Friday 25th October to Friday 1st November 2019

Street Games and Folklore Booklet

Mayo North East Leader Partnership Company Ltd

Edition 1

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About Mayo Street Games Festival

Organised by Mayo North East Leader Partnership Company as part of their Social Inclusion and Community Activation ‘Health and Wellbeing’ initiative, the aim of Mayo Street Games Festival is to encourage children to participate in traditional games that can be played for free, preferably outside, sometimes inside on a rainy day as an alternative to TV or computer games, Ipad or mobile phones! In line with the Healthy Ireland (2013-2025) Plan The Mayo Street Games Festival aims to empower communities, where everyone can enjoy physical and mental health and wellbeing to their full potential, where wellbeing is valued and supported at every level of society and is everyone’s responsibility.

Mayo Street Festival 2019 will take place during the Halloween Mid Term Break Friday 25th of October to Friday November 1st, organisations that support children can plan an event or series of events to demonstrate traditional games for children and their communities that they can bring back to their street, estate or community and play with their peers. Planning the event can bring adults together to reminisce on games they played as children and pass these games onto a group of children through demonstration and sharing the rules of the games or activity. The activities can be wide and varied – this booklet provides a suggestion of active games, board games, card games, songs and rhymes that you can share with your group. Please send in other suggestions as we plan to add to this booklet each year.

In 2020, it is planned this festival will take place in June to encourage children to play games outside during the summer months. Through collaboration with a number of event organisers we will develop this booklet into a professionally printed guide for community groups, parents and children to use.

Thank you for taking part in organising an event for what we hope will build into something special year on year!

Mayo North East Leader Partnership Company

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Traditional Street Games 4

How to Play Rounders 10

Skipping and Jump Rope games 13

Traditional Skipping Rope Rhymes 15

Nursery Rhymes/ Playing songs 17

Folklore and Sharing Traditions with Children 25

Card Games for Children 26

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TRADITIONAL TAG GAME…It’s best played with lots of places to hide. The person who is the counter (or seeker) stands next to a designated tree and closes their eyes while counting to ______.  The rest of the players run and hide.  When the seeker is done counting, they call out “Ready or Not, Here I come!” and begin searching for everyone else.  The goal for those hiding is to get back and touch the tree before being tagged.  Those who are tagged before touching the tree are also “It” and join the seeker.  The last one to reach the tree or be tagged is the seeker for the next game.

FOUR SQUARE You need: A gym floor with 4 squares or PAVEMENT and CHALK..1. Draw a 6- to 10-foot square on a paved surface.2. Divide the larger square into four smaller squares, number the squares 1 to 4, and have each child stand in a block.3. The player in square 4 serves the ball by bouncing it in his square and tapping the ball into another square.4. The player in that space must tap the ball (after one bounce) into another kid’s area, and so on, until someone misses the ball, lets the ball bounce twice, or sends it out of the grid.5. The player who misses the ball steps out and the remaining players rotate up through the numbered squares. If you are playing with more than four players, a new player enters the game at square 1.The player who is out waits in line to re-enter the game once square 1 is open again. Whoever is now in square 4 serves the ball to resume play.

TUG OF WARDraw a line in the dirt or field and get a rope.Number off the same amount on each side of the rope.The first team that gets the other team across their side of the line wins. Caregivers and teachers–join in!!!

KICK THE CANPlace a coffee can in a large open area to be home base.“It” counts to 50 while the other kids hide.When “It” SEES a child, he/she calls their name.They both race to the can, and try to kick it first.If “It” kicks the can, the hider is caught and placed in “prison” in a pre-selected area.If the hider kicks the can, he/she and all players in prison are free, and “It” must count again

HULA HOOP FREEZE TAGScatter out several hula hoops around the play area.Assign taggers to freeze the other players.Students inside a hula hoop can not get frozen, but can only stay long enough to count to 10.Only one child per hula hoop is allowed.

HOP SCOTCHEquipment: Pavement, stones, chalkDraw the layout with the chalk – From bottom to top—

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3 single squares, 1 double square, 2 single squares, 1 double square, 1 single square.Number the squares.

The two basic rules of hop scotch are:1) One foot in each square only2) Hop over the square with the rock in it.Use a rock to throw into the first square.Hop on one foot over the square with the rock in it.Land with two feet on the double squares.On the second turn, throw the rock into the second square, and so forth.The tricky part is staying on one foot when the rock is in one of the side-by-side squares._______If you have a side walk–you can also play by marking two side walk squares with an “X” going from corner to corner in each square.The part of the “X” portion closest to you (at the very bottom) would be #1…#2 would be above that to the right#3 is to the left of 2—and #4 goes in the top portion of the “X”Mark the square above the same–with #5, 6, 7, and 8…Proceed to play as above.

