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One of the most popular playground games in the world is hopscotch. There is some version of it found in almost every country, and now you can bring this ancient Roman game right into your own front yard. Most grownups know what hopscotch is, but often don't really know the rules or how to play. Elementary age kids often have hopscotch diagrams painted on their school playgrounds and don't know what to do with it. I taught my second-grader how to play when she was in preschool. Now, she's taught hopscotch to all her friends, and they make good use of those numbered squares at school during recess.

Hopscotch is great for all ages. Preschool kids can have fun while working on throwing, balance, and hopping. Elementary kids enjoy the competitive aspect of it, and just about anyone with any ability can play. Did I mention the hopping? Everyone loves it! So grab your bounciest shoes and get ready to laugh.

What you need: All you and your children need is a big bare sidewalk or driveway, some sidewalk chalk, and some small markers. Each player should have a unique marker, such as a stone, coin or button. Preschool children do better with less bouncy items, so try using a beanbag, a clean yogurt lid, or sponge.

Setup: Use chalk to draw a traditional hopscotch pattern on the ground. If you are playing indoors on a rainy day, you can put painter's tape on the floor. Your diagram should have 8 sections, numbered, with a "rest" space at the top.

What you do: The first player stands behind the starting line and tosses his marker in square number 1. He must hop over square 1 to square 2. In other words, he must skip the square where the marker is resting. Hopping should be done on one foot, unless two numbered squares are side by side. Then, he can put one foot in each square.

He continues hopping to square 8, turns around in the rest area, and hops back again. At square 2, he must pause and pick up his marker, hop on square 1, and then hop out. The player is "out" if he steps on any line or loses his balance and puts his foot down. If the player is out, the marker stays in the square until it is his turn again. They must repeat that square on their next turn. The next child then tosses their marker to square 1 and play continues. Children should try to work their way from square 1 all the way to square 8. The first child to successfully complete the diagram is the winner.

Variation: This variation is from France and is called Snail. Change the hopscotch diagram to resemble a large snail shell spiral (about 5 feet around). There should be a circle in the center, which is HOME. After drawing the spiral, section off the squares within (about 1 foot each). Players take turns hopping on one foot on each of the squares, finishing at the HOME circle. If a player makes it HOME without stepping on a line or losing their balance, they can choose any square and write their name on it. Now the marked square becomes a rest spot where only that player can stand on two feet. All the other players, however, must hop over that marked square. Any square that is marked cannot be stepped on. A player's turn is over if she steps on a line, steps on a marked square, or loses her balance. Snail is over when all the squares have been marked and the winner is the child with the most squares.

Here is a diagram of some common hopscotch layouts:

15 Minute Moment
Tear out some pages of an old magazine that features closeups of faces. Cut out lots of different body parts (eyes, lips, eyebrows, etc.). Create a crazy face using different pieces and glue them onto a piece of construction paper.