Rock Paper Scissors - How to play?

Rock Paper Scissors is a friendly game that is played with the hands one against one or against several opponents. Mixing chance and decision making, this little game has its origins in China where it was called “Shoushiling”. The game is hugely popular all over the world. Its simplicity ensures that all age groups can play. Moreover, this game can be played indoors, but is perfect for rainy days, gatherings or even road trips.

Game sheet

number of players: from 2 children
age: from 5 years old
supplies: nothing
Played indoors
Duration: as you want

Rules of the Rock Paper Scissors game

The Jan-Ken-Pon Game is more commonly known as Rock, Paper, Scissors in many countries around the world, and it’s a great way to keep the momentum going in any birthday party or social gathering. Here’s how to play: Play this game in pairs with 2 people facing each other with their hands behind them. Together they say ‘Jan-Ken-Pon’ which is Japanese for stone, paper, scissors. As they say it, they must bring one hand forward to represent either ‘stone’ (make a fist), ‘paper’ (open palm) or ‘scissors’ (first two fingers out). Decide who is the winner – stone beats scissors (blunts them), scissors beat paper (cuts it) and paper beats stone (wraps it). 1 point for the winner each time. The strongest of the shapes wins and the player scores the winning point. The same opposing gestures, such as Rock against Rock, constitute a draw.

Note: An alternative to this game is just to have the moderator walk around the party at various times with a bag full of treats, and to play the game with partygoers one by one. If the partygoer wins, they grab a treat from the bag!

A variation that has been seen in some playgrounds is the addition of the well. This is not a very fair rule since the well beats two other shapes. It beats the stone and the scissors that fall into it. To make a well the player joins his fingers to his thumb to form a well.