Jacks a Playground Game for Children

To excel at jacks, you had to have a steady hand, good eyes and skill. I have none of these attributes but loved to play the game of jacks. The game is basic-10 jacks (small metal six-pointed stars) and one rubber ball. To start toss the jacks on a flat surface. Then bounce the ball, pick up a jack and catch the ball before it hits the ground.

There were various games to play the game of jacks but the basic one was easiest. Always using only one hand, on the first round, you pick up one jack-onesies. On the second round, you pick up two jacks-twosies.

Jacks can be played with any number of players. The best part for me was that I could practice by myself. I always won. I always cheated.

Jacks is a game that I passed on to my children. I miss seeing the children of today on the sidewalk playing jacks.

Next time I go to the store, I'm purchasing several packs of jacks for the grandchildren!