Hobbies And Interests
Hide and Seek
Hide and seek is a classic children's game that can accommodate as few as three players; however, more players can easily join the game. Play requires one child to be the seeker. With his eyes closed, he will count to a designated number, such as 99, while the other children hide. After he's done counting, he will open his eyes and look for the other children. In an outdoor setting, players can hide behind trees or bushes, behind buildings, under picnic tables, and behind walls or hills. For safety reasons, an adult should clarify which areas are OK and which are off-limits -- such as in vehicles and stores, or near busy streets.
Hopscotch
Hopscotch is a popular playground game that requires a flat, paved surface and either a pre-painted hopscotch board or chalk, so that the children can draw their own course. Alternatively, children can draw the course in dirt with a stick. The course consists of sequentially numbered boxes. When there are single boxes in a row, the child must hop on one foot in those boxes until she comes to two side-by-side boxes. She then may hop on two feet, straddling the line between the two boxes. When the boxes change back to single boxes, she must again hop on one foot until the next time she encounters two side-by-side boxes, and so on. Play involves tossing a stone onto the course while the child hops through, skipping the box on which the stone landed. Variations include free-throws, where she can throw the rock onto any box, or sequential throw, where the players must throw the stone onto the boxes sequentially. Play continues until one player has successfully completed the course as many times as there are squares.
Jump Rope
The multi-player variation of jump rope is ideal for three players. Two children hold each end of a long jump rope so it is slack enough to just touch the ground between them. They then twirl the rope in a clockwise or counter clockwise direction while another player stands in the middle and jumps over the rope as it passes below his feet. The children may chant or sing a song, and might jump on one foot, jump on both feet or turn around while jumping. One version of jumping rope, known as double Dutch, requires the turners to twirl two ropes simultaneously, alternating turning them inward.
Basketball Games
A small group of children can play various versions of basketball games with a ball and hoop. For example, "H-O-R-S-E" and "P-I-G" are classic games in which each player takes turns trying to make a certain shot, such as a free throw from a specific line or a lay-up, or repeating a successful shot of the previous player. Every time the player makes the shot, he earns the next letter in the goal word. The first player to get all the letters is the winner. Variations include spelling out a different word or only earning letters when the player misses the shot -- the goal then becomes not spelling the word. PIG and HORSE are especially fast-paced with fewer players, which makes them ideal for shorter time periods, such as recess.