Hot Lava (game)

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Hot Lava is a children's game, in which the players imagine the floor to be made of lava, or variably as any other unsavory substance, such as acid, and thus avoid touching the ground. The players stay off of the floor by standing on furniture or the room's architecture. The players generally do not remain still, moving from one piece of furniture to the next. There may even be a goal, to which the players must race. The game may also be played outdoors in playgrounds or similar areas.

The concept of "deadly" lava which must be avoided is also a common feature in video games.

The game was referenced in The Simpsons episode Catch 'Em if You Can, in which Homer Simpson exclaims that "...the floor is made of lava!"^[1]

Typically, any individual can start the game just by shouting "the floor is lava". Any player remaining on the floor in the next few seconds is "out" and can not rejoin the game for some waiting period. This game has become increasingly popular among older children and teens in the past few years especially in Australia, often played in empty classrooms.

The hot-lava game was referenced on Comedy Central Presents Episode 23 in season 7 by comedian Daniel Tosh.

See also: Tag (game)#Lava Monster