Encyclopedia of Play in Today's Society

absorbent mind Developed by Maria Montessori, a theory that divides childhood into two phases. The first, known as the period of unconscious creation or unconscious absorbent mind occurs from birth to age 3 and involves the unconscious acquisition of basic skills; the second, known as the period of conscious work or the conscious absorbent mind, occurs after age 3 and involves developing a mathematical mind and seeking freedom.

accoutrements Accessories for clothing that include cartridge box, bayonet belt, and scabbard for toy soldiers.

Acitrón de un fandango Mexican game that involves passing small objects from person to peson while singing a nonsense rhyme.

acrobatics Human feats of balance, agility, coordination, strength, and flexibility.

acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) Common thermoplastic used to make rigid, molded products.

action-adventure games Video games that require a player to overcome obstacles.

action figure Posable plastic toy, usually a character from a movie, television show, or video game.

action role-playing game Role-playing video game that uses elements of many action and action-adventure games.

addiction Compulsive psychological or bodily dependence on a substance or practice (e.g., video game addiction).

Addison, Joseph (1672–1719) Essayist and poet who wrote about daydreaming, among other themes.

Adler, Alfred (1870–1937) Austrian medical doctor and psychologist who founded the School of Individual Psychology with Sigmund Freud and others, sparking the psychoanalytic movement.

advantage First point scored after deuce in tennis.

adventure One of five traditional genres of children's literature, according to the Strong National Museum of Play.

adventure games Earliest type of video game; play focused on solving puzzles by interacting with characters, usually in a nonconfrontational manner.

adventure playground Playgrounds with child-oriented perspective in play. Developed from C. Th. Sorensen's 1931 plans to reuse wastelands, bomb sites, and building sites as places where children can create, shape, dream, and imagine reality.

advergames Online games based on and linked to advertisements.

affect Conscious, subjective aspect of feeling or emotion; the external display of an emotion or mood.

affective attunement Interpersonal contact necessary to human relationships, involves resonance of one person's affect to another's. Often, affective attunement refers specifically to the bonding between parent and child.

affirmation Act of asserting the existence of truth of something or of stating something.

age-appropriate At the correct level for chronological (actual) age.

Agon Abstract strategy game with no random or unknown elements; perhaps the oldest board game.

agon Greek word for conflict; refers to all competitive play in Caillois's model of play.

alea Refers to all games of chance in Caillois's model of play.

AU-American Girls Baseball League (AAGBBL) Women's baseball league developed with the financial support of Phillip Wrigley in 1943 to offer an alternative form of baseball when men were being drafted for World War II.

Allen, Margery; Lady Allen of Hurtwood (1897–1976) English landscape architect who actively promoted child welfare and who wrote a series of works about playgrounds.

All England Croquet Club Organization founded in 1868 to sponsor tennis and croquet competitions in England; became the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club.

Alligator Eyes also known as Submarine Variation of the water game Marco Polo. When the person who is “it” calls “alligator eyes,” she or he can swim under water with eyes open for one breath.

alpine skiing Downhill skiing.

amateur Athlete who does not play for payment (is not professional), but who pursues a sport as a leisure pastime.

American Bowling Congress (ABC) An organization founded in 1895; developed the rules and equipment standards of bowling.

American Coaster Enthusiasts Club (ACE) Organization of roller coaster enthusiasts. Since its inception in 1978, the group organizes events, publishes magazines and guidebooks, and works to preserve roller coasters.

American Gladiators American competition television show (1989–1996) that pitted amateur athletes against the show's gladiators (paid employees) in contests of strength and ability.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) American civil rights law (1990) that prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability and calls on public accommodations including recreation facilities to be accessible.

America's Cup Premier yachting race.

Amerikaner Norwegian trick-taking game.

amusement park Commercially operated collection of rides, games, and shows for family amusement and entertainment.

anagrams Word created by rearranging the letters of another word.

angling Sport fishing with hook, line, and usually rod.

Animal Chess Also known as Jungle Chess or Dou Shou Qi. This traditional Chinese abstract strategy game for two players is a forerunner of Stratego.

aquathlon Continuous two-stage race where swimming precedes running.

arbitrage (v.) To place a combination of bets so that if one loses, the other wins. To arbitrage implies having an edge with no or little risk.

arcade Public gaming facility with video games.

arcade console Upright apparatus on which games are played.

archery Sport that involves shooting bows with arrows.

articulated Segments attached by movable joints.

Asian Football Confederation (AFC) An organization founded in 1954 to govern football (soccer) in Asia, which includes Australia but excludes Israel and Cyprus.

As Nàs A popular 17th-century game played in Persia (now Iran).

aspiration Will to succeed; ambition.

assistive devices Equipment used to increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities.

Association for Children's Play and Recreation (Play-board) Organization that coordinated work in child's play in the United Kingdom from 1982 until it was dismantled in 1987 and basically subsumed by the Sports Council (as the Children's Play and Recreation Unit) in 1988.

Association for Play Therapy (APT) Organization founded 1982 to promote play, play therapy, and cre-dentialed play therapists.

Association for the Study of Play (TASP) A major international organization of scholars founded in 1974 that continues to meet annually and to publish an annual volume, Play & Culture Studies.

Association of Adventure Playworkers Organization of professional playworkers founded in the United Kingdom in the 1970s.

associative play Play in which children participate in separate activities but interact through the exchange of toys and discussion.

athletics Active diversions that require physical exertion and competition.

attention Component process underlying observational learning.

Australian Open Tennis tournament started in 1905 and held yearly as one-quarter of the Grand Slam tennis tournaments.

autism Brain development disorder that impairs social interaction and communication.

available metabolic energy According to Surplus Resource Theory, the combination of the amount of energy available in reserve and the physiological capacity for sustained vigorous activity.

Avalanche Rock paper scissors sequence of rock, rock, rock.

avatar Digital or graphical representation of a person or computer used in a virtual reality site or chatroom.

axe-throwing Traditional Estonian activity involving measuring the distances that axes have been thrown.

Ayatori Japanese version of the string game Cat's Cradle.

baby foot Also known as table soccer, foosball, and table football; tabletop game based on soccer, or association football.

backgammon Two-player board game, where pieces are moved according to throws of the dice.

backpacking Also known as trekking, tramping, and bushwalking; activity combining hiking and camping.

badminton Racquet sport where two players or two teams of two players hit or volley a shuttlecock over a net.

Baffle Gab Word game in which players are given five words that they must use in either a sentence or story.

bagatelle Table game where balls are knocked into holes guarded by wooden pegs. A short cue is used.

Balderdash A word game like the parlor game Dictionary. Players attempt to define unknown words and guess when others have supplied an accurate definition.

ball and paddle game Predecessor of console games.

balloon Tough, nonrigid bag filled with gas or heated air. Earlier versions were made of dried animal bladders.

Banco Imobiliario Brazilian version of Monopoly; literally “Real Estate Bank.”

Bandura, Albert (b. 1925) Canadian psychologist specializing in social cognitive theory and self-efficacy

Bandura's Social Learning Theory Expansion of Julian Rotter's ideas where the four requirements for people to learn are attention, retention, reproduction, and motivation.

Ba Quan Vietnamese game; literally means “three ligature.”

Ba Que Vietnamese game; literally means “three pegs.”

base Place a runner must touch before scoring in baseball, softball, and kickball.

baseball Ball, usually 9 to 9.25 inches in circumference and 5 ounces in weight, composed of leather covering layers of wool and polyester or cotton yarn around a core of rubber, cork, or a mix of the two.

baseball bat Smooth wooden or metal club used to hit the ball thrown by the pitcher in baseball. The bat is at most 2.75 inches in diameter at its thickest part, no more than 41 inches long, and usually no more than 36 ounces in weight.

baseball glove Protective handgear used to help catch the ball in baseball.

baseball mitt Protective handgear used to help catch the ball in baseball.

basketball Round ball of rubber, leather, or synthetic leather used to play basketball. The ball comes in three sizes.

basketball hoop Horizontal, circular metal hoop supporting the net through which the basketball must be placed in order to score.

Bateson, Gregory (1904–80) British anfhropologist, social scientist, linguist, semiotician, and cyberneticist.

batter Offensive player trying to hit the ball thrown by the pitcher in baseball.

batter's box Area in which batter is positioned while at bat in baseball.

battledore Badminton racket.

battledore and shuttlecock Earlier version of badminton played with small rackets (called battledores) and [Page 804]shuttlecocks, which are passed back and forth over a net.

bear baiting Sport forbidden by Charles I when he reissued the Book of Sports in 1633; involves baiting and killing bears in an arena.

beat'em up Games also known as hack and slash games; video games that focus on close-quarters combat.

beautiful play In a game, a well-played moment in which every player seems extraordinary.

bébé French word for baby; refers to a class of dolls that look like babies or young children.

behavioral theory Theory supporting the idea that behavior is conditioned through positive and negative reinforcement.

bell-ringing Ringing of handbells and church bells for entertainment.

Belmont Stakes Horse race that happens on the Saturday on or after June 5; part of horseracing's Triple Crown.

best-ball Players proceed as normal in the game of golf, but the lowest score of all the players on the team counts as the team's score.

bibeloterie (“knick-knackery”) Miniature toys and baubles that both adults and children collected in Europe from 1600 to 1800.

Bid Whist Partnership trick-taking card game that uses the standard 52-card deck as well as two jokers.

Big Business Version of Monopoly.

Bigézés Hungarian hitting stick game that likely came along Eastern trading routes to the West.

Bingo Lottery-style game in which numbered balls are drawn at random and players cover the corresponding numbers on their cards.

biological simulation Simulation video game that allows the player to experiment with genetics, survival, or ecosystems. This type of video game is often educational in nature.

bisque Unglazed clay used to create figurines and dolls.

Black Lady Version of Hearts.

Black Man Also known as Uomo Nero and Bogie Man; Italian version of Old Maid.

Black Maria Version of Hearts.

Black Peter German version of Old Maid.

blind average Score of a higher handicap golfer on a particular course.

BMX Also known as bicycle motocross; specific form of racing and performing tricks on specially designed bikes.

boardgame Game played on a specially designed board; alternative spelling is board game.

Boggle Word game that requires players to find words by linking letters on adjacent dice.

bomba Also known as the kill; a play in the sport volleyball where the volleyball is spiked over the net in such a fashion that the other team cannot respond the volley.

bombs Colloquial term used to describe a move in marbles.

bone Domino.

boobla Also known as bubble hockey and Super Chexx; tabletop arcade hockey game covered by a special bubble dome.

Bordieu, Pierre (1930–2002) French sociologist whose work tends to focus on aspects of the dynamics of power in social internactions.

Boston Schoolyard Initiative Partners Policy aimed at rebuilding schoolyards throughout Boston through a public-private partnership.

Boticelli Dramatic parlor game similar to a tableaux vivante but using words.

boules Version of the game pétanque, similar to lawn bowling.

bowls Also known as lawn bowls; balls are rolled toward a specific target, with the ball coming closest determining the winner of the game.

box One of the most basic kite shapes.

Box Ball Popular playground and street game that involves drawing a four-box grid on which various players will compete.

Boys and Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) National club designed to help promote responsible citizenship, competence, usefulness, and belonging.

Boy Scouts of America (BSA) Youth organization founded in 1910. The BSA emphasizes responsible citizenship, character development, and self-reliance.

British and World Marble Championship Marble festival held yearly at Easter; began in 16th century.

