Statues (game) - Variations

Variations

Red light/Green light (sometimes abbreviated as RLGL) is a variation of statues. The "it" person stands at one end of the playing field, with the rest of the players at the other end. "It" turns their back to the others and calls out "Green light!" The players then run as fast as they can towards "it". At any time, "it" can face the players, calling out "Red light", and the others must freeze in place. If anyone fails to stop, they are out or must return to the starting line. Other variations include calling out "Yellow light" as a diversion, or where they must walk instead of run to "it". Calling Yellow Light has no consequence. The first player to reach the person who is "it" wins and becomes "it" for the next round. In certain regions this game may be known as "sneak up on granny"; in this version the person who is "it" is the "granny", and does not call out "red light" or "green light". Some variants include blue and purple lights however these are very rare.

In England, the game is called "Grandmother's Footsteps" and the person who is "it" turns to make sure that the players are not moving if they hear movement.

In the Netherlands and Belgium, the game is called "één, twee, drie, piano" (one, two, three, piano). The caller counts 1, 2, 3, and then the caller turns when he says "piano". In Mexico there is another variation of this game. It is called "1, 2, 3, calabaza" (one, two, three, pumpkin). The caller counts loudly saying 1, 2, 3, and then faces the players when he says "calabaza."

Another Australian variant, "London" the person who is it can spell out L. O. N. D. O. N. before turning, OR call "London bridge fell down" - the first, the players have to freeze, the second, the players have to sit (or at least not be standing) when the "it" player turns.

In France, a variation of this game is called "1, 2, 3, soleil" (one, two, three, sun). The caller counts loudly saying 1, 2, 3, and then faces the players when he says "soleil". In Spain, the game is called "1, 2, 3, escondite inglés" (one, two, three, English hideaway) or "1, 2, 3, pollito inglés" (one, two, three, English chick). Similar to the French version of the game, the caller counts 1, 2, 3, and then turns when he says "escondite inglés" or "pollito inglés". In Greece the game is called "στρατιωτακια ακουνητα" which literally translates as "immobile little soldiers". There are some variations to the game but most of them go according to the Spanish model. In Portugal, the game is called "Um, dois, três, macaquinho do chinês" (one, two, three, Chinese little monkey). Similar to the French and Spanish versions. In one variant, if "it" (the Chinese little monkey) cannot find the person who moves, "it" tickles each participant starting with the person closer to the wall. If any participant moves, he or she must go back to the start. In Italy, the game is called "Un, due, tre, stella" (one, two, three, star). The Italian version of the game matches the French and Spanish ones. In Sweden it's called "ett, två, tre, röda lyktan stopp" (one, two, three, red lantern stop) and follows the same pattern as in France.

In Poland, the game is called "Raz, dwa trzy, baba jaga patrzy!" ("One, two three, the hag is watching!") or "Raz, dwa, trzy, patrzę!" ("One, two, three, I'm watching!"). The caller after shouting that, turns and looks at the others and they cannot move. In some versions, the caller may come close to "frozen" ones, look at them and try to startle them without touching them.

In Israel, the game is called "אחת, שתיים, שלוש, דג מלוח" (one, two, three, herring/salted fish).

In Czech Republic, the game is called "Cukr, káva, limonáda" due rhymes recited by "it". Those rhymes: "Cukr, káva, limonáda, čaj, rum, bum!" and they literally mean "Sugar, coffe, lemonade, tea, rum, boom!" with the word "boom" functioning as "Red light". Rhymes are recited at any speed and not necessarily aloud, though it is considered fair at least mumble them aloud.

It is also played as a special variation in Saudi Arabia. It is called "الحكم" (Al-Ḥukm - The Judgement), where the "It" is the "الحاكم" (Al-Ḥākim - The Judge). "The Judge" covers their face without saying anything and the other players try to reach them and touch them before they see them moving. If anyone is seen moving by "The Judge" they will have to return to the end of the playing field and start all over again. This variation includes a special characteristic which is "The Judgement", that occurs irregularly -decided by The Judge-. Each player requests The Judge to move for any number of steps, and The Judge may accept the request, decline it, or even make their own "Judgement" (e.g. 'You move two steps to the back.' or 'You go ahead to the same level as that player.' .. etc.).