Balero
This is a traditional toy that is popular in Latin America. It is made by attaching a wooden stick with a handle to a wooden ball with a string. To play this toy, swing the ball and try to catch the ball on the stick. If you fail, just swing it again! Try it until you get the ball onto the stick without bouncing off any part of your body. This toy has many names in different places. Have you ever played with this toy before?
Otedama
With only 5 small bean bags and a few friends, a fun and exciting game can be played. Otedama is a traditional Japanese children’s game. It is more popular among girls and the bean bags were traditionally passed down from grandmother to granddaughter. To play this game, players take turns throwing and catching the bean bags in different combinations. In North America, this game is known as ‘Jacks’. In Israel, this game is called ‘Chamesh Avanim’ (חמש אבנים).
Mancala
This board game is enjoyed all around the world. It is especially popular in Africa, the Caribbean, South Asia and Southeast Asia. To play this game you need to move the marbles from the container you choose. You do this by dropping the marbles in each container one at a time until there is none left in your hand. Sounds confusing? This game for two people will test your math and strategy skills. You can even enjoy this game by making the board out of egg cartons, two bowls and some marbles or dried beans. Simple, but fun!
Tops
These spinning toys have been played all around the world for so many years that no one really knows who played it first! It is simple to play this toy. All you need to do is keep it spinning at its tip. In some countries you pull a string to do this, in others you spin it with your fingers or hit it with a rope. In some countries, spinning tops have become part of an acrobatic performance. In Japan, talented top spinners can spin tops on top of a fan! Do you think you might want to try?
Kancha
Kancha is what they call marbles in India. This game is a favourite with many young boys in towns and villages in India. It is played by using a marble to hit a target. There are many ways to play this game and different rules that are used. In some countries, a marble is tossed, in other the marble is flicked. Whatever the method is, one thing is for sure. It is a very exciting game that you have to try!