These hopscotch rules explain the classic sidewalk game in a way kids can follow and grown-ups can referee. All you need is chalk and a small stone, and hopscotch builds balance, counting and patience while kids take turns. It is one of the best outdoor games for recess, birthday parties and lazy afternoons in the driveway.
Quick rules
- Draw a court of numbered squares from 1 to 10, with some single and some side-by-side squares.
- Toss your marker into square 1. It must land inside the square without touching a line.
- Hop through the court, skipping the square with your marker. Use one foot on single squares and two feet on side-by-side squares.
- Turn around at the end and hop back, picking up your marker on the way.
- If you finish without a fault, toss into square 2 on your next turn, and so on.
- Stepping on a line, losing balance or missing the toss ends your turn.
- The first player to complete the court for every number wins.
What you need
- Sidewalk chalk for pavement, or painter's tape for indoor floors.
- A marker for each player: a flat stone, beanbag, bottle cap or set of keys. Flat markers slide less.
- A flat, safe surface away from traffic.
Setup
Draw the classic court. Each square should be big enough for a child's foot, about 18 inches on each side.
| Row | Squares | How to land |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Square 1 (single) | One foot |
| 2 | Square 2 (single) | One foot |
| 3 | Square 3 (single) | One foot |
| 4 | Squares 4 and 5 side by side | Two feet, one in each |
| 5 | Square 6 (single) | One foot |
| 6 | Squares 7 and 8 side by side | Two feet, one in each |
| 7 | Square 9 (single) | One foot |
| 8 | Square 10 (or a half circle called home) | Turn around here |
Layouts vary from place to place, and that is fine: just mark which squares are singles and which are doubles. Decide the playing order, for example youngest first.
How to play
Tossing the marker
- Stand behind the starting line and toss your marker into square 1.
- The marker must land completely inside the square without touching a line or bouncing out. If it misses, your turn ends straight away.
Hopping up the court
- Hop over the square with your marker. You never put a foot in that square.
- Land on one foot in each single square and with both feet, one in each, on side-by-side squares.
- Keep going in number order to the end of the court.
- At square 10 or home, turn around with a hop and get ready to come back. Many groups let you rest on two feet in the home space.
Hopping back and picking up the marker
- Hop back down the court in reverse order.
- When you reach the square just before your marker, stop on one foot (or two, on a double) and bend down to pick up the marker without losing balance or touching a line.
- Hop over the marker's square and carry on out of the court.
- If you finish cleanly, your turn continues: toss the marker into the next number and go again. (Some groups pass the turn after each success instead.)
What ends your turn
- The marker lands on a line, in the wrong square or outside the court.
- You step on a line or outside the court.
- You put a second foot down in a single square, or a hand on the ground.
- You hop into the square that holds your marker.
- You miss a square or hop out of order.
When your turn ends, leave your marker beside the court so you remember your number. On your next turn, you start again from that same number.
How to win
The first player to complete a clean round for every number, from 1 up to 10, wins. In some groups you must then do the whole sequence back down from 10 to 1.
Variations
- Snail hopscotch (escargot): a spiral court; hop on one foot to the center and back without stepping on lines.
- Claim a square: after finishing all numbers, toss the marker from behind your back. Where it lands becomes your "house", and other players must hop over it while you may rest there.
- Bigger courts: add squares up to 12 or 15 for older kids.
- Classroom hopscotch: write letters, words or math facts in the squares and call them out while hopping. See more ideas in classroom games.
- Kick the marker: in some traditional versions players kick the marker from square to square while hopping, as in the Indian game stapu.
Tips and strategy
- Use a flat, heavy marker like a beanbag so it does not bounce out.
- Toss underhand with a gentle arc rather than throwing hard.
- Bend your knees softly on each landing to stay balanced.
- Practice the pick-up move: lean forward slowly and use your free arm for balance.
- Look at the next square, not your feet.
House rules to agree first
- Whether a clean round lets you keep going or passes the turn.
- Whether you can rest with two feet in the home space.
- For young children, allow a second toss if the marker misses.
For more active fun, try musical chairs, kho kho or our list of party games for kids.
Questions people ask
How do you play hopscotch?
Draw a court of numbered squares, toss your marker into square 1 and hop through the court, skipping that square. Hop back, pick up the marker on the way and then try the next number. Stepping on a line or losing balance ends your turn.
What are the basic hopscotch rules?
Hop on one foot in single squares and land with two feet on side-by-side squares. Never hop into the square holding your marker, and do not step on any lines. The first player to complete every number wins.
How do you draw a hopscotch court?
The classic court has squares 1, 2 and 3 in a single column, then 4 and 5 side by side, 6 alone, 7 and 8 side by side, 9 alone and 10 or a half circle at the top. Make each square about 18 inches wide.
What happens if you step on a line in hopscotch?
Your turn ends immediately. Leave your marker beside the court to show your number, and you start from that same number on your next turn.
What age is hopscotch good for?
Children from about four years old can play with simple rules and a smaller court. Older kids enjoy longer courts, the spiral version and faster rules.