Statues (game) facts for kids

Kids playing Red Light, Green Light at a park.

The game of Statues, also known as Red Light, Green Light in North America, is a super fun children's game played all over the world! In the United Kingdom, it's often called Grandma's Footsteps or Fairy Footsteps. No matter what it's called, the main idea is to move when you can and freeze like a statue when you can't! It's a great game for playing outdoors with friends.

How to Play Statues

This game is usually played in an open space, like a park or a big yard.

• One person is chosen to be "It." This player stands at one end of the playing area, facing away from the others.
• All the other players, the "statues," line up at the far end of the playing area.
• The goal for the "statues" is to reach and tag the person who is "It." If they succeed, the person who tagged "It" becomes the new "It," and the game starts again!
• When the person who is "It" has their back turned, the "statues" can move forward. They try to get as close as possible.
• Suddenly, "It" can turn around at any time! When they do, all the "statues" must freeze immediately. They have to hold their position perfectly still.
• "It" will look carefully at all the "statues." If "It" sees anyone moving, that player has to go back to the starting line. Sometimes, players might even be out of the game if they move.
• The game continues until a "statue" successfully tags "It" without being caught moving.

Different Ways to Play

This fun game has many different versions depending on where you are in the world!

Red Light, Green Light: The Traffic Light Game

This is a very popular version played in North America. Its name comes from the colors of a traffic light.

• Just like Statues, you play Red Light, Green Light in a large open space.
• One player is the "Caller" and stands at one end. The other players line up at the opposite end.
• The Caller turns their back to the players and shouts, "Green light!"
• While the Caller is looking away, players can run or walk towards them. The goal is to get close enough to tag the Caller.
• At any moment, the Caller can yell, "Red light!" and quickly turn around to face the players.
• When "Red light!" is called, all players must freeze instantly. If the Caller sees anyone move, that player must go back to the starting line.
• The Caller can say "Red light!" and "Green light!" as fast or as slow as they want to try and trick players.
• The first player to tag the Caller without being caught moving becomes the new Caller, and a new round begins!
• How strictly "moving" is judged can vary. Some games allow small movements like swaying, as long as your feet don't leave the ground. Others are very strict, meaning even a small twitch sends you back! Blinking and breathing are always allowed, of course.
• In the Netherlands, players shout "Annemaria Koekoek!" (which means "Ann Maria Cuckoo!") when they turn around. This is similar to the Dutch name for the game Peekaboo!

Winnie the Pooh Variation

This version of Statues is popular in places like Bulgaria.

• The person who is "Pooh" (the "It" player) usually leans against a wall.
• Instead of just turning around, "Pooh" shouts, "1, 2, 3, Winnie the Pooh, stop!" This chant gives players a bit more time to move.
• When "Pooh" turns around, players must freeze. If a player tags "Pooh," they then have to run away quickly!
• If the player who tagged "Pooh" can run back to the wall before "Pooh" catches them, then that player becomes the new "Pooh." In this game, being "Pooh" is often seen as the best role!

Other Names for This Game Around the World

This popular game is known by many different names across the globe! Here are just a few examples:

• "Uno, dos, tres, cigarrillo cuarenta y tres" (Spanish for "One, two, three, cigarette forty three")
• "Hot Chocolate"
• "Giant Steps"
• "Donner, Wetter, Blitz!" (German for "Thunder, weather, lightning!")
• "Annemaria Koekoek!" (Dutch)
• "Un, deux, trois, soleil!" (French for "One, two, three, sun!")
• "Batatinha frita, um, dois, três!" (Portuguese for "Little french fry, one, two, three!")
• "Mugunghwa kkochi pieotseumnida" (Korean for "The Rose of Sharon has bloomed")
• "Un, due, tre, stella!" (Italian for "One, two, three, star!")
• "Raz, dwa, trzy, Baba Jaga patrzy!" (Polish for "One, two, three, Baba Yaga is looking!")
• "Pukul Berapa Datuk Harimau?" (Malay for "What time is it Grandpa Tiger?")
• "Yī, èr, sān, mù tou rén" (Chinese for "One, two, three, wooden man")

Images for kids

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  A player frozen during "Red Light."

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  Players moving during "Green Light."

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  Players in a game variation.

See Also

In Spanish: Escondite inglés para niños