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How to Play Hopscotch

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By eHow Contributing Writer
(2 Ratings)

Hopscotch has been a popular game among the elementary set since the invention of sidewalks. It helps children with coordination and balance as they toss a pebble and hop single footed onto a chalk drawing grid with numbers one through ten. Little girls are drawn towards this slightly competitive game and have made up songs and rhymes to go along with the hopscotch jumping.

From Quick Guide: Playground Games
Difficulty: Easy
Instructions

Things You'll Need:

  • Sidewalk Chalk
  • Pebble
  1. Step 1

    Gather 2 to 10 players for the game of hopscotch.

  2. Step 2

    Choose a section of pavement or sidewalk that is approximately 4-feet wide and 10-feet long. Make sure it is relatively flat and smooth.

  3. Step 3

    Draw three rectangles that are connected and number with 1 through 3.

  4. Step 4

    Sketch a large square touching the three rectangles and fill the box with a large X. Number the four sections with numbers 4 through 7. The 4 should touch the rectangle with the 7 on top. The 5 and 6 are to the left and right, respectively.

  5. Step 5

    Add two more rectangles to the top of the square. Number the first square with number 8. Divide the second square and number with 9 and 10, from left to right.

  6. Step 6

    Include a half circle dome on the top of the grid which is the "out." It remains blank.

  7. Step 7

    Throw the first pebble to the number 1 space. The first player, who threw the pebble, hops on one foot to the 1, leans over on one foot to pick up the pebble and then hops back.

  8. Step 8

    Toss the pebble to number 2 and hop onto both spaces, scoop up the pebble and return. Repeat this process through the rest of the numbers until a foul is committed. A foul include throwing the pebble to the wrong number, hopping on a line or letting your foot drop.

  9. Step 9

    Switch to the next player once a foul is committed. The new player needs to start at 1 and continue on. Rotate play through all the players, starting at 1 at every new turn and continuing on through 10.

  10. Step 10

    Win the game by throwing 1 through 10, hopping on one foot through the grid, reaching out, where you hop on two feet and then returning through the grid to home.

Tips & Warnings
  • You may alternate hopping on every other foot rather than keeping on one foot but at no time may both feet touch the ground.
  • There are many different types of hopscotch grids but the traditional grid is the most used one. Just make sure the grid is large enough to jump into each space. A rectangle should be at least one foot deep.

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eHow Article: How to Play Hopscotch

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