Forums Forums Wirral History : Chasing the Past Wirral Schools Past & Present A list of old kids games.

After reading Erainn's comment on playing British Bulldog on the roof of Cole st school. I wondered how many of the old games will or have been, lost over the years. It seems if it doesn't plug into a games console nowadays, kids aren't interested.
I propose a list of all the old games before they're lost forever.
Erainn started the ball rolling with British Bulldog, maybe a brief description with the name of the game if anyone is interested?

I'll add "Kick the Can" a game of hide and seek where a home base (usually a chalked square) was the place where you were imprisoned. I had an old can standing in it. Once captured by whoever was "IT" you had to remain there until one of your friends kicked the can over without getting caught themselves. Once the can was kicked, everyone in the square ran off. Not to be caught until the can was replaced. The object was to catch everyone and place them in the square.

Next?

Hopscotch

Black Jacks

Good old plain tic. One person has to run round after others and touch them and there out. Innocent play.

Anyone remember Off ground tic?

Ye wasn't that just what it says if you managed to get off ground the tic didn't count? These all sound terribly boring to the kids today yet we had so much fun that didn't cost anything plus excercised us, happy days....

Yeah, off-ground tic was an amazing variant on ordinary tic and was also combined with a kick-the-can type game which I can't remember the name although the words "base" and "square" were both involved in the most complex form of the game. Having the base and the square separate meant the person that was "on" had a dilemma as to which he guarded.

British Bulldog was good as well and much more equal chance than you'd guess - when ever I see the Matrix films I think of it as those were the manoeuvres you'd try and achieve (in your mind).

Simon Says?

we used to play alley o,not sure how you spell it only played it

Cats Cradle http://www.ifyoulovetoread.com/book/chten_cats1105.htm

A game which involved transferring string from one person's hands to another's by set methods which made patterns en route.

Wall or kerb, the alley alley o was played by hundreds of kids and you never got the chance to run away if you were on.

what's the time mr wolf & grandmother gray

British bull dog was good in primary school, secondary school pigeon toss for real money, we used a 2 pence piece and flick it against a wall, whoever got closest to the wall wins, fantastic until Mr Byrne caught us

I remember Queenie and stroke the bunny

I remember.. statues...pussy four corners...the allio....whats the time mr wolf...and many more, fond memories and good times