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Before the days of mobile games and Netflix came, Malaysian childhood games were diverse as its population. These traditional Malaysian childhood games brought Malaysians together and created unforgettable childhood memories.👧
In this blog, you will know 10 nostalgic childhood games that you should try at least once! Let’s us start.🧡
Contents
1. Batu Seremban (Five Stones)
Batu Seremban is played with real stones (traditional) or small cloth bean bags filled with rice or sand (modern). It tests your dexterity, timing and intense concentration. In this game, players often sit cross-legged on the floor and fully focused to catch the stones in the middle of air. 🪨
💡 How to Play:
- The game is played in stages (depending on the number of stone or bean bags).
- Start by tossing one stone into the air, picking up another from the ground and catching the falling stone with the same hand.
- The difficulty increases as you have to grab more stones with each toss.
- Some stages involve catching the tossed stones on the back of your hand.
✅ Why You Must Try It:
Batu Seremban is super fun and really addictive once you get the rhythm. It’s portable, affordable and great for improving your reflexes.
2. Galah Panjang
This game is played with at least 6 players. Galah Panjang turns any open space into a virtual battlefield of running and blocking. The lines on the ground represent zones and players must pass through their opponents to make it to the other side. 🏃
💡 How to Play:
- Draw several vertical lines on the ground like a ladder or grid.
- One team defends at the lines and the other team tries to run through the lines without getting tagged.
- Defenders must stay on their line but can block or tag runners trying to cross.
- The attacking team wins by getting all players across without being tagged.
✅ Why You Must Try It:
This game builds teamwork, agility and strategy. Besides that, It is also a great way to bond with friends or family to get everyone moving and involved.
3. Congkak
Congkak is typically played between two players. It teaches planning, patience and foresight the number of marbles in the particular hole to ensure your holes are empty to win. Even if you lose, the process feels relaxing and satisfying.🕳️
💡 How to Play:
- Each small hole is filled with 7 marbles or seeds.
- Players take turns scooping all the items from one hole and placing one into each following hole in a counter-clockwise motion.
- The goal is to collect as many marbles as possible in your “home” hole.
- Play ends when a player has no more marbles on their side.
✅ Why You Must Try It:
Congkak is calm yet competitive. It’s perfect for those who enjoy quiet and thoughtful games. Plus, it is also a cultural tradition that helps preserve Malaysian heritage, so you have to try it.
4. Main Guli (Marbles)
Main Guli was really fun, especially in the friendly battles. Players bring their marble collections in plastic bags and flick the marbles to win a whole set of marbles from others in one round.🟢
💡 How to Play:
- Draw a circle in the dirt or on the floor.
- Each player places a marble in the circle.
- Take turns flicking your own marble from outside the circle to knock others out.
- Any marbles you knock out are yours to keep.
✅ Why You Must Try It:
This game is exciting, skill-based and gives you a little “treasure hunting” feeling. Besides that, it is a game that anyone can join in with just a pocket of marbles.
5. Capteh (Shuttlecock Kicking)
Capteh is played with a feathered shuttlecock made from colorful plastic or real feathers, the goal is to keep it in the air as long as possible using only your foot. It is common to see Malaysians turning this into a mini-tournament also great for solo fun. Many players add their own style by creating fancy moves to impress their friends too.🤭
💡 How to Play:
- Hold the capteh in your hand, drop it and kick it upward using your foot.
- Try to keep it in the air as long as possible.
- You can challenge friends for the highest number of consecutive kicks or do freestyle tricks.
✅ Why You Must Try It:
It is fun, physical and feels a bit like dancing with your feet. You’ll be surprised how addictive it gets once you know how to keep it up on air.
6. Pepsi Cola 1-2-3
Pepsi Cola 1-2-3 is played with a group of players standing in a circle ready to pounce. It involves a lot of dodging and dramatic jumps after the “Pepsi Cola 1-2-3” chant. Even players who lose will also laugh at how they were caught.👣
💡 How to Play:
- All players stand in a circle and shout “Pepsi Cola 1-2-3!”
- After the chant, players try to stomp on each other’s feet while dodging others.
- If your foot gets stepped on, you’re out.
✅ Why You Must Try It:
This game is simple and perfect for breaking the ice. The unexpected footwork and laughs make this game unforgettable.
7. Chopstick Game (Fingers)
This game is normally played with 2 people. Players often develop sneaky combos and tricks, making it much more exciting than it seems at first glance. It involved math thinking and planning which make you feel like playing chess but in the finger version.🖐️
💡 How to Play:
- Both players start with one finger up on each hand.
- On your turn, tap your opponent’s hand with yours. They must add your finger count to their total.
- When a hand hits 5, it’s “out”. You can split the number of fingers to the other hand, depending on the rules.
- The player who eliminates both of the opponent’s hands wins.
✅ Why You Must Try It:
It’s clever, quick and strategic. It looks simple but involves a lot of strategies which helps you to keep your brain active and strong.
8. Ketinting (Hopscotch)
Ketinting is a game of balance, control and memory. Players take turns hopping through the boxes with only one foot. It’s not just about jumping and landing but also remembering the customized rules to picking up stone without falling. Malaysians often personalize their Ketinting courts with cute designs and fancy rules to make each game feel unique.🦶
💡 How to Play:
- Draw a grid on the ground, usually with 8 to10 boxes.
- Toss a stone into box 1 and hop through all the other boxes.
- Pick up the stone on the way back without stepping outside the lines.
- Repeat for all the boxes until you complete the whole grid.
✅ Why You Must Try It:
It is a great exercise and super fun for all ages. This game also helps in developing balance and coordination in us.
9. Gasing (Spinning Top)
Gasing is a cultural tradition in Malaysia. It can be made of wood, metal or plastic in varied sizes and played by one person. It is a game that requires skill, timing and a bit of muscle power too.🌀
💡 How to Play:
- Wind the string tightly around the top.
- Hold it with the string and swing it onto the ground while pulling the string sharply.
- The top should spin fast, upright and last long.
✅ Why You Must Try It:
It is a cultural art that you can try and master to feel how this games bring guns to you.
10. Zero Point (Jump Rope Game)
Zero Point takes creativity and physical fitness to another level. Players link together dozens of rubber bands to create a stretchy jump rope. The rope starts swinging low and slowly, then gets higher and faster with each successful round. Malaysians often invent dances, jumping styles and rules to make things more exciting. It is super fun, especially when played in groups where everyone cheers each other on.🪢
💡 How to Play:
- Two players hold the rope while the jumper leaps over it.
- The rope starts low (ankle level) and rises with each round until head level.
- Players take turns and those who fail to clear a level are out.
✅ Why You Must Try It:
It makes you super focused and fun to play with friends. Apart from that, It is also a cardio game that does not feel like exercise, which helps you to maintain a healthy body.
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Now you know the 10 Malaysian childhood games that they often play and you must try at least once. Whether you are reliving your own golden days or bonding with your family and friends, give these traditional Malaysian games a try. You will laugh, sweat and feel like a happy kid again. 😄
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