Now that it is warm out, it is a great time to get some outdoor exercise and learn at the same time! A fun game to do this is called:

POTTSIE

Do you want to learn how to play? Pottsie is a great game to play with two or more people. Pottsie is a combination of the game Hopscotch and the pencil and paper game Categories. The object of the game is to step through a series of boxes while bouncing a ball or rolling a die and naming items to match the categories in the boxes. The only items needed are chalk or a marker, a bounceable ball or a die, tape and construction paper. Pottsie can be played outside or inside. Pottsie can be played outside in a driveway or on a sidewalk. Pottsie can also be played indoors. Quick wits as well as quick feet are tested in this game. So get ready to put on your thinking cap and enjoy.

Playing Outdoors

First, you must choose where you would like to play the game. Find a nice, open space so there is plenty of room to play.

Collect the needed supplies to play (chalk, a ball). Make sure the ball bounces well. Also, it is best to use the thick chalk when drawing the diagram.

Take a piece of chalk and draw six to eight boxes. Each box should be about two feet wide and one foot deep.

Mark and number each box with a different category. Play fair by making sure each category is familiar to all players. The categories can be naming colors, states, sports, and celebrities. When numbering each box, mark the number in the bottom left corner. The category can be marked in the middle of the box.

The player chosen to go first stands outside the diagram, and rolls the ball into the first box (in the bottom left corner). The player must stop the ball with their hands or feet before the ball rolls out of the box. If the balls rolls out of the box, then the player loses a turn. Before moving onto the second box, the player must name something that fulfills the category of the box. For example; if the box is labeled states, then the player must name a state. After giving a correct response, the player moves to the next box.

From the second box on, while stepping into the next box, players must bounce and catch the ball and give a correct response all at once. If the player gives a wrong answer or loses control of the ball, then the player loses a turn and the next player goes. When mistakes are made, players can choose to either be returned to the first box or begin where they left off depending on the skills of the player.

The player who gets through all the boxes first is the winner.

Playing Indoors

Not a nice day? Don’t worry because Pottsie is a game that can also be played inside. The object of the game remains the same. The first player to get through all the boxes first is the winner. When playing inside, the only items needed are a die, a marker, tape and construction paper.

First, you must choose a place to play. Remember, it is best to play in a nice, open space.

Collect all the needed items (die, construction paper, tape and a marker).

Take a marker and six to eight pieces of construction paper.

Again play fair and don’t cheat. Make sure each category is familiar to all players. The categories can be naming animals, television shows, and types of cars.

After numbering each piece of paper and writing a category, tape the piece of paper to the floor. By taping the piece of paper to the floor, it will ensure that the papers will be less likely to move.

The player who goes first will stand in front of the paper and roll the die to the first box (on left side). The number the die is rolled will determine how many things the player will name in the category. For example; the die will roll on a three and the category is colors, then the player will have to name three different colors. If the player rolls a six or gives an incorrect response, then the player loses a turn. When mistakes are made, the other players must decide whether to return the player to the first box or let them stay where they left off. Once the player gives a correct response, then the player moves to the next box.

The player who gets through all the categories first is the winner. Exercise, learning, and studying can all be done at the same time and be FUN!