You’ll need
Setting up
The caller stands in front of a wall or a tree, with their back to the players. The players line up behind a line 10–15 steps away.
The story of the game
The best thing about this game is that the winner isn’t the fastest runner but the one who stops best. A sudden stop asks the sole of the foot to “grip” the ground quickly, and holding still is a small but demanding test of balance.
How to play
- Facing the wall, the caller says “One, two, three, sun!” (or “Green light!”).
- While the caller counts, the players creep towards them.
- The moment the caller says the last word and turns round, everyone freezes where they are.
- If the caller sees anyone move, they call out that player’s name, and the player goes back to the starting line.
- The first player to touch the caller becomes the caller for the next round.
Variations (3)
- Animal round: if the caller says “frog!”, everyone moves forward by jumping; if they say “crab!”, everyone moves sideways.
- Add a rule that you have to freeze on one foot (5+ years).
- Indoors: play in a hallway, in bare feet or house shoes rather than socks.
For parents
Three-year-olds find it hard to freeze and laugh a lot; that’s part of the game. Be the caller yourself for the first few rounds, and count slowly.
What to wear on their feet
Non-slip shoes with a flexible sole, or bare feet on a non-slip floor.
Safety
Indoors, don’t play in socks on a slippery floor; a sudden stop can cause a slip. 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.
