How to play hopscotch: rules and court ideas
Also known as: Marelle, Rayuela, لیلی
Learn how to play hopscotch: draw the court, toss the marker, hop and pick it up on the way back. Easy rules, safe variations and tips for children of all ages.
- Type
- Outdoor game
- Players
- 1
- Age
- Ages 4+
- Play time
- 10–30 min
- Origin
- Played worldwide in many forms
Hopscotch is a classic playground game in which players toss a small marker onto a numbered court drawn on the ground, then hop through the squares on one foot and back again. It is played in countless forms around the world, with different court shapes and names: marelle in France, rayuela in Spanish-speaking countries and "lay-lay" in Iran, among many others. All you need is chalk, a flat stone or bean bag, and a safe paved area. Hopscotch can be played alone or with friends, and it mixes balance, aim and counting. Because the court is drawn by the children themselves, they can invent new shapes and rules, which keeps the game creative and alive in every generation.
Our verdict
Hopscotch develops balance, coordination, strength and focus, all while children have fun outside. It also practises counting and taking turns. The game can be made easier or harder simply by changing the court, which makes it suitable from preschool to older children. It needs almost nothing, so it is perfect for school breaks, parks and courtyards. Children also enjoy decorating the court, which adds a creative step.
What works
- Needs only chalk and a marker
- Builds balance and coordination
- Easy to adapt for every age
What does not
- Needs a flat, safe paved area
- Waiting for turns can be long in big groups
How to play Hopscotch
Draw a court of about eight to ten numbered boxes. A common shape has single boxes and pairs side by side. Stand behind the start line and throw your marker into box one. It must land fully inside the box without touching a line. Hop over the box with the marker, landing on one foot in single boxes and with both feet in side-by-side boxes. At the end, turn around and hop back. When you reach the box before your marker, stop, balance on one foot, pick up the marker and hop over that box to finish. If you succeed, next turn throw the marker into box two, and so on. Your turn ends if your marker lands in the wrong box or on a line, if you step on a line, lose balance or put a hand down. The next player then plays. The first player to complete every number wins.
Tips for new players
- Use a flat stone, bean bag or chain of keys that does not bounce out of the boxes.
- Draw boxes large enough for small feet, about one adult step wide.
- Practise balancing on each foot before starting the game.
- For younger children, allow two feet in every box and grow the rules later.
Good for
Hopscotch: common questions
What do you need to play hopscotch?
You need chalk or tape to draw a court, a small marker such as a flat stone or bean bag, and a flat safe surface.
What age is hopscotch for?
Children from around four can play simple versions, and older children enjoy harder courts and rules.
Can you play hopscotch indoors?
Yes. Use masking tape on the floor and a soft bean bag as a marker, and make sure the area is clear and not slippery.
Hopscotch belongs to its owners. Playdonya is not connected to them and does not sell this game; the cover is our own illustration.
