially if children areencouraged to play active gamesfor at least one hour everyday.
These benefits may be useful tosupervisors when planning aprogramme of activities overschool lunchtimes or for aplayscheme. Don’t forget thechildren should be encouragedto play the games they want to;but they will also react well tonew games - especially ifintroduced in a fun and pleasantway.
SafetyWhile these games can beplayed in most open spaces,with a minimum of equipment,always make sure that the playarea is safe; free from glass etc.In a playscheme, make sure thatyou have a fully stocked First Aidkit - and someone who isqualified to use it. If you areadapting an indoor space, moveall tables, chairs, bins etc. to oneside.
Games of theBritish IslesAs this booklet is a compilationof traditional games, many areto do with competition andchallenge - and consultation hasshown that children want moreof this in their play. Someelements of the games and someof the language used may notmeet with some adultexpectations. Remember that theplay is for the children; theyneed to learn their own lessonsin their own way. We hope youcan acknowledge the changes insociety by using the games as apositive learning experience.Start a discussion (after thegame!) about the changes andhow a combination of traditionand new ways of doing thingshave always influenced cultures.
World wide gamesSome of the games arerecognisable the world over. Weknow that these games and thenames used (“Kingy” and“British Bulldog”) are whatyoung people still play in Britain- even in our multiculturalsociety.
In researching this topic, wediscovered that most of thesegames are played in one form oranother worldwide. For examplein Korea, ‘Kongi Nori’ has beenplayed for centuries; it is knownin the UK as ‘marbles’. In Korea
there are as many variationsof ‘marbles’ as there are herein Britain.
In Bangladesh, ‘Dariabandha’is played in schoolplaygrounds. Like a morecomplicated version of‘Bulldog’, this game is alsovery old indeed.
From India, ‘Kabaddi’ is a verypopular game for childrenand for adults. There it isplayed in leagues much likeFootball Leagues in the UK.This game is like a crossbetween ‘Bulldog’ and ‘Tiggy’and has been shown on TV inthe UK.
You may have no difficulty inintroducing these games to amulti-cultural group, as theyknow the basic idea already.Listen to them; some childrenin your group may be able toteach you a new variation onthe games.
Flexibility and funBefore beginning an activity,look at the various abilities ofthe children. If you have somechildren who may find agame too difficult, try toadapt the game so that all thechildren can participate asequals. With a little thought,most games can be adaptedin this way, making sure thatno one is going to feel left outon account of disability orbecause of favouritism.
Adaptation is one of the keyskills of any playworker. Inplay, the rules, equipment andpremises are there to beadapted. The game is there tobe enjoyed by all. Anythingthat gets in the way, like arule that limits the ability ofsomeone to take part, shouldbe ignored or changed. Thiscan even be done to the pointwhere the game being playedshows no resemblance to theoriginal game; you will have anew game you are nowplaying!
And most important of all,join in and have fun!
Ted KeenPlay Resources ManagerSport and Community Recreation
October 2003
Ball Games 1. Individual Games 22. Individual Rhyming Games 33. Piggy in the Middle 44. Piggy in the Ring 45. Ball He, Ball She or Tiggy Ball 46. Animal, Vegetable, Mineral 57. French Cricket 68. Kingy 79. Dodge Ball 1 710. Dodge Ball 2 811. Dodge Ball 3 8
Skipping Games12. Run through 913. Pick a stone 914. Twizzle 915. Colours (Guessing Game) 1016. Bogey Man 1017. Lady, Lady 1118. House for Sale 1119. Chase the Fox 1220. Bumps or Double Turn 1221. Backward Skipping 1222. Hop Skipping 1323. Forwards, Backwards and Jumping 1324. Cross-arm Skipping 13
Hopscotch25. Home 1426. Send a Letter 1527. Hopscotch 16
Group Games28. Simon Says - (O’Grady Says) 1729. Follow the Leader 18
Chasing Group Games - “Tig” General Rules30. French Tig (Poison Tig) 1931. Three stoops and run forever 1932. Tiggy off ground 1933. Pirates 2034. Tiggy Bull 2035. Shadow Tig 20
Catching Group Games36. Adders Nest 2137. Leap Frog 2138. Farmer, Farmer 2239. Kings, Queens and Jacks 2340. British Bulldog 2341. German Bulldog 2442. Chain Bulldog 2543. Farm Yard Animals 25
IInnddeexx
1
2
BBaallll GGaammeess
SSyymmbboollss
1. Individual Games
Equipment: 1 ball per person - tennis balls are ideal- and a wall
The child throws the ball against the wall once in each ofthe following ways, reciting the appropriate word each time.
