Remember when we were younger, all the kids had scooters from shops like Kidstuff and roller blades they bought at one of those cool pop-up stores by the skateboarding rink. We were all showing off our toys and playing with them with the others. The best part is everyone was outside playing with each other, not cooped up in their rooms playing all by themselves.
Think back for a bit when we all ran across the field hoping to tag the other players, or when you were playing hide and seek and wishing you would not be found. That is definitely a feeling that has somehow been lost to the younger kids nowadays with their tablets and apps.
So here we have listed down classic children’s games you can play with your kids on their downtime. You will definitely get them moving after a few rounds of these.
Sardines
Think of this game as a reverse hide and seek. Pick a person who will be “it” in your group, but instead of hiding from them, this person will have to hide from you. The goal is to find the “it” and hide with them. The last person to find the hiding place will be the one who will hide in the next round. The reason it is called Sardines is because sometimes the hiding place is just too small, but you will have to find a way to fit 5 or more people in a wardrobe, for instance. This game will literally make you and your friends closer than ever.
Capture the Flag
Capture the Flag is better with a very large group of people so you can be split into 2 teams. Each team will have a flag or some sort of marker for their base. The objective is to run to other team’s base, capture their flag, and come back safely to your own territory. If there are players from the other team in your territory, you can tag them and send them to your team’s jail. They can only come back to the game is their team player makes their way to your territory and tags their teammate; only one prisoner is allowed to be broken out by a player. Sometimes, the prisoners would hold hands to create a chain so that they reach their team member still in the game easier or long enough to reach their territory on the other side.
Monkey in the Middle
This game has many names like Keep Away, Piggy in the Middle, and Pickle in a Dish. The best way to explain this game is if you think of it as a reverse dodgeball. The group will still be split into two teams, where one team will have to pass the ball to one another while the other team stays in the middle. However, instead of hitting them, the players must intercept and catch the ball. There are many variations to this game, some play with a drawn circle in the middle, limiting the movements of the one who is “it”.
Red Light, Green Light
Red Light, Green Light is a game that can be played inside or outside the house. Choose a person who will be the traffic light and make them stand at one end of the play area. The other players will be at the other end, facing the assigned traffic light. The traffic light will face the group and shouts “Red light”, so everyone must stop moving. When the traffic light turns their back on the group and shouts “Green light”, everyone will have to try to move closer to the traffic light. The traffic light will try to catch players moving so they will turn around quickly saying “Red light” again. The person who can reach the traffic light get to be the next traffic light.
Go on and try these games out with your kids at the park or at home. Pretty sure they will enjoy games you yourself enjoyed when you were younger.
