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.
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Sheep and Tiger (Nepal): A strategy game where one player is the tiger and others are sheep, working together to trap the tiger.
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Bambaram (India): A spinning top game that encourages coordination and creativity.
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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.
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Jianzi (China): Similar to hacky sack, players keep a weighted shuttlecock off the ground using their feet.
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Tuho (Korea): A game where players throw sticks into a narrow-necked jar.
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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.
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Duck Duck Goose (United States): A classic circle game where one child tags another to chase them around the circle.
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Kubb (Sweden): A lawn game where players knock over wooden blocks by throwing batons.
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Pilolo (Ghana): A treasure hunt game where children search for hidden objects.
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Ampe (Ghana): A clapping and jumping game that requires quick reflexes.
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Catch the Dragon’s Tail (China): A line of children tries to protect the "tail" while the "head" attempts to catch it.
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Otedama (Japan): A traditional juggling game using small beanbags.
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Nalukataq (Arctic): A blanket toss game played during celebrations.
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Lotería (Mexico): A bingo-like game using pictures instead of numbers.
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Hopscotch (Global): A hopping game drawn on the ground with chalk.
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Mbube Mbube (South Africa): A game where children guide a "lion" to catch an "antelope" using chants.
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Statues (Greece): A game where players freeze in place when the leader turns around.
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Ring-a-Ring o’ Roses (United Kingdom): A circle game with singing and actions.
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Tinikling (Philippines): A rhythmic game where children jump between moving bamboo poles.
Instructions For Each Game
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Seven Stones (India):
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Stack seven stones in a pile.
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One team throws a ball to knock over the stones, while the opposing team tries to tag them as they rebuild the stack.
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Sheep and Tiger (Nepal):
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One child is the "tiger," and the rest are "sheep."
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The sheep work together to block the tiger’s movements while the tiger tries to "catch" a sheep.
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Bambaram (India):
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Spin tops on a flat surface.
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Players try to hit others’ tops out of a circle or keep theirs spinning the longest.
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Pass the Parcel (United Kingdom):
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Wrap a gift in multiple layers of paper.
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Pass the parcel around while music plays. When the music stops, a layer is unwrapped, and the game continues.
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Jianzi (China):
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Use your feet to keep a shuttlecock-like object in the air.
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The goal is to pass it between players without letting it touch the ground.
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Tuho (Korea):
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Place a narrow jar at a distance.
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Take turns throwing sticks into the jar; the person with the most sticks in wins.
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El Gato y El Ratón (Mexico):
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Form a circle. One child is the cat, and another is the mouse.
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The cat tries to catch the mouse, while the circle helps the mouse escape.
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Duck Duck Goose (United States):
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Sit in a circle. One child walks around, tapping others’ heads, saying "duck" until they choose "goose."
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The "goose" chases the first child. If tagged, the first child is "it" again.
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Kubb (Sweden):
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Set up wooden blocks (kubbs) on a lawn.
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Players throw batons to knock over opposing kubbs before knocking over the central "king" block.
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Pilolo (Ghana):
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Hide small objects while children close their eyes.
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They search for them once the game begins. Whoever finds the most wins.
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Ampe (Ghana):
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Two players jump while clapping their hands.
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They guess which way the other’s foot will land. Correct guesses earn points.
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Catch the Dragon’s Tail (China):
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Children form a line holding onto each other’s waists.
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The first child tries to "catch" the last child while the line twists and moves to protect the "tail."
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Otedama (Japan):
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Toss and catch small beanbags while completing tasks, like clapping or flipping a bag.
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Nalukataq (Arctic):
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Use a large blanket to toss one child in the air. Others hold the edges tightly to keep it safe.
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Lotería (Mexico):
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Like bingo, players match pictures on cards to those called out. The first to complete a row wins.
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Hopscotch (Global):
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Draw numbered squares on the ground.
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Toss a small object onto a square, then hop through the grid, skipping the square with the object.
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Mbube Mbube (South Africa):
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One child is the "lion," and another is the "antelope."
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Players guide the lion to the antelope by chanting “Mbube Mbube,” louder as they get closer.
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Statues (Greece):
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A "leader" faces away while others move forward.
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When the leader turns, everyone freezes. If someone moves, they go back to the start.
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Ring-a-Ring o’ Roses (United Kingdom)
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Children hold hands in a circle, sing the rhyme, and fall to the ground at the end.
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Tinikling (Philippines):
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Use bamboo poles, moving them rhythmically.
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Children jump in and out of the poles, matching the beat.
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Benefits Of Teaching Children These Games
Linking To The EYLF
Avoiding Cultural Tokenism
Creating A Multicultural Environment In An Early Childhood Setting
Examples Of How Diverse Cultures Can Be Incorporated In Everyday Practice
Cultural Competence In Early Childhood Settings
Celebrating Multiculturalism In Childcare