Word Action
Plainsy: throw and catch
Under: throw the ball under one leg against the wall and catch
Roll the Reel: throw the ball and roll the hands round each other and catch
Clapsey: throw the ball, clap once and catch it
One hand: throw the ball and catch it with one hand
Round the world: throw the ball, spin round on the spot once and then catch the ball
Dropsey: throw the ball and let it bounce on theground once before catching it
Backsey: throw the ball, clap once in front and once behind the body and then catch the ball
u = Fundamental movement skillsABC = Agility, balance, co-ordinationJ = Improved personal confidenceI = Cultural awarenessO = Team/group relationships
u ABC J
3
2. Individual Rhyming Games
Equipment: 1 ball per person
The ball is bounced against a wall. A rhyme is recited atthe same time.
On the accented words the ball can be caught or thrown.
One, two, three O’LaryI spy Sister MarySitting on the pompalaryEating chocolate wafers
Peter Pan, bread and jamMarmalade and treacleA bit for you and a bit for meAnd none for the naughty people
I had a little sausageA little tasty sausageI put it in the pan for my teaI went out playingAnd I heard the sausage sayingEllen, Ellen come in for your tea
For ‘Ellen’, substitute the thrower’s name.
One, two, three O’LaryFour, five, six O’LarySeven, eight, nine O’LaryTen O’Lary Postman!
Old Mrs Black, Black, BlackAsked her Mother, Mother, MotherFor 15 pence, pence, penceTo climb the fence, fence, fenceShe climbed so high, high, highShe touched the sky, sky, skyAnd didn’t come back, back, backTill the 4th of July, July, July
u ABC
4
3. Piggy in the Middle -several players
Equipment: 1 ball per game. The younger the players - the larger the ball.
Two players stand about 10 paces apart and throw the ballto each other.
A third player, the piggy, stands between them and tries tocatch the ball as it passes.
When someone succeeds, they take the place of thethrower, who takes over as piggy.
To avoid the pig, the ball can be thrown overhead, to theside, rolled or bounced. Children will produce rules to ensurethe game is possible i.e. setting the height and width of thethrowing area.
4 . Piggy in the Ring - any number of players
Equipment: 1 ball per game. The younger the players - the larger the ball.
The players stand in a ring and pass the ball between them.
The pig, in the middle of the circle, tries to catch the ball.When someone succeeds they take the place of the lastthrower who takes over as piggy.
5. Ball He, Ball She or Tiggy Ball - several players
Equipment: 1 small ball. Owing to the nature of this game, it is advisable to use a soft ball.
One player takes the ball and is “it”.
All other players scatter. Whoever is “it”, chases them andtries to hit any of them below the shoulder with the ball.
u ABC O
u ABC O
u ABC O
5
When someone succeeds, the game continues in one ofthree different ways:
1. The touched player also becomes “it” and assists theoriginal “it”. They pass the ball between them, as theychase the other players and try to hit them.
As more people are hit, they also join the “it” peopleuntil only one is left.
The last remaining runner is “it” in the next game.
2. The player who is hit becomes “it”. The original “it”joins the rest of the players.
3. The player who is hit is out.
The game is over when all the players are hit, the lastone becoming “it” in the next game.
6. Animal, Vegetable, Mineral - several players
Equipment: 1 ball (football size is most suitable).
The players stand in a circle and throw the ball at randombetween themselves. When the lead player throws the ballthey call out “Animal, Vegetable or Mineral”, and thenquickly count up to 10.
The next player to whom the lead player has thrown theball, must catch it and also name something from thechosen category before the thrower reaches 10.
If they succeed, they throw the ball to another player asbefore. If they fail either to catch the ball, or namesomething from the category, they are out.
