Requires

  1. At least 2 people, but more people make for more fun
  2. Sidewalk chalk

Game play

Traditionally, this game was carved with a stick in the dirt, but with the advent of sidewalk chalk, dirty feet are a thing of the past. A hopscotch course typically looks like a series of numbered squares.

The first player tosses a marker (rock, coin) into the first square; it must land within the confines of the square without bouncing out or touching a line.

The player then hops through the course, making sure to skip the square with the marker in it. Players hop in single squares with one foot (either foot is fine), and use two feet for the side by side squares, one in each square.

Upon completion of the hop sequence, the player continues her turn, tossing the marker into square number two and repeating the pattern.

Loss of turn occurs when a player:

  • Steps on a line
  • Misses a square with her marker toss
  • Loses balance

Players begin their next turn where they last left off.

Objective

The first player to finish one full course for each numbered square is the winner — careful not to step on any lines!

A rose by any other name

This game has international appeal, though it goes by different monikers:

  • New Yorkers call it Potsy
  • Persians call it Laylay
  • French call it Escargot (snail), but Bosnians use their word for it — Puz
  • Germans and Austrians dub it Himmel und Hölle (Heaven and Hell)
  • In India, it goes by kith- kith or Ekhat-Dukhat (one two houses)

Also in Outdoor Games:

Duck, Duck, Goose, Red Rover, Four Square, Kick the Can, All

See more games:

Card Games | Indoor Games | Pen and Paper Games