British Association of Play Therapists Professional body that governs therapy, training, research, and membership of Play Therapists in Britain.

Broken Bridge Scottish version of children's song London Bridge.

bubble hockey Also known as boobla and Super Chexx; tabletop arcade hockey game covered by a special bubble dome.

Buck Variation of leapfrog.

buckle-pit Ordinary material also used for play in early Europe.

bullfighting Popular sport in Spain and Mexico where a matador taunts and kills a bull at close range.

bureaucratization A characteristic of contemporary organized play that manifests itself in overt rules and regulations.

business simulation games In a business simulation game, the player controls the economics of the game, which is generally centered around a business or economy.

Buzkashi Central Asian team sport where players on horseback attempt to place an animal carcass into a goal.

caber toss Traditional Scottish event in which a large wooden pole is tossed; part of the Scottish Highland Games.

Cache-Cache French version of Hide and Seek.

Caillois, Roger (1913–78) French philosopher and sociologist who studied the relationship between play, games, and culture.

Callao Club British club.

camogie Celtic team sport; women's variant of hurling.

Camp Fire Girls American youth organization founded in 1910; became coed in 1975.

Canadian Scrabble Championship Invitation-only English-language Scrabble tournament played by the top 50 Canadian players; held every two to three years.

Canasta Card game similar to Rummy that uses two decks of cards and four jokers.

Canfield Common name for Solitaire games that include gambling.

canoe Small, light boat that is pointed at both ends and propelled with a paddle.

Caps Also known as Skelly, Skelsy, Skellzies, Scully, Tops, and Skully; children's game played in New York City and other urban areas.

Capture the Flag Traditional game played by teams that attempt to capture their opponents' flags.

carambole Also known as carom billiards and carambole billiards; version of billiards in which the cue ball must strike two object balls.

card Domino.

card shark Expert card player; sometimes used to refer to a dishonest player or cheater.

Carnival Version of Monopoly.

Carolina Cyclone Roller coaster.

cartes blanches Situation in Piquet that arises when, after the deal, one player has a weak hand (no cards above 10), and points are scored as a result.

cartomancy Form of divination, specifically forecasting or foretelling, by reading cards like Tarot cards.

cartoon Caricature or humorous drawing; during the 20th century these drawings were serialized and published in many newspapers, magazines, and comic books.

Casa dei Bambini Literally “Children's House”; Maria Montessori's school for children, opened in 1907.

casino Public building used for gambling.

Castles Also known as Pyramids; game played in ancient Rome using nuts and clay marbles.

catcher In baseball the position behind home plate; the catcher receives the ball from the pitcher.

catchy Variation of the chasing game known as tag.

Cat's Eyes Name for a marble with a particular color and pattern.

Chair Dance Alternative name for Musical Chairs.

Chair Game Alternative name for Musical Chairs.

Chameleon Top Variety of spinning top.

chance luck Unknown and unpredictable phenomenon that causes a particular result.

Charleston Bridge American version of children's song London Bridge.

Chasers Variation of the chasing game known as tag.

Chasing and Hiding Australian version of Hide-and-Seek

Cherry Pit Name for a marble with a particular color and pattern.

cherrystones Ordinary material used for play in early Europe.

Chess Olympiad International biennial Chess tournament organized by FIDE.

Children's Happy Evenings Association (CHEA) Voluntary organization developed in 1888 with the mission of providing play opportunities for the youth of the United Kingdom.

china Ceramic material created by heating raw materials in a kiln.

Chinese Checkers Board game for two to six players; variation of game Halma.

Chinese Flick Version of playing marbles that uses an Asian method of projecting the marble.

Chinese River Game Also known as Chinese Chess.

Chuncara Inca board game using dice and colored beans played in Bolivia, Equador, and Peru.

Chutes and Ladders Children's board game that is a variation of Snakes and Ladders.

city-building games Simulation video games that put the player in the role of city planner or leader, allowing the player to develop structures for food, shelter, health, economic growth, spiritual care, etc.

club houses Structure designed as a meeting place (secret or otherwise) for all of the members of a group.

clubs Suit of cards that represent the peasant class in France.

Cluedo Also known as Clue; mystery crime fiction board game.

cobnut Game played in Europe before 1600, wherein the cobnuts were moved and also used as currency to measure gains and losses.

Cock-stele European throwing game (prior to 1600) where a chicken was buried up to its neck in the ground and young men threw sticks or arrows (cock-steles) at its head.

cognitive skills Mental abilities that allow people to process external stimuli; include thinking, reasoning, and intellectual ability.

coin-operated arcade game Video game or pinball machine that operates when a certain amount of money has been placed into it.

Colossus Roller coaster.

comic opera Light-hearted opera with happy ending and some spoken text.

comics Stories told in graphic form through the presentation of sequential images.

competition Contest for which a winner can be determined.

compulsive readers Also known as ludic readers; readers who become immersed in the world of the story, letting the external world slide away.

computer game Game played on a computer or computerized platform.

computer role-playing game (CRPG) Role-playing video game of the Western tradition; the player creates a character, who moves along a nonlinear storyline by making choices.

computer simulation games Video games that mix skill, chance, and strategy to simulate some aspect of reality.

conscious absorbent mind Second stage of Montessori's formulation of the absorbent mind. In this stage, children aged 3 and above develop a mathematical mind and seek freedom.

console Cabinet to house electronic devices.

console role-playing game (CRPG) Role-playing video game of the Eastern tradition; the player controls a party of predefined characters through a linear storyline that has been dramatically scripted.

construction and management simulation games (CMS) Video games in which players manage, build, and expand fictional projects or communities.

construction toys Toys that encourage building and engineering.

constructive play Play that involves creative problem solving, including the building of objects and structures.

constructive rhythm of life Maria Montessori's term for children's four distinct phases that prepare them for learning.

contest Occasion on which a winner can be declared from among the contestants, or players.

Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC, UNCRC) International convention adopted in 1989 to define the civil, economic, political, social, and cultural rights of children.

cooperation Process of working or acting together.

cooperative play Social interaction that involves a combination of the sense of group identity and organized activity.

coordination Effective interaction of movements.

Corkscrew Roller coaster.

Cosmic Education Thematic study developed by Maria Montessori to rouse curiosity and imagination in students while also connecting information from one unit to the next.

course rating Evaluation of a golf course's level of difficulty for a scratch golfer, as determined by the USPGA.

Cowboys and Indians Wargame based on the American West before full settlement.

crèche doll Figure representing someone who was present at the birth of lesus Christ, as indicated by the Bible story. lesus, Mary, loseph, wise men, kings, shepherds, or any number of animals are often formed as crèche dolls.

crescendo Rock Paper Scissors sequence of paper, scissors, rock.

Crorepati Baopaar Pakistani version of the board game Monopoly.

cross-country running Sport in which teams of runners complete a course over either smooth or rough terrain with the main intention of reaching the finish line first.

cubaholics Players addicted to using the Rubik's Cube.

Cubist's thumb Ailment related to excessive use of the Rubik's Cube.

cue Tapering rod used to strike balls in pool or billiards.

cue sports Games of skill that use a cue to strike a ball.

cultural subjects and peace education One of the six key areas in Maria Montessori's schools.

cup and ball Game played in colonial America; requires tossing a ball and trying to catch it in a cup when both the ball and cup are attached to a string.

curling Game in which heavy stones are slid on ice toward a target.

D&DDungeons & Dragons.

Dance Dance Revolution (DDR) Also known as Dancing Stage.

Dancing Stage Also known as Dance Dance Revolution; music video game that asks players to compete particular dance moves by following the visual and audio cues; music video game that asks players to compete particular dance moves by following the visual and audio cues.

Dara Iranian doll developed in response to Barbie.

deal Distribute cards to the players in a card game.

Debebekosh Ethiopian version of Hide-and-Seek.

decathlon Athletic contest that consists of 10 events.

deck Also known as pack; set of 52 playing cards.

deck Set of dominos, traditionally 28.

defenseman Player whose role is to defend against the other team and prevent the opponent from scoring.

definite probability Actual chance that a particular outcome will occur in a given situation.

delta/triangle One of the most basic kite shapes.

demonstration sports Events at the Olympics from 1912–92. Participants received medals that were not counted among the country's official medals.

Depth Charge A 1976 video computer game similar to Minesweeper.

Detective Physical parlor game that requires the “thief” to find the “detective.”

deuce In tennis, a tie that requires two successive points to win the game.

developmental delay Failure to meet certain developmental milestones by the expected time period.

dexterity Adroitness with hands; ability to perform tasks with the hands.

Diabolo Game of skill for which a spool was tossed using a string suspended by two sticks; played in colonial America.

diamond One of the most basic kite shapes.

diamonds Suit of cards that represent the bourgeoisie in France.

Dibeke South African running ball game.

diecast Process of creating toys and other objects by injecting a molten metal alloy into a steel mold (the inverse of the object's intended shape) under high pressure.

die cutting Method of cutting various shapes by using sharp-steel ruled stamps or rollers.

differential reinforcement Method of reinforcement, in opérant conditioning, that targets an incompatible or different behavior than that for which change is required.

Dipanonit Variation of the chasing game known as Tag.

discard In card games, the act of throwing out a useless card or failing to follow suit.

discovery Term for a toy that fosters learning and creativity through play, according to the Strong National Museum of Play.

dissected map Early version of a jigsaw puzzle which involved attaching a map to some kind of backing and then cutting it along borders.

dominant strategy Action that is a player's best move, regardless of any other player's move.

dominant strategy Equilibrium situation in which both players maximize their outcomes.

Dominos Several games played using small rectangular blocks or tiles; also the tiles used to play those games.

double-ball Native American game in which players used sticks to catch two billets, balls, or sacks tied together with animal skin.

double-bladed paddle Paddle with blades at both ends of the cross bar; used for kayaking.

double-down In Blackjack, the process of doubling a bet after receiving the first two cards.

Double Dutch Variety of jumping rope in which two people turn two ropes and one or more people jump within those ropes.

downhill skiing Also known as alpine skiing; sport and recreational activity involving sliding down snow-covered hills with ski boots bound to long skis.

dramatic parlor games Parlor games that require some sort of acting.

Draughts Checkers.

draw game Any version of Poker in which the players are dealt a full complement of cards that they may later exchange.

duathlon Athletic contest that involves running and cycling events.

dub up Colloquial term used to describe a move in marbles.

dumb show Also known as mime; performance using gestures and body movements but no words

Dungeon Master (DM) Selected participant in Dungeons & Dragons who describes the game to other players.

Early Learning Centre (ELC) International toy retailer created in 1970 that creates toys for children up to the age of 6. More than 51 ELC retail stores are found in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Oman.

Easy Money Version of Monopoly.

efficient outcome Also known as a pareto optimal outcome; in this situation, one player's success causes another player's loss.

ego In psychoanalytic theory, the conscious mind.

ego orientation Also known as outcome orientation; occurs when a player measures success based on whether an opponent was defeated.

Eisstock Swiss variation of curling played during the winter, often compared to pétanque on ice.

Elastics Version of playing Marbles that uses elastic to project the marble.

El Banquero Version of Monopoly played in Urugay

electronic toy Toy that requires an external energy source in order to function.

electronic video game Video game that requires an external energy source in order to function.

Elias, Norbert (1897–1990) German sociologist who helped to shape process or figurational sociology.

emotional equilibrium Playworkers have to take emotional equilibrium into account when considering how to create the best play environment.

empathy One of the human attributes developed during play.

enders Those holding and twirling the rope in jump roping.

equality Characteristic of contemporary organized play that manifests in open access to players, regardless of birthright, social class, sex, or religious belief.

