Multi-cultural Games: Australia: Skippyroo Kangaroo Ah, Australia! It's both a country and a continent: a vast, mysterious, and diverse land filled with wonderfully wacky wildlife -- animals like the Tasmanian devil, platypus, wallaby, wombat, koala, kookaburra, and, of course, every kid's favorite, the kangaroo, which gives this game its name. Players: As many as 25 or as few as six; ages 3 and up
How to Play: This is a popular game played in many Australian preschools and kindergartens to help teach children their classmates' names as well as good listening skills. Kids sit in a circle and an adult asks one child to go into the middle -- she is the first Skippyroo, the kangaroo. Skippyroo crouches forward on the floor with her eyes closed while the kids in the circle chant: "Skippyroo, kangaroo, dozing in the midday sun, comes a hunter, run, run, run." At this stage an adult points to a child sitting in the circle, who then touches Skippyroo's shoulder and says, "Guess who's caught you just for fun?" and waits. Skippyroo tries to name the owner of the voice and if she guesses correctly, swaps places. The game begins again and continues until all the kids have had a chance to be Skippyroo.
Greece: Statues American children may not be familiar with the classic Discus Thrower, but Greek children have access to some amazing marble statues that date to ancient times. After a trip to the museum, it's only natural that they would incorporate some of these awe-inspiring characters into an imaginative game. Players: Four or more; ages 4 and up
How to Play: Choose one player to be "It" and have her stand, eyes covered, in the center of a large, open playing field. She starts to count, at least to 10, but she can go higher. The point is that there's no set ending number; only "It" knows when she'll stop and open her eyes. While "It" is counting, the others scatter around, never sure when she'll yell "Agalmata!" (That's "statue" in Greek. Tell kids to yell it to be authentic, or to just say "statue" if that's easier.) On this cue, players freeze, taking on poses that mimic famous statues. They can pull from any statue they've ever seen a photo of -- a javelin thrower, The Thinker, even the Statue of Liberty. Kids are allowed to use found items, such as sticks, a ball, or a Frisbee, to add a touch of realism. "It" tags any statues that are moving -- they're out -- then tries to make the steady ones laugh or move. The last player remaining composed is the winner and becomes the new "It." This game is great for practicing balance.
Chile: Corre, Corre la Guaraca The fun-to-say game name translates to "Run, Run, la Guaraca." Chilean kids typically speak Spanish, but Guaraca is actually a nonsense word.
Players: Five or more, ages 5 and up
What You'll Need: A handkerchief.
How to Play: Players sit in a circle while a runner jogs around the outer rim with a handkerchief. The seated kids are not allowed to watch. They sing "Corre, Corre, la Guaraca who looks back will be bopped on his head!" Trying not to be felt, the runner drops the handkerchief on a child's back and runs. If he makes it around the circle before the player realizes that it's on her back, the seated player is out. If the seated player catches on, she must tag the runner. If she succeeds, the runner is out. If she fails to tag him, they play again, but this time player 2 is the runner.
STALKER (Botswana) In this enjoyable group game, two players are chosen to be the Hunter and the Springbok. These two players are blind-folded, and the rest of the players form a circle around them. The Hunter must try to catch the Springbok, and the Springbok tries to stay away from the Hunter. The group is not allowed to touch either player, but they may choose to make different animal noises to distract the Hunter. Once the Springbok is caught, the group chooses two new people to be the Hunter and the Springbok.
1, 2, 3 DRAGON! (China) This is an active group game that is fun for children of all ages. Players form a line with each player’s hands on the shoulders of the person in front of them. The first person in line is the Head, and the last person in line is the Tail. The Tail yells, “1, 2, 3 dragon!” and the Head starts moving to try and catch the Tail. The rest of the players must follow the Head’s movements exactly, while staying connected to one another. If the line disconnects, then the dragon has died, and the Head must move to the end of the line to become the Tail. If the Head is able to catch the Tail, the Dragon survives! The Head still moves to the back of the line to become the Tail in order to give the next person in line a chance to be the Head.
AFRICA Mamba A mamba is a big indigenous South African snake. There are green mambas and black mambas. Both are poisonous. One person is chosen as the mamba. An area on the playground is marked off (we usually make it 10x10 metres for 20 children). Everyone must stay within the marked off area. The object is to stay away from the mamba. At a signal the game begins. The snake tries to catch the players. When a player is caught that player joins the snake by placing his/her hands on the snakes shoulders or around the waist. Each new "catch" becomes another part of the snake's body, always adding to the snake's tail. (As the snake eats, it becomes bigger and bigger.) If a player leaves the designated area the player must sit down on the boundary and misses out the rest of the game. Only the "head" of the snake can catch new people. The snake can use its "body" to capture other players, as players may not pass between the snake's body parts. Game ends when all but one of the players have been caught. The last person caught becomes the next mamba!
AFRICA EARTH, FIRE, AIR WATER Begin by having one of the players throw the item to another. At the same time, the player should call out either of these names: Earth, Air, Fire, or Water. If "Earth" is called, the player to whom the ball is thrown has to mention something that lives on the earth, such as a lion, a cat; if "Air" is called, something that lives in the air, such as a bird species; if "Water," something that lives in the water, such as a fish; but if "Fire" is called, the player must keep silence.