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The traditional Maori game of Ki-o-Rahi, played in New Zealand Illustration

Millions of children around the world work hard every day at school. But there is always time for fun �鶹APP� when they can use up some energy and play their favourite games in the playground or the school yard with their friends.

In its guide to children�鶹APP�s games, the United Nations children�鶹APP�s agency UNICEF says sports-based games are a chance to be fun and active but also �鶹APP�a way of learning important values and life skills, including self-confidence, team work, communication, inclusion, discipline, respect and fair play�鶹APP�.

Here are some of best-loved children�鶹APP�s games from different countries.

KABADI (Sri Lanka)

A player runs into the opposing territory to try to tag one of the opponents. While doing this, the player must keep yelling �鶹APP�kabaddi-kabaddi�鶹APP� the entire time they are on the opponent�鶹APP�s territory, until she makes it back to her side. Watch how to play it here.

TAG (United Kingdom)

Also known as tig. One person is chosen to be �鶹APP�it�鶹APP�. The player who is �鶹APP�it�鶹APP� needs to catch someone else who then becomes �鶹APP�it�鶹APP�.

DODGEBALL (United States)

There are different versions of the game. The National Amateur Dodgeball Association in the USA says teams should have six players in action and three balls available to each team. The onject is to eliminate all players of the opposing team by hitting them with a ball below the shoulders. Children�鶹APP�s rules can be much more relaxed.

KHO KHO (India)

Played by teams of 12, of which nine enter the field. They try to avoid being touched by members of the opposing team.

HAJLA (Syria)

A playground game where an object, usually a stone, is thrown by a group of players, through patterns of squares outlined on the ground, hopping through spaces with one leg.

SHADOWS (Ireland)

Players must stand on opponent�鶹APP�s shadows in order to catch them �鶹APP� then they are the chaser. If you are being chased you can run to a shaded place where you have no shadow and then you are safe.

CLAPPING GAME (Nigeria)

Also known as Ten Ten. Players stand facing each other ,clapping their hands and moving their legs to a rhythm. They must ensure they don�鶹APP�t raise a leg directly facing the other opponent �鶹APP� which means it is OK for a player to raise a left leg when the other raises a right leg. Once a girl or boy raises the wrong leg, the other girl scores a point. Other hand-clapping games are also popular in Nigerian playgrounds �鶹APP� watch this group of children demonstrate one here.

DARUMA (Japan)

Players line up about 30 feet from a wall in a bid to reach it. The player who is �鶹APP�it�鶹APP� faces the wall and says �鶹APP�Daruma falls down�鶹APP� before turning around. If he sees someone moving that person is captured and has to come to the wall. 

JONAH (Uganda)

Players sit behind each other in two rows with their legs in a V shape to mimic rowing a boat. They sing a rhyme about Jonah and when the song ends they start to sway from side to side. Those who fall out or lose their balance are out of the game.

OONCH NEECH (Pakistan)

One player is �鶹APP�it�鶹APP� and has to catch their opponents. However, players can be safe from capture if they climb up on to something �鶹APP� a porch, a kerb, a tree branch.

CORRE, CORRE LA GUARACA (Chile)

Players sit in a circle while a person jogs around the circle with a handkerchief. The seated children are not allowed to watch and have to sing �鶹APP�Corre, Corre, la Guaraca who looks back will be bopped on his head!�鶹APP� Trying not to be felt, the runner drops the handkerchief on a child�鶹APP�s back and runs. If he makes it around the circle before the player realises that it�鶹APP�s on her back, the seated player is out.

LUTA DE GALO (Brazil)

This is a two-player game but more children can play by taking turns. Each player has a handkerchief or a piece of cloth tucked into a pocket or waistband. Both players are not allowed to use their right arm, which is to be crossed over their chest. Then, hopping on one leg, each player must try to capture the handkerchief from their opponent using his left hand. If the child puts the other leg down, or unfolds their right arm, he is disqualified. The last person who still has his handkerchief is the winner.

LUKSONG-BAKA (Philippines)

Translated as �鶹APP�jump over the cow�鶹APP�, one player crouches down while the others jump over him or her. The game progresses when the crouching player gradually straightens up making it harder for the other players to jump. A person becomes �鶹APP�it�鶹APP� when they touch the �鶹APP�baka�鶹APP� (cow) as they jump. It will repeat again and again until the players declare the player or until the players decide to stop the game.

If you want to learn more about traditional children�鶹APP�s games around the world,  �鶹APP� including road tennis from Barbados, Ki-o-Rahi from New Zealand and Three Tines from South Africa.