Janken King: How to play Rock, Paper Scissors with a Group

In Japan, they play rock paper scissors for everything. Need to know whose team goes first in a game? Who gets the last treat? Who has to clean up? Rock, paper, scissors. I wouldn’t be surprised to see politicians making important decisions this way! Everyone of every age plays the game! In Japan, the game is called Janken (jahn – ken). When I taught elementary school, Janken King was a favourite game. Here’s how to play Janken King.



Choose one child to be at the front of the room. He or she is the Janken King. All the children stand up and face the Janken King. On the word, GO, everyone plays rock, paper scissors against the Janken King. If you tie with or lose against the Janken King, you sit down. Keep going until the Janken King is pitted against the final children. If the last child standing beats the Janken King in rock, paper, scissors, then he/she is the new Janken King. If not, the Janken King goes for another round! In case you forget the rock, paper scissors rules: The kids can play this game for hours! What a great time filler, too!