Statues (game)

Statues is a global children's game centered on the tension between movement and stillness.

While known by many names, the core objective remains consistent across cultures. One player assumes a leadership role, often called the curator, or "it," or "Granny." This person stands at one end of a field or playing area. The other players gather at the opposite end. The goal is for a player to reach the curator and tag them. If successful, that player becomes the new curator for the next round.

The mechanics of the game rely on the curator's ability to catch players moving. To begin, the curator turns their back to the field. This allows the other players to advance toward them. However, the curator can turn around at any moment. When the curator faces the players, everyone must freeze instantly in place. The curator may even walk around the players to examine them. If a player is caught moving, they must return to the starting line. In some versions, moving players are eliminated from the game entirely.

Many distinct variations of Statues exist, each with unique rules and names. In North America, the game is frequently called Red Light, Green Light. This name refers to the colors used in traffic signals. The "Caller" in this version shouts "green light" to allow movement. They then shout "red light" to signal that players must freeze. The level of strictness regarding movement can vary significantly between groups. Some players only watch for foot movement. Others watch for any bodily movement, such as swaying arms or even smiling. Most players agree that blinking and breathing are permitted.

Other versions introduce specific rhymes or different physical requirements. In Bulgaria, a version called Winnie the Pooh requires the curator to lean against a wall. The curator shouts a specific rhyme: "1, 2, 3, Winnie the Pooh, stop!" This rhyme ensures the players have enough time to move a distance. In this version, the role of the curator is considered highly desirable. In the Netherlands, the Dutch version uses the phrase "Annemaria Koekoek!" This is similar to the Dutch name for the game Peekaboo, or "Kiekeboe!" In Egypt, the game is known as Statues of Alexandria, where the leader sings a song about statues that do not move.

Cultural diversity is evident in the wide array of names used for the game. In the United Kingdom, it is called Sly Fox or Granny's Footsteps. In Brazil, the phrase is "Batatinha frita, um, dois, três!" which translates to "Little french fry, one, two, three!" In Japan, players might play "Daruma-san ga koronda" or count down from ten to one. The game also has many rhythmic names, such as the Czech version: "Cukr, káva, limonáda... čaj, rum, bum!" These variations demonstrate how different societies have adapted the same basic concept of freezing in place.

Statues has also reached significant milestones in popular culture and official records. In 2015, the Japanese YouTuber Hajime Syacho organized a massive game of "Daruma-san ga koronda." This event involved 740 participants at the Industrial Development Center in Kanazawa-ku, Yokohama. This large-scale event was officially listed in the Guinness World Records. The game's concept has even influenced television, such as the "Weeping Angel" monsters in the show Doctor Who. Writer Russell T Davies noted that the statue role in "Grandmother's Footsteps" served as an inspiration for these characters.

Beyond simple play, the game can be adapted for more complex social functions. One variation is used as a team-building exercise. In this version, the rules of Red Light, Green Light are modified for a group. If any single person moves after a red light, the entire team must return to the start. The objective shifts from tagging the leader to "stealing" an object near the leader. The team must successfully return the object to their side of the field without being caught. This version emphasizes collective responsibility and stealth rather than individual speed.