Back in the 70s, the schoolyard was a battlefield of scraped knees, grass stains, and the occasional bruised ego. Kids played games that were fast, competitive, and sometimes downright dangerous. Safety rules were few, and the fun was wild and carefree. Today, with heightened safety concerns and changing attitudes about inclusion and physical risk, many of these beloved games would raise eyebrows—or whistles from a concerned teacher. Let’s take a nostalgic look at 14 schoolyard games from the 70s that would likely be banned now.
1. Dodgeball
The classic game of hurling rubber balls at your classmates with as much force as possible was a staple of gym class and recess. Sure, it was exhilarating, but today it’s often deemed too aggressive and exclusionary—plus, those balls stung like crazy.
2. Red Rover
“Red Rover, Red Rover, let Jimmy come over!” This game had kids charging full-speed into linked arms to break the line. The thrill of breaking through—or failing and getting clotheslined—was unforgettable, but modern schools would frown on the risk of broken wrists and bruised ribs.
3. Clapping Games with Razor-Sharp Speed
Think “Miss Mary Mack” but at lightning speed. The faster the clapping, the higher the stakes—and the more likely someone would miss and smack their partner in the face. It was harmless fun until it wasn’t.
4. Crack the Whip
In this high-stakes game, kids held hands and ran in a line, swinging the last person wildly around. The harder the swing, the better—but also the more likely someone would go flying into the dirt. It was all fun until someone got a sprained wrist.
5. British Bulldog
This rough-and-tumble game involved one player trying to tackle everyone else as they sprinted across the field. It was a test of speed, strength, and determination—and guaranteed to result in someone crying by the end.
6. Tetherball
The iconic pole and ball game seemed innocent enough, but it often turned into a duel of brute force, with the ball whipping dangerously fast around the pole. Fingers got jammed, faces got smacked, and arguments broke out over whose turn it was.
7. Monkey Bars
Sure, monkey bars weren’t a game in themselves, but they inspired endless risky stunts, like flips and daredevil leaps. Falls from the top often ended in sprained ankles or chipped teeth, but that didn’t stop kids from climbing to the highest bar.
8. Wall Ball
Throwing a ball against the wall was harmless—until someone missed the catch and had to run to the wall before getting pelted by the ball. This game required speed, agility, and a high pain tolerance, but it wouldn’t fly in today’s world of padded playgrounds.
9. Kick the Can
Part hide-and-seek, part tag, this game involved kids sprinting across open spaces to kick a can before being caught. The frantic chases often led to tripping, tackling, and the occasional twisted ankle. Still, it was a highlight of recess for many.
10. Marble Battles
Marbles might seem harmless, but in the 70s, kids took their games seriously. Battles involved flicking marbles with precision, often in heated competitions where someone always went home upset over losing their prized “shooter.”
11. King of the Hill
This game was as simple as it was chaotic: climb to the top of a dirt mound or snow pile and shove everyone else down. It was every kid for themselves, and while it was thrilling, it often ended with cuts, bruises, or a tearful trip to the nurse’s office.
12. Jump Rope Double Dutch
While mostly safe, Double Dutch turned competitive fast, with kids pushing their limits to pull off daring tricks. Tangled ropes and missteps led to plenty of stubbed toes and whacked ankles, but the bragging rights made it all worth it.
13. Red Light, Green Light
This stop-and-go game seems harmless, but the real fun came in trying to freeze mid-run or faking out other players. The sudden stops often led to crashes and tumbles, and the “winner” wasn’t always the most graceful.
14. Hopscotch on Concrete
Hopscotch itself wasn’t dangerous—until you added cracked sidewalks, slippery chalk, and overly ambitious leaps. Kids played barefoot or in flimsy shoes, leading to stubbed toes and the occasional tumble.
The 70s schoolyard may have been rough around the edges, but it was a place where kids learned resilience, teamwork, and a little fearlessness. Do you remember playing any of these games? Would you still let your grandkids give them a try—or are you secretly glad they’ve been retired?
