No.112
Rock–Paper–Scissors
Japanese name: じゃんけん
Materials
- None
How to play
- Face a partner and show rock, scissors and paper. Check that rock beats scissors, scissors beats paper and paper beats rock.
- The facilitator first says “Start with rock,” then calls “Rock–paper–scissors, go!” Reveal one hand sign simultaneously on “go.”
- Matching signs are a tie; reveal new signs together on the replay cue. Replay if someone changes after seeing the opponent’s hand.
- A win earns 1 point. At 3 points, applaud each other and change partners. An adult may join if numbers are odd.
Ways to adapt
Preschool children: begin one-to-one by copying an adult’s signs. Younger primary school children: first to 3 points. Older primary school children: rotate referees too.
Regional variation
Practical materials from the Okinawa City Delivery Children's Center introduce Boo Sashi, which involves showing the Boo (thumb), Sa (index finger), and Shi (little finger). The thumb beats the index finger, the index finger beats the little finger, and the little finger beats the thumb. There are regional differences in names and meanings.