8 popular outdoor games from around the world
Teaching children about other cultures helps them respect individual and cultural differences, especially when they’re older. And these eight fun games from around the world teach kids about different cultures through active outdoor play.
1. West Africa: Ampe
Ampe is a traditional game children play during breaks in learning time.
Requirements:
- Four or more players
- Open space
Objective:
Begin the game of Ampe by choosing a leader. The other players will form a semi-circle facing the leader. The leader will select one player and face them. Both players clap their hands and take a jump. The two will jump a second time with one foot landing forward. If both players have the same foot forward, the leader is out. The other player will now become the leader, choosing a new player to face off with. If the two players put different feet forward, the leader stays in their position and goes to face a new player.
2. Ghana: Pilolo
Pilolo is a traditional festival game based on hide and seek.
Requirements:
- 2 or more players (the more players the better)
- Small objects (pennies, marbles, sticks)
- Open space
Objective:
In the game of Pilolo, one child will be the leader and one will keep time. The other players will turn their backs as the leader hides small objects around a park, backyard, or designated outdoor play area. When it’s time to search, the leader shouts out “Pi-lo-lo!” The first person to find an object and bring it back to the finish line (as judged by the timekeeper) wins and is awarded a point. A new leader and timekeeper are chosen and the game continues. The player with the most points at the end of playtime wins.
3. Greece: Greek Statues
Greek sculpture is some of the best art known throughout history. Celebrate artistry by playing a game of Greek Statues.
Requirements:
- 4 or more players
- Jar with statue ideas (optional)
- Open space
Objective:
While optional, it’s best to talk about familiar statues first and make a list for players to choose from of a jar to begin the game (for example: Statue of Liberty, The Thinker, The Heisman). Begin by choosing one player to be “it.” The other players can choose a statue idea from the jar or create their poses. The “it” player should stand in the middle of the playfield, cover their eyes, and count to at least 10. Without a set number to count to each round, it keeps the players in suspense. The other players scatter waiting to hear she/he yell “Agalmata!” (This means “statue” in Greek.) When players hear “Agalmata!” (or “Freeze!”), they must stop and mimic the famous statue or hold their pose. If the “it” player notices another player moving, they can tag them out. The person who is “it” can also try to make the statues move with tricks and jokes. The winner and new person to be “it” is the one that can hold their pose the longest.
4. India: Cheetah, Cheetal
Throughout Indian history, princesses have been said to train cheetahs to successfully hunt cheetals (spotted deer). In the tag-like game of Cheetah, Cheetal, a prince or princess “trains” cheetahs to catch the cheetals.
Requirements:
- 5 or more players
- Open space
- Playing field markers (cones, rocks, etc.)
Objective:
Begin the game by marking a start line. From there, pace about 20 to 30 feet on either side of the lines to mark the baselines. Once a prince or princess is designated, the other players are divided into two teams as evenly as possible. One team will be designated as cheetals and the other as cheetahs. The cheetahs and cheetals should line up back to back on the start line. The prince/princess lines up at the top of the start line and yells out either “Cheetah!” or “Cheetals!” The team’s name that’s called must turn quickly and chase the other team to their baseline. Anyone who is tagged is out of the game. The game ends when the last player from one team is tagged out.
5. Italy: Strega Comanda Colore
Although the country of origin for this game is unknown, it’s commonly played in Italy.
Requirements:
- Four or more players
- Colourful objects
- Open space
Objective:
Begin by placing colourful objects around the play area, or choose a colourful place to play. One player is chosen to be the “witch,” or Strega Comanda Colore. The witch will call out a colour. The other players must run and find an object of that colour and touch it before the witch catches them. If no one is caught, the witch will call out another colour. If someone is caught, they become the new witch.
6. Pakistan: Oonch neech
Translating to “up and down” in English, Oonch Neech is a game played in Pakistan and India. In the state of West Bengal, it’s known as Kumir Daanga, while in Andhra Pradesh it’s called Nela Banda. In Maharashtra, it is played as Dagad ka Maati meaning “Stone or Sand.”
Requirements:
- 4 plus players
- Outdoor park or playground with obstacles
Objective:
Best played at an outdoor park or playground with lots of obstacles, Oonch Neech is a high-energy version of tag. With one person designated as the denner (tagger), this person will decide oonch (up) or neech (down). If they call out “Oonch!” the ground is safe and the players have to stay down. If the person who is the denner says “Neech!” the ground is not safe and the players must go up. The denner must tag a person not in the safe zone while also staying up or down. If someone is tagged, they become the new denner.
7. Portugal: Jogo do lencinho
The game of Jogo do lencinho, or the “handkerchief game,” is traditionally played with younger children. An adapted version of the game for older children is also popular in Portugal. This game is a generational game passed down within families.
Requirements:
- 4 or more players
- A handkerchief or something that falls silently
Objective:
Similar to Duck, Duck, Goose, in Jogo do lencinho, everyone sits in a circle. One person walks around the outside of the circle while the others face inward singing a song. The person walking drops a handkerchief behind one of the seated players. If the person notices, they must get up and chase the other person before they reach the empty space and sit down.
For older children, divide players into equal teams. Give each team member a number, so that one player on each team has the same number. Have teams line up facing one another. The judge places the handkerchief in the middle and calls out a number. The players with that number must race to see who picks up the handkerchief first. The player who gets the handkerchief first gets a point. If they can get back in line before being touched by the opposing player, the team gets an additional two points. If the opponent can steal the handkerchief before the other player gets back to their original spot, the opponent’s team gets a point. The first team to reach a predetermined amount of points (20 or more) wins.
8. South Africa: Stretch and Drie stokkies
Stretch and Drie stokkies are two simple schoolyard games played with sticks.
Requirements:
- Two or more players
- 1- 3 sticks
- Open space
Objective:
The goal of Stretch is to be the person that can jump the farthest. The first person places a stick down and must jump over the stick from a starting point. The first player then moves the stick to where they landed. The next person must jump over the stick from the starting point or they’re out. If they do make it over the stick, it is then moved to where they landed. This continues until only one jumper is left.
Similar to the triple jump, Drie stokkies requires three sticks. Place three sticks on the ground, parallel to one another and about one yard apart. Players try to jump three times between three sticks. Take a running start and jump once in between the first and second stick, once in between the second and third stick, and then jump as far as you can past the third stick. The person who can jump the furthest beyond the last stick is the winner.