Erikson, Erik (1902–94) Developmental psychologist and psychoanalyst who formulated a theory on social development of human beings. Erikson's theory of development begins with infancy and continues through adulthood.

escape the room Type of online graphic adventure game for which the object is to escape a mysterious room.

ethical stance Playworkers have to take ethical stance into account when considering how to create the best play environment.

exergame Video game that requires the player to exercise.

extreme fighting Form of fighting that involves mixed martial arts.

face cards Playing cards with the jack, queen, and king.

fair Carnival or traveling show with rides, games of skill, and sideshows.

fairy tale Fictional story, often involving traditional characters, told to amuse or teach a moral.

fairy tales One of five traditional genres of children's literature, according to the Strong National Museum of Play.

falconry Hunting with birds of prey.

Fan-Tan Vietnamese game involving heavy gambling.

fantasy One of five traditional genres of children's literature, according to the Strong National Museum of Play.

fashion doll Dolls designed to feature appearance and clothing style.

Fastaval in Arhus Role-playing conference held every spring in Denmark.

Feast of Fools Medieval festival celebrated throughout Europe. Mocking the church officials and practices was a common occurrence; so, too, were masks and disguises.

Fédération Internationale de Basketball Amateur (FIBA) Association that governs international competitions of basketball.

Fédération Internationale de Domino (FIDO) Group that organizes international dominos competitions.

Fédération Internationale des Échecs (FIDE) Association created in 1924 to govern chess competition.

Federation Internationale De Volley-Ball (FIVB) International governing body for volleyball, founded in Paris in 1947.

fell running Also known as mountain running and hill running; sport of running and racing off-road.

fencing Art or sport of swordfighting.

festival Time reserved for celebrating and feasting.

field events Throwing and jumping events in track and field competitions.

field hockey Game played like ice hockey, but on a grass field and with a ball instead of a puck.

fighting simulation video games Also known as “versus fighters”; an action video game that literally simulates one-on-one combat.

figure Model of a bodily form.

figurine Small sculpted or molded model of a human, animal, or religious form.

Finance Version of Monopoly.

finger-throwing game Earlier version of Rock Paper Scissors played as early as 2000 b.c.e. in Egypt.

first-person shooter game (FPS) Video game which is seen through the perspective of the character controlled by the player.

first toy Toy, usually a stuffed animal or a blanket, that plays an important role in an infant's life and development. Donald Woods Winnicott studied the role and significance of the first toy during and after infancy.

Fitter Britain Movement 1930s movement in the United Kingdom to promote increased physical activity among children.

Fivestones Pentalitha Game played in ancient Rome as a divination (by women) or to gamble (by men).

Flashlight Tag Variation of the chasing game known as Tag that involves shining a flashlight on opponents instead of tagging them.

flexibility Playworkers have to take into account when considering how best to create such an environment.

floorball Indoor team sport developed in Sweden during the 1970s. The game involves team members using sticks to move a ball with 26 holes in an attempt to score.

flush Poker hand consisting of all five cards in the same suit.

fly fishing Method of angling that uses a fly rod, fly line, and artificial bait to catch fish.

Flying Top Variety of spinning top.

Fly the Garter Version of Leapfrog.

folklore Stories, proverbs, riddles, and songs of a culture, usually part of that culture's oral tradition.

follow the leader Group activity that involves following and often mimicking one person (the leader).

foosbaU Also known as baby foot, table soccer, and table football; tabletop game based on soccer, or association football.

Foot and Half Version of Leapfrog.

football Name of several sports, all of which involve kicking a ball with the intent of scoring a goal.

formal games Games played by a game community, who follow established rules and focus on winning the game.

Fort-Da Also known as gone/here and played by young children; similar to Hide-and-seek.

forward Player whose role is to attempt to score.

four-ball Golf played between two teams of two players. Each player plays his/her own ball, but the lowest score counts for the team.

foursomes Golf played by two teams of two people, where each team has only one ball and players alternate playing it.

Fox and Geese Scandinavian board game in which geese try to surround the fox so he could not move and the fox tries to catch the geese.

Fox and Hounds Version of Hares and Hounds in which the hounds try to catch the fox and the fox tries to evade capture.

fox hunting Also known as horse and hound; activity that involves using dogs to hunt a fox.

freedom Playworkers have to take freedom into account when considering how to create the best play environment.

freestyle cross-country skiing Technique that involves pushing off with both legs and resembles skating.

freestyle Frisbee includes Frisbee played for fun between friends and more specialized routines designed with the Frisbee.

free time In Surplus Resource Theory, time not required for work or other serious survival activities.

French Deck Standard deck of 52 cards.

French Top Variety of spinning top.

friendly games Games played by a play community, who collectively decide the rules of the game.

Frisbee golf Game in which players try to throw a Frisbee through openings, much in the same way that golfers try to hit balls into openings.

Froebel, Friedrich (1782–1852) Theorist who proposed that children have unique needs and capacities and, in formulating that theory, laid the groundwork for modern education.

Froggies Name for a marble with a particular color and pattern.

fudging Colloquial term used to describe a move in marbles.

Fulla Alternative to Barbie created in Saudi Arabia.

Full Sequence Pairs Also known as the Pairs Sequence; any game of Whist in which two people are partnered for the duration of the game.

Funeral Game played in Lebanon wherein children mimic the ceremony of a funeral.

Gabata Game similar to the Egyptian and Inca game Máncala and the Japanese game Shogi. Gabata is played in the Congo and in Ethiopia and asks players to capture the colored seeds held by other players.

Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) Amateur sporting organization that promotes Gaelic games like hurling, camogie, Gaelic football, handball, and rounders.

Gallo, Gallina Literally “Cock, Hen”; Mexican game.

gamble (noun) Risky act or money risked for possible gain; (verb) play games for money or take a chance.

game Amusement or pastime; contest with rules to determine a winner.

game community Group of people who join together to play a particular game and who focus on winning that game.

Game of 20 Squares Egyptian board game.

Game of Ferses Earlier version of Draughts.

gamer Also known as gamester; person who plays games.

gamesmanship Learned behavior developed during play; refers to the level of respect one has for competitors, for the rules of the game, and for the results of the game.

gaming Playing games; gambling.

gaming platform Operating system on which a video game or computer game is played.

garter Line in the dirt used when playing Leapfrog.

Gato Name for Tic-Tac-Toe in Chile, Mexico, and Costa Rica.

Geertz, Clifford (1926–2006) American anthropologist who advocated trying to interpet the symbols of another culture. “Deep Play: Notes on the Balinese Cockfight” is one of his most well-known essays.

Giant Slalom Alpine ski race in which skiers must race between poles (“gates”) spaced at greater distances from each other than in the traditional slalom.

Girl Guides Association Name for Girl Scouts outside of the United States; original movement parallel to Boy Scouts but intended for girls.

Girl Scouts of America American version of Girl Guides Association; movement parallel to Boy Scouts but intended for girls.

giving a back Body stance formed in Leapfrog as a player rests his or her head on the thighs and hunches the body forward.

gliding Recreational activity and competitive sport that involves flying unpowered aircraft known as gliders and sailplanes.

Globe Top Variety of spinning top.

glove Protective handgear used to help catch the ball in baseball.

Gnav Game of the Cuckoo family that uses a special set of cards.

Go A board game for two players, played with black and white game pieces on a 19 × 19 grid, which originated in China, and then spread to Korea and Japan.

goalie Player whose job is to protect the net and keep the opponent from scoring.

goal line Line where the scoring goal stands.

God games Video games, often without a set goal, that allow a player control over the lives of people within the game.

Goff Early version of hockey, played with a curved club.

Goffman, Erving (1922–82) Canadian sociologist who studied social interaction in the form of dramaturgical perspective.

Going to Jerusalem Alternative name for Musical Chairs.

goofing around Fooling around; playing around.

Goose Board game developed in Italy during the 15th century. The object of the game was to be the first person to reach the end of the journey.

government simulation Simulation video games that focus on the politics, government, and policies of a country but rarely on warfare.

graphic adventure games Video games that require players to make choices in order to guide the course of the game, which is seen in graphic form on the screen.

grass skiing Started in France in 1966; uses short skis on wheels to ski on grass slopes in order to train for winter skiing events.

gratification Positive emotional response to the fulfilment of a desire.

Great American Revolution Roller coaster.

gridiron football American football.

Gris Card game, version of Pig.

group games Games that by definition cannot be played by only one person.

Guild of Poor Brave Things Group established in 1894 in the United Kingdom to help disabled boys to create a productive place for themselves within society.

gutters Colloquial term used to describe a move in marbles.

gymnastics Sport that displays strength, agility, and balance through a series of exercises.

hack and slash games Also known as beat em up games; video games that focus on close-quarters combat.

haka Dance among the Maori of New Zealand.

halatafl Viking game similar to Chess; predecessor of Hounds and Hares.

half balls Version of stickball played with balls cut in half.

Half-Iron Triathlon with race distances of 1.2 miles (1.9 km), which is half the distance of the races in a full triathlon.

hanafuda Japanese playing cards.

handball Gaelic game similar to squash or racquetball; played by two, three, or four players using a gloved hand instead of a raquet.

handball Team sport in which two teams of seven players each (including goalies) pass and bounce a ball in order to try to score by getting it into the goal.

handicap Measure of an amateur golfer's ability to play over 18 holes. This number represents the number of strokes over par the golfer is likely to perform on an above-average day.

handicraft Work or craft produced by hand.

Hand-In-and-Hand-Out Indoor game.

Handy-dandy Guessing game, played with a small object hidden in the palm of a hand hidden behind the player's back.

Hangman Word game where one player chooses a word and indicates the number of letters in the word. Other players must find the word by choosing one letter at a time. Each incorrect letter results in the drawing of a body part on a stick figure. The goal is to guess the word before the character is hanged.

Harpastum Amateurish ball game played in Italy; earlier version of modern football and rugby, although with a much higher degree of violence.

Heads-or-Ships Ancient Roman game involving tossing coins, like Heads-or-Tails.

Head Start School readiness progress founded in 1965 in the United States that continues to help children throughout the country.

Heads Up Another name for the classroom game called Seven Up.

hearts Suit of cards that represent the clergy in France.

height jumps Track and field events that measure the vertical distance of a jump.

heptathlon Athletic endeavor, usually track and field, consisting of seven different events.

high jump Track and field event for which a competitor runs toward and leaps over a horizontal crossbar. The runner's goal is to jump ever-increasing heights without knocking the bar over.

hiking long walk for exercise or pleasure.

hill running Also known as mountain running and fell running; sport of running and racing off-road.

hit In Blackjack, the way to ask for another card.

Hit Me, Hit Me Schoolyard game played in poor towns of South Africa that reenacts the brute force to which the children are subjected.

hnefatalf Viking game similar to Chess.

hobby Enjoyable activity undertaken during one's free time.

hockey puck Vulcanized rubber disc three inches in diameter used in ice hockey.

hockey rink Ice rink designed specifically for the game of hockey.

hockey stick Used in hockey to handle the puck.

hole Card dealt face-down in poker.

homely objects Toys related to tools used in the home.

home plate Base over which the batter, as an offensive player, stands and over which a runner must pass in order to score.

Honors Ace, king, queen, and jack of the trump suit in games of Whist.

hook Portion of fishing rod at the end of the line; used to hold bait.

