Marco Polo (game) facts for kids

Marco Polo is a fun game played in a swimming pool. It's a type of tag where one player tries to find others using only their hearing.

How to Play Marco Polo

Playing Marco Polo is easy and needs at least two players. Here's how it works:

Choosing "It"

• One player is chosen to be "it." This player closes their eyes.
• They try to find and tag other players. They rely on their hearing to find someone.

The Call and Response

• The player who is "it" shouts, "Marco!"
• All the other players must immediately shout back, "Polo!"
• The "it" player uses these "Polo" shouts to figure out where everyone is.

Tagging and New "It"

• If the "it" player tags someone, that person becomes the new "it."
• If "it" thinks a player has left the pool, they can shout, "Fish out of water!"
• If a player is indeed out of the pool, they become the new "it."

Playing on Land

• You can also play Marco Polo on land!
• It's a lot like another game called Blind Man's Buff.
• In the land version, one person is blindfolded.
• Other players hide around a room.
• Remember, you can't hold another player in place to be tagged.

The History of Marco Polo

The game Marco Polo shares its name with a famous explorer.

Who Was Marco Polo?

• The game is named after Marco Polo.
• He was an Italian trader and explorer.
• He lived in the 13th century.
• He traveled to many faraway lands.

Game Name Connection

• There isn't a clear link between the game and the explorer.
• Some people joke that the explorer often didn't know where he was going.
• This is like the "it" player in the game, who can't see where they are going!
• The game is not related to water polo, which is another popular pool game.

When Did the Game Start?

• Marco Polo is similar to Blind Man's Buff.
• Blind Man's Buff has been played since at least the 1500s.
• The water game Marco Polo became known in America by the 1960s.
• By the mid-1970s, it was very popular in Hong Kong swimming pools.
• It later spread to the United Kingdom.

Marco Polo Around the World

• Today, Marco Polo is played all over the world.
• Different places might have their own versions.
• Some versions have names like "Mermaid on the Rocks" or "Alligator."
• Sometimes, the term "Marco Polo game" is used for online games.
• These online games use a similar call-and-response system.