Traditional Playground Games
Juegos tradicionales para la clase de Inglés.
Creado: 23 julio, 2025 | Actualizado: 30 de julio, 2025
Autoría:
Las orientaciones para trabajar en el aula con este material están disponibles en "Juegos, canciones y adivinanzas en inglés. Orientaciones docentes".
CONTENTS
Mr Crocodile, Can We Cross the River?
I Spy
How to play
It’s a guessing game for 2 or more players. One player is The Spy. He or she picks an object and calls: “I Spy with my little eye…” The rest of the players have to guess what it is. Here’s an example:
THE SPY: I Spy with my little eye something blue.
OR:
(I Spy with my little eye something red.)
(I Spy with my little eye something yellow.)
(I Spy with my little eye something green.)
(I Spy with my little eye something black.)
(I Spy with my little eye something white.)
CHILDREN: Is it the map? Is it the poster? Is it the door?
Is it the box? Is it the curtains?
TEACHER: Wait a minute. It’s too difficult. Any clues?
Is it big or small? Is it to the left or to the right?
Let’s all play! Variants for Years 1 to 6
THE SPY: I Spy with my little eye something that is green.
I Spy with my little eye something that is round.
I Spy with my little eye something beginning with ‘M’.
I Spy with my little eye something that I can eat.
What’s the Time, Mr Wolf?
How to play
It’s a form of tag. It’s a game for 3 or more players. One player is Mr Wolf. He or she faces a wall. All the children line up at the opposite end. To start the game, they call out: “What’s the time, Mr Wolf?” Here’s an example:
CHILDREN: What’s the time, Mr Wolf?
Mr WOLF: It’s two o’clock!
CHILDREN: One! Two!
(two steps forward)
What’s the time, Mr Wolf?
Mr WOLF: It’s four o’clock!
CHILDREN: One! Two! Three! Four!
(four steps forward)
What’s the time, Mr Wolf?
Mr WOLF: It’s DINNER TIME!
CHILDREN: AHHH!!!!!
Tips & Tricks
- Mr Wolf tags a boy or a girl, the next Mr Wolf.
- Children can take big or small steps. They can hop, too.
- If Mr Wolf gets tagged, he plays Mr Wolf again.
- At “DINNER TIME!” Children run back. They are safe in the finish line or base.
Simon Says
How to play
This is a classic party game. One player is Simon. He or she gives a command: “Simon says touch your nose”. The rest of the players follow the complete instructions and pay no attention to incomplete commands. An example:
Complete Commands
Simon says touch your nose.
Simon says touch your head.
Simon says touch the ground.
Simon says jump!
Simon says dance!
Simon says wave hello!
Simon says wave goodbye!
Simon says STOP!
Incomplete Commands
Touch your nose.
Touch your head.
Touch the ground.
Jump!
Dance!
Wave hello!
Wave goodbye!
STOP!
Tips & Tricks
- Players are out after 3 or more strikes.
- Simon says is a game for friends and family.
- It’s good for 5 or more players.
- Play it standing or sitting.
- Simon tricks the listeners to eliminate players.
Mr Crocodile, Can We Cross the River?
How to play
One player is Mr Crocodile. He or she stands in the middle of the play area (‘The River’). The rest stand on one of ‘the river banks’. They call out: “Please, Mr Crocodile, can we cross the river?” Mr Crocodile sets a condition. An example:
CHILDREN: Please, Mr Crocodile, can we cross the river?
Mr CROCODILE: Only if you have something blue.
OR:
(Only if you have something red.)
(Only if you have something yellow.)
(Only if you have something green.)
(Only if you have something black.)
(Only if you have something white.)
CHILDREN: Blue! Blue! I have something blue!
Note: Players in blue can cross the river safely. The rest run across. Red Alert! If Mr Crocodile tags someone, he or she is a crocodile, too.
Tips & Tricks
- Play the game in the gym, an open area, or a green space.
- The full lines go like this: ‘Please, Mr Crocodile, can we cross the river? If not, why not? What’s your favorite color?’
- Vary the conditions: ‘Only if you are 12’; ‘Only if you have a ‘C’ in your name’. ‘Only if your birthday is in May’.