Rediscovering Traditional Games in Singapore: Fun, Learning, and Bonding for Children
- Genesis Childcare 1989 - Tampines
- Nov 21, 2023
- 7 min read
Updated: Oct 20
Before the arrival of video game consoles, mobile apps, and digital screens, children in Singapore enjoyed a simpler kind of play — traditional games. These games, filled with laughter and friendly competition, connected children with their friends, families, and communities. They required no expensive gadgets or batteries — just creativity, teamwork, and imagination.
At Genesis Childcare 1989, one of the most trusted Tampines childcare and Tampines preschool centers, we understand the timeless value of play. Play is more than just fun — it’s how children develop motor skills, social awareness, focus, and confidence. By reintroducing traditional games, we nurture children’s physical coordination and creativity while preserving Singapore’s cultural heritage.
Let’s explore some of these traditional games that children can still enjoy today — whether at home, at the playground, or during activity time in Tampines nursery or Tampines infant care settings.
1. Paper Balls
A simple yet delightful classic, paper balls were once sold at school bookshops. Children blow air into the ball through a small opening, making it puff up and ready for play.
What makes paper ball games so special is their flexibility. There are no strict rules — children can use their imagination to invent new ways to play. They might toss, catch, or even play a version of dodgeball using paper balls. These lightweight toys can also be used as fun party decorations.
At Genesis Childcare 1989, such open-ended play activities encourage fine motor development, hand-eye coordination, and creativity — essential learning foundations for our Tampines preschool students.
2. Bestman Bubble Balloons
For children of the 1980s and 1990s, Bestman bubble balloons were a beloved pastime. Kids would squeeze a colourful mixture from a tube onto a tiny straw, then blow gently to form a bubble before pinching it off.
This game teaches patience, focus, and motor control — all while sparking a child’s curiosity about shapes and textures. It’s a fun way to introduce children in Tampines child care to basic science concepts like air pressure and elasticity through play.
3. Kuti Kuti
Kuti Kuti is a traditional flipping game using small plastic tokens. Two players face off, trying to flip their token onto their opponent’s. The first to succeed wins and keeps both tokens.
The game may be simple, but it promotes focus, strategy, and precision. Children at Genesis Childcare 1989 often enjoy similar hands-on, tactile games that train dexterity and concentration — skills that are crucial in early childhood education.
4. Country Erasers
A nostalgic favourite, Country erasers featured national flags from around the world. Just like Kuti Kuti, the goal was to flip your eraser onto your opponent’s.
Children also discovered new ways to play — such as adding staples under their erasers to make them spin. This playful experimentation is a wonderful example of how children naturally learn through trial and error, much like the guided exploration activities we encourage in our Tampines preschool and Tampines nursery programs.
5. Gasing
Gasing, the traditional spinning top, dates back to kampong days. Players wind a string around a wooden top and release it skillfully to keep it spinning for as long as possible.
It may look easy, but gasing demands precision and timing — a great way to strengthen motor skills. Teachers at Genesis Childcare 1989 integrate similar coordination-based play into our Tampines child care curriculum to help children build balance and rhythm.
6. Five Stones
A true Singaporean classic, Five Stones is a game of dexterity and timing. Children toss and catch small pyramid-shaped bags filled with sand or beans in a sequence of moves.
The challenge builds focus, hand-eye coordination, and quick reflexes — all while teaching patience and perseverance. These are the same qualities nurtured daily at our Tampines infant care center, where play-based learning helps children grow with confidence and joy.
7. Airplane Chess
Also known as Fei Xing Qi, Airplane Chess is a colourful board game where two to four players race to land all their planes at their “home base.”
This game introduces children to counting, turn-taking, and strategic thinking. In our Tampines preschool, we often use similar board games to teach cooperation, patience, and social interaction — essential life skills for growing minds.
8. Goli (Marbles)
Goli, or marble games, were once a staple of playground fun. Players draw a circle in the dirt, place marbles inside, and use a “striker” marble to knock others out.
Goli develops precision, spatial awareness, and fair play. At Genesis Childcare 1989, we believe such traditional games complement the structured learning children receive in our Tampines child care programs — balancing mental focus with active play.
9. Hopscotch
Hopscotch is a game found in many cultures, including Singapore’s. Children draw numbered boxes on the ground and hop from one to another without touching the lines.
Hopscotch strengthens balance, coordination, and counting skills. In our Tampines nursery, outdoor activities like hopscotch encourage children to move freely while learning numbers through fun, physical engagement.
10. Chapteh
Chapteh is another kampong-era favorite. It’s made from a rubber base with colorful feathers, and the goal is to keep it in the air using only your feet.
