This page has links to short videos of children playing Hopscotch games in different countries. They show the universality of the game, as well as the similarities and differences in the patterns and the way the games are played.
They also show that Hopscotch is a game that can be played almost anywhere if there is a big enough space, something to draw the pattern with and a ‘found’ object that you can use as a taw. There are lots of ideas here for you to think about when you’re making up your own game.
Hopscotch rules – USA. Children explain how they play the game. (This is the only video that has titles and background music. There is a short ad at the start.)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fZzswQaICfM
Pakistan. Children playing Hopscotch in a village street. You can see what the rules are by the way they play. One player claims ownership of a square, but leaves a narrow space for other players to use. (This video is around 5 mins. There is a short ad at the start but you can skip it.)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dOwCRU3SMOk
India has many versions of the game, some with several steps involving different physical skills. Here are a few examples:
Langdi – India. Played, with strict rules, by a group of students.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C5mVQb1BV68
Langdi – India. A girl practising Hopscotch at home, with help from a toddler.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gVuauN3JTMw
India. Girls demonstrating one of the steps in a two-person game. Players have to balance their taws on their outstretched hands while hopping.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QqsuYaTukbM
India. Girls demonstrating a two-person kick hoppy game. The pattern is similar to Send-a-letter Hoppy on this website.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aQkSlAF1SEo
Kidsplaybook is a unique online treasure trove of children’s traditional games, filmed over 20 years by Jules Oostewegel. It’s well worth exploring. The following Hopscotch videos have short descriptions on each page:
Lane Mak – Cambodia.
https://www.kidsplaybook.com/lane-mak-cambodia/
Kotupanima – Sri Lanka.
https://www.kidsplaybook.com/kotupanima-sri-lanka/
Batta Panima – Sri Lanka.
https://www.kidsplaybook.com/batta-panima-sri-lanka/
Ta Yek – Laos.
https://www.kidsplaybook.com/ta-yek-laos/
Pandi – India.
https://www.kidsplaybook.com/pandi-india/
Lar Ma Rules – Myanmar.
https://www.kidsplaybook.com/lar-ma-rules-myanmar/
Mèo bắt chuột – Vietnam. A two-person kick hoppy game.
https://www.kidsplaybook.com/meo-bat-chuot-vietnam/
Hop Scotch – South Africa.
https://www.kidsplaybook.com/hop-scotch-south-africa/
Macaca – Portugal.
https://www.kidsplaybook.com/macaca-portugal/
El Pon – Cuba.
https://www.kidsplaybook.com/el-pon-cuba/
Hinkelen – The Netherlands.
https://www.kidsplaybook.com/hinkelen-the-netherlands/
Scotch Scotch – Zimbabwe. A two-person game with rhythmic chant and complex jumping steps.
https://www.kidsplaybook.com/scotch-scotch-zimbabwe/
Hop To It! 