Play 5 Traditional Latin-American Children’s Games Today

Relive childhood memories while getting your kids to play outside with these five traditional Latin-American games.

1.    1,2,3 Momia Es

Otherwise referred to as the 1,2,3 Calabaza or Red Light, Green Light, this popular South American Game involves one child facing a wall or tree. Spanish Playground says the rest of the group stand at a distance behind her.

The group is only allowed to move while the player is facing the wall and saying 1,2,3 Calabaza. They must remain still if the child in front is facing them.

For the child facing the wall, her objective is to catch somebody moving after chanting the line and spinning quickly behind her. The one caught will take her place at the wall.

2.    Corre, Corre la Guaraca

Literally translated, the phrase means "Run, run, la Guaraca" although Parents says the Chilean term Guaraca does not mean anything. To play this game, you need at least five people and a handkerchief.

Four players sit in circle while one jogs around them with a handkerchief in hand. The seated players sing "Corre, Corre, la Guaraca who looks back will be bopped on his head!" without looking behind them or at the runner.

The runner will go around the circle, attempting to place the handkerchief on one of the seated players' backs without being noticed. If successful, the seated player is out.

However, if the seated player notices, the child must try to catch the runner.

3.    Stealing the Sombrero

In Mexico, one popular party game is called "Stealing a Sombrero." Don Quijote says all kids are given and made to wear a paper hat.

The objective of the game is to steal another child's sombrero or hat without losing your own. Kids who lose their hats are removed from the game.

Music can be used to mark each round. The last two kids who still have their hats win the game.

4.    Palo Ensebao

Bolivia Bella says this popular Bolivian game involves a long 8-meter pole placed in the ground. The pole is greased with wax or oil.

Without wearing any footwear or gloves, players must climb up the greasy pole and attempt to reach the top.

5.    Hay un hoyo en el fondo de la mar

This Mexican singing game is a great way to improve one's memory.

Don Quijote says the game starts with one player saying a line. Each player repeats all of the lines mentioned before and adding their own.

The game becomes harder as players add their own lines to the song. The child who does not recite the lines correctly loses.