Hopscotch Children's skipping game that requires a grid to be drawn in the dirt or on the sidewalk.

Hornussen Swiss sport that is a mix of golf and baseball.

Hounds and Hares Version of Hares and Hounds in which the hounds try to catch the hares and the hares try to evade capture.

Hounds and Jackals Egyptian board game.

housie-housie Bantu version of playing marriage or house.

Huizinga, Johan (1872–1945) Dutch historian whose

1938 work Homo Ludens discusses the influence of play on European culture.

hula hoops Toy hoops twirled around the body for entertainment.

Hunts Version of Hares and Hounds in which the hunter tries to catch the prey and the hunted tries to evade capture.

hurdle (noun) Light movable barrier over which runners must jump in certain track and field events;

(verb) to jump over an obstacle.

Hurkle 1978 computer game similar to Minesweeper.

hurling Outdoor team sport played with hurleys (sticks) and sliotars (balls); ancient Gaelic in origin.

Hurling Irish game similar to hockey, played with a small ball and a curved wooden stick.

hustler Player who takes advantage of less-skilled competitors in money games.

Hwatoo Korean gambling game.

Ice-cream Jellies Name for a marble with a particular color and pattern.

ice hockey Game played by two teams of six skaters who try to maneuver a puck into their opponent's goal.

iconic status Status assigned by the Strong National Museum of Play to toys that are well-remembered and respected.

id In psychoanalytic theory, the primitive instincts and energies that exist beneath all psychic activity.

If You Love Me, Dearest, Smile Physical parlor game.

ilinx (vertigo) Category of play that addresses or deals with the ecstatic states, according to Roger Caillois's theory of play.

ilinx (vertigo) Refers to all forms of play that create a sense of disorder or an alteration of perception according to Caillois's model of play.

imitation Act of copying another person's actions.

Indigenous Games Project South African organization devoted to reinforcing community values and promote interactions between communities through traditional games.

Individual Psychology Differential psychology or the psychology of individual differences.

infield Diamond-shaped portion of a baseball field.

Inflation Version of Monopoly.

informal games Games played by a play community that collectively decides the rules of the game.

injection molding Process of creating toys and other objects by injecting a molten plastic into a mold (the inverse of the object's intended shape) under high pressure.

innovation Category used by the Strong National Museum of Play when the toy significantly changed how subsequent toys are played with or designed.

Innovative Playground Research Project Organization that presents case studies from around the world and suggests that partnerships between the private and public sector can build and maintain playground spaces.

Institute of Park and Recreation Administration (IPRA) Created in 1926, IPRA brought together parks and garden managers to provide outdoor recreational facilities to establish supervised games sessions.

Institute of Playleaders Organization of professional playworkers founded in the United Kingdom in the 1970s.

intellectual games Games that require or develop intelligence.

intellectual mind Phase of a child's development that follows the absorbent mind in Maria Montessori's theory. In this phase, children explore their world with increased concentration, attention, and intellectual fortitude.

intellectual stimulation Playworkers have to take intellectual stimulation into account when considering how to create the best play environment.

interactive fiction Also known as text adventure games; video games that require players to make choices in order to guide the course of the game, which the computer would then describe.

interactive movies Video games that emerged with the technology of the laserdisc. They allow a player to control some actions within prefilmed full-motion cartoons or live-action sequences.

intercollegiate athletic system System that develops and controls sports competition between colleges and universities.

International Bubble Hockey Federation (IBHF) International governing body for bubble hockey competitions and rules.

International Cricket Council (ICC) International governing body of cricket founded in 1909, when it was known as the Imperial Cricket Conference.

International Federation of Dominos Group that organizes international dominos competitions.

International Federation of Netball Association (IFNA) Association that governs international competitions and rules of netball.

International Golf Federation (IGF) Organization that arranges international amateur golf competitions.

International Olympic Committee (IOC) Group that organizes and regulates the modern Olympic games.

International Play Association (IPA) International, nongovernmental organization founded in Denmark in 1961 to protect, preserve, and promote the child's right to play as a fundamental human right; members come from any profession that works for or with children.

International Rugby Board (IRB) International governing and rule-making body for rugby union.

International Table Hockey Federation (ITHF) International governing body for table hockey; organizes the world championship every two years.

International Table Soccer Federation (ITSF) International governing body for competitions of table soccer.

International Top Spinners Association (ITSA Spin Top) International organization that shares information and stories about spinning tops while also encouraging participation in the art and sport of top spinning.

International Water Ski Federation (IWSF) International organization that governs water-skiing events, sets official international rules, and coordinates the work of national federations.

Ironman Annual triathlon race famous because of its television coverage, race conditions, and extremely difficult conditions.

Jacks Game that involves throwing and picking up various jackstones between bounces of a small rubber ball.

Jai alai Cuban game developed from the Basque game pelotari. The game involves tossing a ball and catching it in a basket attached to one player's hand.

Jan-Ken-Pon Alternative name for Rock Paper Scissors.

javelin spear thrown as a weapon in competitive track and field events; also the event in which the spear is thrown.

Jegichagi Traditional Korean game.

jester A jokester or the ordinary material used for play in early Europe.

Jeu de Paume French game that shares several characteristics and rules of Pallone con Bracciale.

jointed bodies Doll or figurine bodies composed of several parts attached at moveable joints.

Joint National Committee for Training in Play-leadership Organization of professional playworkers founded in the United Kingdom in the 1970s.

jokes Humorous anecdote or jest; often part of classroom play.

jousting Activity in which two people spar with each other; traditionally a medieval European sport in which two mounted knights charge each other with lances.

judo Japanese martial art.

Juego de pelota Ballgame using a rubber ball played by Aztecs, Mayans, and Toltecas.

juggling Throwing and catching several items at the same time.

jumble Word game that requires players to unscramble letters in order to form words; often used as a classroom teaching aide.

jumping events Track and field events that involve jumping.

jump rope Also known as skipping rope; length of rope, usually with handles at both ends, swung around while a person jumps over it.

Jungle Traditional Chinese board game that prefigured the game Stratego.

junk playground Also known as adventure playground; playgrounds with child-oriented perspective in play. Developed from C. Th. Sorensen's 1931 plans to reuse wastelands, bomb sites, and building sites as places where children can play and create.

Kabadi Where two teams try to invade each other's territory.

Kabal Meaning “secret knowledge,” this version of solitaire is played in Poland, Denmark, and Norway.

kaipara Type of athletic pursuit undertaken by the Maori of New Zealand.

Kalq Australian Aboriginal game of throwing spears and deflecting them with wooden shields.

karate Style of martial arts that involves sharp blows and kicks to an opponent's pressure-sensitive points; based on traditional Japanese system of unarmed combat.

Karo Stick Game played by the Maori of New Zealand.

Karpetalakhi In the game, two teams of men use their belts to lash at each other, with one group guarding children hidden under a carpet and the other trying to release them; when the children are finally released, they appear to be magically revived.

kayak Small canoe propelled with a double-bladed paddle.

Ketnari Ancient Japanese game considered one of the earliest forms of soccer and part of prayer for world peace, fertility, good health, and family happiness.

Khuzza Lawizz Ancient Egyptian version of Leapfrog.

ki a New Zealand Maori practice of carrying delicate eggs in woven flaxen basets at the end of a braided rope. Ki has become a form of martial arts.

Kigogo Kenyan game of moving counters (often different colored stones, seeds or shells) around a board to capture an opponent's pieces.

kill Also known as the bomb; play in volleyball where the volleyball is spiked over the net in such a fashion that the other team cannot respond to the volley.

kindgergarten Preschool for children aged 4 to 6 that prepares them for elementary school.

Ki-o-rahi Ball game played by the New Zealand Maori.

Kip Variation of the children's chasing game known as Tag.

kite Object created by a light-weight frame and covering attached to string and flown in the wind.

Klondike Variety of Solitaire.

knickknack Also known as a novelty; an inexpensive and mass-produced object purchased or collected for amusement.

knock-knock jokes Humorous anecdotes that follow a particular pattern of interaction between the joke teller and the audience; often part of classroom play.

knucklebone, or astragulus The anklebone of cloven-hoofed animal served as a naturally good item to play like dice.

Knucklebones More commonly known as Jacks; descended from an ancient Roman game.

knuckle down Colloquial term used to describe a move in marbles.

Kunettwigi Common Korean folk game.

kung fu Generic word for Chinese martial arts.

Kvatrutafl Viking board game.

Kyodai Computer brands of Mahjong Solitaire; may be a modernized version of the old Chinese game known as The Turtle.

La Bataille French version of War, played by children and adults.

La Belle Lucie Variety of Solitaire.

labelling game Game in which someone, usually an adult, points to an object and then names it with the intention of increasing a child's vocabulary and comprehension.

lacrosse Competitive team game created by Native Americans; two teams use long-handled rackets to transport, throw, and carry a ball toward a net to score.

Ladies' Game Early European version of Draughts.

La Française des Jeux French governmental organization responsible for regulating all games involving money.

La Marelle French version of Hopscotch.

Landlord's Game Version of Monopoly.

language One of the six key areas in Maria Montessori's schools.

language games Games designed to develop or expose language skills.

La Nivernaise Version of Solitaire.

lapta Game like baseball, where players use a bat to hit a small, heavy stick, in Belarus.

Last Word Board Game Timed word game that asks players to list words that fit into a specific category and begin with a specific letter.

L'attaque Original version of Stratego that appeared just before World War I in France.

lawn bowls Also known as bowls; balls are rolled toward a specific target with the ball coming closest determining the winner of the game.

Leap, Frog, Leap Singing game for children dating back to ancient Rome.

Le Cadran Variety of Solitaire.

left bower Jack of clubs in Euchre.

leisure Time for recreation and amusement.

Le Jeu de Quilles French version of land bowling.

Le Jeu des7 Familles (family game) French game played by both adults and children.

Le Loi Salique Variety of Solitaire.

length jumps Track and field events that measure the horizontal distance of a jump.

Le Pont Levis French version of children's song London Bridge.

Le Saut de Mouton Game like Leapfrog; literally means “the sheep's leap.”

Les Billes French version of marbles.

Les Patiences French game like solitaire.

Le Vieux Garçon French version of Old Maid; literally means “the old boy.”

life simulation Also known as Artificial Life Games; simulation video games that involve living or controlling at least one artificial life.

life styles In Alfred Adler's theory, these are interpersonal approaches to living based on feelings, behaviors, and past experiences.

light gun shooters Shooter video game that uses a pointing device for work with computers or a control device for use with home consoles and in arcades.

line cord made for fishing; attached to the fishing rod.

literary word games Games that use a player's knowledge of words and literature.

lithograph Printed image made from a flat surface; type of printmaking.

little brother of war Lacrosse in southern Native American tribes.

Little League Usually children's variation of formal games, as in Little League Baseball.

logic or word-play games Parlor games involving mental exercises.

logic puzzle Puzzle that derives from the field of deduction; includes matrixes and mazes.

London Bridge Singing game that dates back to the thirteenth century.

longevity Classification used by the Strong National Museum of Play if the toy has appealed to children across multiple generations.

long jump Track and field event in which the athlete attempts to jump as far as possible after having run to and jumped from a given mark.

lottery Game of chance that awards prizes to the player whose purchased lot is drawn.

Lotto Game of chance like Bingo; can also refer to the lottery.

Lotto (“Lottery”) Made its appearance in the 17th century in Genoa, where people used to bet on political appointments.

