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Traditional

Luksong Baka

Also called Leapfrog, Jump over the cow

Players vault over a crouching 'baka' who gets taller each round; touch or fall and you become the baka.

people
5–15
time
15 min
energy
High
materials
No materials
Kids-safeFriends only
Watch it played
How to play4

Before you start

Find a soft, flat patch of grass or sand. Choose the first baka by bato-bato-pik (rock-paper-scissors); the others line up 5 m away.

  1. 1The baka crouches low, head tucked down and hands on the knees.
  2. 2Players run up one at a time, place both hands on the baka's back and vault over with legs spread.
  3. 3After everyone clears, the baka rises a level: crouch, then bent at the waist, then hands on knees standing, then fully bent upright.
  4. 4A jumper who knocks the baka, touches it with their body or legs, or fails to clear becomes the new baka, and the height resets to the lowest level.
What to say3
  1. 1“Baka, tuck your head in! Jumpers, hands on the back and OVER!”
  2. 2“Everyone's clear — baka goes UP!”
  3. 3“Ooh, a touch! New baka, take your place!”
Host tips3
  • The baka who doesn't tuck their head gets kneed in the face. Check the baka's head is down every single jump.
  • Size mismatch is the real danger: a heavy teen landing on a small child's back hurts. Group players by size, or have only similar-sized kids play together.
  • Stop at the 'standing bent' height. The fully upright level is where adults and teens fall on their backs.
Variants2

  • Leapfrog relay

    Teams in a line crouch; the last player vaults over everyone to the front, then crouches. First team to the finish line wins.

  • Gentle level

    Only use the two lowest heights for younger kids and mixed sizes.

Safety3
  • Head and neck: the baka must keep their head tucked and the jumper must vault with hands on the back, never the head or neck.
  • Play only on grass or sand; jumpers land hard on their hands and backs when they clip the baka.
  • Close body contact — not for adults who don't know each other, seniors, or pregnant guests.
Good for

Occasions

SchoolBirthdayFiestaReunion

Venues

Outdoor
If this one dies early1