hopscotch

Hopscotch is a children's outdoor game in which players hop through a diagram of numbered squares drawn on the ground, typically with chalk on a sidewalk or playground. The aim is to complete the course and return to the start without stepping on lines or losing balance, while using a small marker that is tossed into the numbered squares.

Equipment and setup can be simple: a small marker such as a coin, stone, or beanbag, and a chalk-drawn grid usually arranged in a sequence from 1 upward, often featuring alternating single and double squares and ending in a final home or finish square. Grids vary in size and numeration, but the basic concept remains the same across cultures.

Gameplay generally proceeds as follows: a player tosses the marker into square 1, then hops through the diagram on one foot for single squares and with two feet for double squares, skipping the marked square on the way out and picking up the marker on the return. If the marker lands outside the target square, lands on a line, or the player loses balance, the turn ends and the next player takes a turn. Completing all squares typically earns the player another turn to repeat the sequence or advance to the next number.

Variations exist worldwide, including different grid shapes, rules for throwing accuracy, and local terms. The game is commonly played in schoolyards and neighborhoods, promoting balance, coordination, and social interaction, with many regional adaptations and names. Its popularity endures as a simple, inexpensive form of outdoor play.