Remember those classic recess games we used to play when we were kids? Well, they are not just a thing of the past! These games are not only fun but also promote physical activity and social interaction among students. Here are 20 old-school recess games your students should be playing now:
- Dodgeball: Split the class into two teams and attempt to hit opponents with soft foam balls while avoiding being hit yourself.
- Four Square: Draw a large square divided into four smaller squares on the ground. Each player takes turns hitting the ball into another player’s square while following specific rules.
- Tug of War: Divide the class into two teams and play the classic game of strength and teamwork by pulling on opposite ends of a rope.
- Capture the Flag: Split the class into two teams and place each team’s flag in their designated territory. The goal is to successfully capture the opponent’s flag without getting caught.
- Kickball: Similar to baseball, but instead of a bat and ball, players kick the ball and run to the bases.
- Red Rover: Two teams stand opposite each other in a line, holding hands. One team calls a player from the opposing team and tries to make them break through their linked hands.
- Freeze Tag: When tagged, a player must freeze in place until another player unfreezes them by touching.
- Hopscotch: Draw a grid with numbered squares on the ground, and players hop from square to square, avoiding stepping on the lines.
- Simon Says: Follow the leader’s instructions carefully, but only perform the actions if they start with “Simon says.”
- Jump Rope: Grab a jump rope and see how many jumps a player can do without tripping.
- Hula Hoop: Challenge students to keep the hula hoop spinning around their waist as long as possible.
- Duck, Duck, Goose: Players sit in a circle while one person walks around tapping others on the head, saying “duck.” Eventually, they tap someone and say “goose,” and that person must chase the tapper around the circle before getting tagged.
- Mother May I?: Players ask the leader for permission to take a certain number of steps forward. The leader can deny or grant permission using the phrase “Mother may I?”
- Musical Chairs: Place a row of chairs back-to-back. When the music stops, players rush to find an available chair. The person without a chair is out, and a chair is removed each round.
- Sack Race: Place both of your feet in a sack and race against other players while hopping.
- Hot Potato: Pass a small object from person to person while music plays. When the music stops, the person holding the object is out.
- Pictionary: Split the class into teams and take turns drawing pictures while teammates guess what it is.
- Tag: Players chase and try to tag each other, with the person tagged becoming “it.”
- Stuck in the Mud: When someone is tagged, they must freeze and can only be unfrozen by someone crawling through their legs.
- Balloon Volleyball: Set up a net or rope, and players must keep the balloon in the air without letting it touch the ground.
These old-school recess games are timeless and provide students with an opportunity to have fun, bond with their classmates, and stay active. So, why not bring back these classic games for your students to enjoy during their break time?