The winner is the last person in.
u ABC O
6
7. French Cricket -several players
Equipment: 1 tennis ball,1 bat or racket (a piece of wood will do!)
For this game you will need a bat of some kind, as well as aball.
One player holds the bat in front of his or her legs, while theothers space themselves out in a large circle as fielders.
They must bowl, throw or roll the ball at the batsman,aiming to hit below the knee. The defender uses the bat tohit the ball away. The defender is not allowed to move theirfeet any time or they are out.
If the ball hits the bat holder below the knee, they are outand are replaced by the bowler. If the person with the bathits the ball high in the air and it is caught, they are also outand are replaced by the catcher.
The fielders must bowl at the batsman from the exact spotwhere they have stopped the ball, unless they choose to passit to another fielder, who may then bowl from a differentangle.
As no runs are scored in this game, there is no actual winner.
The more active the children are in fielding, bowling andcatching, the more chance they will have to bat.
u ABC O
7
8. Kingy -several players
Equipment: 1 soft tennis-sized ball
All the players except one, the King, stand in a line againstthe wall.
The King, who is positioned about four metres (12 - 15feet) in front of the players, has to hit them with the ballanywhere below the knee.
Once hit, the players join the King and help him or her tohit the remaining players. However, they are not allowedto run whilst in possession of the ball.
Those who are being thrown at, may dodge as much asthey like and may also punch the ball away fromthemselves to avoid being hit.
The last remaining un-hit player becomes King for the nextgame.
9. Dodge Ball 1 -several players
Equipment: 1 tennis-sized ball
This game is very much like Kingy. There are two equalteams here though. They should be positioned about fourmetres (12 - 15 feet) apart in straight lines facing eachother.
The ball is rolled, thrown or bowled underarm at theopposing team, attempting to hit them below the knees.
When someone is hit they are out of the game.
The turn then passes over to the opposition to bowl and sothey take it in turns until one team is eliminated.
u ABC J O
u ABC O
8
10. Dodge Ball 2 - several players
Equipment: 1 football or softer substitute
Form all of the players into a circle, except one, who is leftin the centre of the ring, where he or she is able to runand jump about freely.
The other players attempt to throw a ball - large ball ispreferable for this game - and hit the dodger on or belowthe knees. When this happens, thrower and dodgerchange places and so the game continues.
11. Dodge Ball 3 - for large groups
Equipment: 1 football or softer substitute
First split the group into two. One group makes a circlearound the other who are able to move freely within. Theplayers making up the circle have to throw a ball - large asbefore - in an attempt to hit the free runners below theknees. If this is achieved the dodger is out of the game.This continues until all dodgers are hit. At this point theteams swop over and assume opposite roles.
The winning team is that which eliminates the oppositionin the shortest time.
u ABC O
u ABC O
9
SSkkiippppiinngg GGaammeess
12. Run Through
Equipment: 1 long, soft rope per group
Holders turn the rope reciting the following rhyme:
Andy PandySugar CandyFrench Almond Rock!
The skippers run rapidly one after the other through theturning rope. The one who is running through on the word“rock”, replaces one of the rope holders.
13. Pick A Stone
Equipment: 1 long, soft rope per group
Rope holders start turning, while the first skipper alternatelydrops and picks up a stone or twig at each skip. When he orshe trips, the next skipper replaces them.
14. Twizzle
Equipment: 1 long, soft rope per group
One player swings the rope round and round, one handle inhis or her hand, the other trailing on the ground.
The remaining players stand in a circle around the “twizzler”and jump over the rope each time it comes round.
Skippers are out when they trip. The last one in, being thewinner and the rope “twizzler” next time.
u ABC O
u ABC J O
u ABC J O
15. Colours (Guessing Game)
Equipment: 1 long, soft rope per group
Holders decide between themselves on a colour.
They turn the rope and the skippers take turns to run in,skip once, and run out calling out a colour.
The skipper who guesses correctly, takes the place of oneof the holders and the game continues with anothercolour.
This game can be played with animals, cars, fruit etc.instead of colours.
16. Bogey Man
Equipment: 1 long, soft rope per group
Holders turn the rope while the skippers take turns to runin. As they do so, they recite:
Mother in the kitchenDoing a bit of knittingIn comes a bogey manAnd knocks mother out
The second skipper jumps in on bogey man and the firstskipper runs out on ‘out’.