PICK-POCKET TAG (Or Tail Tag)Need Flags or a strip of cloth to be used as a tail.Players have a tail inserted into his/her belt or pocket that is hanging at the back-side.All players chase one another trying to collect tails, while protecting his/her own.Players with the most tails collected in a specified time are the winners. (Game is good in the gym or outside)

 CAPTURE THE FLAG(Boyscout Rules)Need: Two flags (you can make flags with two sticks and bandanas) Divide the kids into two teams and decide on the teams’ territories. Be sure to specifically state the boundary lines of each team’s territory because once a player crosses that boundary line they are subject to being caught. Also, decide where each team’s jail will be located.

For the first few minutes of the game, each team decides where to place its flag. It must be visible and it cannot be moved by its team. A 10-20 foot circle around the flag is a safety zone that cannot be entered by its team unless the opposing team enters the circle first.Play:

The object of the game is to grab the other team’s flag and carry it safely back to your team’s territory.

Part of the team stays to guard their flag and part of the team goes on the capture mission in enemy territory.

If a player sees an opposing team member enter his territory, he can catch him by tagging him long enough to say “Caught!” three times .

When a player is caught, he must go to the jail area.

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The player stays in jail until one of his teammates sneaks in and tags him. Only one prisoner at a time can be freed.

When a player grabs the flag, he/she must make it all the way back to their home territory without being caught. If they do make it back, their team wins!Adapted from about.com

SNAKES AND WORMS(You can call this game anything you want. An idea is to use brown and green yarn and call it snakes and worms…)

Cut two colors of yarn, each about 20 feet long. (If you have a large group playing at the same time–you may need 3 colors of yarn and cut the pieces longer)

Next cut the long length into many pieces. Hide the pieces of yarn outside.

When time to play, carefully explain rules and regulations to children.Form two teams with one or two kids on each side as captains.They will tie each yarn piece that is brought to them, to the next yarn piece.The team with the longest finished yarn string wins!Idea: This game would also be good for a party–and adapted to the inside.Great for a worm themed day.

MOTHER MAY I?All the children line up side by side except the player who is the caller. The caller stands at a distance from the lined up players.He calls on each player in turn to take a number of steps toward him. The steps allowed are: baby steps, giant steps, and scissor steps (like forward jumping jacks.)The player answers “Mother, may I?”

The mother answers “Yes, you may.”The player takes the given number of steps toward the caller.If the player forgets to ask permission after they get directions— and takes steps toward the caller— they are sent back to the starting line. The first player to reach the caller is the winner and new caller.Idea: Change the name to the season: Teacher May I? Santa, Snowman, Cupid, Leprechaun, Bunny, etc.

COMMOM ‘TABLE GAMES‘ ARE MORE FUN OUTSIDE!Tic-tac-toe can be scratched in the dirt and is more enticing than on paper–Hangman, too. (or use chalk for pavement)Sketch a checker board on the ground and fabricate markers out of stones and acorns.Or just spread a blanket on the grass for Monopoly or Candyland played in a whole new venue…

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KEEP AWAY!Also called ‘Pickle’ or ‘Monkey in the Middle‘…Two or more players must pass a ball to one another, while a player in the middle attempts to intercept it.The game could be considered a reverse form of dodgeball—instead of trying to hit people in the middle with the ball, players attempt to keep the ball away from them.

The basic game is played by drawing a circle on the ground about ten feet in diameter.One person stands in the cener (the monkey, the piggy or the pickle) and the rest stand outside the circle.A player outside the circle must then throw the ball through the circle to another person outside the circle with the goal being to prevent the person who is “it” from getting to the ball.This continues until the person who is it catches the ball or gains possession due to a failed catch, etc.Whoever threw the ball last then becomes it, and replaces the person in the middle.Adapted from: wikipedia.org

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Another simple game: Use fly swatters and balloons to pass balloons over and back to each other

RED LIGHT– GREEN LIGHTSelect one child, or perhaps yourself, to start the game and be the “stoplight”.All the children line up on the other side of gym or field.The designated stoplight yells “Green light!” and the children lined up start running.The first one to make it to the stoplight wins and is now the stoplight.It gets tricky when the stoplight changes, though.The stoplight should yell “Red light!” to get children to stop.

