As I advance in years and look back upon my youth, I remember all the childhood games that used to be played. Before the days of X-Box, computers and all purpose cellular devices (am I really that old?) we had to depend on ourselves to be entertained. Though like in most physical endeavors I didn’t do very well, but they were good times, and in the end that’s really all that matters.
Some were played in school during gym or recess, while others were a staple at family gatherings. It’s been a long time since I’ve participated in either, and am starting to get a little out of breath from just the thought of it.
I still didn’t know my multiplication tables the last time I played Red Rover, and that was while I was in college. You can hear the calls now, ‘Red Rover, Red Rover send Mike right over.’ Then I would charge, or more like shuffle over and try to break through the solid chain of arms. If the runner is successful they take the two people who formed the link on to their team, if not they join the opposition.
My cousins and I would always play Pickle, where there are two bases put a fair distance apart from each other (less than 90 feet), each base had a guard and they threw a ball back and forth, while runners would try and run between the bases without getting tagged or hit with the ball.
When wild throws were made, which was often the case, a lot of running was done between the bases. For some reason, Pickle doesn’t sound like much fun anymore.
Another classic is Red Light, Green Light. The game has nothing to do with driving, and there is no yellow light to require going fast. One player is ‘It’ who tries to catch the other players moving, who are supposed to be frozen if ‘Red Light’ is called out.
Now I know why I’m so emotionally sensitive, it’s all the Mother May I? that I played. At least I didn’t have to wear a dress to be the Mother, or I would really have some issues. Why is it the Mother that is sought for permission anyway? The Father’s say is just totally ignored, he doesn’t even get asked. Anyway, the Mother tells a certain player to move towards them in some specific way, such as big steps or hops, but they first must ask, ‘Mother May I.’ As opposed to real life the directions from the Mother were actually followed.
Yet another game in which no object is needed except for a creative mind is Simon Says. It is excellent and helping to develop the skill of listening, as well as jumping on one foot while rubbing the top of your head…I didn’t say Simon says.
Another top recess activity was Tether Ball. Two players stands on opposite sides of a pole and tries to get the string the ball is attached to wrapped around the pole. All I managed to ever do is get smacked in the face with the ball.
I have very few pleasant memories of being in the classroom during elementary school, but one of them is of playing Heads Up Seven Up. Seven people would be chosen and everyone else laid their heads down on the desk, sometimes the lights would be turned off. It was always a treat to actually be allowed to put your head down. Then the chosen seven would go around and each tap one person on the head. After everyone was back in position those that were tapped would try and guess who had tapped them.
These classic games are mostly likely being lost to many of today’s children, who will be deprived of the memories that playing them create. I would love to hear of some of the games you the readers used to play or any memories of the ones I mentioned.
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