Tikkertje

Tikkertje is a traditional children's game from the Netherlands and Flanders, categorized as a form of tag. The objective is simple and social: one player acts as the tikker (the chaser) and tries to touch another player with a light contact. When a player is touched, that person becomes the new tikker, and the chase resumes. The game is typically played outdoors in streets, yards, playgrounds, or schoolyards, with no equipment other than space to run. Boundaries are usually informal, and play continues until participants choose to stop or the area is cleared.

Common rules in most variants involve touching on the shoulder or upper body, and the tikker announcing the action, sometimes by saying “tikkertje” or simply by naming the touched player as the new tikker. The game is flexible and can be adapted for different ages and energy levels, which contributes to its wide popularity.

Variations exist across regions and groups. Some versions include a safe base or zone that cannot be entered by the tikker without first touching someone else; others use a “king of the hill” or other setup where players compete to avoid being the next target. The social nature and minimal setup make tikkertje a staple of carefree childhood play in Dutch-speaking areas.

Etymology: The name derives from the Dutch verb tikken, meaning to tap lightly, with the diminutive suffix -tje.

See also: Tag (game).