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Several traditional indigenous games in Mexico bring together young and old to enjoy fun. These games are fun manifestations that are passed down from generation to generation and have survived for many years, if not centuries, despite the challenges that new technologies can bring.
Among traditional Mexican games The hidden ones, the spinning top, the statues, the marbles, and, of course, the well-known piñatas, which have even crossed borders and can be seen in other Latin American countries, are among the most popular.
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La Pirinola
La Pirinola is a top-spinning game in which points are represented by chips. Depending on the country, La Pirinola is also known as the toma todo game. Argentina, Columbia, Chile, and Mexico all have this Hispanic game.
The rules of La Pirinola are quite similar to those of the Hanukkah Dreidel game, however instead of learning Hebrew letters, you can learn Spanish.
When players spin the six-sided top in this game, it provides them with directions. Putting several chips into a central pot, removing some out of the centre, forcing everyone to put chips into the centre, and taking all the middle chips at once all produce different results.
When there is just one person left with chips, the winner of this fiesta party game is declared. The Spanish used is limited to six words, many of which refer to the same object, making it an excellent game for younger audiences.
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Piñata
The piñata is a popular party decoration. This birthday party centrepiece is most likely Chinese in origin. This basic paper-mâché object is a crowd-pleaser no matter where it comes from.
Filling a piñata with candy is sure to excite children of all ages near the end of a party or get-together. Few Mexican party games are as well-known as the simple and efficient pinata.
It’s pretty uncommon to let the birthday boy or girl swing at the pinata until it smashes if you opt to hang one up for a birthday party. Most gatherings involve hanging a pinata and having children take turns whacking the candy container while wearing a blindfold. You have one swing before transferring the bat and blindfold to the next player.
When the pinata breaks, that child has first dibs on a portion of the candy.
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Domino Cubano/Mexican Train Dominoes
This game is best suited for a group of adults who appreciate board games and other tabletop experiences. Mexican train domino rules require two to four players and can be played with any domino set.
Each participant receives seven to fifteen dominoes, depending on the number of players and the set used. Players try to extend their hands outward from the centre domino to have no dominoes in their palms.
Players are awarded points based on the domino pips in their hands at the end of each round. The player with the fewest points at the end of a predetermined number of rounds is proclaimed the winner. The famous Mexican train is a completely open domino track that anyone can play on at any time. Most of the trains become private as soon as a domino is placed, but the Mexican train remains open throughout the game.
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Mar Y Tierra
A good game does not always require specialised equipment to be enjoyable. Mexican games for kids, such as Mar y Tierra, require only two words in Spanish to participate.
You can convince others to play as long as you have some form of representation of a dividing line. In some aspects, it’s similar to a simpler Simon Says.
The line is named Mar on one side and Tierra on the other. A selected caller will yell one of two words, and all participants must jump in place or over the line to the correct side. Anyone who chooses the wrong side is eliminated, and when only one player remains, the game is over.
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Rarajipari
Originally played over kilometres of road, canyon route, or desert in Mexico, this game can be adapted for yards or fields on a smaller scale. Rarájipari is a running game in which two groups race each other while kicking a ball.
Small parties frequently set up miniature obstacle courses for teams to kick a ball through, with the first team to completely cross the finish line with the ball declared the winner.
Traditional Rarájipari has a front-runner handle the ball, but for smaller fiesta party games, everyone on the team can kick the ball forward. Courses can be as short or as long as you believe people will tolerate. The traditional game also makes use of a wooden ball, but a kickball or soccer ball can suffice.
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Lotería
This Latin American variant of BINGO is a fun party game as well as a challenge for those learning Spanish. While you will need to purchase Lotera cards online or through a digital sales platform, printing them will suffice for most of your requirements.
Like in BINGO, any type of token will work. For picking the next icon to call out, any random selection approach will suffice. Because each square contains a picture and a word, even individuals who aren’t entirely confident in their Spanish can participate.
Any player who has a full line of markers can try to end the game. They win if the called-out squares match all of theirs.
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Chiviri Cuarta
This traditional game is a variation on the basic hide and seek. Unlike Sardina, everyone except one is hiding. Decide on a base or object to touch during the game before the countdown begins and the seeker goes seeking for individuals.
When the seeker discovers someone hiding, they must return to the base and call out a Spanish word along with the person’s name to apprehend them. They’ve been apprehended when they shout “Chiviri Cuarta Por” followed by the person’s name.
At the same time, when a hider is discovered, they have the opportunity to return to the base and hear a phrase to keep themselves safe. When a hider is captured by a seeker, they join their team and assist in finding people during the next round. The game will continue until no one can be found hiding from the team of hunters.
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La Víbora De La Mar
This game translates as “the sea snake” in Spanish. This children’s game, also known as pasemis, combines music and motion to entertain youngsters like Ring Around the Rosie or other song-based activities.
The game starts with two kids making an arch with their hands, each representing a different fruit, either cantaloupe or watermelon. While everyone sings, the other kids form a line and pass through the arch.
The “snake” is allowed to continue going through the arch, but at the end of each short verse, the two children can choose to lower their arms and grab one of the children in the snake. After being apprehended, the child will choose a side and construct another arch.
Once the two fruits have seized every part of the serpent, they compete in a tug-of-war, and one side is deemed the winner. This game demands a little more understanding of Spanish or the English translation of the song, but it combines music, enjoyment, and competition.
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El Repollo
This game mixes a little bit of Spanish and some wonderful festive energy, similar to hot potato mixed with truth or dare.
To begin, have each player jot out a question on a piece of paper, preferably in Spanish for the sake of learning a little. Wad up all of the paper and tape it together if necessary to form a ball that may be hurled from person to person.
As the ball is tossed back and forth, play some music or have folks sing a song. Stop the singing or use the pause button on the music. When the music stops, whomever has the ball must take a piece of paper from it and answer the question.
This game allows people of all ages and abilities to practise their Spanish while having fun with a large group of friends.
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1,2,3 Calabaza
Although it is known in English as “Red Light, Green Light,” Calabaza is one of the most traditional Mexican games for children. It, like many other simple party games, only requires a little amount of room to play and knowledge of four Spanish words.
The leader stands in front of a wall and counts down in Spanish. Everyone else tries to get closer to the leader while turning their back. They can cry out and swirl around after counting to three.
Anyone caught moving must restart from the beginning. The game ends when someone reaches the leader’s position and can take their place, giving everyone a chance to win.