20 Cultural Games For Preschoolers From Around The World

The following article lists 20 Cultural Games, Instructions For Each Game, Benefits Of Teaching Children These Games, Linking To The EYLF and more.

20 Cultural Games

Seven Stones (India): A traditional game where players stack stones and try to knock them over with a ball while avoiding being tagged.
Sheep and Tiger (Nepal): A strategy game where one player is the tiger and others are sheep, working together to trap the tiger.
Bambaram (India): A spinning top game that encourages coordination and creativity.
Pass the Parcel (United Kingdom): A fun game where a wrapped parcel is passed around while music plays, and layers are unwrapped when the music stops.
Jianzi (China): Similar to hacky sack, players keep a weighted shuttlecock off the ground using their feet.
Tuho (Korea): A game where players throw sticks into a narrow-necked jar.
El Gato y El Ratón (Mexico): A game of tag where one child is the cat and another is the mouse, with others forming a circle to protect the mouse.
Duck Duck Goose (United States): A classic circle game where one child tags another to chase them around the circle.
Kubb (Sweden): A lawn game where players knock over wooden blocks by throwing batons.
Pilolo (Ghana): A treasure hunt game where children search for hidden objects.
Ampe (Ghana): A clapping and jumping game that requires quick reflexes.
Catch the Dragon’s Tail (China): A line of children tries to protect the "tail" while the "head" attempts to catch it.
Otedama (Japan): A traditional juggling game using small beanbags.
Nalukataq (Arctic): A blanket toss game played during celebrations.
Lotería (Mexico): A bingo-like game using pictures instead of numbers.
Hopscotch (Global): A hopping game drawn on the ground with chalk.
Mbube Mbube (South Africa): A game where children guide a "lion" to catch an "antelope" using chants.
Statues (Greece): A game where players freeze in place when the leader turns around.
Ring-a-Ring o’ Roses (United Kingdom): A circle game with singing and actions.
Tinikling (Philippines): A rhythmic game where children jump between moving bamboo poles.

Instructions For Each Game

Seven Stones (India):
- Stack seven stones in a pile.
- One team throws a ball to knock over the stones, while the opposing team tries to tag them as they rebuild the stack.
Sheep and Tiger (Nepal):
- One child is the "tiger," and the rest are "sheep."
- The sheep work together to block the tiger’s movements while the tiger tries to "catch" a sheep.
Bambaram (India):
- Spin tops on a flat surface.
- Players try to hit others’ tops out of a circle or keep theirs spinning the longest.
Pass the Parcel (United Kingdom):
- Wrap a gift in multiple layers of paper.
- Pass the parcel around while music plays. When the music stops, a layer is unwrapped, and the game continues.
Jianzi (China):
- Use your feet to keep a shuttlecock-like object in the air.
- The goal is to pass it between players without letting it touch the ground.
Tuho (Korea):
- Place a narrow jar at a distance.
- Take turns throwing sticks into the jar; the person with the most sticks in wins.
El Gato y El Ratón (Mexico):
- Form a circle. One child is the cat, and another is the mouse.
- The cat tries to catch the mouse, while the circle helps the mouse escape.
Duck Duck Goose (United States):
- Sit in a circle. One child walks around, tapping others’ heads, saying "duck" until they choose "goose."
- The "goose" chases the first child. If tagged, the first child is "it" again.
Kubb (Sweden):
- Set up wooden blocks (kubbs) on a lawn.
- Players throw batons to knock over opposing kubbs before knocking over the central "king" block.
Pilolo (Ghana):
- Hide small objects while children close their eyes.
- They search for them once the game begins. Whoever finds the most wins.
Ampe (Ghana):
- Two players jump while clapping their hands.
- They guess which way the other’s foot will land. Correct guesses earn points.
Catch the Dragon’s Tail (China):
- Children form a line holding onto each other’s waists.
- The first child tries to "catch" the last child while the line twists and moves to protect the "tail."
Otedama (Japan):
- Toss and catch small beanbags while completing tasks, like clapping or flipping a bag.
Nalukataq (Arctic):
- Use a large blanket to toss one child in the air. Others hold the edges tightly to keep it safe.
Lotería (Mexico):
- Like bingo, players match pictures on cards to those called out. The first to complete a row wins.
Hopscotch (Global):
- Draw numbered squares on the ground.
- Toss a small object onto a square, then hop through the grid, skipping the square with the object.
Mbube Mbube (South Africa):
- One child is the "lion," and another is the "antelope."
- Players guide the lion to the antelope by chanting “Mbube Mbube,” louder as they get closer.
Statues (Greece):
- A "leader" faces away while others move forward.
- When the leader turns, everyone freezes. If someone moves, they go back to the start.
Ring-a-Ring o’ Roses (United Kingdom)
- Children hold hands in a circle, sing the rhyme, and fall to the ground at the end.
Tinikling (Philippines):
- Use bamboo poles, moving them rhythmically.
- Children jump in and out of the poles, matching the beat.

