Association for Child Development
P.O. Box 1491
East Lansing, MI 48826
www.acdkids.org
Non-Profit Org.
U.S. Postage PAID
Lansing, MI
Permit No. 401
The Association for Child Development is a
nonprofit organization that educates parents
and caregivers about nutrition to promote the
development of children and establish healthy
eating habits to last a lifetime.
fitness for kids
for the kids
Children's Games from Around the World
Tug of War (Egypt)
The game of tug of war is depicted on the wall of a tomb on the
outskirts of Memphis, the ancient capital of Egypt. To play, mark a
line on the ground or floor with tape or chalk. Have players form two
teams with each team lining up on opposite sides of the dividing line.
The two front players are the leaders. The leaders clasp hands while
the rest of the players hold onto the waist of the player in front of
them. On go, each team tries to bring the opponents across the line by
pulling and leaning backwards. To really get their lungs working, team
members can call words of encouragement to their team leader.
Hop-Sing Game (Liberia)
Form a circle with one person in the middle designated “It.” Play
some fun music and have “It” stand in the center of the circle with
hands on hips, hopping from one foot to the other. “It” should always
raise his or her knee so that the toe points downward. “It” hops to a
child in the circle and extends a foot with the toe pointed. The player
in the circle must respond by hopping and pointing his or her matching (left or right) toe, in which case the toes will not touch. If the
responding player extends the wrong leg, the toes will touch. That
player must then trade places with “It.”
Spinning Tops (North America)
Though green grass and short sleeves are still a few months away,
these activities can keep children entertained and active indoors or out.
Children start by forming a circle. The child who is “It” goes to the
Photo © 2008 iStock International Inc.
center of the circle and spins a top or Frisbee. He or she then runs
around the outside of the circle and tries to get back to the center
before the top or disk stops spinning. If successful, “It” spins around with his or her eyes closed, then stops and points to
determine the next “It.” This game is derived from an Inuit children’s favorite known as Kaipsak, a variation of which
included having children sit on blocks of ice and become the tops themselves.
12 • Potpourri • February 2009
Association for Child Development