10
u ABC O
u ABC J O
11
17. Lady, Lady
Equipment: 1 long, soft rope per group
As the holders swing the rope, the skippers jump in one by onein turn reciting:
Lady, Lady drop your purseLady, Lady pick it upLady, Lady twist right roundLady, Lady touch the ground
Each skipper has to drop something, a stick, stone or even apurse on one revolution of the rope, then pick it up on thenext as the rhyme suggests.
Each line of the rhyme must be fulfilled within a completeswing of the rope. After the 4th swing, the skipper runs out,followed in by the next.
If a skipper makes a mistake or snags the rope, they mustchange places with one of the rope turners.
18. House for Sale
Equipment: 1 long, soft rope per group
As with all the previous skipping games, the rope is swungby two people, while the remainder come in to skip oneafter the other reciting:
House for saleApply withinThe people upstairsAre drinking ginAs I go outMr. or (Mrs.) . . . . . . . . comes in
The acting skipper chooses the name of the person then followthem into the rope by inserting their name in to the last lineMrs . . . . . . . or Mr . . . . . . .
On the word, “in” the new skipper enters as the old one leaves.
u ABC J O
u ABC J O
12
19. Chase The Fox -five or more players
Two children swing the rope. One of the other players ischosen the leader. The rest must do exactly what the leaderdoes in their turn.
A typical sequence:
a) the leader runs through the rope, whilst it is high up -the rest follow in turn.
b) the leader jumps into the turning rope, skips once, andjumps out again. The rest follow.
c) the leader jumps into the turning rope, skips twice...and so on.
20. Bumps or Double Turn
Equipment: 1 rope per person
Get a good rhythm going, doing ordinary forward jumping.
Then, take a big jump and very quickly, turn the rope sothat it passes twice under your feet before you touch theground.
21. Backward Skipping
Equipment: 1 rope per person
This time start with the rope in front of your feet. Swing itup in front of you over your head, and skip over it as ittouches the ground by your heels.
u ABC J O
u ABC J O
u ABC J O
13
22. Hop Skipping
Equipment: 1 rope per person
Hop over the rope first with your left foot, and then withyour right and carry on alternating, getting faster andfaster.
23. Forwards, Backwards and Jumping
Equipment: 1 rope per person
Instead of skipping over the rope as it touches the floor,jump over it with both feet together.
24. Cross-arm Skipping
Equipment: 1 rope per person
Start with ordinary forward skipping.
Then cross your arms in front of you as the rope comesover your head and before it reaches the ground, and skipthrough the loop formed by the rope.
Carry on skipping alternate forward and cross-arm skips.
u ABC J O
u ABC J O
u ABC J O
HHooppssccoottcchhHopscotch diagrams can be painted on the ground, but areusually chalked up for a few days play.
25. Home - see the diagram
Home is played by throwing the “potsie”(small stone or pebble) into space Number1, jumping with the right foot into 8,hopping with the left foot into 2, with theright foot into 7, never keeping both feet onthe ground until “HOME” is reached.
The player now returns: left foot into 5,right foot into 4, in turn until he or shearrives at 1. Here they retrieve their “potsie”while standing on one foot and then jumpsout.
If the “potsie” lands on a line or if a playersteps on a line, they are out and must waittheir turn to start again as before.
If they go through cleanly on their first run, they can go againby throwing their “potsie” into number 2 and then completinganother full circuit. They can do this every time they have aclean run, throwing their “potsie” to the next highest numbereach turn. When they get to 8 they have finished the ordinaryround.
Now, with closed eyes they must attempt to throw their“potsie” to HOME. If it lands inside HOME without touching aline, they go through the diagram once more, eyes closed firststepping into 1 and 8 (both feet at once), then 2 and 7 all theway to HOME and back again. If someone completes thisround without stepping on any lines, picking up their “potsie”on HOME and finally jumping out, he or she has won thegame and a new round begins.
4HOME
53 62 71 8
14
u ABC J
26. Send a letter -see the diagram
Hop on both feet 1 to 9 and then back.
Hop on right foot 1 to 4.
Jump astride into 5 and 6.