Any movement by a child means she is sent back to the beginning.The stoplight can also call out “yellow light” which means the children can only walk very slowly. Variations to this game include yelling “red light” two times in a row, or adding body movements.Say “green light” with your arms up one time and then say “red light,” but throw your arms up again to confuse runners into thinking your body language says “green light.”

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LONDON BRIDGE IS FALLING DOWN

How to Play

"London Bridge is Falling Down" is a popular nursery rhyme that children have adored for

generations. The game that accompanies this rhyme is easy and fun and can be played with

children as young as two or three. To play "London Bridge is Falling Down," all you need is

5 or 6 children and the words to the rhyme.

Choose 2 children to create an arch. Have them face each other, join both hands together and

lift their arms up.

Line up the other children so they can walk under the arch.

Begin reciting, "London Bridge is falling down, falling down, falling down, London Bridge is

falling down, my fair lady."

Walk the line of children under the arch and back around, creating a circle of children

consistently walking under the arch.

Instruct the 2 children to drop their hands down on the last word of the rhyme, trying to

capture a child between their arms.

Repeat these actions with each verse of the rhyme until all the children are captured.

Words to the rhyme (change as you feel appropriate)

The words to "London Bridge is Falling Down" are as follows: 1) London Bridge is falling

down, falling down, falling down, London Bridge is falling down, my fair lady. 2) Take a key

and lock her up, lock her up, lock her up, take a key and lock her up, my fair lady. 3) How

will we build it up, build it up, build it up, how will we build it up, my fair lady. 4) Build it up

with silver and gold, silver and gold, silver and gold, build it up with silver and gold, my fair

lady. 4) Gold and silver I have none, I have none, I have none, gold and silver I have none,

my fair lady. 5) Build it up with needles and pins, needles and pins, needles and pins, build it

up with needles and pins, my fair lady. 6) Pins and needles bend and break, bend and break,

bend and break, pins and needles bend and break, my fair lady. 7) Build it up with stone so

strong, stone so strong, stone so strong, build it up with stone so strong, my fair lady. 8)

Stone so strong will last so long, last so long, last so long, stone so strong will last so long,

my fair lady.

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BLIND MAN BLUFFThis game does not really have an object, but it is fun.One person puts on a blindfold while the others spin him around a few times.The blindfolded person is led around the yard in winding circles, etc. — until they get to their destination point.The blindfolded person then gets to guess where he is and then has his blindfold removed to reveal his location.

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ROUNDERS

How to play

The pitcher stands facing home base and delivers the ball underarm to the batter. The batter must strike the sliotar in a forward direction and into the field of play. Once the batter hits the ball he/she may run to first base. The fielding team attempt to gain possession of the ball and throw it to the base minder at first base or another base if there is a runner proceeding.

 A batter is out if he/she strikes the last good ball into foul ground, he/she strikes a good ball but is caught by a fielder, or his or her base is tagged before he/she arrives at the base.

 The aim of the game is for the batting side to score as many runs (a run is when a batter has proceeded through all 3 bases before touching home base) before the fielding team put three players out.

 There are twenty-five metres (twenty for 16 & under) between each base and a total of 100m for a home run (www.gaa.ie, 2019)

A rounders set Old style Rounders Game

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A rounders pitch should be laid out as shown in the diagram below, although the pitch dimensions can be changed if you only have a smaller area available.

The batters square should be 2m x 2m and the bowlers square 2.5m x 2.5m with the front line

of the bowlers square 7.5m from the front of the batters square.

1st Base should be level with the bowlers square and 12m from the front corner of the batters

square.

2nd Base is opposite the batters square: 17m away from the front line and 12m away from 1st

Base.

3rd Base is opposite 1st Base and 12m away from 2nd Base.

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4th Base is level with the front of the batters square and 8.5m away from 3rd Base.

A Back stop line should be 1m behind the back of the batters square.

Any batters that are waiting their turn to bat should stand at least 8m behind and 15m to the

left the batting square for safety, with batters who are out, standing the same distance behind

the batter to the right of the batting square.

Of course, if you're playing at home you might not have 50m to spare! You can create a smaller pitch for family Rounders games in the garden. The marking plan is simply a guide to setting up a rounders field.

A smaller pitch can be created and adapted to fit in the space required. Family games may mean that you want to reduce the pitch size slightly to give all players an equal chance.

