Culture Insider: Children’s Games in Ancient China

During ancient times, children didn’t have smart phone, ipad or computer to entertain them. Instead, they came up with interesting games to play in their childhood. Let’s take a look.

Kicking stone balls

During the Qing Dynasty, kicking a stone ball around was a popular game in the northern part of China, and it was often played in winter to keep warm.

Playing hide-and-seek

Hide-and-seek is a traditional game for children, popular around the nation. There are two ways to play covering a child’s eyes while other kids run around to tease him, or more commonly, others hide and one child must try to find them.

Flying kites

Kites have quite a lone history. The earliest kites were made of wood, instead of paper. The three most famous kites are the Beijing kite, Tianjin kite and Weifang kite. Each has its own feather. For example, the bird-shaped kite with long wings is a special kind of the Beijing kite.

Watching shadow plays

The closest thing to watching a film during ancient times was going to see a shadow play. The artist control puppets(木偶)behind the screen and tell stories with the music.

【小题1】According to the text, the game of kicking a stone ball was ________.

A．played in summer	B．like flying kites
C．invented in Beijing	D．popular in North China

【小题2】How is the hide-and-seek usually played?

A．One plays and others watch.	B．Others laugh and one must cry.
C．Others hide and one tries to find.	D．One runs and others try to catch.

【小题3】The underlined word “tease” probably means ________.

A．laugh at

B．play a trick on

C．catch up

D．keep away from

【小题4】Which ancient game is like watching a film?

A．Kicking stone balls.	B．Flying kites.
C．Playing hide-and-seek.	D．Watching shadow plays.