What was the first ever game?

Computer games like Minecraft and Fortnite are all the rage right now. Five hundred years ago, the same could be said about card games. But what did people play thousands of years before that?

Gems or walnuts

These objects have been found in all sorts of places: Aztec ruins, the tombs of Egyptian pharaohs and in the remains of lost Indian cities.

There’s evidence that both children and adults played with marbles at least five thousand years ago.

Some were made of gemstones, some of bone, and some were just walnuts!

Dice are just as old as marbles. For instance, we know that a game called Senet – a version of draughts with die-like pieces – was very popular in Ancient Egypt four thousand years ago.

Hunter and prey

But one game is even older than that. Children in all human societies play it.

The only things you need are your body and hunting instinct – something we’re all born with.

This game isn’t just played by humans, but also by gorillas and chimpanzees.

It’s a type of play hunting with a hunter and prey.

Can you guess?

The oldest game in the world is tag!

Answered by Sebastiaan van de Water