Hop on one foot to 7.
Jump astride 8 and 9, then turn around.
Jump and cross your legs so that your left foot is in 8and your right is in 9.
Hop 7 and 6 on one foot.
Hop/jump 5 and 4 on both feet.
Hop 3 to 1 on one foot.
Repeat this pattern but cross your legs jumping into 5and 6, 8 and 9.
98743
2
1
5 6
15
u ABC J
16
27. Hopscotch -see the diagram
Player throws his or her ‘potsie’ into 1.
Hops with both feet into 1 and 2.
Hops with one foot into 3.
Both feet to 4 and 5.
Hops one foot to 6.
Both feet to 7 and 8.
Hops one foot to 9.
Both feet to 10 and 11.
Hops one foot to 12.
About turn.
Return in similar manner inopposite direction.
If this round is completedwithout stepping on any lines,the same player aims his or her‘potsie’ at 2. If it lands withouttouching a line, the player hopsall the way through thediagram, once more, picking uptheir ‘potsie’ on their return tripwhen they reach the square itoccupies.
When this is successfullycompleted, the player must thenrepeat for each separatenumber on the grid in numericalorder.
12
10
9
6
3
4 5
1 2
7 8
11
u ABC J
17
GGrroouupp GGaammeess
28 Simon Says - (O Grady Says)
One player is chosen to be ‘it’ and becomes ‘Simon’ orO’Grady, whichever you prefer.
The rest of the players stand spread out in front of him or her.
‘Simon’ then performs a gesture and simultaneously describesit.
Example: He or she raises their right arm saying at the sametime ‘Simon says raise your right arm’. The remaining playersmust do as ‘Simon’ says.
After a few actions ‘Simon’ may deliberately not say, ‘Simonsays’. He or she may simply say, ‘Raise your right arm’.
If any of the players follow this order they are out of the game.They must only do what ‘Simon’ says.
‘Simon’ may catch players out in another way. He or she mayconfuse them by saying one thing, but actually doing another.
Example: ‘Simon says’ wave your left hand. However, in reality‘Simon’ is waving his or her right hand.
Players left in the game must try to ignore what he or she isdoing and only do what he or she says - that is wave their lefthand.
After each action ‘Simon’ must cancel it before commencinganother.
Example: ‘Simon says’ ‘stop’. All the players must stop whatthey were last ordered to do.
However, ‘Simon’ may, again, try to trick the players by justsaying, ‘Stop’. Those who do so are out.
The last person left in the game is the winner.
u ABC J I O
29. Follow the Leader
Choose an active child to lead this game.
All other children who wish to play, form a line behind theleader and proceed to follow his or her every action. Theymust go where he or she goes and do whatever actions heor she chooses and that includes stopping.
The leader even decides when to stop the game.
CChhaassiinngg GGrroouupp GGaammeess --“TTiigg” GGeenneerraall RRuulleessThe game of ‘tig’ has many different names and some regionalvariations in rules. However, the basic game is as
follows:-
One person is ‘on’ or ‘it’, he or she has to chase, thentouch, another player who then becomes ‘it’.
Among the many varying rules, one of the most important isthat you can’t ‘tig your butcher!’ This simply means thatyou can’t ‘tig’ the person who has just tagged you.
There are variations in the allowed methods of movement.
Walking Tig, Hopping Tig, Spider touch (played on all fours).
These games restrict the movement of all the playerscausing it to be played at a slower speed.
18
u ABC J I O
30. French Tig (Poison Tig)
This game is the same as ordinary ‘tig’, except that thecaught person has to cover the place on his or her bodywhere they were tagged and keep it there until they tagsomeone else.
Obviously the more peculiar the place on which a person istagged, the funnier he or she will look running aroundwhen they are on. Particularly if they been tagged on theirfoot.
31. Three stoops and run forever
Basically, ordinary tig except that when the chased personfeels that they are in danger of getting caught, they may“bob” down into a ball squatting on the ground saying:
“Bob down bunny” or “Mercy”.
This makes them immune to the touch.
However, players are only allowed to bob three times. Ifthey exceed the number they are automatically “it”.
It may be wise to impose a time limit on the stoops tomake the game maintain some kind of flow.
