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Thousands of years ago, Roman soldiers played hopscotch to test their strength and speed, sometimes hopping over 100 feet (30.5 m) carrying heavy weights![1] Today, hopscotch is a backyard game enjoyed by children (and lighthearted grown-ups) all over the world. Whether you never learned this game as a child, or simply need a brushing-up, you can easily learn to play this classic game, along with some variations to make it more challenging.
Steps
Playing Classic Hopscotch
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1Draw a hopscotch design on the ground. Chalk is the best drawing medium on asphalt, patio stones or concrete. The squares should be large enough to fit one foot and to make sure that a stone thrown into the square will not bounce out too easily. While there are variants on drawing the design, a common schoolyard design is shown here.[2]
- It is common to designate the section shown here as a rest or stop area. This is where the player can take a moment to turn around and/or regain their balance. Sometimes a more creative name, like "Heaven" is given to the space.[3]
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2Throw a flat stone or similar object (small beanbag, shell, button, plastic toy) to land on square one. It has to land inside the square without touching the border or bouncing out. If you don't get it within the lines, you lose your turn and pass the stone to the next person. If you do get it, however, go on to the next step.[4]
- Hopscotch can be played with just one person. If that's your case, make up the rules as you see fit!
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3Hop through the squares, skipping the one you have your marker on. Each square gets one foot. Which foot you start with is up to you. You can't have more than one foot on the ground at a time, unless there are two number squares right next to each other. In that case, you can put down both feet simultaneously (one in each square). Always keep your feet inside the appropriate square(s); if you step on a line, hop on the wrong square, or step out of the square, you lose your turn.[5]
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4Pick up the marker on your way back. When you get to the last number, turn around (remaining on one foot) and hop your way back in reverse order. While you're on the square right before the one with your marker, lean down (probably on one foot still!) and pick it up. Then, skip over that square and finish up.[6]
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5Pass the marker on to the next person. If you completed the course with your marker on square one (and without losing your turn), then throw your marker onto square two on your next turn. Your goal is to complete the course with the marker on each square. The first person to do this wins the game![7]
- Ashrita Furman holds the Guinness World Record for completing the fastest game of hopscotch, coming in at 68 seconds.[3] In case you were curious.
Adding Variations
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1Change the shape of the hopscotch course. Make it circular, with the numbers going in a spiral direction. Maybe that's why the French call it "escargot?"[8] Or make it a rectangle, triangle, or firework!
- It's easiest to start from the middle and go outward. That way you can make it as big as you need -- instead of ending up with your last square being microscopic!
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2Vary the size and shape of the squares. Make some of them smaller so that people have to step on their tip toes. You can even make some in the shape of a shoe to control the direction in which the person faces. Get creative![9]
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3Make some squares into islands. That way, a person needs to jump over a distance to get to it. Just make sure the spaces are jump-able! And who said hopscotch didn't require skill?
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4Set a time limit. Make into a game of "speed hopscotch." The person has a certain amount of time to complete the course, or else they lose their turn. Or you could turn it into a race![10]
Community Q&A
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QuestionHow many markers are on the hopscotch squares?
Community AnswerTypically one, but variations do exist. -
QuestionWhat items are needed to play hopscotch?
Community AnswerChalk and a rock. -
QuestionCan I put both feet down in square 10?
Community AnswerYes, you can. Sixty or 65 years ago, children would draw the outline for 8 to resemble a semi-circle and split 9 and 10 with a middle line above the semi-circle. They then hopped on one foot in 8, then both left and right in 9 and 10 consecutively. They then did a reverse jump landing one foot in each box without touching the lines to head back down the hopscotch.
Warnings
- Be wary of your surroundings. It's best you play on concrete rather than gravel or an uneven surface. You might get injured!⧼thumbs_response⧽
![Play "Flame"](./images/3054251188--crop-342-184-245px-Play-"Flame"-Step-16-Version-2.webp)
References
- ↑ Hopscotch By Elizabeth Dana Jaffe, Sherry L. Field, Linda D. Labbo. ISBN 0756501334
- ↑ http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/scotland/makeyourmove/hopscotch_rules_of_play.pdf
- ↑ 3.03.1https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hopscotch
- ↑ http://www.gameskidsplay.net/games/other_games/hopscotch.htm
- ↑ https://www.parents.com/fun/activities/hopscotch/
- ↑ https://www.parents.com/fun/activities/hopscotch/
- ↑ https://www.playworks.org/game-library/hopscotch/
- ↑ http://www.grandparents.com/grandkids/activities-games-and-crafts/hopscotch
- ↑ https://www.playworks.org/resource/the-game-of-the-week-hopscotch/
About This Article
Hopscotch is a fun kid's game where players try to get all the way across a hopscotch board drawn on the ground in chalk. To play Hopscotch, first draw the board on the ground in chalk, which looks like a vertical column with three singles boxes, then a pair of boxes, then an alternating set of single boxes and pairs, and finally a half circle at the end. Number each square in ascending order. Now, each player gets a bean bag, bottle cap, or token. The first player tosses their token on to the first square. If the token doesn’t land in the first square, that player loses their turn. If it does land in the first square, that player hops across each square on one foot. When they come to a pair of squares, that player must land with one foot on each square before hopping to the next square. When that player gets to the end of the board, they turn around and hop back the same way. If they make it back without falling or landing on the wrong square, they succeed at the round and the next player goes. On their next turn, they try to throw their token on the second square this time. If they succeed again, they try to get their token on third square their next turn, and so on. If a player falls, lands on the wrong square, or steps on a line, their turn ends and they have to start over on the same square their next turn. The first player to get all the way up and down the board with their token wins! To learn variations of hopscotch, like using a timer, read on!
