1) Main getah (jumping “rope” made out of rubber bands)
The “rope” is woven by rubber bands and is used to challenge one’s ability to jump over it, as the height gradually increased with each successful attempt. Not recommended for people with hairy legs.
[Photo credit: http://flourbasic.blogspot.com/2014/01/lompat-getah-aka-zero-point.html]
2) Hopscotch
I believe this was a universal form of entertainment for most children born before the 90’s and requires no further explanation.
[Photo credit: http://goodtoknow.media.ipcdigital.co.uk/111/00000c81d/218d/Hopskotch.jpg]
3) Batu tujuh (translated literally as seven stones)
Better known as “batu seremban”, the idea of this game is to flick one stone up while sweeping as many of the remaining ones before catching the stone that had been flicked. A quiet game of balance, speed and agility. A variation of this game uses tiny square rice pillows instead of stones.
[Photo credit: http://syahdinabatrisyia.blogspot.com/2013/06/batu-seremban.html]
4) Guli (marbles)
A border is set and players aim to hit their opponents’ marbles out. A non-violent game of strategy and accuracy.
[Photo credit: http://guliroket.com/contact/]
Sure, there was a host of other activities that proved to be truly amusing to us back then (waaaaaaay before the age of iPads and touch-screen phones). I remember playing with fighting fishes, flying home-made kites, congkak, jumping ropes and my ultimate favourite…