32 Tiggy off ground
This game of tig is the same as normal tig except that aperson can only be tagged if they are stood on the ground.
If they stand on something or climb up a structure, forexample, they cannot be tagged.
19
u ABC J I O
u ABC J I O
u ABC J I O
20
33. Pirates
This game used to be popular in school gymnasiums andon Adventure Playgrounds. It is by nature a little morerisky than other games of tig.
The aim of the game is to move around the play areawithout stepping on the ground.
Paths can be laid from structure to structure using stones,pieces of wood etc. to enable the players access to agreater playing area.
If, while being pursued, a player puts a foot on theground, they are automatically ‘on’.
34. Tiggy Bull
In this game, the player who is ‘it’ must bend forwardplacing his or her or her hands alongside their head, as ifthey were the horns of a bull.
Tig can only be passed on if contact is made with one orboth of the horns.
This game of tig enables children to use their imaginationin pretending to be matadors, dodging, twisting andtwirling to avoid the horns of the bull.
35. Shadow Tig
A game for sunny days only.
In this game not the person, but his or her or hershadow, must be touched with the chaser’s foot.
In this game, if a child flattens themself against a wall orstands in an area already full of shadows so that he orshe has no shadow, then they are safe.
This has been a popular game in the past. However, it isprone to cheating as people can simply deny that a touchor ‘tag’ took place.
u ABC J I O
u ABC J I O
u ABC J I O
21
CCaattcchhiinngg GGrroouupp GGaammeess
36. Adders Nest
The players form a circle round a box or drain cover - the“adders’ nest” - holding hands and proceed to move round and round it.
On command, the players stop circling the box and attempt to pull each other on to it. When a player touches the box, they are “bitten by an adder” and are out.
The game begins again in the same way and continues untilonly one player is left - the winner!
Warning: This game is excellent fun to play round a puddle,so if you want your children to remain dry beware!
37. Leap Frog
Leap frog is a vaulting activity. If there is only one player,bollards or stools are ideal for leaping over.
However, where many children are involved, they form a line.One person bends down, bracing themselves by putting theirhands on their knees.
The next person in the line runs forward, jumps over andcontinues forward a few steps, stops and then bends over.
Again, the next in line jumps and bends and so on until there are no more jumpers left in line.
At this point, the rear person stands up and jumps over allthose in front, bending over on reaching a short distance infront of the line.
Again, the last person jumps all the bent over people and joins,bent over, at the front.
In this way, the whole line can move around the playgroundreaching quite a speed.
u ABC J I O
u ABC J I O
22
38. Farmer, Farmer
This old game used to be played in a road, with theplayers crossing from one side to the other. It should notbe difficult to find a suitable space in a school playgroundfor example, thus avoiding any danger from traffic.
One child is named the farmer. He or she stands in themiddle of the “road,’ while the rest line up on the‘pavement’.
The children on the ‘pavement’ call out ‘Farmer,Farmer, may we cross your golden river?’
And the farmer replies, choosing a colour, ‘You can’tcross the river unless you have blue’.
The children who have this colour on them, even if it’s onlya tiny item or part of an item of clothing, get free passageacross the ‘river’. Those who are not wearing the colour,have to dash across the ‘river’ and risk being caught bythe farmer.
When the children ask if they can cross from the otherside, the Farmer chooses another colour.
The rarer the colour on the players’ clothing picked by theFarmer, the more children he or she has to catch.
In some places, when a person is caught, he or she takesthe place of the Farmer. More often, the caught player isout until everyone else is caught, or has to assist theFarmer to catch the rest. This way, it gets harder to crossas the game goes on.
u ABC J I O
23
39. Kings, Queens and Jacks
In this game, the catcher stands in the middle of the playgroundand calls out ‘Kings’, ‘Queens’ or ‘Jacks’.
If he or she calls ‘Kings’, the players have to run to the other sideof the playground without being grabbed by the catcher, and ifthey are, they must assist him or her.
If he or she shouts ‘Queens’, the players have to hop acrosswithout being knocked over by the catcher, who is also hopping.
If the cry is ‘Jacks’, anyone who moves, however slightly, has tojoin the catcher in the middle.
In this game, the catcher has three possible ways to catch theplayers, grabbing, toppling over and trickery.