Lottomatica Italian company that acquired the American group GTECH and is currently one of the largest world lottery operators, with an immense online network across more than 50 countries.

love Signifies “zero” in tennis.

luck Unknown, unpredictable phenomenon that causes an event to end in a particular fashion.

ludic readers Also known as compulsive readers; readers who become immersed in the world of the story, letting the external world slide away.

Ludo Board game in which two to four players race around a board, moving according to rolls of a die.

ludus In Callois's model of play, ludus is all play that is structured and institutionalized; opposite of paidia.

Mahjong A game for four players that originated in China; involves skill, strategy, and calculation, as well as a certain degree of chance.

Mah-jongg Variation on the spelling of Mahjong.

Main Rimau Literally “Tiger Game”; played in Malaysia.

make-believe Pretend or imaginary play.

making a back Body stance formed in Leapfrog as a player rests his or her head on the thighs and hunches the body forward.

Malibu surfboard Surfboard with a longboard shape on which most surfers learn to surf.

Máncala Egyptian board game.

Máncala Kenyan game of moving counters (often different colored stones, seeds, or shells) around a board to capture the pieces of an opponent.

Mankata Traditional Congolese game that involves making an hollow in the ground and then placing stones around those of one's opponent in order to capture their pieces.

marathon Foot race of 26 miles 385 yards (42.195 km).

marble Small ball of glass used for various games.

Marco Polo Water game where one person tries to find the others playing by yelling “Marco,” to which the other players must respond “Polo.” This game is very similar to Alligator Eyes and Submarine.

Marelle French version of Hopscotch.

Marn Grook Traditional game called “Game Ball”; played by the Djab Wurrung people in western Victoria, Australia.

marrowbone Ordinary material also used for play in early Europe.

martial arts tournaments Organized displays of the codified practices of training for combat.

Massively Mini Media Player Game ipod-style video game.

massively multiplayer online first-person shooter game (MMOFPS) Virtual world in which many players, each controlling a character and seeing the game through the perspective of that character, interact and engage in virtual combat.

massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) Role-playing game played online with hundreds of players interacting in real time.

Master Mind Simple code-breaking board game played by two players; invented in 1970 in Israel.

mastery orientation Situation in which a player measures success based on self-set standards. Winning does not matter if the player does not play well.

Matador Icelandic version of Monopoly.

match play Game of golf in which the player with the highest points score wins.

mathematics One of the six key areas in Maria Montes-sori's schools.

Mattis Norwegian card game.

maximum benefit payoff The best reward possible in a given situation.

maze games Video games that require a player to navigate a maze, which constitutes the entire playing field.

medley Musical composition that uses pieces of many other songs.

Mehen Egyptian board game.

memory games Games that require using one's memory skills and that develop memory skills in turn.

Merelles Also known as “The Mill”; early European version of Draughts.

Mermaid on Rocks Version of Marco Polo.

Metropolitan Public Gardens Association (MPGA) Organization created in 1882 to campaign for the creation of small play areas for children in London.

microgenetic perspectives Changes that occur over very brief periods of time (i.e., seconds and minutes) in Vygotsky's evaluation of human development.

Mik Cambodian version of Hopscotch.

Military Variation of Whist in which several teams, each led by a captain, play visiting opposing teams.

military strategy board game Board game that requires players to make decisions about military matters.

military strategy game Game that requires players to make decisions about military matters.

Mill Also known as “Merelles”; early European version of Draughts.

mimesis Act of copying or imitating.

mimicry (simulation) All games of simulation, wherein one assumes a role, wears a disguise, or identifies with a person, according to Caillois's model of play.

miming Type of acting where facial expressions, gestures, and movements replace speech.

Minister's Cat Logic parlor game.

Mintonette Original name of volleyball.

mitt Protective handgear used to help catch the ball in baseball.

mixed strategy Also known as a randomized strategy; probability distribution over a player's entire set of strategies.

modeling Method of teaching through representing the desired behavior so that the student will learn through imitation.

Moksha-Patamu Morality game where the snakes corresponded to vices and the ladders to virtues.

Mölkky Finnish game of Skittles.

monkey-bars Playground equipment on which children travel from one side to the other by swinging from their arms.

Montessori, Maria (1870–1952) Italian physician and educator who designed a method for educating children in which children are encouraged to make maximal decisions and to learn through observing and correcting themselves.

Montessori Method Educational method that emphasizes self-directed activity by the child and clinical observation by the teacher. Developed by Maria Montessori.

Morabaraba South African game boards created in the dirt.

Moraff's Computer brand of Mahjong Solitaire; may be a modernized version of the old Chinese game known as The Turtle.

Morgenstern, Oskar (1902–77) Austrian economist who cofounded game theory.

Morpion French version of Tic-Tac-Toe.

Morra Finger game of chance played by two people in Ancient Rome.

Morris Dance English folk dancing based on rhythmic stepping and choreographed figures by groups of dancers.

motivation component Process underlying observational learning.

motor reproduction component Process underlying observational learning.

motor skills Skills based on the ability to use the body's muscles.

mountain biking Sport of riding bikes off-road, over rough terrain.

mountaineering Mountain climbing.

mountain running Also known as fell running and hill running; sport of running and racing off-road.

Mugwump Early 1978 computer video game similar to Minesweeper.

Multiple Intelligences Theory developed by Howard Gardner that argues people have a variety of different and measurable intelligences. Gardner's categories are bodily-kinesthetic, interpersonal, verbal-linguistic, logical-mathematical, naturalistic, intrapersonal, visual-spatial, and musical.

music and arts One of the six key areas in Maria Mon-tessori's schools.

music box Decorative box that, when opened or wound, plays music.

music games Video games that require a player to follow sequences of movement or to develop specific rhythms.

mystery One of five traditional genres of children's literature, according to the Strong National Museum of Play.

Naismith, Dr. James (1861–1939) Inventor or creator of basketball.

Nanpure Japanese name for Sudoku; abbreviation of the English and Japanese words for “number place.”

Napoleon at St. Helena Variety of Solitaire.

Napoleon's Square Variety of Solitaire.

Nash Equilibrium Situation in which each player's response to another player's strategy is the best possible or tied for the best possible in that pairing.

National Basketball Association (NBA) North American professional basketball league.

National Children's Strategy 10-year Irish strategy developed in 2000 to respect, cherish, and encourage children.

National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Association that organizes the athletic programs of colleges and universities; current membership consists of about 1,200 institutions, conferences, organizations, and individuals in the United States

National Hockey League (NHL) Professional hockey league established in 1917.

National Institute for Play (U.S.) American nonprofit public-benefit corporation focused on bringing the unrealized knowledge, practices, and benefits of play into public life.

National Invitation Tournament (NIT) Men's college basketball tournament sponsored by the NCAA.

National Playing Fields Association (NPFA) Founded in 1925, this was the first national body to make the case for increased outdoor play for children and increased provision for that play.

National Recreational Policy for Children Irish policy adopted in 2007 to provide a strategic framework for the development of recreational opportunities aimed primarily at young people.

National Recreation and Parks Association Organization whose goal is “to advance parks, recreation and environmental conservation efforts that enhance the quality of life for all people.”

National Scrabble Championship American Scrabble tournament held every one to two years.

Ncuva South African board game created in the dirt.

negative reinforcement Way to encourage behavior by taking away an aversive condition (e.g., not losing playtime when all work is completed).

Neolttwigi Marbles, as played by Korean girls.

Nerf Balls Balls made of a foam-like material that makes indoor play safe.

nesting doll Doll inside of which are several smaller dolls.

New York Version of Monopoly.

Nguni South African version of Stick Tag.

Nine Men's Morris Strategy board game for two players that was first created in ancient Rome.

Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) Original 8-bit video game console.

nonplayer characters (NPC) Main characters, guest stars, walk-ons, and bit parts in role-playing games.

nonsense One of five traditional genres of children's literature, according to the Strong National Museum of Play.

non-strictly-competitive game Also known as a nonzero-sum game; in this situation, cooperation can help players because one player's interests are not entirely contradictory to the interests of other players.

non-zero-sum game Game that usually involves cooperative play.

Nordic skiing Also known as cross-country skiing; sport and recreational activity that involves sliding along snow-covered land with ski boots attached to skis at the toes but unbound at the heels.

novelty Also known as knickknack; inexpensive and mass-produced object purchased for amusement.

Number Place Translation of Nanpure and Sudoku.

numeracy Skill with numbers and mathematics.

nursery rhyme Traditional poem or song taught to young children.

Nzango Congolese game.

odds on Display amounts a bookmaker will pay out on winning bets.

odds Probability of a particular outcome.

Ohajiki Japanese marbles.

Old Roger Dramatic singing game where a ring of children act out the parts of the chorus in order to relate incidents from a play about a funeral for Old Roger.

Olympics International multisport event for winter and summer sports. The Olympics occur every four years.

one-on-one play Competitive play, especially in an active athletic pursuit, between two people.

online persona Virtual presence a person assumes in an online game, chat room, or other virtual reality setting.

onlooker play Type of play in which a child observes those playing but does not participate. In onlooker play, the child learns new behaviors and skills through observation.

on-rails shooter Shoot em up videogame in which the player has a predetermined path, in contrast to the free movement of a first-person shooter game.

ontogenetic perspectives Development over a lifetime according to Vygotsky's evaluation of human development.

opérant conditioning Process wherein behavior is shaped by reinforcement or punishment.

origami Art of paper folding.

outcome orientation Also known as ego orientation; occurs when a player measures success based on whether an opponent was defeated.

outfield Section of a baseball field beyond the infield, contained by the extensions of the first and third baselines.

outguessing regress Unavailability of accurate predictions or confident expectations.

pack Also known as deck; set of 52 playing cards.

pack Set of dominos, traditionally 28.

Padiddle Car game that involves looking for and identifying oncoming cars with only one functioning headlight.

paideia Greek word for education; refers to the cultural heritage passed from one generation to the next.

Paidia Extreme of Caillois's model for play that involves unstructured and anarchic play; opposite of ludus.

Pairs Sequence Also known as the Full Sequence Pairs; any game of Whist in which two people are partnered for the duration of the game.

Paley, Vivian (b. 1929) Child psychologist, kindergarten teacher, and early childhood education researcher.

Pall Mall Rural Italian ancestor of Croquet.

pantomime Performance using gestures and expressions but not words.

Paper Chase Version of Hares and Hounds in which the hunter tries to catch the prey and the hunted tries to evade capture.

paper doll Flat doll, made out of paper and able to be clothed with paper outfits.

Paper Scissors Stone Club Organization devoted to playing and strategizing about Rock Paper Scissors; created in London in 1842.

papier-mâché Technique in which forms (including doll's heads) can be formed by mixing wet paper pulp with glue or paste.

paragliding Recreational activity that consists of gliding in a parasail.

parallel play Concept within developmental psychology that explains the manner in which children play side-by-side without interacting.

Paralympics International sporting tournament for people who are physically disabled.

pareto optimal outcome Also known as an efficient outcome; in this situation, one player's success causes another player's loss.

pari-mutuel Form of betting used in horseracing, greyhound racing, jai alai, and other sports events that occur in a relatively short period of time. In pari-mutuel betting, all bets are held in a single pool and payoff odds are calculated according to the number of winning bets within that pool.

Parten, Mildred (b. 1933) Psychologist who studies the development of young children's play.

party games Multiplayer video games that generally consist of a variety of minigames.

Password Word game in which one player must guess a word based on his or her partner's one-word clue.

pastime Leisure activity; diversion.