Useful site for video demonstrations of how to bowl and drills of how to play Rounders: https://www.sportplan.net/drills/Rounders/Bowling/Good-bowling-action-rounders9.jsp?onMobile

How to play Rounders:

http://www.gaarounders.ie/playrounders/howtoplay

https://www.roundersengland.co.uk/play/rounders-rules/

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TARGET THROWINGPaint a target on the sheet and tie or sew bells to it; hang the sheet in a safe place. Have children throw balls or safe beanbags at the target. Encourage children to make the bells ring. If there is a visually impaired child, have one child give verbal directions in throwing. Allow a child with poor motor control to get very close to the target.

DON’T FORGET GAMES OF…Croquet, Footpath Art Contest, Lawn Darts, Shuffle Board, Volley Ball, Horse Shoes, Paddle Ball, Badminton…etc.

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JUMP/SKIPPING ROPE GAMES

Snake

This jump rope game is good for beginners or younger kids who have trouble timing their jumps with a swinging rope. For Snake, the rope stays on the ground. Have one person hold it at each end and wave it gently along the ground like a slithering snake, while other players attempt to jump over it. Take turns being the jumper and the snake-mover.

Banana Split

This jump rope game doesn't actually involve jumping--but players do have to pay attention to the timing of the swinging rope. You need a long rope and two people to turn it. The remaining players form a single-file line so that the first person in line is facing the rope. The turners swing the rope forward toward the line, then away. As they do so, the first player must run under the rope and back without touching the rope or letting it touch him. After one pass, the second person in line joins in and both players run under the rope. Then three runners go together, and so on. If anyone touches the rope or doesn't make it back and forth in time, start again with one player running.

Partner Jumping

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Double the fun by trying to jump with a partner using a single-person rope. Try face-to-face (with one person holding both ends of the rope) or side-by-side (each person holds one end or handle of the rope).

HelicopterTo play this game, you need a group of kids, a long rope, and sidewalk chalk. Make a large circle on the ground (its diameter should be twice the length of your rope) and mark a spot for each player around the end of the circle. One player stands in the middle while the rest stay in their spots around the edges. This central player holds the rope up high and swings it in a circle while saying: "Helicopter, helicopter over my head, I choose a color and the color is .. "

Once she names a color, she begins rotating the rope along the ground. When the other players hear the color name, anyone who is wearing that color steps forward and tries to jump over the rope. If anyone steps on the rope, the central player starts over

Water SplashPlay this one outside! While two friends turn a jump rope, each player must jump while holding a clear plastic cup of water. She must jump for a predetermined amount of time, the number of jumps, or as long as it takes to recite a rhyme or sing a song (like "Happy birthday," if you're playing at a birthday party). After everyone has had a turn to jump, the winner is the player with the most water remaining in his or her cup.Stack-Up

Similar to Banana Split, above, you need a long rope and a good-sized group for this game. It's simple: Each time the rope twirls, another person joins in the jumping. So you start with one jumper, then two, and so on, until the chain is broken and there's a missed jump. (Some skilled twirling will help prolong the game by making it easier for new players to join in.)

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Skipping Rope Rhymes:

This rhyme begins with the rope being swung back and forth instead of overhead. That makes it an easy rhyme for beginning jumpers like preschoolers. When the counting part begins, the rope is swung overhead.

Down in the Valley

Down in the valleyWhere the green grass grows,There sat JaneySweet as a rose.Along came JohnnyAnd kissed her on the cheek.How many kissesDid she get this week?1, 2, 3, 4, 5...

I Like CoffeeIn this rhyme, the first jumper inserts the name of a friend they want to join them in jumping. That friend "runs in," which involves joining the jumper while the rope is still turning. Then that friend inserts the name of another friend, continuing until everyone is jumping. This game is popular on school playgrounds, but try it during Grandma Camp or family reunions.

I like coffee,I like tea,I'd like for JaneyTo come in with me.

Teddy Bear

While jumping to this rhyme, jumpers must mime the actions mentioned.

Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear,Turn around.Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear,Touch the ground.Teddy Bear, Teddy BearTouch your shoe.Teddy Bear, Teddy BearThat will do.Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear,Go upstairs.Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear,Say your prayers.Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear,Turn out the light.Teddy Bear, Teddy BearSay good night!

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Spanish Dancer

In this rhyme as in "Teddy Bear," the jumper must perform the actions called for. The splits are just a wide-legged jump. At the end, the jumper must jump with eyes closed while the other kids count. 

