How to Play Spud

Last Updated: May 12, 2022 References

Spud is a fun outdoor game for children. It's not only fun, but is a great form of exercise! And it's a very simple game, too. All you need to play spud is at least 5 people! So read on for instructions on how to play the game of Spud.

Steps

1
Choose one player to be "it". They will not be it for the whole game, just to start out. It must secretly give each player a number, including themselves. Although numbers work best, sports, colors, and animals work as well. Try to make the numbers in a certain range, usually 1 to 10. If you have at least 8 players, use 1 through 12. Make sure that each player has their own number.^{[1]
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2
Have "it" start with the ball, while other players circle around him/her. It must then shout out a number while throwing the ball in the air. All players, including "it", must run away from the ball. But, if your number is called, you must catch the ball and say "Spud!" When you say "spud", everyone must freeze.^{[2]
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3
If you are the player with the ball, take three giant steps towards any player. Now, they have to throw it at that player. If they miss, or the player catches the ball, the thrower gets an "S". If the player gets hit, they get an "S". The player that they hit (or missed) is the next thrower.^{[3]
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4
If someone shouts a number that nobody has, know that this is called a "ghost number". If a ghost number is called, everyone must rush up to the ball and touch it. The last player to do so gets a letter.
5
Keep playing. For each letter a player gets, spell out S-P-U-D. If you spell out S-P-U-D you lose. The last player standing is the winner.^{[4]
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Community Q&A

Question

Who created this game?

LeahlovesGod

Top Answerer

This game has been played for over a hundred years. It is not known which individual created the game. It wouldn't be surprising if it was a group of school-aged kids who created it and played it for fun and as a pastime. The earliest findings of the game I found online was in a book called "Games for the Playground, Home, School, and Gymnasium by Jessie Hubbell Bancroft (pg. 404). This book can be read for free on Gutenberg.org.
Question

Would a basketball be okay for playing SPUD?

Fall down house

Community Answer

Sure! Anything works!
Question

What if my friend screams, whines, and cries if she loses and her parents insist that we were wrong?

Community Answer

Then you should not play spud with that person and tell your friend that you will not play with her for a while if she keeps doing that and does not learn to be a good teammate and player of the game. She will not be very successful if she whines and cries every time something bad happens to her. You don't need to worry about her parents. Ask them if they insist to deal with your parents.