Patience British name for Solitaire.

Patolli Game played by Aztecs, Mayans, and Toltecas.

pattern-based puzzles Puzzles that are solved by recognizing and ordering a pattern (e.g., jigsaw puzzles, Rubik's Cube, etc.)

Paume 12th-century French game that prefigures tennis.

payoff Maximum benefit; the best reward possible in a given situation.

payoff matrix Possible strategies available to a player and the payoff possible for making that choice depending on other players' actions.

Peek-a-Boo Game played with babies. The adult hides his or her face, then reveals it, saying “boo.”

Pe-Ling Version of Mahjong.

Pelota Basque game that shares several characteristics and rules of Pallone con Braccialed; played in Belgium, Italy, Paraguay, and Uruguay.

Pelotari Earlier version of Jai Alai; Cuban.

Penny-Pricks Indoor game.

Pentalitha Fivestones Game played in ancient Rome as a divination (by women) or to gamble (by men).

pentathlon Athletic contest with five events.

perceptual set Mental predisposition to perceive one thing in favor of another.

Pétanque Also known as boules; French lawn bowling game.

pet-raising simulation Digital pets; video games focused on how a player interacts with one or few life forms.

Petrushka Russian version of Punch and Judy.

phantasmagoria Optical illusion; used for projected ghost shows before the cinema was fully developed.

phantasmagorical play Play involving fantasy and a juxtaposition of unlikely things; part of Brian Sutton-Smith's theories of play.

phylogenetic perspectives Development over evolutionary time according to Vygotsky's evaluation of human development.

physical activity Playworkers have to take physical activity into account when considering how to create the best play environment.

physical games Parlor games blending movement and intuition.

physical play Play that involves actual physical activity, as opposed to mental activity or virtual presence.

Piaget, Jean (1896–1980) Swiss philosopher and developmental theorist who studied children and famously formed a theory of cognitive development.

Picha Inca game involving dice; played in Ecuador and Peru.

Pickle Variation of the chasing game known as Tag.

pick-up games Variation of informal or friendly games.

piggyback Ride on another person's shoulders or back.

Piggy in the Ring Indoor game played in early Europe.

Pirori Version of Hula Hoops played by the Maori of New Zealand.

pitcher In baseball, the player who throws the ball to the catcher, trying to keep the batter from hitting it and scoring.

pitcher's mound Slight elevation in the center of the baseball diamond where the pitcher stands.

Planchette Triangular or heart-shaped device that moves to spell out messages in Ouija.

platform games Video games that involve traveling between different levels, each of which is known as a platform.

play community Group of people who join together to play a game, deciding upon the rules together.

player entities Virtual characters created to operate within a videogame or an online game.

Player versus Player (PvP) Video game or online competition between more than one live player. PvP stands in contrast to games that require a human player to compete against computer-generated characters.

Play Ethos Peter K. Smith's formulation of the belief that play is an essential part of development.

playground Outdoor area designed for children's play.

Playground Association of America (PAA) American group founded in 1906 to promote parks as recreational facilities; later became the National Recreation Association.

Playground for All Children Playground built in 1984 in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, Queens, New York City. This was the first playground designed for regular use by both disabled and able-bodied children.

playground games Variation of informal or friendly games.

playhouse Structure, however impermanent, in which children play games related to traditional home life.

play supervisors Adults employed to help children with their play activities and to create a safe environment during the New Deal era in America.

Pochen German version of Poker.

Pochspiel German version of Poker.

pocket billiards Also known as pool; game played on a pool table with six pockets.

Podul de Piatra Romanian version of the children's song London Bridge.

Poi Form of juggling with balls on ropes, held in hands, or swinging in various circle patterns practiced among the New Zealand Maori.

pole vault Track and field event that involves jumping over a high horizontal crossbar with the aid of a long vertical pole.

Polichinelle French version of Punch and Judy.

Polyurethane Clear, durable finish applied to diverse materials including wood as a wear layer.

pool Also known as pocket billiards; any game played on a pool table with six pockets.

poppet Doll or puppet.

Poque French card game similar to Poker brought to the port city of New Orleans during the early 19th century by itinerant traders and seamen.

porcelain Ceramic material created by heating raw materials in a kiln.

positional segregation Phenomenon in coed softball games where men take the skilled positions (pitcher, short stop, third base, and center field) and force women to take the less-skilled positions (catcher, first base, second base, and rover).

positive reinforcement Addition of a positive stimulus as a response to a desired behavior (e.g., giving stickers to a child who has just picked up his or her toys).

practical life One of the six key areas in Maria Montes-sori's schools.

practice play Play that involves repeating specific motions necessary for mastery of a specific skill required for a sport or game.

predicted probability Probability of winning, according to the casino, dealer, or sponsor of the game.

pretend play play that involves imagining a situation, relationship, etc.

pretense play Also known as symbolic play; involves transforming the physical world into a symbol (e.g., using a couch's cushions to create a fort).

Primero English card game similar to Poker.

private logic In contrast to common sense, private logic is an individual's reasoning to stimulate and justify a self-serving style of life. Private logic plays a large part in Alfred Adler's theories.

probability Odds or chances of a particular outcome.

professional Athlete who plays in return for payment.

programming game Computer game that allows the player no direct influence over the course of the game and is written in a domain-specific programming language that controls the characters.

Progressive Version of Whist.

protective frame Part of the paratelic state in reversal theory; in this state, the protective frame allows people to see themselves as immune from the consequences of failure and error.

prototype Standard or experimental example.

Public Schools Athletic League (PSAL) First interscho-lastic sports program introduced by Luther Gulic in the New York City school system in 1903.

puck Hard disc used in ice hockey (where it is made of hard, vulcanized rubber), floor hockey (where it is made of plastic), and shuffleboard (where it is made of metal and plastic).

puck control Ability of a hockey player to control the movement of a puck with a hockey stick.

Pulcinella Characters and puppet play from the 16th-century Italian Commedia dell'arte; became Punch and Judy.

Punch Buggy Car game in which players attempt to locate and name any Volkswagen Beetles in sight.

puppet Representational figure of person or animal controlled by an operator using strings held from above or supports from within (for example, using the hand or fingers).

puzzle game Video games that ask the player to navigate a complex location like a maze or to solve a logic puzzle.

Pyramids Also known as Castles; game played in ancient Rome using nuts and clay marbles.

quantification Characteristic of contemporary organized play that manifests in measurements of and statistics on performance and competition.

Questions and Answers Word-play parlor game.

quoiting Ordinary material also used for play in early Europe.

race walking Long-distance athletic event in which one of the participant's feet must be in contact with the ground at all times.

radio-controlled cars Powered model vehicles controlled from a distance by an operator holding a transmitter.

rag doll Doll created entirely from fabric.

Rainbow Whist Variation of Whist in which players choose to play a color instead of a lady or gent.

randomized strategy Also known as a mixed strategy; probability distribution over a player's entire set of strategies.

Rape Me, Rape Me Schoolyard game played in poor towns of South Africa that reenacts the sexual violence to which the children are subjected.

rationalization Characteristic of contemporary organized play that manifests in strategies designed to gain a competitive advantage.

real-time strategy game (RTS) Strategic video game in which players operate as if in real time, without stopping to let another player (live or computer-generated) take a turn.

recapitulation Theory of play proposed by Hall in 1906, theory stating that in play people relive their evolutionary past.

records Characteristic of contemporary organized play that manifests in the organization of quantifiable information historically to provide incentives for competitors to match or outperform record holders.

Recreation Ground Act Law passed in 1859 in the United Kingdom to protect common land and to provide open spaces in urban areas for leisure activities.

referee Official expected to maintain fair play in a sports competition.

Relaxation and Recreation Theory Theory of play proposed by Lazarus (1883) and Patrick (1916) in which play activities to relax and release pressure are recommended as a follow-up to physically and mentally exhausting work.

relay Race in which successive members of a team run a specified portion; the team's combined time is compared to other teams in order to determine a winner.

relic doll Doll with a spiritual or ritual significance; rarely used as a plaything.

retention Component process underlying observational learning.

Réussites French game like Solitaire.

Reversal Theory General psychological theory of personality, motivation and emotion formulated by British psychologist Michael J. Apter in 1970s.

riddles Statements or questions with veiled meanings put forth as puzzles to be solved; often part of classroom play.

right bower Jack of spades in Euchre.

Rijwielspel Version of the card game Milks Bornes.

ritual Playworkers have to take ritual into account when considering how to create the best play environment

ritual play Play related to and used in social and/or religious rites.

rod Also known as a pole, used to catch fish.

roguelike Subgenre of video games involving a two-dimensional dungeon crawl. The game is random and emphasizes statistical character development.

role-playing Form of mimicry in which a person pretends to be another person or pretends to be in a particular situation.

role-playing games (RPG or CRPG) Video games based on traditional role-playing games. They generally cast the player as an adventurer who needs to travel through a predetermined storyline.

rollerblade Inline skate with one row of wheels under the sole of the supporting shoe; similar in appearance to ice skates.

Roshambo Alternative name for Rock Paper Scissors.

Rounders Sport played by two teams who alternate between batting and fielding; based on the game of stool ball.

Round the Corner Version of the game Play or Pay.

rover Extra infielder who plays in slow pitch soffball.

rowing Sport in which teams race on rivers, lakes, or oceans on boats propelled by the use of oars.

Royal Game of Ur Egyptian board game.

Royal Lottery Created in 1776 by Louis XVI to unify drawing games and to make all monetary gains created by those games state funds.

rubber Elastic material, obtained from the latex tree, that can be vulcanized and finished into various products.

Rubicon Piquet Variation of Piquet in which play is concluded in six hands.

Rubik's Cube Mechanical puzzle invented in 1974 by Hungarian sculptor and professor of architecture Erno Rubik.

Rubik's wrist Ailment developed by people who play with a Rubik's Cube continuously for hours on end.

Ruff Version of Whist.

Ruff and Honors Version of Whist.

Rugby Football League (RFL) Governing body for rugby league in the United Kingdom.

Rugby League One main code of rugby football, involving outdoor, full-contact play between two teams of 13 players on a rectangular field with a prolate spheroid-shaped ball.

Rugby Union One main code of rugby football, involving outdoor, contact play between two teams of 15 players with an oval ball.

rule benders People who follow the rules but who inno-vatively change the rules for better play or who know the rules but modify them in order to give themselves an advantage.

rule changers People who evaluate the rules and change them to enhance play or to create a new game.

rule ignorers People who understand that rules exist but choose not to follow them.

rule manipulators People who know the rules but alter them in order to give themselves an advantage.

rules Prescribed guides for actions; in games and sports, these are the agreed-upon conventions that govern play.

Rummikub Tiled-based game for two, three, or four players.

running events In track and field competitions, running events are those that occur on the track and that involve running to try to win a race.

sandbagging Inflating one's handicap index in order to try to win a game of golf.

Sapo Literally “toad”; game played in Peru.

Sara Iranian doll developed in response to Barbie.

Scattergories Timed word game in which players must try to name an item for each of 12 characters. Each name must begin with the letter chosen by rolling a 20-sided dice.

Seattles Version of Skittles where all the pins are numbered.

Schema Established patterns of organization in which learning occurs, according to Piaget.

Scissor Sandwich Rock Paper Scissors sequence of paper, scissors, paper.

score Gain points in a game; number of points gained in a game.

scratch Golfer with a handicap of zero or less.

scrimmage Practice playing a sport.

