Drop the Handkerchief

Materials

• One handkerchief

How to play

1. Sit in an inward-facing circle. One dropper holds a handkerchief, with a clear path around the outside.
2. The dropper walks in the agreed direction and places the handkerchief behind a seated player. Seated players may occasionally check behind them.
3. That player picks it up, stands and chases in the same direction. Do not reverse direction or cut across the circle. The dropper heads for the empty seat.
4. If the chaser gently tags the dropper’s back before the dropper sits, the same dropper continues. If the dropper sits safely, the handkerchief holder becomes the new dropper.
5. Pause after 3–5 rounds and offer the role to a volunteer who has not tried. In a small room, both players walk briskly.

Ways to adapt

Preschool children: an adult demonstrates dropping. Younger primary school children: walk briskly. Older primary school children: run only with ample space.

Sources and references

• ほいくる編集部『ハンカチ落としのルールや遊び方』 ↗