Kicks and Laughter - the Joy of Jianzi

                                                             Feathers fly with fast feet: 

                                                    Discovering the Fun of Jianzi (毽子)

What is Jianzi all about?

Jianzi is a traditional Chinese sport in which players use their feet, along with other parts of the body except for their hands, to keep a feathered shuttlecock in the air. The goal is simple: kick it up, keep it fly - and don’t let it drop. Played individually or competitively in teams, jianzi is a workout that connects game and culture through movement and play – plus, it’s lots of fun!😃

How did Jianzi come about?

Jianzi has been around for over 2,000 years, with its roots tracing back to the Han dynasty in China. It originally served as a military training tool to build coordination and leg strength among soldiers. 

Over time, it evolved into a popular street, schoolyard game, and now even international competitions. While the original version was more about physical training, today’s Jianzi focuses more on fun, skill, and friendly competition.😃

My Jianzi Story

My first encounter with Jianzi was in Grade 3 ☝, when our P.E. teacher introduced these colorful feathered birdies to the class. I was instantly hooked. I even begged my mom to buy me one so I could keep playing outside of school. Every recess, the moment the bell rang, I’d sprint to the school yard, jianzi in hand, ready to play. With time, I got better and more skillful—I still remember the thrill of hitting every kick without missing a beat.

Though I don’t play anymore, Jianzi remains one of my favorite childhood memories. It wasn’t just a game; it was a part of my daily joy, and a little ritual that made school life so much more exciting.💓💓

Check out the full history of Jianzi on Wikipedia!