We've been home playing the same games for the last couple of months. There are so many fun games from around the world that you can play right in your own backyard. We've compiled a list of 9 games for you to try with your family. There is little to no equipment involved so everyone can play!
Armenia: Egg Jousting
Equipment needed - Hard boiled egg for each player (feel free to dye it for some added fun)
This game begins as two players face each other and tap the small end of the eggs together until one of the eggs cracks. Next you joust with the large end of the egg. Whoever wins gets the broken egg. For some added fun, you can make egg salad or eat your eggs as a snack afterwards.
Australia: Down, Down, Down
Equipment needed - Small Ball
In this game of catch, you throw the ball back and forth until someone drops it. When the ball is dropped, the person who dropped it goes down on one knee. Play begins again, if the same person drops the ball, they go down on the both knees. Play continues and if the same person drops the ball again, they put one hand behind their back. Play continues and if the same person drops the ball, they put both hands behind their back and then go all the way down to the ground and they have lost the game. Remember to stay in the position to catch the ball throughout the game (ex. down on one knee, with one hand, etc.)
Brazil: Luta De Galo
Equipment needed - Bandana or small cloth for each player
Before beginning, tuck the cloth or bandana into each player's belt or waistband (similar to flag football). To play, each player crosses right arm over their chest and lifts their left leg. Players hop around using their free arm to try to capture their opponent's cloth or bandana. If a player puts their left leg on the ground or uncrosses their right arm, they are out.
Czech Republic: Football Tennis
Equipment needed - Soccer ball, net or lawn chairs
Before you begin this game, you need to set up a net or a barrier to act as a net such as lining up lawn chairs. This game is similar to tennis in that the goal is to get the soccer ball over the net with one bounce or less. In this game, you are use your feet to get the ball over the net. Feel free to keep score to declare the winner/winning team.
Ireland: Shadows
Equipment needed - A sunny day
This is like a rendition of the game of tag. In order to catch your opponent, you must stand on their shadow. Once someone stands on your shadow, you become the chaser. In this game your safe zone is in the shade, where you have no shadow.
Israel: Go-Go-Im
Equipment needed - 100 apricot pits (go-go), but at least 20 apricot pits for each player (can substitute acorns or small rocks), Shoe box for each player.
Preparation: Have an adult help with these preparation steps. You will need to cut 6 holes of various sizes in the shoe box lid. The first hole should be just slightly bigger than the go-go (apricot pit or substitute) and then the other holes become incrementally larger. Point values are then assigned to the holes. The larger hole being 1 point, next 2 points, and so on as 5, 10, 50, and 100 points. The smallest and most challenging hole would be worth 100 points. To lower the amount of go-gos needed top play, you can lower and adjust the point values accordingly. For some extra fun, have each player decorate their shoe box.
Each player stands 5 feet away (you can adjust that distance as necessary) from their opponent's box. A player tries to throw their go-go into the opponent's box. If the player makes it into one of the holes, the opponent gives them the number of go-gos the hole is worth. If the player misses completely, he loses one go-go.
Republic of Korea: Kongki Noli
Equipment needed - 5 small stones
This game is similar to Jacks. The first player scatters the stones on the ground. Next the player picks up one stone and tosses it in the air while trying to pick up another stone and catch the one he tossed before it hits the ground. If the player is successful, they now have 2 stones. Next they will toss one up in the air and try to collect a third stone. This continues until the player has picked up all the stones or has missed. In the second round, the game is played the same except the player picks up 2 stones at a time every time one is tossed up. For the third round the player picks up 3, the fourth round, the player picks up 4, and the fifth round, the player picks up all 5 stones. In the last round, the player tosses all the stones up in the air and tries to catch them on the back of their hand. Then the player tosses them up and tries to catch them in the palm of their hand. The player's score is the number of stones they catch. If the player does not catch them all, it is the next player's turn.
South Africa: Stretch
Equipment needed - Small Sticks
To begin, the players determine a starting line. The first player puts a stick on the ground and jumps over that stick from the starting point. The first player moves the stick to where they landed after they jumped. The second player tries to jump the stick in its new spot from the original starting line. If the second player is successful, they move the stick to where they landed after they jumped. If a player misses, they are out. This continues with a third player or go back to the first if only there are only two players.
Sumatra: Semut, Orang, Gajah
Equipment needed - None
This game is similar to Rock, Paper, Scissors. Semut, Orang, Gajah means Ant, Person, Elephant. Gajah is pointing your thumb at your opponent. Orang is pointing your finger at your opponent. Semut is pointing pinky finger at your opponent. Gajah beats Orang because an elephant can trample a person. Orang beats Semut because a person can step on an ant. Semut beats Gajah because an ant can get in an elephant's ear and bite it. Play this game with a partner.
We hope you enjoy playing these games from around the world with your family!
