English Children's Games
Traditional games have always been played by children in English playgrounds and continue to thrive despite the influence of new technology. Interactive play is important for children as it helps them to develop social skills, and active play helps combat childhood obesity. Games played vary from region to region and rise and fall in popularity according to the latest craze.
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Skipping Games
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French Skipping is a game for three or more players, using a long loop of elastic. Two players place the elastic around their ankles and stand with their feet apart to make a rectangular loop. A third player performs a series of hops, skips and jumps, over and on to the elastic. The pattern of jumps is usually accompanied by a chanted rhyme. If the set pattern of jumps is completed successfully, the elastic is raised higher up the other players' legs.
Other skipping games include Jump Rope, where two people each take hold of one end of a long rope and one or more jumpers run in and jump over the rope as it spins, again usually while singing a song or chanting a rhyme.
Rhyme and Clapping Games
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Clapping games require two players who perform an elaborately choreographed clapping routine while chanting a rhyme. The players clap their hands against each other so this game requires a great deal of concentration and coordination. Common rhyming games include "Oranges and Lemons" and "London Bridge Is Falling Down." These games are for groups of players who link hands and perform actions to accompany the rhymes.
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Chasing Games
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Many children love playing chasing games. Classic games like Tag and Stuck in the Mud involve one player being chosen as 'it'. He has to chase the other players and try to catch them. There are many variations in the rules but all follow the same basic principle. British Bulldog is a popular variation. Players line up at one end of the yard or playground and the player who is the "bulldog" stands in the center. When he shouts "British bulldog!" all the other players must rush to the other end of the play area. If he catches one he must hold on to them and shout, "1,2,3, British Bulldog!" That player then becomes a bulldog too. Play continues until only one player is left. He begins play as bulldog in the next round.
Object Games
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Marbles, conkers and jacks are three favorite games played with small objects. Conkers are the seed of the horse chestnut tree. Children collect these in fall and bake them in the oven before threading them on to string. They are then used in a contest where they are struck against each other until one conker breaks. Champion conkers are highly prized. Marbles are rolled or thrown in a contest to hit a target marble or another players marbles. Sometimes players win marbles from each other to add to their collection. Jacks involves throwing small plastic or metal jacks in the air and trying to catch them with players competing against each other.
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