England · United Kingdom (early 20th century); parallel versions exist across Europe, Asia, and the Americas
Grandmother's Footsteps
Also known as Granny's Footsteps, Statues, Red Light Green Light, Statues (UK/Australia)
Creep towards Grandmother's back, freeze whenever she turns around.
3+ playersAges 4-10In or outActiveBig spaceNo kit
The rules
How to play
1
One player is Grandmother and stands at one end of the space with their back turned.
2
All other players start at the far end.
3
Players creep forward as silently as possible.
4
At any moment, Grandmother spins around, any player caught moving must return to the start.
5
Grandmother never announces the turn.
6
The first player to reach and touch Grandmother wins and becomes the next Grandmother.
Keep it fair
Grandmother is the sole judge of whether someone moved, players must accept her ruling without debate, but she should only call out obvious movement, not fidgets.
Good for building
stealthbalanceself-controltiming
What you need
Nothing at all, just the kids.
More to play