Scully Also known as Skelly or Caps, among other names; children's game played in New York City and other urban areas.

secularism Characteristic of contemporary organized play that manifests in play for the benefit of the players, without attachment to religious observance or ritual.

see-saw Also known as teeter-totter; board (relatively long and narrow) suspended in the middle so that, as one end goes up, the other goes down. SEGA

Genesis 16-bit video game console sold starting in 1988.

self-discovery Playworkers have to take this aspect into account when considering how to create the best play environment.

self-efficacy Learned expectations about the probability of success in a given situation, as explained in Ban-dura's theory.

Senet Egyptian board game.

Sensation Seeking Scale Section of the Zuckerman-Kuhlman Personality Questionnaire devoted to determining the level of comfort a test taker has with taking risks or seeking sensation.

sensitive period Period of six years representing a plane of development within Maria Montessori's theory.

sensorial One of the six key areas in Maria Montessori's schools.

sensorimotor play Play, especially play on the part of infants, that involves using newly developed sensorimotor skills (i.e., all aspects of movement, sensation, and the interaction of the two).

sensory feedback In physical activities, the information provided from peripheral muscle contractions contributing to the awareness of muscle position.

set Practice of setting a volleyball in a high trajectory, to be followed by a spike.

shadow-puppet theater Ancient form of storytelling where the illusion of moving images is created through the use of opaque (and often articulated) figures in front of an illuminated backdrop.

Shanghai Computer brand of Mahjongg Solitaire; may be a modernized version of the old Chinese game known as The Turtle.

Shinny Simple version of hockey using a ball or can as the puck.

shoot em up games Video game genre where the player controls a character's vehicle and shoots many enemies.

shooter Colloquial term used to describe a move in marbles.

shooter game Video game that focuses on combat using projectile weapons like guns and missiles; may be either third-person or first-person.

Shove-Groat Original name for the game of Shuffle-board, often played by elderly people.

Shuffle Early European game played on a table or board with a number of parallel lines positioned about an inch apart.

Shuffleboard Game in which players shove wooden disks onto the scoring area marked on a smooth surface by using long sticks.

Shuffleboard puck Combination metal and plastic disc used to play shuffleboard.

shuttlecock High-drag projectile used in badminton. The shuttlecock is a cone formed by 16 overlapping feathers that meet in a ball of cork or rubber.

Shuttlecock and Battledore Earlier version of badminton played with small rackets (called battledores) and shuttlecocks, which are passed back and forth over a net.

Sickles Hand-eye coordination game played in colonial America; a ball with a hole in it is connected by string to a cup attached to a stick. The purpose of the game is to toss and catch the ball in the cup.

simulation game Game that simulates a real situation (e.g., stock market, community planning board, etc.) by a mixture of skill, chance, and strategy.

Skakalochka Games of skill including rope-skipping played by girls in Belarus.

skateboard Board with wheels on which a rider stands or crouches and propels forward with one foot.

Skibbie Variation of the chasing game known as Tag.

ski jumping Sport that involves skiing down an “inrun” with a take-off ramp and jumping for distance and style.

skill Learned ability.

skipping rope Alternative name for jumping rope.

Skitgubbe Swedish equivalent of Mattis, a beating game.

Slalom Alpine ski race in which skiers must race between poles (“gates”).

sled One of the most basic kite shapes.

slide Plaything whose sloping chute allows children to descend.

slingshot Y-shaped stick with elastic between the arms that allows children to propel small things.

Sliothar Irish game in which the ball is similar in size to a hockey ball but has raised ridges.

slope rating Rating of a golf course's relative degree of difficulty for an average golfer.

Snakes and Ladders Board game for two to four players that involves rewarding virtues and punishing vices.

Snooker Form of pool played with 21 object balls and one cue ball.

Snowboarding Inspired by surfing and skateboarding; involves descending a snow-covered hill with both feet attached to a single snowboard.

soccer ball Inflated ball designed for use in the game of soccer.

Soccerex International business organization that centers on non-American football.

Social Cognitive Theory Explains individual's knowledge acquisition as directly related to the observation of others within the context of social interactions and experiences outside of media influences.

socialization and social interaction Playworkers have to take this aspect into account when considering how to create the best play environment.

Social-Learning Theory Bandura's theory of learning, which emphasizes the role of observation as a means of learning.

social play Involves interaction between peers.

sociodramatic play Type of free play that allows children to creatively and imaginatively engage in social interactions.

sociohistorical perspectives In Vygotsky's evaluation of human development, the changes that occur in a culture and the values, norms, and technologies that history as created.

Solitaire Mahjong May be a modernized version of the old Chinese game known as The Turtle.

solitary play Independent play.

Son of Beast Roller coaster.

Soul Surfers Online platform for international surfboard development projects.

Spades Suit of cards that represent the nobility in France.

Spaghettis Name for a marble with a particular color and pattern.

Spaldeens Small pink rubber ball. The product's name is the Spalding High-Bounce Ball.

Spanish Top Variety of spinning top.

spans Colloquial term used to describe a move in Marbles.

Spar Dame Norwegian equivalent to Hearts.

spatial intelligence Ability to visualize and judge physical spaces.

spatial skill Ability to understand the three-dimensional reality of a plan drawn or described.

specialization Characteristic of contemporary organized play that manifests in individuals who choose particular sports activities and particular roles or positions within that sport in order to achieve a competitive edge.

Speed skiing Sport in which competitors ski down a straight path as quickly as they can.

spike Practice of following a set with a rapid downward motion of the ball onto the other side of the net in volleyball.

spinner Domino.

spooning Swinging the croquet mallet in an arc.

spoon puppet plays Plays in which puppets made out of spoons (generally wooden spoons) serve as characters; popular in Armenia.

sports game Video game that simulates a sports event.

Spot Hearts Variation of Hearts in which every heart card is worth face value.

Sprinkling Hungarian game played at Easter. This game involves young men visiting young women, sprinkling them with water, and other traditional events.

Spud Variation of the chasing game known as Tag.

spurn Ordinary material also used for play in early Europe.

spurring Misconduct in Leapfrog where a player knuckles down with fists into the shoulders or back of the player being jumped over.

squidger Larger disc with which one plays the winks in Tiddlywinks.

SRO Silkroad Online.

stadium Sports arena with seating for spectators.

Stag Hunting Variation of Hares and Hounds.

stake Money risked in a bet.

stand In Blackjack, the term indicating that a player does not want another card.

standard deck Deck of 52 playing cards.

stealth games Video games that require subterfuge and specific, planned kills instead of overt mass killings.

steeplechase Foot or horse race with obstacles.

Steinstossen Heavy rock-throwing competition held in Sweden.

Stick ball Urban game similar to baseball but played with a broomstick and rubber ball.

stone Domino.

stone Piece moved around the board in Checkers.

stoolball Game played by women in Europe and colonial America. The game called for three stones to be bowled at a three-legged milking stool; later evolved into cricket.

Stoop ball Game played by throwing a ball against the stoop of a building; usually an urban game.

Straight Poker Hand consisting of five consecutive cards, regardless of suit.

Stratacoaster Roller coaster.

strategy game Game that requires a player to make decisions in order to play.

Street Playground Act of 1938 United Kingdom law establishing play streets; lasted until the 1990s.

Streets and Alleys Variation of the chasing game known as Tag.

strictly competitive game Also known as a zero-sum game; game in which one player's interests are strictly contradictory to another player's.

strictly dominant Always yields the best outcome regardless of what the other players do.

string games Game played by manipulating string (e.g., Cat's Cradle).

stroke play Game of golf in which the player with the lowest number of strokes wins.

structured play Play with specific rules and objectives; usually designed by an adult.

Stud Game Any version of Poker in which the players are dealt a mixture of face-down and face-up cards.

Submarine Also known as Alligator Eyes; variation of the water game Marco Polo. When the person who is “it” calls “submarine,” she or he can swim underwater with eyes open for one breath.

Success French version of Solitaire.

Super Chexx Also known as Bubble Hockey and Boobla; tabletop arcade hockey game covered by a special bubble dome.

superego In psychoanalytic theory, the part of the psyche that has internalized society's values and standards.

SuperG Also known as Supergiant Slalom; alpine ski race in which skiers must race between poles (“gates”) spaced at distances of 14 to 16 percent of the total vertical drop.

superhero Fictional crime-fighting character with supernatural powers or equipment; popular in children's comics and fantasy literature.

surrender In Blackjack, the term indicating that a player forfeits half of the bet and gives up the hand.

survivor horror games Video games that include traditional elements from horror movies, including characters considered “undead.”

Sutton-Smith, Brian (b. 1924) Play theorist.

swing Play thing that allows movement back and forth in an arc.

symbolic play Also known as pretense play; involves transforming the physical world into a symbol (e.g., using a couch's cushions to create a fort).

sympathy One of the human attributes developed during play.

Tableaux Vivante Dramatic parlor game in which a famous painting is reenacted.

table football Tabletop game based on soccer, or association football.

table soccer Also known as baby foot, foosball, and table football; tabletop game based on soccer, or association football.

table tennis Also known as Ping Pong; game resembling tennis played on a table with paddles and a hollow ball.

Taboo Word game where teams compete to see who can guess the most words without using the phrases listed on the cards.

Tacanaco Incan board game that moves colored beans or seeds around the board using dice; played in Bolivia, Equador, and Peru.

tackraw Ball made from woven rattan and used in Thailand.

tactical role-playing game (TRPG) Sub-genre of video games that incorporate features of strategy games.

tactical shooters Variation of first-person shooter games and, less frequently, of third-person shooter games in which the player must carefully consider planning and teamwork.

tan Viking word for board; means game played on board.

Tagati'a Traditional Samoan show of prowess and skill for men who are training for battle. The competition involves about a hundred people who are involved in javelin throwing and relies on distance and accuracy.

Taipei Computer brand of Mahjong Solitaire; may be a modernized version of the old Chinese game known as The Turtle.

takeovers Colloquial term used to describe a move in marbles.

TakrawA kick volleyball-type game played with a rattan ball; now recognized as a sport by the Southeast Asia Games.

tally Score.

target Sports equipment consisting of an object at which an archer or marksman aims.

Tarot Set of 78 divination cards.

Tauromachy Popular sport in Spain and Mexico where a matador taunts and kills a bull at close range.

Tavla Turkish version of Backgammon played in Bulgaria, Iraq, Pakistan, and Syria.

taw Term used to describe a move in Marbles.

law Egyptian version of marbles.

team cooperative Unit in sports or games.

Tebar Jala Literally “throwing the casting net”; played in Malaysia.

teeter-totter Also known as a see-saw; board (relatively long and narrow) suspended in the middle so that as one end goes up, the other goes down.

Teka Spear-throwing game practiced by the Maori of New Zealand.

Telemark Turn made in skiing when the outside ski is placed ahead and turned gradually inward.

Ten-Pin Bowling Sport or recreational activity that involves rolling a bowling ball down a wood or synthetic lane with the intention of knocking down as many of the 10 pins as possible; common version of bowling in the United States.

tesserae Playing dice with six sides developed in ancient Rome.

Texas Hold Em Variety of Poker in which players may use any combination of five community cards and their own two hole cards to make a hand.

text adventure Also known as interactive fiction games; video games that require players to make choices in order to guide the course of the game, which the computer would then describe.

third-person shooter game (TPS or 3PS) Video game in which the player-character is viewed from a distance so shooting and combat are seen from a camera perspective.

