The GCC Countries are similar to one another in everything: The GCC Countries are similar to one another in everything: history, religion, life, traditions, customs and even folklore history, religion, life, traditions, customs and even folklore games. Children's games in the GCC countries are part of games. Children's games in the GCC countries are part of this tradition, which have been shaped by the environment this tradition, which have been shaped by the environment and the social life of these countries . They have been and the social life of these countries . They have been studied and recorded by Adel Al-Abdul Moghni, a Kuwaiti. studied and recorded by Adel Al-Abdul Moghni, a Kuwaiti. Some of the games are for boys only, others are for girls, Some of the games are for boys only, others are for girls, and many are played by both boys and girlsand many are played by both boys and girls..

Some groups develop many skills for children, like thinking Some groups develop many skills for children, like thinking together and sometimes competing with one anothertogether and sometimes competing with one another . .

Here are some of themHere are some of them::

Catching (Al-lagsa)Catching (Al-lagsa)

This game is well known to both girls and This game is well known to both girls and boys. It is played by two or boys. It is played by two or more. Each collects five small pieces of stones, then throws them more. Each collects five small pieces of stones, then throws them high up and tries to catch as many of them as possible. The stones high up and tries to catch as many of them as possible. The stones are thrown one after the other, and then caught before reaching are thrown one after the other, and then caught before reaching the ground. If the player succeeds, he\she begins to throw two at the ground. If the player succeeds, he\she begins to throw two at a time, then three, then four, and then five. If the player fails to a time, then three, then four, and then five. If the player fails to catch the stones , another player takes his\her place and so the catch the stones , another player takes his\her place and so the game continuesgame continues . .

The Chained Lamb (Kharoof The Chained Lamb (Kharoof Msalsal)Msalsal)This game is played by both sexes. This game is played by both sexes. TheThe

head of the group sits on the floor, head of the group sits on the floor, holds the leg of the chosen player holds the leg of the chosen player

and sings a merry songand sings a merry song . .

Tak–tak–takiyyaTak–tak–takiyya

This game is played by both sexes . The players sit on the floor in a This game is played by both sexes . The players sit on the floor in a circle. One of them begins to count, while another carries the “ circle. One of them begins to count, while another carries the “ Takiyya” (a head cover) and runs behind the sitting group while Takiyya” (a head cover) and runs behind the sitting group while singing. Then he puts the “Takiyya” behind one of the sitting boys. singing. Then he puts the “Takiyya” behind one of the sitting boys. When that boy notices the “ takiyya” behind him, he runs after When that boy notices the “ takiyya” behind him, he runs after the first player. If the first player reaches the place of the second the first player. If the first player reaches the place of the second player first, he is considered to be the winner of the game. The player first, he is considered to be the winner of the game. The second player then carries the “Takiyya” and begins to run around second player then carries the “Takiyya” and begins to run around the group, instead of the winner, and so game continuesthe group, instead of the winner, and so game continues . .

Al-SabbaAl-Sabba

Two or more boys draw three squares Two or more boys draw three squares on the ground. In turn, they begin on the ground. In turn, they begin putting small stones on each square. putting small stones on each square. The boy who makes a straight line The boy who makes a straight line with his stones is the winnerwith his stones is the winner . .

Al-DorbahaAl-Dorbaha

The boys bring a tyre or circular frame and a stick. They start The boys bring a tyre or circular frame and a stick. They start by pushing the tyre and then keep it rolling by hitting it by pushing the tyre and then keep it rolling by hitting it

with the stickwith the stick..

Natt Al-HableNatt Al-Hable

The girls swing on the rope and one girl The girls swing on the rope and one girl begins to jump over it. The one who begins to jump over it. The one who jumps without touching the rope is the jumps without touching the rope is the

winner. This is a form of skippingwinner. This is a form of skipping . .

Al–HailaAl–Haila

The girls draw six squares on the The girls draw six squares on the ground. One of the players throws a ground. One of the players throws a piece of stone in one square and piece of stone in one square and jumps to it, moving it to the next jumps to it, moving it to the next square. Each square successfully square. Each square successfully reached is considered her own, until reached is considered her own, until she owns all the houses. In Britain she owns all the houses. In Britain this is called “hopscotchthis is called “hopscotch.“.“

SourceSource::

Social Studies, book 2 by Dr. Salwa Al-Social Studies, book 2 by Dr. Salwa Al-Jassar. Kuwait and the GCC Jassar. Kuwait and the GCC Countries. Ministry of Education. Countries. Ministry of Education. First edition, 1998 – 1999. Kuwait.First edition, 1998 – 1999. Kuwait.