Counting-out game facts for kids
A counting-out game or counting-out rhyme is a fun and simple way to choose someone from a group. Kids often use these games to pick who goes first in another game, or who is "it." You usually don't need any special items to play. All you need are words or hand movements!
Many counting-out games involve one person pointing at each player in a circle. As they point, they say a special rhyme, one word at a time. The person who is pointed at when the rhyme ends is chosen. They might be "it" for a game, or they might be "out" of the group.
Fun Ways to Choose: Examples of Counting-Out Games
There are many easy games you can play to pick one person from a group. Sometimes you pick a winner, and sometimes you pick someone who is eliminated.
- Rock, Paper, Scissors: This classic game uses hand gestures. Players show a rock, paper, or scissors sign. It's a mix of luck and quick thinking!
- Odd or Even: In this game, two players show a number of fingers. They guess if the total number of fingers will be odd or even.
- Blue Shoe: This is another game played with hand gestures.
- Coin Flipping: Flipping a coin is a very fair way to choose someone randomly. One side is "heads," the other is "tails."
- Drawing Straws: In this method, people pick from straws of different lengths. The person who draws the shortest or longest straw is chosen.
- Fizz Buzz: This is a spoken word game. Players take turns saying numbers, but they replace certain numbers with "fizz" or "buzz." If someone makes a mistake, they are out!
Popular Counting-Out Rhymes
Many counting-out rhymes have been passed down through generations. They might have slightly different words depending on where you live! Here are some common ones:
- Eeny, meeny, miny, moe
- 10 Little Indians
- Five Little Ducks
- Ip dip
- One, Two, Three, Four, Five
- Tinker, Tailor (This rhyme is traditionally played in England.)
- Yan Tan Tethera
- Inky Pinky Ponky
See also
In Spanish: Juegos para escoger para niños