This game enhances leg strength, rhythm, and agility. In Genesis Childcare 1989, similar gross motor activities are included in our daily routines, ensuring children in our Tampines child care center develop both physically and socially.
11. Pick-Up Sticks
Pick-Up Sticks is a quiet but challenging game of patience and control. Players drop a bundle of sticks, then carefully pick them up one by one without moving the others.
This simple activity trains precision and focus, much like puzzle-based learning we incorporate into our Tampines preschool lessons to build logical thinking and self-control.
12. Congkak
One of Singapore’s oldest games, Congkak (also known as Mancala) is played on a wooden board with 14 small holes and two large ones.
It’s a game of strategy and counting, teaching mathematical thinking and patience. At Genesis Childcare 1989, games like Congkak inspire children to think critically and develop problem-solving skills — vital traits for early learners in our Tampines nursery programs.
13. Skipping
Skipping or jump rope can be played solo or with friends. Children compete to see who can skip the longest or perform the most creative tricks.
Skipping promotes endurance, rhythm, and coordination. Physical play like this is encouraged at Genesis Childcare 1989, as we believe that an active child is a happy learner.
14. Cat’s Cradle
Cat’s Cradle involves creating intricate string patterns with the hands. Each design — such as the Diamond or Two Crowns — requires patience and teamwork when played with a friend.
This game sharpens memory and spatial understanding. At our Tampines preschool, we introduce similar fine-motor activities that prepare children for writing and art.
15. Old-School Card Games
There are various types of old school card games in Singapore for children to play, for example, Old Maid, Donkey, Snap and Games like Old Maid, Donkey, Snap, and Happy Family are timeless favorites that teach children about fair play, strategy, and good sportsmanship.
At Genesis Childcare 1989, we encourage healthy competition and emotional learning — helping children in our Tampines child care center understand teamwork, empathy, and resilience.
Traditional Games in Singapore : Bringing Play Back to Life
Traditional games are more than nostalgic memories — they are valuable learning tools. They promote physical development, social bonding, creativity, and problem-solving in a natural and joyful way.
At Genesis Childcare 1989, we proudly integrate traditional play into our daily routines at our Tampines infant care, Tampines preschool, and Tampines nursery. We believe that every game, from Chapteh to Congkak, holds lessons that help children grow holistically — emotionally, socially, and cognitively.
If you’re looking for a nurturing environment that combines cultural heritage, modern education, and play-based learning, visit Genesis Childcare 1989 today. Let your child experience the joy of learning — the traditional way.
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Genesis Tampines Childcare 1989 is one of the best preschool and childcare in Tampines. Our Preschool Tampines have over 30 years of experience in nurturing thousands of infants, toddlers and preschoolers. At our Tampines Childcare, we advocate that every child is unique and precious who needs to be loved and cherished.
As a leading early childhood center in Singapore since 1989, we are committed to nurturing our early learners holistically through various learning areas and positive learning dispositions. We place a strong emphasis on the way our teachers facilitate and interact with the children.
Our Childcare Tampines believe that every child is unique and precious who needs to be loved and cherished. Hence, our holistic curriculum aims to create meaningful learning experiences for each and every one of them!
Our Playgroup Tampines provides parents with the confidence that their children are in the good hands of our trained and caring teachers.
Our professional team of preschool teachers has a good understanding of child development and learning principles. We apply them efficiently and set the stage to create a meaningful learning experience that supports your child's discovery.
We consistently create a positive and cozy environment that will give your child a sense of security which builds their self-confidence to explore the world around them.
If you are looking for a good Tampines infant care or Tampines preschool or Tampines childcare near Tampines Central, do consider Nurture Infant House or Genesis Childcare 1989.
Located alongside our childcare in Tampines is our Nurture Infant House. If you are looking for Tampines infant care or infant care in Tampines, do visit Nurture Infant House. It is for infants aged 2 months to 18 months old. You can learn more about our infant care Tampines here.
Lastly, would you like to visit our Genesis Childcare 1989 to find out more about our environment and setup as well as understand our operations by talking to our teachers and supervisor?
Genesis Childcare 1989 (Playgroup to Kindergarten 2)
Blk 433 Tampines Street 43 #01-63/65 S(520433)
Nurture Infant House (2 to 18 months Infants)
Blk 433 Tampines Street 43 #01-61 S(520433)
Opening hours: Monday to Friday (7am to 7pm) & Saturday (7am to 2pm)
Public Bus services: 8 / 21 / 28 / 29 / 293
Tel: 96664141
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