List of children's games

A child playing tag

Traditional children's games, also known as folk games, are played by individuals between an estimated 7–12 years of age, without much equipment or any rules. They do not include commercial products such as board games but do include those which require props such as hopscotch or marbles. (Toys appear in List of toys unless the toys are used in multiple games or the single game played is named after the toy; thus "jump rope" is a game, while "Jacob's ladder" is a toy.) The games persist and evolve, as they are transmitted down to subsequent generations and from one child to another primarily through word of mouth, due to not being considered suitable for academic study or adult attention. Folk games consist of two or more of the following: physical skill, strategy, chance, repetition of patterns, creativity, and vertigo.

History

Ancient Egyptian sports game
Children's Games (1560)

From the 18th century onwards, researchers have taken a greater interest in the value of traditional games in elucidating cultural values and identities. The modern Olympic Games were influenced by this thinking, and were founded by Pierre de Coubertin on the basis of "All games, all nations", though this aspect of the Olympics was never fully realised and quickly faded away after a few years, with mainly only Western sports being played. In some European countries, the revival of traditional games has served as a way for regional identities to be expressed in a political or educational way.

Tag games

Hiding games

Games with equipment

Jumping games

Hopping games

Memory games

Parlour games

Hand games

Other traditional children's games

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ This game may be considered inappropriate by some[who?]

References

  1. 1 2 3 Sierra and Kaminski (1995), p.3.
  2. ↑ Sierra, Judy and Kaminski, Robert (1995). Children's Traditional Games, p.xii. Oryx. ISBN 0897749677.
  3. ↑ Lindon, Jennie (2001). Understanding Children's Play, p.83. Nelson Thornes. ISBN 9780748739707.
  4. ↑ Hardman, Ken; Green, Ken (2011). Contemporary Issues in Physical Education: International Perspectives. Meyer & Meyer Verlag. ISBN 978-1-84126-312-0.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Gryski, Camilla (1998). Let's Play: Traditional Games of Childhood, p. 5. Kids Can. ISBN 1550744976.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Sierra and Kaminski (1995), pp. v-vi.
  7. 1 2 Gryski (1998), p.10-11.
  8. ↑ Gryski (1998), p.15.
  9. ↑ Newell, W. W. (2010). Games and Songs of American Children, p. 189. Nabu Press. ISBN 978-1-145-39322-6.
  10. ↑ Foster, Edna Abigail; ed. (1916). Something to Do,—Boys!: A Book for Wide-Awake Boys, p. 222. W. A. Wilde. [ISBN unspecified].
  11. ↑ Gryski (1998), p. 26.
  12. ↑ "Leapfrog", Merriam-Webster.com. Accessed June 27, 2015.
  13. 1 2 Gryski (1998), p.16.
  14. ↑ Jennifer Moore-Mallinos (15 December 2018). When Competition Goes Too Far. The Rosen Publishing Group, Inc. pp. 30–. ISBN 978-1-5383-9033-7.
  15. 1 2 Schaefer, Charles E.; Reid, Steven E.; eds. (2004). Game Play: Therapeutic Use of Childhood Games, p.10. John Wiley & Sons. ISBN 9780471437338.
  16. ↑ Sahana Charan. "Not just the written word". Bangalore Mirror, 7/24/2011.