Cup-and-ball facts for kids
French bilboquet
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| Playing time | About 45 seconds to a few minutes per round |
|---|---|
| Random chance | Low |
| Skill(s) required | Hand-eye coordination |
The Cup-and-ball is a classic toy that has been enjoyed by children for hundreds of years. It is also known as ball in a cup or ring and pin. The toy usually has a wooden handle with a small ball attached to it by a string. The goal is to catch the ball in a cup or on a spike.
This fun toy is very popular in countries where Spanish is spoken. It has many different names, like boliche in Spain and balero in most of Hispanic America. In France, it was historically called the bilboquet. A similar toy from Japan, called kendama, has three cups and a spike. It has also become popular all over the world.
How to Play Cup-and-Ball
The main idea of the game is simple: you try to swing the ball and land it in the cup. Even though it sounds easy, it can be quite tricky to master! It takes good hand-eye coordination and practice to become really good at it.
Different Ways to Play
In Latin America, players have developed many different ways to play the cup-and-ball game. Some of these styles include:
- la simple (the simple one)
- la doble (the double one)
- la vertical (the vertical one)
- la mariquita (the ladybug)
Each style adds a new challenge to the game, making it even more exciting to play and master.
Images for kids
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Jeanne Bôle's L'Enfant au Bilboquet (around 1880)
See also
In Spanish: Balero para niños