Not last night but the night before,Twenty-four robbers came knocking at my doorI asked them what they wanted,And this is what they said:Spanish Dancer, do the splits,Spanish Dancer, do the twist,Spanish Dancer, turn aroundSpanish Dancer, touch the ground,Spanish Dancer, go out the backSpanish Dancer, please come back.Spanish Dancer, read a book.Spanish Dancer, do not look.1, 2, 3, 4, 5...

Miss Lucy

This is a humorous rhyme that kids find rather scandalous. That's probably why they like it so much. The words are also used in traditional hand-clapping games. It has also been set to music. Like "I Like Coffee," this rhyme also involves extra jumpers coming in and going out.

Miss Lucy had a baby.She named him Tiny Tim.She put him in the bathtubTo see if he could swim.

He drank up all the water.He ate up all the soap.He tried to eat the bathtub,But it got stuck in his throat.

Miss Lucy called the doctor(Second jumper comes in.)The doctor called the nurse.(Third jumper comes in.)The nurse called the ladyWith the alligator purse.(Fourth jumper comes in.)

"Mumps" said the doctor."Measles" said the nurse."Nothing" said the womanWith the alligator purse.

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Miss Lucy hit the doctor.Miss Lucy slapped the nurse.Miss Lucy paid the womanWith the alligator purse.

Out ran the doctor.Out ran the nurse.Out ran the ladyWith the alligator purse.(Extra jumpers exit.)

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Popular Rhymes

All around the Mulberry Bush

All around the mulberry bushAll around the mulberry bushThe monkey chased the weasel.The monkey thought ’twas all in fun.Pop! goes the weasel.

 

A penny for a spool of thread,A penny for a needle.That’s the way the money goes.Pop! goes the weasel.

 

Up and down the City Road,In and out of the Eagle,That’s the way the money goes.Pop! goes the weasel.

 

Half a pound of tuppenney rice,Half a pound of treacle,Mix it up and make it nice,Pop! goes the weasel.

BINGO

There was a farmer had a dog,And Bingo was his name-o.B-I-N-G-O!B-I-N-G-O!B-I-N-G-O!And Bingo was his name-o!

 

There was a farmer had a dog,And Bingo was his name-o.(Clap)-I-N-G-O!(Clap)-I-N-G-O!(Clap)-I-N-G-O!And Bingo was his name-o!

 

There was a farmer had a dog,And Bingo was his name-o.(Clap, clap)-N-G-O!(Clap, clap)-N-G-O!

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(Clap, clap)-N-G-O!And Bingo was his name-o!

 

There was a farmer had a dog,And Bingo was his name-o.(Clap, clap, clap)-G-O!(Clap, clap, clap)-G-O!(Clap, clap, clap)-G-O!And Bingo was his name-o!

 

There was a farmer had a dog,And Bingo was his name-o.(Clap, clap, clap, clap)-O!(Clap, clap, clap, clap)-O!(Clap, clap, clap, clap)-O!And Bingo was his name-o!

 

There was a farmer had a dog,And Bingo was his name-o.(Clap, clap, clap, clap, clap)(Clap, clap, clap, clap, clap)(Clap, clap, clap, clap, clap)And Bingo was his name-o!

How much is that Doggy in the Window?

How much is that doggie in the window?The one with the waggley tailHow much is that doggie in the window?I do hope that doggie’s for sale

 

I must take a trip to CaliforniaAnd leave my poor sweetheart aloneIf he has a dog, he won’t be lonesomeAnd the doggie will have a good home

 

How much is that doggie in the window?The one with the waggley tailHow much is that doggie in the window?I do hope that doggie’s for sale

 

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I read in the paper there are robbersWith flashlights that shine in the darkMy love needs a doggie to protect himAnd scare them away with one bark

 

I don’t want a kitty or a bunnyI don’t want a parrot that talksI don’t want a bowl of little fishiesHe can’t take a goldfish for a walk

 

How much is that doggie in the window?The one with the waggley tailHow much is that doggie in the window?I do hope that doggie’s for saleI do hope that doggie’s for sale

Humpty Dumpty

Humpty Dumpty sat on the wall;Humpty Dumpty had a great fall.All the king’s horsesAnd all the king’s menCouldn’t put Humpty DumptyTogether again

Im a little Tea Pot

I’m a little teapotShort and stoutHere is my handle(one hand on hip)Here is my spout(other arm out straight)

 

When I get all steamed upHear me shout“Tip me overand pour me out!”(lean over toward spout)

 

I’m a clever teapot,Yes it’s trueHere let me show you

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What I can doI can change my handleAnd my spout(switch arm positions)Just tip me over and pour me out!(lean over toward spout)

It’s Raining, It’s Pouring

It’s raining, it’s pouring;The old man is snoring.He went to bed and heBumped his headAnd he couldn’t get up in the morning.

