In my journeys around the world, I have often marveled at the creativity displayed by the kids that don’t have expensive toys to entertain them. These kids have come up with some really great games, using sticks and stones, maybe marbles if they have them. I have seen toy trucks made out of a broomstick and some twisted wire built on top of a random set of wheels, likely found in the dump. It is truly amazing to me.
I think it shows a great deal of ingenuity and intelligence, that would put our spoiled western kids to shame. It reminds me of the games I played with my Mennonite cousins in the barn when I was young. We had so much fun inventing things to entertain us. And I do believe we exercised our brains and our bodies a good bit in the process.
In the past few weeks, I have been fascinated by the games my students play. One in particular captured my attention and was quite impressive. It all came down to a lot of skill and a bag of rubber bands.
The girls tie the rubber bands into a long chain link bungee. Two of the girls stand about 8 feet apart and stretch the cord between them. Starting with it on the ground, the other girls have to run and jump over the line on one foot, hoping back and forth five times without putting the other foot down or touching the rope. Once that level is passed by all, they move the line up to knee height. Each of the girls rotate in so that everyone get’s their turn.
Next it is moved to waist height. Now instead of jumping over the line, they run and grab the line between the toes of one foot, pushing it close to the ground will hoping back and forth with the other foot. Once this is achieved by all, the line goes higher. Now at the shoulders, they once again grab the line with their toes and then simply jump over the lines without touching it with the rest of their body or to the ground.
It get’s raised higher still, now at head level. The same challenge is repeated. Then the line moves to a hand breadth above the head. Now, the girls have to jump of do a cartwheel to catch the line with their toes. It is an impressive feat. They continue to go higher until it cannot be reached. They even managed to reach it a hand breadth above my head. That has to be about 6′ form the ground.
They have many variations to the stages, more than I could remember. Sometimes they do it with their eyes closed, sometimes they start with the rope on the ground and raise it at the last second. It’s rather complex, but brilliantly simple. I love it.