The last person left is the winner and becomes the catcher next go.
40. British Bulldog
The catcher stands in the middle of the area. All the other playersstand facing him or her on the edge of the pitch, waiting for theorder to run to the opposite side.
The catcher picks a person in the runners to go, first calling him orher out by name.
This runner makes as much ground as they can towards the otherside. When they feel to go any further would mean being caught,they call out ‘Bulldog’.
At this cry, all the remaining players run across to the safety of theother side.
On their way across, the catcher must attempt to catch and hold them long enough to shout ‘British Bulldog one, two, three’. If he or she succeeds, the caught person also becomesa catcher.
As the game continues from side to side of the play area, more and more runners become catchers, until only one remains. This person becomes the catcher in the next game.
u ABC J I O
u ABC J I O
24
41. German Bulldog
The game of German Bulldog is much the same as its Britishcounterpart.
The difference is that the runners are split into two groups.Each group faces the other across the pitch, with thecatcher remaining in the middle.
The catcher shouts ‘change’, and both teams of runnersswop sides, attempting to avoid being caught.
This game is somewhat more exhausting than ‘BritishBulldog’, as the runners have the problem of not gettingcaught, but also of not getting in each other’s way as theychange ends.
To assist the catcher, the chant ‘Bulldog, 1,2,3’ is dispensedwith in this game. Here the rule is, once touched a runnerbecomes a catcher.
The first runner caught is the catcher next time.
u ABC J I O
25
42. Chain Bulldog
This is an adaptation that can be used in either of theprevious games of Bulldog.
It simply means that the catchers form a chain across thepitch as they are caught. This chain is then used to round upand catch the runners.
As a rule, it shortens the game’s length and allows smallerchildren a better chance to participate.
43. Farmyard Animals
The leader of the game writes the names of farmyard animalson pieces of paper (at least 2 of each, up to say 5 or 6), andputs them in a hat.
The players of the game take a piece of paper, read it andkeep secret the animal written on it - that is what they are tobecome.
Next, they all spread out and put on their blind folds.
When the leader shouts ‘Go’, (Gee-up is probably more inkeeping with the farm atmosphere), the players must eachattempt to duplicate the noise made by their selected animal.
The play area is now full of noise making, blind foldedindividuals, bumping into each other. For this reason, it is bestto keep a few observers at hand to prevent collisions withdoors, railings, each other etc.
They should try to locate animals of their own kind byfollowing their noises.
The aim of the game is to have fun more than anything.
u ABC J I O
u ABC J I O
26
This list of traditional games was compiled with thehelp of the following books:
Children’s Games in Street and Playgroundby: Iona and Peter OpiePublished by: Oxford University PressISBN O - 19 - 281489 - 3
The World Book of Children’s Gamesby: Arnold ArnoldPublished by: Macmillan London LtdISBN 333 - 19130 - 7
The Traditional Games of England, Scotland andIrelandby: A B GommePublished by: Dover
Let’s Play Togetherby: Mildred MashederPublished by: Green PrintISBN 1 - 85425 - 013 - 2
Let’s Play Asian Children’s GamesCompiled by: Opal DunnPublished by: Macmillan South East Asia in
association with the Asian Cultural Centre for UNESCO
BBiibblliiooggrraapphhyy
27
If you are interested in finding out more about children’splay and games, further information can be obtainedfrom:
The Play Resource Centre31-33 Nursery StreetSheffield S3 8GF
Tel: 0114 276 6852
Children’s Information Service Library9 Leopold StreetSheffield S1 2GY
Tel: 0114 249 6379
Sheffield Children’s Library Surrey StreetSheffield S1 1XZ
Tel: 0114 273 4734
FFuurrtthheerr IInnffoorrmmaattiioonn
Sport and Community Recreation2/10 Carbrook Hall Road
Sheffield S9 2DB
Tel 0114 273 4266
Fax 0114 273 5504
E-Mail [email protected]
www.sheffield.gov.uk
Marketing & Communications . Design & Print Service . DP2056
Copies of this information can be madeavailable on request in Arabic, Bengalli,
Chinese, Somali and Urdu, Braille, large printand on audio tape, .
Please telephone 0114 273 4266
