Hopscotch
From Sidewalks to Smiles: The Evergreen Magic of Hopscotch
You probably all know this game, Hopscotch, where you draw boxes with numbers on the ground – preferrably with some kind of more or less permanent chalk – and then you throw a stone on one of the numbers and you have to jump there on one leg, pick it up and head back to the start. Well, we kind of took that to the next level and deviated a little from the standard Hopscotch game . In the end we had about 80 boxes and I still feel the pain from when I had completed the jump. I had to learn the hard way that I am not 20 anymore… (that’s where you are supposed to pity me ).
Naturally, the kiddo effortlessly mastered the jumps after just a few attempts. The beauty of this activity lies in its adaptability, as you can create a unique Hopscotch layout each time, thus bringing a lot of variation into the game. For the drawing we always use standard Sidewalk Chalk (which you can get both in small and humongous boxes) because it washes away with a few rain showers but I know there are also supposed to be more permanent alternatives and you can also get Sidewalk Paint which can be applied with a brush.
Here are a few thoughts and ideas for your personal game of Hopscotch:
- Quantity of boxes: feel free to experiment with the number of boxes or fields according to your preference
- Directions: explore different directions – go backward, forward, or diagonally
- Distance: increase the distance between jumps for an added challenge
- Pattern: create different patterns for more variety and different levels of difficulty
- Tasks: set each other different tasks to make the game even more exciting and challenging: jump on one leg, only certain boxes may be jumped on, objects must be picked up and transported from A to B, etc.
- Use the pauses between jumps: let your creativity run wild and make your Hopscotch field even more colorful and cheerful. Maybe you will come up with new ideas for very special fields
… and I’m sure you can come up with more ideas. To us, this is always a lot of fun and since it can be pretty challenging, it motivates you and your kids to give everything and finish all the jumps even if it may seem impossible at first. We usually start with only a few fields, perhaps around 12, and then we gradually expand the layout as we progress.
By the way, we use this regular street chalk* for our colouring and jumping box projects. A few years ago, I found some rainbow chalk in a shop, which of course went down particularly well. Unfortunately, it broke apart quite often (one piece of chalk consisted of several layers of chalk in different colours), which is why we didn’t buy more of it so quickly. But it was still funny 😁
Why should you play Hopscotch?
- Quality outdoor time: spending time outdoors with your kids is more crucial than ever, allowing you to soak up all the sun and the fresh air that you can get
- Enough of sitting around: hopscotch serves as a wonderful counterbalance to extended periods of sitting in school, promoting physical activity and movement
- Holistic exercise: hopscotch is not just a game! It’s a fun exercise that enhances stamina and cultivates a keen sense of balance. This, in turn, is something that all of us – especially the adults among us – benefit from
- Emotional regulation: children often exhibit more balanced temperaments after expending their excess energy through physical activities like hopscotch
- Social engagement: You can play this game with multiple players, taking turns and fostering group participation with four, five, or even more individuals
- Vibrant community: by playing Hopscotch, you are making your neighborhood a more colourful and lively place
I hope I’ve successfully conveyed the reasons why we find immense joy in hopscotch, and perhaps I’ve inspired you to give it a try as well.
More ideas
You’re done playing Hopscotch and need some more ideas for games and activities with chalk? Maybe there’s something for you here:
- Art Project: Use your creativity to draw anything you can imagine! From mandalas and flowers to portraits and murals, the possibilities are endless. You’ll also beautify your neighbourhood at the same time
- Magic Potions: with chalk (and a few plants, flowers, water, etc.) you can apparently make some great magic potions, see below. Not suitable for tasting, but looks all the better for it
- Snakes and Ladders: turn this classic board game into a giant outdoor version. Draw the game board on the sidewalk or driveway and use pebbles or small toys as game pieces
- The Floor is Lava: this imaginative game can be played anywhere. Simply announce that the ground is lava and players must jump from one chalk-drawn island to another to avoid being burned
- Twister: Draw a giant Twister board on the pavement and get ready for some silly poses.
More content
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On those days, puzzles are the ultimate activity. Why? Find out here
* Disclaimer
I get a small commission for purchases made through links in this post. For you, this has no impact on the price but it helps me to keep doing what I love and allows me to produce more content.