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Description

Games played around the world

Resources

See each game

Instructions

Chile: Corre, Corre la Guaraca

The fun-to-say game name translates to "Run, Run, la Guaraca." Chilean kids typically speak Spanish, but Guaraca is actually a nonsense word.

Players: Five or more, ages 5 and up

What You'll Need: A handkerchief.

How to Play: Players sit in a circle while a runner jogs around the outer rim with a handkerchief. The seated kids are not allowed to watch. They sing "Corre, Corre, la Guaraca who looks back will be bopped on his head!" Trying not to be felt, the runner drops the handkerchief on a child's back and runs. If he makes it around the circle before the player realizes that it's on her back, the seated player is out. If the seated player catches on, she must tag the runner. If she succeeds, the runner is out. If she fails to tag him, they play again, but this time player 2 is the runner.

Greece: Statues
ballerina pose

American children may not be familiar with the classic Discus Thrower, but Greek children have access to some amazing marble statues that date to ancient times. After a trip to the museum, it's only natural that they would incorporate some of these awe-inspiring characters into an imaginative game.

Players: Four or more; ages 4 and up

How to Play: Choose one player to be "It" and have her stand, eyes covered, in the center of a large, open playing field. She starts to count, at least to 10, but she can go higher. The point is that there's no set ending number; only "It" knows when she'll stop and open her eyes. While "It" is counting, the others scatter around, never sure when she'll yell "Agalmata!" (That's "statue" in Greek. Tell kids to yell it to be authentic, or to just say "statue" if that's easier.) On this cue, players freeze, taking on poses that mimic famous statues. They can pull from any statue they've ever seen a photo of -- a javelin thrower, The Thinker, even the Statue of Liberty. Kids are allowed to use found items, such as sticks, a ball, or a Frisbee, to add a touch of realism. "It" tags any statues that are moving -- they're out -- then tries to make the steady ones laugh or move. The last player remaining composed is the winner and becomes the new "It." This game is great for practicing balance.

Ghana: Pilolo

In rural parts of Ghana, in West Africa, children's choice of toys is quite limited, but they find plenty of ways to have fun.

Players: Six; ages 4 and up

What You'll Need: Sticks and stones, or if that would be confusing for kids when playing in a backyard packed with them, you can use pennies, one for each player.

How to Play: Designate a leader and a timekeeper, and determine a finish line. The leader secretly hides the pennies while the other players have their back turned. The timekeeper waits at the finish line to judge which player is first. When the leader says "Pilolo!" (which means "time to search for") the timekeeper starts the watch and players race to be the first to find a penny and take it across the finish line. The winner is awarded one point. To play again, gather the pennies and designate a new timekeeper and leader. The game is repeated as many times as energy allows; the player with the most points wins.


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 lunch!

Tags

• beaver games
• Global Challenge traditions
• Global games

Badge Links

• International - Learn
• World - Activity