Thompson, E.P. (1924–93) English historian and socialist whose most famous work is The Making of the English Working Class.

Thumbs Up Another version of the classroom game called Seven Up.

ticket Domino.

Tic-Tac-Toe North American version of Noughts and Crosses.

Tig Version of Tag played in New Zealand.

Tiggy Variation of the chasing game known as Tag.

tile Domino.

Tipcat Hungarian hitting stick game that likely came along eastern trading routes to the West.

To Tom Vietnamese card game; literally “shrimp's nest.”

Touring Version of the card game Milks Bornes.

tournament Sporting competition in which a series of games are played before a winner is determined.

Tower of Terror Roller coaster.

trading cards Collectible cards (e.g., baseball cards) that are not used for a particular game but that may be traded in order to add to a collection.

trail running Running on hiking trails.

transformation decks Playing cards where the traditional pips are replaced by an artist's drawings.

transitional object Object, like a blanket or stuffed animal, to which children become attached and use for comfort.

tree houses Structure built within the branches of a tree and used like a club house or a playhouse.

Tres en Raya Spanish version of Noughts and Crosses.

triathlon athletic competition involving swimming, cycling, and running.

trick In cards, the sequence of all the cards played in a single round.

trick avoidance games Like Hearts, Euchre, and Whist, where players attempt to evade taking tricks with cards containing penalties.

trickster Folktale character who tries to outsmart or outwit others but who does not always succeed. Often, the trickster's actions offer a lesson from which audience members may learn a valuable social lesson.

trick-taking card game Card games centered on a series of finite rounds known as tricks (e.g., Euchre, Bridge, Spades, Hearts, Pinochle, etc.).

Trip Him Up Game played in Belgium.

triple jump Field and track competition for which the competitor hops, skips, and then jumps into a sandpit, attempting to achieve the greatest horizontal distance.

Troco English lawn game played with balls, cues, and rings; the forerunner of Croquet.

trottok Italian tops that are often thrown as part of games.

trump In card games, the suit that has been declared to rank above all others for one hand.

TSR Tactical Studies Rules

Tugge Variation of the chasing game known as Tag.

Tug-of-War Sport or activity in which two teams hold opposite ends of a rope, each trying to pull the other side over a dividing line to win the contest.

turned doll Wood doll created through the turning of wood on a lathe.

Turtle Computer brand of Mahjongg Solitaire; may be a modernized version of the old Chinese game known as The Turtle. TV

Tag Variation of the chasing game known as Tag where safety can be achieved by stopping and naming a television show.

Twenty-One Also known as Blackjack; card game in which the player tries to get as close to 21 points as possible without going over.

ultimate Frisbee Noncontact team sport in which each team attempts to move the Frisbee to an end zone in order to score.

umpire Official responsible for mainting fair play and maintaining the rules in a sports competition.

unconscious absorbent mind First stage of Montes-sori's formulation of the absorbent mind. In this stage, children from birth to age three unconsciously acquire basic skills.

United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) International convention adopted in 1989 to define the civil, economic, political, social, and cultural rights of children.

United States Table Soccer Association (USTSA) American nonprofit organization associated with the International Table Soccer Federation (ITSF).

unoccupied play Not actively engaged in play.

Uomo Nero Also known as Black Man and Bogie Man; Italian version of Old Maid.

Upwords Word game like Scrabble, but where tiles can be piled on top of each other to create new words.

urban exploration Exploration of normally unseen areas (like rooftops, sewers, and underground utility tunnels) both in reality and in virtual reality game scenarios.

Urban Park and Recreation Recovery Program American program established in 1978 to provide direct federal assistance to urban localities for rehabilitation [Page 827]of critically needed recreation facilities and to encourage systematic local planning and commitment to continuing operation and maintenance of recreation programs, sites, and facilities.

USA Gymnastics (USAG) Governing body for gymnastics in the United States.

USA Rock Paper Scissors League Organization devoted to playing and strategizing about Rock Paper Scissors; founded in 2006 in the United States.

USA Volleyball Formerly known as the United States Volleyball Association (USVBA), the organization that governs volleyball competition and play throughout the United States.

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission American agency whose mission is to protect the public from unreasonable risks of injury or death. Special controls have been enacted in regard to toys and other products marketed for children.

Veblen, Thorstein (1857–1929) Norwegian-American sociologist and economist whose most famous work is The Theory of the Leisure Class.

vehicle simulation Video games that offer a realistic interpretation of driving a vehicle.

verbal dexterity Skill and ease with using words.

verbal dueling Games that require players to battle with words.

versus fighters Also known as fighting simulation video games; an action video game that literally simulates one-on-one combat.

vertical loop Basic roller coaster inversion that involves a continuously upward-sloping track that eventually completes a 360-degree loop.

vertigo Dizziness; illusion of movement; feeling of falling.

video game Game designed for play on a computer or computerized system.

video game system Computer platform that supports the play of video games.

Viking-Con Role-playing game conference held each fall in Copenhagen.

vinyl Shiny, tough, and flexible plastic.

virtual learning Learning that occurs through a variety of technological and at-a-distance techniques, but also through creating imaginary companions.

visual novel Video game with anime-style graphics that allows players to build plots as they proceed.

visual-spatial reasoning Ability to understand the three-dimensional reality of a drawing and to understand the two-dimensional reality of a space.

vocabulary game Any game designed to help improve vocabulary.

von Neumann, John (1903–57) Hungarian-American mathematician whose works contributed to many fields, including game theory.

VriAtter Norwegian equivalent to the card game Crazy Eights.

Vygotsky, Lev (1896–1934) Russian developmental psychologist who founded cultural-historical psychology. Vygotsky's sociocultural theory focuses on child development and learning.

Wall Ball Group game that involves throwing a ball against a building; usually an urban game.

Wana Aboriginal Australian game played by girls, teaching them to defend their young by warding off attacks from other girls with large sticks.

Wargames Subgenre of video games that focus on strategic or tactical warfare on a map; game that simulates a military operation.

water skiing Sport or recreational activity that involves pulling a person on one or two skis behind a motor boat or cable-ski installation. The skier skims along the surface of the water.

Wayang Kulit Indonesian or Malaysian shadow puppets operated from behind a screen.

weakly dominant Strategy that yields an outcome at least as good and possibly better than an alternative strategy.

Wheel of Fortune American game show, board game, and video game modeled on Hangman. A word is indicated by blank spaces and players spin the wheel to determine how much money each letter will be worth and choose letters to fill in the blank puzzle. The goal is to win as much money as possible by correctly solving the puzzle.

whipping tops Type of spinning top moved by whipping.

Whist Trick-taking game with fixed partnerships and no bidding.

whittle Pare shavings from or cut little bits; like carving, can be used to create dolls and figurines.

wicket Small arch used in Croquet; three stumps topped by crosspieces in cricket.

Widow Version of Hearts.

Wii Home video game console released by Nintendo in 2005.

willing suspension of disbelief Aesthetic theory that refers to the willingness of a person to accept the premises of a work of fiction as true, even if they are fantastic or impossible.

winks Plastic discs used in Tiddlywinks.

word cross Early version of crossword puzzle.

word grids Games that require players to place words within a grid (e.g., crossword puzzles).

World Bridge Championship Competition organized every four years by the World Bridge Federation.

World Chess Federation (FIDE) Organization that oversees international chess competition.

World Cube Association Organization that organizes official international competitions of the Rubik's Cube and other Rubik's puzzles.

World Rock Paper Scissors Society Group devoted to playing and strategizing about Rock Paper Scissors; founded in 1918 as a successor to the Paper Scissors Stone Club.

World Scrabble Championship International English-language Scrabble tournament held every two years.

World Series of Poker (WSOP) Annual Poker competition held in Las Vegas; consists of 55 events.

Ya Pai Version of Mahjong.

Yas Popular Swedish card game similar to Belote.

Ye Triumphe Version of Whist dating back to 1522, more popularly called Ruff and Honors.

Yo' Mama Urban verbal dueling game in which players compete to best each other with a derogatory “yo' mama” joke.

Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA) Organization dedicated to putting Christian practices into practice. Founded in 1844, the YMCA has offered housing, recreation, and bible study.

Young Pioneers Movement Communist youth organization; groups existed in virtually every Communist state, including China, Cuba, and Turkmenistan.

Young Women's Christian Association (YWCA) Counterpart of YMCA dedicated to women and women's causes; founded in 1855.

Yut Korean board game played especially during Korean New Year.

zero-player game Computer game that uses artificial intelligence instead of players.

zero-sum game Game in which one player's interests are strictly contradictory to another player's; also known as a strictly competitive game.

Zieh Durch German version of children's song London Bridge.

zone of proximal development (ZPD) Second aspect of Vygotsky's theory; level of development attained when children engage in social behavior, with full development being dependent on full social interaction.

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American Educational Research Journal

American Journal of Play

American Sociological Review

Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science

Canadian Journal of Behavioural Science

Child Development

Childhood Education

Contemporary Issues in Early Childhood

Foundations of Sport and Exercise Psychology

Games and Culture

Health & Place

Health, Risk & Society

Human Development

Infant Behavior and Development

International Journal of Behavioral Development

International Journal of Play Therapy

Journal of Abnormal and Social Psychology

Journal of Applied Sport Psychology

Journal of Consulting Psychology

Journal of Education

Journal of Personality and Social Psychology

Journal of Philosophy in Sport

Journal of Research in Childhood Education

Journal of Social History

Journal of Sport Behavior

Peabody Journal of Education

PsychNology Journal

Social Forces

Avalon Hill http://www.wizards.com/avalonhill

Cossacks II http://www.cossacks2.de

Diplomacy http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=ah/prod/diplomacy

Dragon Quest Player's Association http://www.dragonquest.org

Dragon Warrior http://www.mobygames.com/game/dragon-warrior

Dungeon Lords http://www.dungeonlordsgame.com

Dungeons & Dragons http://www.wizards.com/DnD

Elliot Avedon Museum of Archive of Games http://www.gamesmuseum.uwaterloo.ca

Fisher-Price http://www.fisher-price.com

Handheld Games Museum http://www.handheldmuseum.com

Hasbro http://www.hasbro.com

Imperial Toys http://www.imperialtoy.com

International Play Association http://www.ipaworld.org

International Playing Card Society http://www.i-p-c-s.org

JAKKS-Pacific http://www.jakkspacific.com

Just a Minute http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/comedy/justaminute.shtml

Kids' Games http://www.gameskidsplay.net

Legend of Zelda http://www.zelda.com

LEGO http://www.lego.com

Lionel http://www.lionel.com

Mattel http://www.mattel.com

Miniature Wargaming http://www.miniaturewargaming.com

Mortal Kombat http://www.mortalkombat.com

National Recreation and Park Association http://www.nrpa.org

Playing Cards http://playing-cards.us/main.html

Playskool http://www.hasbro.com/playskool

Retro Games http://www.retrogames.co.uk

Rubik's Cube http://www.rubiks.com

Runescape http://www.runescape.com

Scrabble http://www.scrabble.com

Silkroad Online http://www.silkroadonline.net

Sim City http://www.simcity.ea.com

Streetfigher I and II http://www.streetfighter.com

Strong National Museum of Play http://www.strongmuseum.org

Tiger Electronics http://www.tigertoys.com

Tomb Raider http://www.tombraider.com

TOMY http://www.tomy.com

TSR http://www.tsr.com

Victoria and Albert Museum of Childhood http://www.vam.ac.uk/moc

World of Warcraft http://www.worldofwarcraft.com