Kra-Dode Yang (กระโดดยาง), or "Rubber Band Jumping," is a classic, highly popular, and uniquely Thai children's game that has been enjoyed in schoolyards and community spaces for generations. Simple in its requirements yet demanding in its execution, the game requires only a long, looped piece of rubber band or elastic cord and a sense of rhythm and agility.
The game is designed for a minimum of three players. Two players stand inside the loop, facing each other, holding the rubber band taut around their ankles. These two players act as the "posts" or vertical limits for the jump. The third player, the "jumper," attempts to successfully jump over the band according to a prescribed set of rules and heights.The structure of the game is highly standardized and proceeds through increasing levels of difficulty, generally moving the band higher up the posts' bodies. The levels often progress like this:
The challenge is not merely to clear the band, but to do so with a specific sequence of rhythmic jumps, steps, or spins that are often unique to different groups of players. A typical sequence might involve jumping in, jumping out, stepping on the band, stepping off, spinning, and then clearing the band entirely.The jumper continues until they make an error—either by failing to complete the required steps, tripping over the band, or dislodging it. Once an error is made, the jumper switches roles with one of the posts, and the difficulty level is maintained until the new jumper fails, at which point the band is usually lowered to the next player's ankle level.Kra-Dode Yang is celebrated not just as a physical activity but as a source of immense fun and friendly competition. It promotes coordination, balance, and quick thinking, cementing its place as an enduring symbol of childhood play in Thailand.