snakes and ladders 
plural noun [treated as singular] British
A children’s game in which players move counters along a board, gaining an advantage by moving up pictures of ladders or a disadvantage by moving down pictures of snakes.Evening entertainment included games of ludo, snakes and ladders and draughts....
- A special games area has been set aside for family use with giant board games, including snakes and ladders, chess and Connect 4.
- In this game of snakes and ladders, it is possible to come down a ladder and climb to triumph on the venom of a snake.