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Teaching Kids to Play Rock, Paper, Scissors

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August 6, 2020 By Victoria Leave a Comment

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Rock, paper, scissors is just about as iconic as childhood games get. Plus, it’s free and your child can play it anywhere! Learn how to play rock, paper, scissors, and why it’s a GENIUS move to teach your kids!

two pre-teen boys playing rock paper scissors

As a kindergarten teacher, one of the first things I would teach to a new class was how to play rock, paper, scissors!

That might seem like a really odd thing to teach right off the bat, but it saved me so much time throughout the year that it was a must! I’ll explain exactly WHY it saved so much time in just a minute. But first, let’s learn how to play the game!

How to Play Rock, Paper, Scissors

One of the beautiful things about rock, paper, scissors is the simplicity of the game. You can’t cheat, you can’t fake a win, and you can’t argue with the results!

Three Plays to Throw

When you throw your hand, you can make one of three shapes: Rock, paper, or scissors

3 siblings playing rock, paper, scissors

Rock: Simply keep your hand in a fist when you throw your shape. That’s ROCK – it beats scissors, but it covered by paper (thus losing).

Paper: Open the palm of your hand completely and throw it flat when you make your move. That’s PAPER – It beats rock, but is cut by scissors (thus losing).

Scissors: Keep your pointer and middle finger extended in a scissor shape then you throw. That’s SCISSORS – It beats paper, but is smashed by rock (thus losing).

Making Your Move

There are several different chants or ways to start the game, but I like to keep it simple and say “Rock, Paper, Scissors, SHOOT” with each person bouncing their fist from one hand on the open palm of the other hand with each word.

On SHOOT each person makes their move and you see who won!

Winning Rock, Paper, Scissors

While I like to keep it to one game takes all (especially in a classroom setting and with little kids), some people like to do best 2 out of 3 to give a few changes for the outcome to change.

This is up to you, but just be sure to settle on the number of games before you start! Otherwise, you will be going ALL day with the person who is losing trying to increase their opportunity to win!

3 siblings playing rock, paper, scissors

The Genius of Rock, Paper, Scissors

You may have guessed it by now, but the real genius of the game is that it’s an impartial judge where everyone can agree on the outcome!

Each person goes into it with exactly the same chances of winning, there is no favoritism at play, and when the moves are made, the answer is clear!

This makes it a MUST have game in the repertoire of any man, woman, or child. Seriously, no more arguing over a toy, video game, the last Twinkie, and more.

Just throw down your best move on SHOOT, and move on!

Sure, kids may still be disappointed that they didn’t get what they wanted, however, they are MUCH more likely to move on in a very short period of time with Rock, Paper, Scissors is the deciding factor instead of a parent or teacher!

More Games You Might Enjoy:

  • Playdough Marble Maze Game
  • 15 Classic Yard Games for Kids
  • DIY Indoor Gravel Pit Activity

PIN THIS FOR LATER

kids learning how to play rock, paper, scissors

Filed Under: All Posts, Featured Activities, Kids Crafts & Activities, Learning Ideas Tagged With: Activities, Classroom, Learning at Home, Life Skills



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I'm Victoria, a Kindergarten teacher turned stay at home mom. I'm dedicated to raising a happy, healthy toddler who loves to learn and have fun. Let me help you do the same!

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