Roman soldiers used to play hopscotch to test their strength and speed, sometimes hopping over 100 feet (30.5 m) carrying heavy weights.Hopscotch is a backyard game enjoyed by children and grown-ups all over the world.You can learn to play this game, along with some variations to make it more challenging, if you never learned it when you were a child.
Step 1: A design is drawn on the ground.
The best drawing medium is chalk.The squares should be large enough to fit one foot and to make sure that a stone thrown into the square won't bounce out.A common schoolyard design is shown here.The section shown here is often designated a rest or stop area.The player can turn around and regain their balance here."Heaven" is a more creative name for the space.
Step 2: A beanbag, shell, button, plastic toy can be thrown to land on the square one.
It has to land inside the square.You lose your turn if you don't get it within the lines.Go on to the next step if you get it.The game can be played with one person.Make up the rules as you see fit.
Step 3: You can skip the one with your marker on.
Each square has one foot.The foot you start with is up to you.Unless there are two number squares next to each other, you can't have more than one foot on the ground at a time.You can put down both feet at the same time.If you step on a line, hop on the wrong square or step out of the square, you lose your turn.
Step 4: Pick up the marker.
When you get to the last number, turn around and go back in reverse.If you're on the square before the one with your marker, lean down.Pick it up.Go over that square and finish.
Step 5: The next person should pass the marker on.
If you completed the course with your marker on square one, then throw it onto square two on your next turn.You want to complete the course with the marker on each square.The first person to do this is the winner.The Guinness World Record for the fastest game of hopscotch was set by Ashrita Furman.In case you were curious.
Step 6: The shape of the hopscotch course can be changed.
With the numbers going in a spiral, make it circular.The French call it "escargot"?It could be a triangle or firework.The easiest way to start is from the middle.If you make it as big as you need, you won't have to worry about the last square being small.
Step 7: The size and shape of the squares can be adjusted.
People have to step on their tip toes if they make some of them smaller.To control the direction in which the person faces, you can make some in the shape of a shoe.Get creative!
Step 8: Some squares should be made into islands.
A person needs to jump over a distance to get to it.The spaces should be jump-able.Who said hopscotch didn't require skill?
Step 9: A time limit should be set.
Make a game of speed hopscotch.The person has a certain amount of time to complete the course.You could turn it into a race.