How to Play Hopscotch With Your Kids

Hopscotch, sometimes spelled hop scotch, is probably one of the best-known playground games around. It's easy enough for kids of all ages, but can be made increasingly challenging for bigger kids, which is partly why it stood the test of time. Plus, there are lots of fun ways to play hopscotch and the game is different each time you try it!

If your kids are new to hopscotch, you can start by teaching them the classic rules. Afterwards they can stick with the classic game, try other versions, or make up their own unique variations. They can also play on the traditional hopscotch court described below or use that template as inspiration to design their own. Here's how to play hopscotch in several different ways.

What Is Hopscotch?

Hopscotch (or hop scotch) is a popular playground game that requires nothing more than chalk and a small, tossable object for set up and play. It can be played alone or with multiple people. The game takes just a few minutes to complete individually—or it can be enjoyed for a half hour or more with a larger group.

With roots back to ancient Rome, when soldiers used hopscotch to hone their footwork, this game is loved worldwide. In fact, you'll find local hopscotch variations from India to Brazil and Chile to Ghana,

For example, in Iran, the game is called laylay and uses an even number of squares arranged vertically in pairs. In France, a variant of the game, which is dubbed escargot (after the snail delicacy) or marelle ronde (round hopscotch), is played on a spiral course, adding an extra challenge for competitors.

How To Make a Basic Hopscotch Court

Hopscotch can be played on a variety of courts, which are essentially a geometric arrangement of squares. Feel free to get creative and design one of your own. However, the classic court follows a linear pattern using 8 to 10 squares, with some squares appearing in a single-wide row and others in pairs along the court. Visualize a lowercase "t" with an extra cross.

If using 10 squares, start with square 1, followed by squares 2 and 3, arranged vertically one after the other. Squares 4 and 5 are arranged side-by-side as a pair horizontally, followed by square 6, which is aligned with the first three squares. Next comes squares 7 and 8, which are again side-by-side, followed by square 9. Last is square 10, which has a larger footprint to allow for turning around and transversing the court. For an 8-square court, stop at square 8.

The Rules of Hopscotch

The simple set-up and ease of playing hopscotch are likely why it's so popular the world over. If your kids are new to the game, first teach them how to play with the classic rules:

1. Draw a traditional hopscotch diagram like the one described above. (Tip: Chalk is ideal for drawing courts on asphalt and pavement outdoors, but if you're playing inside, you can use masking or painter's tape.)
2. Throw a small stone, twig, beanbag, or another marker into the first square. (The object has to land inside the square without touching the borderline or bouncing out; if it lands on a line or outside the square, you lose your turn. Pass the marker to the following player and wait for your next turn to try again.)
3. If the object successfully lands in the first square, hop on one foot into the first empty square, and then every subsequent empty square in numerical order. Be sure to skip the one your marker is in.
4. At the pairs (usually at 4-5 and 7-8), land on both feet, one in each square.
5. At 10, land with both feet, turn around, and head back toward the start.
6. When you reach the marked square again, pick up the marker—still on one foot!—and complete the course.

If you finish without any mistakes, you have successfully completed the first level. Pass the marker to the next player. On your next turn, throw the marker to the next number, and attempt to go through the entire course without making a mistake.

If you fall, jump outside the lines, or miss a square or the marker, you lose your turn and must repeat the same number on your next turn. Whoever completes the whole course first up to the final square (typically 10), wins.

Benefits of Playing Hopscotch

In addition to being just plain fun, playing hopscotch can offer many health and wellness benefits for children of all ages. First, the game is typically played outside, providing kids with fresh air and something fun to do on a playground or play court.

Additionally, hopscotch can improve agility, gross motor skills, and focus. Playing a game, socializing and collaborating with friends, taking time away from screens, and doing physical activities—all parts of a hopscotch match—are also proven stress relievers. Plus, kids will get the benefits of exercise due to jumping and hopping from square to square.

6 Fun Hopscotch Game Variations

Looking for new ways to play hopscotch? These six creative variations add a twist to the classic game to make things more challenging and exciting.

Watch the time

Set the timer for 30 seconds. Each player must complete the course within the time frame to proceed. If you go into overtime, you lose your turn.

Sign on the line

Instead of throwing the stone in numerical order, toss it in any square. When you complete a successful turn, initial the square where your marker landed and pass it to the next player. The game ends when all spaces have been initialed. The person with the most initialed squares wins.

Kick it

Try kicking the marker from space to space—with your hopping foot—as you jump through the course. This variation is challenging and might be better suited for older kids.

Name categories

Label each hopscotch square with the name of a category (books, animals, pizza toppings, desserts, etc.). When you hop into a square, you must shout an item in its designated category. If you land on pizza toppings, for example, you might say pepperoni, mushrooms, olives, sausage, peppers, or bacon. You lose your turn if you can't think of an item in that category, or if you repeat another player's item.

Make it even more challenging by setting a time limit for coming up with your answer, requiring players to give multiple answers per category, or providing responses that each start with a certain letter.

Race in teams

Instead of playing as individuals, you compete collaboratively. Divide your group into teams and see which team's players can finish the course first. You can also have each team member go one after the other (relay-style) until one makes a mistake—the winning team is the one that completes the most rounds before making a mistake. Or create two adjacent hopscotch courses and have players race against each other.

Rearrange the squares

You don't need to draw the traditional hopscotch course. Look up new ideas online (such as a circular or pyramid-shaped track), or brainstorm new course shapes yourself. Get creative and see where your squares will lead you!