Hopscotch Playtime

Among children's games, hopscotch is not only one of the oldest—tracing its roots back to the Roman Empire—but also one of the most beloved. It's easy to learn, fun to play, and requires minimal equipment, making it a perfect game for kids of all ages.

The following articles showcase different variations of hopscotch and other hopping games. All you need is some chalk for drawing the playing grid and small rocks or stones to use as markers. The toughest decision will be choosing which version to play. Enjoy yourself!

Number Shuffle Hopscotch

This variation of traditional hopscotch changes the number order for hopping. Find out how to start playing.

Classic Hopscotch

Here’s everything you need to understand about playing hopscotch. Get familiar with the essential rules.

Jumping Games

Explore hopping games from various countries for a unique twist on traditional hopscotch. Discover how to play each version.

Gat Fei Gei

What is gat fei gei? It translates to "airplane hopscotch" in Chinese. Learn the rules and how to play.

Why not spice up your hopscotch with a new take on the classic? Find out more about playing the "By the Numbers" version of hopscotch.

For more exciting activities and craft ideas, check out:

Numbered Hopscotch

A "Numbered" hopscotch game offers a fresh spin on a classic favorite. No need for stones or markers in this version—just hop on one foot and avoid stepping on the wrong square. Think it's easy? Challenge yourself!

Required Materials

Chalk

Pavement

How to Play the Numbered Hopscotch Game

Step 1: Draw a grid with 12 squares on the pavement. (Squares measuring 2 feet by 2 feet work well.)

Step 2: Label the squares with numbers from 1 to 12. (The order doesn't need to follow any specific pattern, but make sure no number is more than one row away from its preceding number.)

Step 3: Hop on one foot from square 1 to square 2, then to square 3, and continue in sequence.

A player's turn ends if they accidentally step outside of a square or miss a number in the sequence.

Think that’s too simple? Increase the challenge by having players keep their hands behind their backs while they hop.

Still too easy? Try making the game more difficult by hopping only on even-numbered or odd-numbered squares.

Interested in playing the classic version? Keep reading to learn how to play traditional hopscotch.

For more exciting crafts and activities, explore the following:

Hopscotch Game

Hopscotch is a game enjoyed worldwide in various forms, but the core concept is the same: Players hop through numbered squares while avoiding missteps and trying not to fall.

A small flat stone or rock is used as a marker to indicate the squares where players are not allowed to hop. This marker is sometimes called a puck, pottsie, or "scotch"—and that’s where the game’s name comes from!

Required Items

Chalk

Stones or alternative markers

A smooth paved surface for playing

How to Play the Game of Hopscotch

Step 1: Draw a court on a solid surface (such as a sidewalk) using chalk. Create a series of squares leading to a final box. In some variations, you can place two squares side by side. You may also number the squares in a sequence if desired.

Step 2: Toss the "scotch" into the first square. Skip the square with the scotch and continue hopping along the court.

Step 3: Always hop on one foot, except when two squares are adjacent. In that case, straddle the two squares, landing with one foot in each.

Step 4: Upon reaching the end of the court, turn around and hop back. If you lose your balance, it's considered a "miss," meaning you must leave the court.

Step 5: If you finish the court without errors, step off and pass the turn to the next player. When it's your turn again, retrieve your scotch and throw it into the next square. Continue hopping over squares with a scotch. As more squares are occupied by scotches (from other players), the game gets more challenging.

In some variations, players place both feet in any square that contains their own scotch, but all other players must skip over that square.

Want to explore more game variations? Keep reading to discover how children around the world play hopscotch and other jumping games.

Looking for additional fun activities and crafts? Take a look at the following:

Hopping Games

If hopscotch is your thing, try out these variations of hopping games from around the globe. While each has its own twist, they all share the core concept of hopscotch.

Two of these games demonstrate how children in England and France play hopscotch, while others introduce you to games like "Real Estate" and "Snail." Ready, set, hop!

What You'll Need

A paved surface for playing

Chalk

Rocks or other markers

How to Play "Real Estate"

Step 1: Draw a basic hopscotch grid.

Step 2: After successfully completing the court, the player tosses the marker over their shoulder. If it lands on a square, they chalk their initials in that spot.

Step 3: The square marked with the player's initials is now theirs, and other players must hop over it. The player can use this square to rest during their turn.

The winner is the player who controls the most squares.

How to Play English Hopscotch

Players hold their markers between their feet and leap like kangaroos from one large numbered square to the next. If the marker is dropped, the player forfeits their turn.

How to Play "Snail"

Snail is played on a circular court with a center space. Players take turns hopping on one foot from the first space to the center, marked "rest," and then back out. Afterward, they toss the marker to claim a square, similar to "Real Estate."

How to Play French Hopscotch

Players perform tricks with the marker while hopping through the court. A popular trick is to hop on one foot from one square to the next while simultaneously kicking the marker to the next square, or balance the marker on the back of your hand or foot while hopping.

In China, hopscotch is known as "gat fei gei," meaning "airplane hopscotch." Keep reading to discover more about this version.

For more fun activities and crafts, explore:

Gat Fei Gei

"Gat Fei Gei" translates from Chinese to "airplane hopscotch." The layout of the hopscotch court is similar to many traditional versions, but there's a unique challenge – you must pick up your marker by bending backwards and reaching over your shoulder!

Once you've perfected that move, the goal is to capture and claim as many squares as possible. Be careful though – other players will be aiming to claim your squares too. Here's how to begin:

What You'll Need

Paved area to play

Chalk

Rocks or other markers

How to Play Gat Fei Gei

Step 1: Each player hops on one foot through squares one, two, and three, "straddles" (lands with one foot in each square) four and five, hops on one foot into square six, straddles squares seven and eight, and takes a rest at the pig's head. Then, they turn around and hop back in reverse order.

Step 2: One by one, players stand with their toes at square one and throw a marker toward the pig's head. They then hop through the squares and must retrieve the marker by bending backward and reaching over their shoulder. Players who succeed can claim square one by marking it with their initials.

Step 3: Now, players must step and land with both feet only within their own squares. If a player forgets this rule, they lose their squares, and other players can then compete for them. If the court becomes too crowded or difficult to play on, players may request a "safe" area in one corner of any selected square. Only the square's owner may use the entire space.

Step 4: When all the squares are claimed, the pig's head is divided into four parts, and players compete to claim each section.

For more fun activities and crafts, check out:

The following activities were designed by Maria Birmingham, Karen E. Bledsoe, and Kelly Milner Halls.

Classic Hopscotch

Jumping Games

Gat Fei Gei - The Airplane Hopscotch