You’ll need
Setting up
To make a shuttlecock at home: tie 8–10 strips of paper or feathers to a large button or a washer. An open space and a flat floor are all you need.
The story of the game
Jianzi teaches children to use the foot with more finesse than they would with a ball: with the inside edge, lightly, at just the right moment. While one foot kicks, the other carries all the weight on its own.
How to play
- Toss the shuttlecock gently into the air with your hand.
- As it falls, kick it back up with the inside edge of your foot.
- Count how many kicks you can make before it touches the ground.
- In a group: stand in a circle and pass the shuttlecock to each other with your feet without letting it drop.
Variations (2)
- For little ones, it’s enough to toss the shuttlecock by hand and touch it once with the foot.
- Kicks with the knee, the top of the foot and the heel: each scores separately.
For parents
In the first few days, even one or two kicks is a big achievement. If your child always uses the same foot, suggest a few tries with the other one too.
What to wear on their feet
A shoe with a thin, flexible sole; a thick sole dulls the feel of the kick.
Safety
Play in a large space, away from furniture. Always play these games with an adult watching, in a way that suits your child’s age and the surface underfoot. Keep games with small pieces (marbles, five stones, mangala) away from children under 3.
