How many napkins did we leave in restaurants full of dots, boxes and initials? It was one of my favourite games as a child and played it many times with my son when he was younger. Yes, in Mexico you are burned (or burnt, depending on where you are from) when the ball touches you! I was burnt a few times myself and badly burnt many others as well. I guess you can say that it does have the shape of a small plane.Oh, the possibilities, so many sidewalks to conquer! In other countries, it is known as rayuela. Sort of like the x-box :) Also known in other countries as Payana and Yaquis. Now, they are made out of metal, plastic, wood and they come in a wide variety of colours. It was a great game for training eye-hand coordination and reflexes. The word matatena comes from the Nahuatl that means to fill your hand with stones, and originally that's how the game was played. Here are a few game names that will become handy if you are traveling with children.
Granted, maybe we named them differently but they brought happiness and laughter all the same. It doesn't cease to amaze me, how regardless of where we grew up in the world, as kids we played very similar games.
