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Description

Games played around the world

Resources

See each game

Instructions

Sumatra: Semut, Orang, Gajah

The large Indonesian island is home to the Sumatran elephant, which has made its way into this kids' game, similar to the American "Rock, Paper, Scissors." Children play Semut, Orang, Gajah to determine the first player in a game or simply for fun.

Players: Two; ages 3 and up

How to Play: Players pump their fist up and down to the count of three. On four, they straighten their arm and give one of three signs: Pinky out is "ant" (semut), pointer finger out is "man" (orang), and thumb out is "elephant" (gajah). The elephant beats man because it is stronger; man defeats the ant because he can step on it and squash it. And the ant? It can crawl into the elephant's ear, bite him, and drive him crazy, so the ant beats the elephant. If players make the same signs, they go again. Two out of three wins.


Australia: Skippyroo Kangaroo

Ah, Australia! It's both a country and a continent: a vast, mysterious, and diverse land filled with wonderfully wacky wildlife -- animals like the Tasmanian devil, platypus, wallaby, wombat, koala, kookaburra, and, of course, every kid's favorite, the kangaroo, which gives this game its name.

Players: As many as 25 or as few as six; ages 3 and up

How to Play: This is a popular game played in many Australian preschools and kindergartens to help teach children their classmates' names as well as good listening skills. Kids sit in a circle and an adult asks one child to go into the middle -- she is the first Skippyroo, the kangaroo. Skippyroo crouches forward on the floor with her eyes closed while the kids in the circle chant: "Skippyroo, kangaroo, dozing in the midday sun, comes a hunter, run, run, run." At this stage an adult points to a child sitting in the circle, who then touches Skippyroo's shoulder and says, "Guess who's caught you just for fun?" and waits. Skippyroo tries to name the owner of the voice and if she guesses correctly, swaps places. The game begins again and continues until all the kids have had a chance to be Skippyroo.

Armenia: Egg Jousting

For American kids, egg hunts are a big part of the Easter celebration. Armenian children have a different tradition that pits hard-boiled egg against egg in a silly jousting competition.

Players: Two; ages 3 and up

What You'll Need: A colored hard-boiled egg for each player.

How to Play: Facing each other, the two players gently tap the small end of their eggs together until the end of one egg cracks. Next, they joust with the large end of their eggs. Hard-boiled eggs can withstand three to four "hits" before cracking, and maybe more depending on the tapping force. Mom testers say the two eggs do not crack at the same time; in all cases, only one of the eggs was destroyed. The cracked egg is given to the winner as a trophy, then you can make egg-salad sandwiches for l

Tags

• beaver games
• Global Challenge traditions
• Global games

Badge Links

• International - Learn
• World - Activity