Jack and Gill

Jack and Jill went up the hillTo fetch a pail of water.(Hold thumbs straight up,alternating them upward)

 

Jack fell down and broke his crown,(Wiggle one thumb and wrist downward)

 

And Jill came tumbling after.(Wiggle other thumb and wrist downward)

 

Then up got Jack and said to Jill,(Bring one thumb up, then the other)

 

As in his arms he took her,(Cross thumbs)

 

“Brush off that dirt for you’re not hurt,(Brush one thumb with the other)

 

Let’s fetch that pail of water.”(Continue brushing)

 

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So Jack and Jill went up the hillTo fetch the pail of water,(Thumbs straight up, alternating upward)

 

And took it home to Mother dear,(Bring thumbs slowly together)

 

Who thanked her son and daughter.(Thumbs meet)

London Bridge

London Bridge is falling down,Falling down, falling down.London Bridge is falling down,My fair lady!

 

Build it up with iron bars,Iron bars, iron bars.Build it up with iron bars,My fair lady!

 

Iron bars will bend and break,Bend and break, bend and break.Iron bars will bend and break,My fair lady!

 

Build it up with needles and pins,Needles and pins, needles and pins.Build it up with needles and pins,My fair lady!

 

Pins and needles rust and bend,Rust and bend, rust and bend.Pins and needles rust and bend,My fair lady!

 

Build it up with penny loaves,Penny loaves, penny loaves.Build it up with penny loaves,My fair lady!

 

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Penny loaves will tumble down,Tumble down, tumble down.Penny loaves will tumble down,My fair lady!

 

Build it up with silver and gold,Silver and gold, silver and gold.Build it up with silver and gold,My fair lady!

 

Gold and silver I’ve not got,I’ve not got, I’ve not got.Gold and silver I’ve not got,My fair lady!

 

Here’s a prisoner I have got,I have got, I have got.Here’s a prisoner I have got,My fair lady!

 

What’s the prisoner done to you,Done to you, done to you?What’s the prisoner done to you,My fair lady!

 

Stole my watch and broke my chain,Broke my chain, broke my chain.Stole my watch and broke my chain,My fair lady!

 

What’ll you take to set him free,Set him free, set him free?What’ll you take to set him free,My fair lady!

 

One hundred pounds will set him free,Set him free, set him free.One hundred pounds will set him free,My fair lady!

 

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One hundred pounds we have not got,Have not got, have not got.One hundred pounds we have not got,My fair lady!

 

Then off to prison he must go,He must go, he must go.Then off to prison he must go,My fair lady!

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FOLKLORE AND SHARING OF TRADITIONS

Part of your event could include sharing with children the old traditions surrounding festivals within your community – lighting bonfires or candles, visiting wells, making pilgrimages or ascending mountains, going out in groups for processions, displaying or carrying flowers, branches or plants and wearing emblems on the person or their dress. Meetings for the purpose of storytelling or composing songs could be described. Dancing at the cross-roads, punch and judy shows, acrobats and dancers. Snow and ice pass-times – skating, sliding, snow-ballings, making snow men. Games involving natures – playing conkers, bird watching, hunting, fishing, throwing ‘helicopters’ form the seeds of Maple, Ash or Sycamore trees.

Rainy day games – card playing, board games, story telling, music and dance, cooking and art. Making games from wood, spinners, string, kites, cloth and paper. Toy models.

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CARD GAMES FOR CHILDREN

Gin Rummy

Number of players: Usually 2 players but up to 4 can play in variations.

Cards needed: Standard 52-card deck. King is high; Ace is low.

Goal: to collect a hand where most or all of the cards can be combined into sets and runs. A run or sequence consists of three or more cards of the same suit in consecutive order, such as 4, 5, 6 or 8, 9, 10, J.  A set or group is three or four cards of the same rank, such as 7, 7, 7.

How to Play: Shuffle the deck and deal 10 cards to each player. Players should look at and sort their cards.

The next card is turned face up in the middle of the table to start the discard pile. The remaining cards are placed face down next to the discard pile to form a draw pile.

First player takes a card, decides if they are going to keep it in which case they have to discard one of the cards in their hand. Or if they don’t wish to keep the picked up card, they put it face up on the discard pile.

