Teach Culture Through Play

35 traditional Indigenous games. 400+ pages of ready-to-use lessons.

This collection brings together traditional Indigenous and cultural games from around the world and transforms them into practical lesson plans for today’s classrooms and gyms. Designed for Montessori educators and PE teachers, these lessons use play as a powerful gateway to cultural understanding, empathy, and global awareness.

Why Indigenous Games?

Games are more than activities—they reflect history, values, environment, and community. When students play games from other cultures, they don’t just learn about the world; they experience it. Through movement, strategy, and cooperation, culture becomes something students can feel and understand.

Table of Contents

Asia and the Middle East

Beikou (Mongolian Hockey) – page 4

Cuju and Kemari (Chinese and Japanese kickball games) – page 12

Chab Kon Kleng (Cambodia Tag game) – page 23

Gobak Sodor (Indonesian Tag game) – page 32

Seven Stones (Tower Rebuilding and Tag game) – page 42

Ancient Babylonian Polo (Polo style game) – page 52

Australia and New Zealand

Australian Rules Football (Football/soccer hybrid) – page 63

Boojur Kombang (Scavenger Hunt Tag Game) – page 80

Diyari Koolche and Battendi (Target Accuracy games) – page 89

Edor (Invasion Style Game) – page 99

Gorri (Target Accuracy Game) – page 110

Noongar Wana (Target Accuracy and hockey style game) – page 118

Pucho Pucho Tau-i-malle (Target Accuracy and hockey style game) – page 126

Tarnambai (Fetch-Style Game) – page 135

Ki-O-Rahi (Target Accuracy and Invasion Game) – page 143

Native North American

Chunkey (Target Accuracy and Racing Style Game) – page 162

Shinny (Hockey Style Game) – page 175

Stickball and Lacrosse (Invasion style game with implement) – page 184

Africa

Ta Kurt Om El Mahag (Bat and Ball style game) – page 208

Dibeke (Kickball Style game) – page 228

Akseltag and Genna (Hockey Style games) – page 241

Ancient Greece and Rome

Ancient Greek Boxing (boxing skills) – page 250

Ancient Greek Long Jump (Jumping skills) – page 264

Ancient Roman Gladiator Training (Fencing skills) – page 272

Ancient Greek and Roman Harpastum (Proto-Rugby game) – page 297

Europe

Medieval Football (Proto-Football / Soccer / Rugby) – page 308

Stool Ball (Proto-Cricket) – page 317

Ancient Longball (Bat and Ball Sport) – page 324

Rounders (Bat and Ball Sport) – page 338

Cricket and Wicket (Traditional and US variant) – page 352

Colonial United States

Townball (Proto-baseball games) – page 365

Central and South America

Chilean Rodeo (Invasion style game) – page 375

Tejo (Target Accuracy style game) – page 386

Xikunahati (Netless Tennis style game) – page 396

Pato (Polo style game) – page 405

Mesoamerican Ball game (Netless Tennis style game) – page 420