Hopscotch

To play Hopscotch, you'll need something to toss on the ground, preferably a Hoppy Taw. If you don't have a Hoppy Taw, you could use a bean bag, a rock, or a woodchip, etc.

If you don't have a Hopscotch Court, you can make your own by using some chalk. Making your own Hopscotch Court can be a lot of fun, because you can make it as challenging or as simple as you want it to be!

You can play Hopscotch by yourself or with others. If you're playing with others, use "Roshambo" (rock-paper-scissors) to see who goes first, second, third, etc.

Your goal is to beat all ten levels, starting at number 1 and working your way up to 10. If you're playing with others, the first to complete all 10 levels wins the game.

 Players take turns, standing in a line a few feet from the start/finish line (in front of numbers 1 and 2).

Toss the hoppy taw in the box with the number/level you're trying to beat. If you're playing with others and if the hoppy taw doesn't land and stay in the box you were aiming for, your turn is over and the next player gets to try to beat the level they're on.

If your hoppy taw lands/comes to rest on a line, you lose your turn.

If your foot touches a number box it's not supposed to, you lose your turn.

If your foot touches a line, or touches the ground outside of the court, you lose your turn.

If your hands or any other part of your body touches the court, you lose your turn (unless you're trying to pick up the hoppy taw, but you're not allowed to support any of your weight on that hand). 

While hopping towards the top of the court you need to hop in number order and avoid hopping in the box that has the hoppy taw, if you skip over a number that doesn't have a hoppy taw, or land in a box that has a hoppy taw, you lose your turn.

If there are numbers to the side of each other (one on the left and on the right), and if they don't have a hoppy taw in them, you have to land with both feet (one foot in each box) at the same time in the boxes, or you lose your turn.

If numbers are by themselves, and if they don't have a hoppy taw in them, you have to land with just one foot in the box while keeping the other foot off the ground, or you lose your turn.

Once you reach the top of the box, you'll need to jump and spin around in the air and land with both feet (if there's not a hoppy taw) in the boxes, or you lose your turn.

Once you've landed your spin jump at the top of the court, you'll need to work your way back to the start/finish line, going from numbers 10 down to 1.

While coming back, you'll need to pick up the hoppy taw with one hand while balancing on one foot in the box number that's just before the box that has the hoppy taw in it. For example, if the hoppy taw was in box 4, you have to balance on one foot in box five and reach down and pick up the hoppy taw with one hand.

Once the player has successfully picked up the hoppy taw, they need to hop with one foot landing into the box that had the hoppy taw and then continue on towards the start/finish line to complete the level.

When a player successfully completes a level, or fails to complete a level, they give the hoppy taw to the next player in line and they go to the back of the line where they wait to try for the next level or to retry the level.

When a player gets out, and as they return to the cheering line for another try, those in the game and those in the cheering line should consider recognizing that player's efforts and good sportsmanship by giving a high five and or saying, in a supportive tone, "Good job, Nice try."

(Variation) Consider simplifying the game by having players hop through the hopscotch court without using a hoppy taw.

(Variation) Consider having the players work as a team to beat the game, with each player trying to complete whatever level is up next.

(Variation) Consider setting a time limit, making the game Speed Hopscotch.

(Variation) Consider trying Kickout Hopscotch (see video below).

1. Use a hoppy taw, bean bag, rock or woodchip.

2. Try to beat all 10 levels, in number order.

3. The hoppy taw needs to land inside the right box.

4. The hoppy taw can't land/come to rest on a line.

5. If numbers are next to each other, hop with both feet.

6. If a number is by itself, hop with one foot.

7. Don't hop in a box that has the hoppy taw.

8. Don't touch any lines or the ground outside the court.

9. Balance on one foot and pick up the hoppy taw with one hand.

10. When someone gets out, "High Five," and or "Good Job, Nice Try."