Reason Number 1,467,301 Why I Want to Be a Kid Again: Recess Games

With school back in session, kids who spent the summer playing at the park, splashing in the pool, or running around the backyard now have to shift from expending physical energy to focusing more on mental tasks. So, it’s no surprise that when I asked my kids what they were most excited about with the start of school, they both gave the same enthusiastic answer: Recess! What could be better than an outdoor brain-break with all the friends they’ve missed over the summer?

While recreation centers offer plenty of team sports and active opportunities for kids outside of school, some games are unique to the elementary school playground. I want to take a moment to highlight a few of my favorite recess games from when I was growing up.

Tetherball: This simple two-player game involves a volleyball attached to the top of a metal pole by a rope or ‘tether.’ The goal is to hit the ball so that it wraps the tether around the pole in one direction until there’s no more slack. Your opponent tries to stop the ball from wrapping and reverse the direction.

Four Square: Played on a court made up of one large square divided into four smaller squares, each player takes a square numbered 1-4. The goal is to eliminate players in the higher-numbered squares and advance to number one. Players bounce a rubber ball into another player’s square. If the ball bounces in your square twice, or if you hit it out of bounds or fail to return it, you’re eliminated and move down.
Side Note: I once played this game on crutches after my mom accidentally ran over my foot with the family minivan. It healed. I’m fine now—but I’ll never let her forget it.

Kickball: A fun combination of baseball and soccer, kickball is played on a baseball diamond with two teams, one rubber ball, and four bases. The game begins with one team kicking the ball from home plate into the field and running the bases. The opposing team tries to get the kicker out by catching the ball, tagging the kicker with it as they run, or tagging the base with the ball before the kicker can reach it. The kicking team scores a run if their kicker makes it around all the bases and returns to home plate. Teams switch roles after three kickers are tagged out.

Wall Ball: This game was occasionally banned at my elementary school depending on how many kids complained to the recess aides about getting hurt. When it was allowed, though, it was a staple. Played with a bouncy ball and a wall (obviously), players take turns throwing the ball against the wall. The next player can catch it off the bounce or let it hit the ground once before catching it, then throw it at the wall again. If the ball bounces more than once or if a player misses their catch, they’re out or earn a penalty. The reason it was often banned at my school? We played with the “butts up” rule (the '90s were wild, right?), which meant that if you missed the ball, you had to stand against the wall and let the other players throw the ball at you.

Many of the simple games we played as kids are still being played on playgrounds today and likely will be for generations to come. What I love about these games is that they don’t require much money or equipment to have a great time. Playground games can support physical, social, and emotional development. They can teach skills like conflict resolution, teamwork, and relationship building that can carry into adulthood. Whether you’re a parent looking for ideas to keep your kids entertained outside of school or just want to get active and have a little fun yourself, I encourage you to think back to your favorite recess pastimes and start up a game. Who knows, maybe your coworkers will be thrilled to join you for a lunch break game of tag!