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How to Play Hopscotch

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Thousands of years ago, Roman soldiers played hopscotch to test their strength and speed, sometimes hopping over 100 feet carrying heavy weights![1] Today, hopscotch is a backyard game enjoyed by children (and lighthearted grown-ups) all over the world. Here’s how to play this classic game, along with some variations to make it more challenging.

Steps

1. Draw 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. Throw 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 right, you lose your turn and pass the stone to the next person. If you do get it, however, go on to the next step.
3. Hop 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 which 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.
4. Pick 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) and pick it up, then skip over that square and finish up.
5. Pass 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!

Variations

• Change the shape of the hopscotch course. Make it circular, with the numbers going in a spiral direction.
• Vary the size and shape of the squares. Make some of the 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.
• Make some squares into islands. That way, a person needs to jump over a distance to get to it.
• Set 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.

Video

Tips

• You can use masking tape to make a hopscotch layout if preferred. It will lift up easily and is good for indoor games.
• The final square can be designated a “rest area” if you would like to have a break from hopping.

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Sources and Citations

1. ↑ Hopscotch By Elizabeth Dana Jaffe, Sherry L. Field, Linda D. Labbo. ISBN 0756501334

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