Traditional games
Duck duck goose, what's the time Mr Wolf, piggy in the middle and noughts and crosses, the classic group games marked straight onto the playground.
What are traditional games?
Traditional playground games markings are thermoplastic versions of the group games children have always played, duck duck goose, what's the time Mr Wolf, piggy in the middle and noughts and crosses, laid straight onto the tarmac as a permanent circle or grid. They give a whole group a game to gather around the moment they reach the playground, and a teacher or lunchtime supervisor can start a round in seconds. Because the games are already part of how children play, a marked circle is in use from the first break, and it pulls a big group into taking turns together rather than drifting. They are one type of playground markings we design and install.
- Enhanced DBS checkedOur installation teams are enhanced DBS checked and carry photo ID showing their DBS number.
- Guaranteed up to 4 yearsGuaranteed up to 4 years, depending on your surface.
- Designed and cut in-houseOur designs are produced and cut in-house.
Why do schools choose traditional games?
A game a whole group can join
Duck duck goose and what's the time Mr Wolf are built for a crowd, so a marked circle gives a big group one thing to do together the moment they come out.
Easy for staff to lead
A lunchtime supervisor can start a round in seconds with the circle already on the ground, which makes the quieter and wetter days far easier to fill.
Turn-taking without teaching
Children already know the rules, so the games run themselves, building sharing and turn-taking into break with nobody having to set anything up.
What types of traditional games do we install?
The classic group games, from duck duck goose to what's the time Mr Wolf, marked on the ground.
Duck duck goose
A marked 5m x 5m circle for the classic chase-around-the-ring game, sized so a full class can sit around the edge and take a turn.
What's the time Mr Wolf?
A start line and steps marked out for the creeping-and-chasing game that never seems to go out of fashion.
Piggy in the middle
A simple marked layout for the throwing and catching game, good for small groups and easy to pick up between other activities.
Noughts and crosses
The quick two-player grid that packs a lot of turn-taking into a small patch and fills a spare corner nicely.
Traditional games: designs and guide prices
Every design in this range, 18 in all, each with a guide price you can add to a quote.
Prices exclude VAT
How do we install traditional games?
Survey, design, install and aftercare, and most of it is ours to do.
- 01
Survey
We look for an open patch with room for a group to gather, since games like duck duck goose need a clear circle where a class can sit around the edge.
- 02
Design
We draw the games you have chosen at the right size in their colours, so you can see how the circle or grid will sit before we start.
- 03
Install
Each game is masked and laid in thermoplastic on site. A set of traditional games is usually completed within a day.
- 04
Aftercare
The games are ready to play as soon as they cool. We can add more, or theme a set to your school, on a later visit.
What do traditional games cost?
Traditional group games cost from around £60 for noughts and crosses up to about £475 for duck duck goose, with piggy in the middle and what's the time Mr Wolf in between, fitted. These are guide prices for each design. Choosing several in one visit is a cost-effective way to fill a corner, so we survey the playground and send a free design and a detailed quote, with no hidden costs and our price match promise.
Prices exclude VAT
Payment terms and any site-dependent charges, for example an aborted visit or extra cleaning, are set out in our terms.
Get a free design and quoteWhat is the specification for traditional games?
The key details for traditional games. We confirm everything on your design drawing.
| Detail | Specification |
|---|---|
| Material | Preformed thermoplastic |
| Duck duck goose | About 5m x 5m |
| Noughts and crosses | About 1.5m x 1.5m |
| What's the time Mr Wolf? | About 7m x 3.5m |
| Group games | Sized to suit a class-sized group |
| Surface | Tarmac or macadam, sound and dry |
| Install time | A day for a set of games |
What do our traditional games look like?
A closer look at traditional games and designs like them on real school playgrounds.
Thinking about traditional games for your school? See how our process works, from a free survey to install, meet the team behind your markings, or read reviews from schools we have worked with. For directional floor and site-navigation markings we also fit wayfinding markings.
Traditional games: your questions answered
Which traditional playground games do you offer?
Popular designs include duck duck goose and what's the time Mr Wolf, because a whole group can join in and the rules need no explaining. Noughts and crosses and piggy in the middle suit smaller groups, and a set of two or three together tends to keep a corner busy.
How much space do traditional games markings need?
It depends on the game. Duck duck goose is marked about 5 metres across so a class can sit round the edge, while noughts and crosses fits into about 1.5 metres square. We plan the layout around the space you have, and a smaller game is a good way to use a quieter corner.
Are traditional games suitable for all ages?
Yes. Duck duck goose, what's the time Mr Wolf and piggy in the middle suit children right across primary, from EYFS up to Year 6, and the simpler grids work well for the youngest. We will suggest a mix that suits the ages at your school when we design the layout.
Get a free design and quote
Tell us about your playground and we will arrange a survey, draw traditional games around your site and send a detailed quote, with no hidden costs and our price match promise. There is no obligation. Prefer to talk it through?
0333 321 6699Thanks, that is with us
We will be in touch as soon as possible to arrange your free design and quote. If it is urgent, call 0333 321 6699.
What works well with traditional games?
Related services and guides schools often pair with traditional games.
The experts behind your markings
The people who design, price and stand behind every Uniplay installation.
Michael Jarvie
Operations Director · Director and Co-owner
One of our Directors and Co-owners, with over 16 years' experience in the playground markings industry and masses of industry knowledge. There is very rarely a thermoplastic query he cannot resolve.
Connect on LinkedIn
Victoria Walmsley
Sales and Marketing Director · Director and Co-owner
One of our Directors and Co-owners, with a wealth of experience across all things thermoplastic, leading sales and marketing at Uniplay.
Connect on LinkedInReady to get your playground moving?
Tell us about your space and we will send a free design and a detailed quote, with no hidden costs and our price match promise. We will not be beaten on price for a like for like product.
All prices include installation, and every quote is fully itemised.
- Free design and site survey
- No obligation
- Our own in-house installation team