Benefits Of Teaching Children These Games

Teaching children cultural games from around the world provides numerous benefits, enriching their development and understanding in various ways.

1. Fostering Cultural Awareness

Encourages Respect: Children learn to appreciate and respect the traditions and practices of different cultures.
Broadens Horizons: Playing games from other countries helps children understand the world is diverse and interconnected.

2. Promoting Social Skills

Teamwork and Cooperation: Many cultural games require children to work together, fostering collaboration and mutual support.
Turn-Taking and Communication: Games teach essential social skills like waiting for turns, active listening, and verbal/non-verbal interaction.

3. Enhancing Cognitive Abilities

Problem-Solving: Strategy-based games like Sheep and Tiger develop critical thinking and decision-making skills.
Memory and Focus: Many games involve sequences, patterns, or recall, boosting mental acuity.

4. Developing Motor Skills

Gross Motor Skills: Activities like Tinikling or Jianzi promote physical coordination, balance, and agility.
Fine Motor Skills: Precision tasks in games like Otedama help refine hand-eye coordination.

5. Instilling Emotional Growth

Confidence Building: Learning and excelling in new games boosts self-esteem.
Resilience: Games involving challenges help children develop patience and perseverance.

6. Encouraging Inclusivity

Shared Experiences: Group play fosters a sense of belonging and unity, even across diverse cultural backgrounds.
Overcoming Barriers: Language and cultural differences become less significant through shared play.

7. Inspiring Creativity and Imagination

Storytelling Elements: Games like Ring-a-Ring o’ Roses encourage imaginative play and narrative thinking.
Adaptability: Children often modify games to suit their environment, fostering innovation.

8. Preserving Cultural Heritage

Passing Down Traditions: Learning these games helps keep cultural practices alive for future generations.

By engaging in these cultural games, children not only have fun but also gain invaluable life skills and a deepened sense of empathy and understanding.

Linking To The EYLF

Linking cultural games to the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) can support children's development across multiple learning outcomes. Here's how these games align with the EYLF principles:

1. Learning Outcome 1: Children Have a Strong Sense of Identity

Cultural Awareness: Games like Seven Stones (India) or Lotería (Mexico) help children explore and appreciate cultural diversity, fostering a sense of belonging and respect for others.
Confidence Building: Participating in group games boosts self-esteem and helps children feel valued in a group setting.

2. Learning Outcome 2: Children Are Connected With and Contribute to Their World

Community Engagement: Games such as Pilolo (Ghana) or Catch the Dragon’s Tail (China) encourage collaboration and teamwork, helping children understand their role in a group.
Respect for Diversity: Exposure to games from different cultures promotes inclusivity and respect for diverse traditions.

3. Learning Outcome 3: Children Have a Strong Sense of Wellbeing

Physical Development: Active games like Tinikling (Philippines) or Jianzi (China) enhance gross motor skills, coordination, and physical health.
Emotional Wellbeing: Cooperative games like Duck Duck Goose (United States) or Ring-a-Ring o’ Roses (United Kingdom) provide joy and emotional connection.

4. Learning Outcome 4: Children Are Confident and Involved Learners

Problem-Solving Skills: Strategy-based games like Sheep and Tiger (Nepal) or Kubb (Sweden) encourage critical thinking and decision-making.
Curiosity and Exploration: Games introduce children to new ideas, fostering curiosity and a love for learning.

5. Learning Outcome 5: Children Are Effective Communicators

Language Development: Games like El Gato y El Ratón (Mexico) or Mbube Mbube (South Africa) involve chants, rhymes, or instructions, enhancing language and communication skills.
Expressive Skills: Role-playing games or storytelling elements in activities like Puppet Shows allow children to express themselves creatively.

Practical Integration Tips:

Incorporate Cultural Days: Plan activities around specific cultural celebrations, linking games to the traditions of those cultures.
Family Involvement: Invite families to share games from their cultural backgrounds, fostering community connections.
Reflective Practice: Use observations to assess how children engage with these games and adapt them to meet individual needs.

By integrating these games into your program, you can create a rich, inclusive learning environment that aligns with the EYLF's vision of belonging, being, and becoming.