The winner is the first person to collect a full hand of either 3 in a set + 4 in a run / 4 in a set + 3 in a run

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Old Maid also known as Scabby Queen

Number of players: 3 or more players

Cards needed: Standard 52-card deck, remove the Queen of Clubs.

Goal: not to end up with the Old Maid!

How to Play: Dealer deals out all the cards to all the players.  The players look at their cards and discard any pairs they have e.g. a pair of sevens or a pair of kings.

The dealer then offers your cards spread face down to the player to their left.  That player selects a card from their hand without looking at it and adds it to their hand. If it makes a pair, they can discard the pair.  They offer their hand then to the next player on the left and so on.

If you get rid of all your cards, you are safe and are out.  The last person who ends up with the Old Maid or Scabby Queen is the loser.

Sevens

Number of players: 3–7 players

Cards needed: Uses standard deck of 52 cards

Goal: to get rid of all your cards

How to Play: Deal all the cards out to all the players (some might have more).  Player to left of dealer plays first and play continues clockwise.  If he or she has a 7 they must play or pass.

When a 7 is played, it’s laid in the middle of the table as the foundation for other cards to play on.

Once a 7 is played, the 6 and 8 of the same suit can be played, either side of the 7. Cards are then played in sequence up to King and down to Ace.

If you can’t play, you pass.  The winner is the person who gets rid of his or her cards.

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Number of Players: 3 to 9 people.

Cards needed: Standard deck of 52 cards

Goal: to earn 25 points to win the game

How to Play: Players choose a dealer. The role of dealer shifts to the left after each hand. The dealer shuffles the cards and deals five cards to each player. He deals two cards the first time and then three cards the next. He then turns up the first card on the deck of cards. This card sets the trump suit.

Players who hold the ace of the trump suit can rob the trump card from the top of the deck. Play any card you would rather not have next to the deck of cards and replace it with the trump card. This can only be done on your first turn and only before you make your first play. You can then no longer rob the trump. Anyone who holds the ace can rob the trump, including the dealer, but you do not have to do so.

The player to the left of the dealer starts. She plays whatever card she likes to start. The player to her left lays another card of the same suit, and play continues until every player has laid a card. Players can win the hand by having the highest card in the suit or by laying a trump card. Trump cards automatically beat any suit card, with higher trump cards beating lower trump cards. Once a trump card has been played, the remaining players must play trumps if they can, as the trump suit becomes the new suit of the hand. Players can lay a trump card at any point, even if they have an appropriate suit card. Players don’t have to lay a trump card if they can’t follow suit. They can lay any card they like, simply to get rid of a weak card. Players don’t have to play the top three trumps–which are the five, jack and ace cards in that order–unless they want to play them. They can play a card of another suit, if they like. The winner of the hand starts the next hand.

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Players or teams score five points for each hand won. Winning a hand is often called a “trick.” The game ends when someone earns 25 points. The game must stop immediately when somebody earns 25 points, even if the hand isn’t over yet. Multiple games are usually played and players often bet money on each game, with the winner of each game winning the pot. However, players can decide to score one point per game and stop at a predetermined number of points.

Spit

Number of players: This wild and crazy game is all about speed and quickness! Suggested ages 8 and up. Any number can play. The more players there are, the wilder the game gets.

Cards needed: One deck per player

Goal: The object of the game is to get rid of all your cards first.

How to Play: Each player has his own deck and begins by placing the top four cards from his deck face up in front of him in a row. There should be lots of empty space in the middle of the table between the two players. (In fact it is best to play on the floor, since cards often go flying once play starts.) Players hold the remainder of their deck in one of their hands during play.

Rank of Cards. A (high) K, Q, J, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2.

There are no turns taken in this game, everyone plays at the same time. When both players are ready, one of them says “spit” and immediately each player takes the top card from his deck and plays it to the center of the table. These first cards should be far away from each other, forming two play piles between the players. Then, the players immediately begin playing their cards, as fast as they can, from their layout onto one of the piles in the center. A card can be played only if it is one higher or one lower than the card on the top of the pile. The card’s suit does not matter, and an ace can be played high or low (so that the sequence can “wrap around” between kings, aces and deuces).

Related Articles: Playing Cards

Go Fish

Number of Players: 2-4 Players

Cards needed: Standard 52 card deck

Goal: to collect the most sets of 4 cards

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How to Play: Shuffle the cards and if 2 of you are playing, 7 cards are dealt to start with.  If more than 2, deal 5 cards to each player to start wiht.  The rest of the cards are placed face down in the middle.

