When did you last play hopscotch?
By Fleur
@Fleura (31013)
United Kingdom
January 16, 2025 7:05am CST
I’m not an indoor person. There’s only so much time I can spend shut inside before I get ‘cabin fever’ – and in my case most of one day is about the limit. By then I’ll be looking for any excuse to go outside; to take something round to a friend’s house, post a letter, even just to empty the bins!
At the weekend it was chilly and dull and no-one wanted to go anywhere, just to stay huddled inside, so by the afternoon I was getting decidedly twitchy. And of course I couldn’t bear to see the girls just sitting there complaining they were cold and hunched over their phones either! So I managed to persuade them to come out for a game of hopscotch.
In winter it can be difficult to play games outdoors. Even on days when it isn’t raining or freezing the grass is generally too wet and/or it’s too windy. But hopscotch is something that can be played on any small area of hard ground in pretty much any conditions and it doesn’t require any equipment except a stone. But it certainly does get you moving and tests various skills.
I played against Little One and won. Then Big One came out to join me and she won that one. It was great fun! When Little One’s friend came round later they both went out to play again, even though it was dark by that time and they could barely see the numbers!
When was the last time you played this simple game?
All rights reserved. © Text and image copyright Fleur 2025.
9 people like this
11 responses
@BarBaraPrz (48573)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
16 Jan
Probably a lifetime or two ago...
2 people like this
@Fleura (31013)
• United Kingdom
21 Jan
@BarBaraPrz So you haven't played since your last life? 
1 person likes this
@andriaperry (118280)
• Anniston, Alabama
16 Jan
Oh my! When the kids were little, 25 years ago.
2 people like this
@Fleura (31013)
• United Kingdom
16h
Basically a grid is drawn on the ground - not sure if you can make it out in the photo - with numbers arranged like this, each within a separate square of the same size:
10
9
78
6
45
3
2
1
___
You can have as many players as you want but generally just 2, 3 or 4. You can play on your own too.
Of course if all players agree you can make a slightly different grid - ours was just numbers 1 to 8.
Each player stands behind the starting line, and throws a small stone, aiming for the stone to land in square 1. If it does, they then hop over square 1 onto 2, then on the other numbers in sequence, using two legs together on squares 4 and 5, and 7 and 8, turn around on square 10 (still on one leg) and hop back, stopping on square 2 to reach down and pick up their stone from square 1. They must not put the other foot down or touch the ground with a hand or anything else. Their foot must be completely within the line of the appropriate square at each hop.
If they throw the stone and it doesn't go into the correct square their turn ends.
If they put their foot on a line their turn ends.
If they touch the ground with anything other than one foot (except on 4,5 and 7,8) their turn ends.
Then the next person has their go.
If the person succeeds in getting their stone into square 1 and completing the course without touching the ground or treading on a line, they then carry on to number 2, proceeding as before - throw the stone onto square 2, hop onto square 1 then 3, 4 etc., turn around, hop back and pause on square 3 to pick up the stone. If they succeed they go on to square 3 etc.
Does this sound familiar?
@pumpkinjam (8861)
• United Kingdom
17 Jan
I can't remember when I last played. I'm sure I have played hopscotch as an adult. I think I taught my children (the youngest of whom is 20, so it's been a while). However, I spent a lot of years working in schools and nurseries, much of the time outdoors (especially with nurseries). I'm sure I remember at least some of them having hopscotch as a permanence fixture. It still could be 10 years since I played. I get muddled with the passing of time but I think it's been that long since I've worked in those settings!
I used to be a very outdoors person. I still am, I know I feel better if I've been outside. I would go for regular walks (often daily when I could) no matter the weather. Of course, I'd spend a lot of time on playgrounds as well. It changed as I began an office job (less opportunity to get outside during the day) and as certain conditions I have made it difficult to go far without needing the toilet!
I really must get outside more often. Perhaps I'll play hopscotch with my grandkids next time I see them (they're 200 miles away so it's not often). Im sure they'd enjoy it, and I believe incan remember how to play!
1 person likes this
@wolfgirl569 (111794)
• Marion, Ohio
16 Jan
I don't think I have played it since I was a teenager
1 person likes this
@franxav (13951)
• India
16 Jan
I don't remember playing hopscotch, even in my childhood. In our culture it is thought to be a feminine game. Here, in the foster care home, my children have drawn a hopscotch court in the backyard, marking the lines with a brick chip. It's one of the most favourite pastime for them
1 person likes this
@Rinto998 (117)
• Tangerang, Indonesia
21 Jan
Wow, amazing, fun game.
This is a traditional game in my country Indonesia and in Indonesia this game is called "Taplak Gunung"
The last time I played this game was when I was in high school, and now I'm 26 years old and miss this game.
1 person likes this
