9 Traditional Games for Children
Traditional games are a great way to entertain your children and teach them something about their own childhood. These games are simple, fun and encourage creativity, coordination, cooperation and healthy competition. They are also a way to preserve and value the culture and history of our country.
In this article, we will introduce you to (or help you remember) some of the most popular traditional games for children and their basic rules. These games can be played at home, at school, in the park or on the beach, with little or no equipment. The important thing is to get together with family and friends and play as much as you want!
Blind Man's Bluff
This is a very old game and is known all over the world. One of the players is chosen to be the blind man's buff and is blindfolded. The other players make him spin around himself, while the following questions and answers are asked and given:
- Blind goat, where do you come from?
- From the mill!
- What do you bring?
- Bread and wine.
- Can you give me a little bit?
- No!
At this point, everyone runs away from the blind man's buff, who will have to try to catch someone. Once he does so, he will have to ask that person questions until he guesses who it is. The game ends when all players have been the blind man's buff.
It is important to define a limited space for the game so that the level of difficulty is not too high and it does not take too long to finish.
Sack Race
This is a very fun and challenging game that requires balance and agility. Each player must climb into a bag and hold it with their hands. The goal is to cover a predetermined distance by jumping inside the bag. Whoever reaches the end first is the winner. If anyone falls or leaves the bag, they are disqualified.
Hopscotch
This is a very popular and easy game to play. Just draw a diagram on the floor with several numbered squares, as in the image below.
Each player must have a stone or a coin to throw. The first player throws his stone to the first square and jumps on one foot over it, continuing on to the other squares. When he reaches the end, he must go back and pick up his stone. On the next turn, he must throw the stone to the second square and repeat the process.
The game continues until someone manages to throw the stone to all the squares and jump over them. If the stone falls outside the lines or the player steps on the lines, he loses his turn and passes to the next player.
Hide and Seek Game
This is a classic game that never goes out of style. One player is chosen to be the catcher and must count to an agreed number in a predetermined location. Meanwhile, the other players must hide.
When the count is finished, the seeker must say “Here I go!” and look for the others. The goal of the hider is to reach the counting location without being seen or caught. When a player reaches the counting location, he or she can shout “1, 2, 3!”
The last player found can save everyone else if they can touch the counting spot and say “1,2,3, saved everyone!”.
Ring Game
This is a game of cunning and observation, which can be played with a ring or any other small object.
The players sit in a circle and one of them stands outside, holding the ring in his hand. This player must pass the ring from hand to hand, discreetly, and leave it in the hand of whoever he wants. Then, he must ask another player who has the ring. If that player gets it right, he keeps the ring and starts to distribute it. If he gets it wrong, he suffers a punishment agreed upon by everyone. The game continues until everyone has received the ring.
Spinning Top Game
This is a game of skill and precision, which uses a tapered wooden object with a metal tip, called a spinning top. Each player must have their own spinning top and a string to make it spin.
There are several ways to play, but one of the most common is as follows: a circle is drawn on the ground and each player throws their spinning top into it. The goal is to make the spinning top spin for as long as possible and try to hit the other players' spinning tops. Whoever manages to knock the other players' spinning tops out of the circle or make their spinning top spin the longest is the winner.
Marble Game
This is a game of skill and luck, which uses small glass or metal balls, called marbles. There are many variations of this game, but one of the simplest is as follows: three holes are dug in the ground, separated by an equal distance. Each player must take a marble and place it in the first hole. Then, they must try to hit the second hole with their marble, using their index finger to push it. If they hit it, they can try to hit the third hole. If they fail, the turn passes to the next player.
The game continues until someone manages to hit all three holes and then goes back. If a player hits another player's marble, they can keep it.
Axis Game
This is a game of strength and endurance that can be played with several children. Each player must crouch down and put their hands on their knees, forming a line. One player at a time must jump over the others, holding on to their hands, without falling or making the others fall. The winner is the player who manages to jump over all the others.
The Scarf Bar Game
This is a game of speed and attention, which can be played with two teams and a handkerchief. Each team secretly decides a number for each of its members. One player stands in the center, holding the handkerchief, and calls out two numbers, one for each team.
The corresponding players must run to the center and try to catch the handkerchief. Whoever succeeds must return to their team without being touched by the other player. If they succeed, they earn a point for their team. If they are touched, they lose a point. The game continues until one team reaches an agreed number of points.
We hope you enjoyed these suggestions for traditional games for children and that you have a lot of fun playing them. Remember that playing is a way to learn, socialize and be happy. Take advantage and share this article with your friends and family so they can also learn about these fantastic games!
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