The player to the left of the dealer starts and asks another player for a card that they need e.g. “John, do you have any 4s?”.  If the player has any of the card requested, they must hand them over to the player.  If you get a requested card you get another turn.  If the player you have asked doesn’t have a card, they say “Go Fish” and you have to pick one from the middle pile.

If you collect 4 of a kind, you can put them down on the table.

The game continues until all the cards are finished, the winner is the person with the most sets of 4.

Pairs

Number of Players: 1

Cards needed: 104 cards (2 standard packs)

Goal: Get as high a score as you can.

How to Play: Shuffle the two decks of cards thoroughly. Deal a 3×3 square of cards, face up. Look at the 3×3 square. Remove a pair (two of a kind) or triple (three of a kind) if you see any. As soon as you remove a pair or triple, deal cards to the 3×3 square to replace the cards you’ve removed. Keep all of the removed sets separate from each other. Repeat this process until you have matched up all of the cards or until you cannot remove a pair or triple from the 3×3 square (all nine ranks are different). Score your pairs and triples as follows:

Scoring:

Pairs: 3 pointsException: A pair of identical cards (example: 2 Fives of Diamonds) is worth 7 points.

Triples: 15 points (if two of the cards in the triple are identical, score 21 points) Using all cards: 104 point bonus

Knockout Whist

Number of Players: 2 or more

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Cards needed: 52-card pack is used, with four suits ranking from high to low A K Q J 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2.

Goal: to be the surviving player

How to Play: A player is selected to deal, and deals seven cards each, clockwise. The uppermost of the undealt cards is turned face upwards to indicate the trump suit.

The player on dealer’s left leads to the first trick. Players must follow suit if they can, otherwise they may play any card. Each trick is won by the highest trump in it; otherwise by the highest card of the suit led. The winner of a trick leads to the next trick.

After the first hand, a second hand is dealt, by the next player in order around the table, with only six cards each. The game continues like this, with one fewer card per player on each hand, until the final hand consists of one card each.

The winner of most tricks on a hand chooses the trump suit on the next hand. If there is a tie for who took most tricks, the players involved in the tie cut cards for the right to choose trumps.

A player who takes no tricks at all in a hand is knocked out, is dealt no more cards, and takes no further part in the game.

There is one exception to the rule about being knocked out: the first player during the game who takes no tricks on a hand is not knocked out immediately but is awarded the “dog’s life”. On the following hand, she is dealt just one card, and may decide on which trick to play it. In the course of the play, a player “on a dog’s life” may, when it is her turn to play, either play her card or knock on the table to indicate that she wishes to keep it for a later trick. If she is the player on the dealer’s left, she is not compelled to lead her card to the first trick; she may either do so, or knock, allowing the next player to lead.

If two or more players take no tricks on the same deal, no one having previously used the dog’s life, these players get one dog’s life each. Apart from this case, there is only one dog’s life available during the game. Players who take no tricks in later deals are eliminated immediately.

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If a player on a dog’s life manages to take a trick with her card, the player on her left leads to the next trick, and the dog’s life player is dealt a normal hand on the next deal, and treated like the other surviving players. If the dog’s life player doesn’t manage to win a trick, she is knocked out of the game, like anyone else who takes no trick.

The game is won by the winner of the one trick on the final hand. Or if all but one of the players are knocked out before this, the surviving player is the winner.

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LOW COST ACTIVITY FOR CHILDREN

The aim of Mayo Street Games Festival is to pass onto children games that can be played for free – preferably outside, sometimes inside on a rainy day as an alternative to TV or computer games, Ipad or mobile phones! Some groups might have a Mens Shed nearby that could make a set of ‘skittles’ or wooden games for community use. Some examples here:

Skittles – 9 pin bowling

Basic Rounders Set:

Jenga

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X’s and O’s

Daughts/Checkers board

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References:

Very Well Family Website. Sourced at: https://www.verywellfamily.com/old-fashioned-jump-rope-rhymes-1696145 [29/8/19]

Early Childhood Ireland Website. Sourced at: https://www.earlychildhoodireland.ie/work/information-parents/resources-parents/nursery-rhymes/ [29/8/19]

For further information on Mayo Street Games Festival contact the organiser:

Rita Hopkins, SICAP/Healthy Ireland Officer

Mayo North East Leader Partnership Company

Lower Main Street, Foxford, Co Mayo

Tel: 087 0507049 email: ritahopkins@mayonortheast.com

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