Classic Childhood Games

Creating space and time for free play and teaching classic childhood games we played as kids is one way we fulfill Daily Wonder's mission to Reclaim Childhood to Transform the World. ​

Play is an essential part of the healthy development of physical, social and cognitive skills. Classic childhood games help to connect us to traditional values and culture, but they also are super fun to play. No matter your age or physical prowess, there's a classic game for everyone.

Here's what we love about classic games...

They:

• ​Are fun!
• Work for multiple age groups
• Are great physical exercise
• Are great for physical dexterity
• Are great for hand-eye coordination
• Are a way to practice working with rules
• Are a way to practice communication between players
• Are An opportunity to learn through observation
• Provide an opportunity to share your neighbourhood game variation with other neighbourhoods
• Offer An opportunity for children to practice leadership
• Help reinforce culture and the values that are important to a group of people
• Help develop inter-personal relationships
• Include competition, but it doesn't dominate
• Are open to anyone's participation

Here're some classic games that we love:

• FourSquare
• Cats Cradle
• Jump Rope
• Double Dutch
• Hopscotch
• Tag (and all the varieties of tag)
• Hide and Seek, Kick the Can, Man Tracker etc.
• Tug of War
• Hoola Hoop
• Marbles
• Jacks
• Red Light/Green Light
• What Time Is It Mr. Wolf?
• Simon Says
• Telephone
• Red Rover
• Spud
• Hand Clapping Games
• Musical Chairs
• Hot & Cold
• Ghosts in the Graveyard
• Mother May I?

How to Play

Can't remember all the rules to these amazing games? No worries, we got you. Check out this link for instructions for 30 classic games. 

What games would you add to the list? Check out our Instagram where we've been sharing some of our favourite classic games like, Cat's Cradle, A Sailor Went to Sea, and Four-Square.