The schoolyard in the 70s was a world of endless possibilities. No phones, no gadgets—just the creativity of kids and the excitement of being outside with friends. We all played the same games, whether it was during recess or in the neighborhood after school. These games brought us together, got us moving, and sometimes, made us a little competitive. Let’s take a stroll down memory lane and remember those classic schoolyard games that every 70s kid knew by heart.
1. Dodgeball
Nothing got the adrenaline pumping quite like dodgeball. You’d line up, and when that whistle blew, it was an all-out war. The goal was simple: don’t get hit by the ball, and throw it hard enough to knock out your opponents. Whether you were the kid with the lightning-fast throw or the one who could dodge like a ninja, this game was a schoolyard staple.
2. Red Rover
“Red Rover, Red Rover, send [name] right over!” That chant still echoes in the minds of 70s kids. You’d line up, holding hands with all your friends, daring someone to try to break through your human chain. It was all about strategy and strength. And yeah, sometimes it ended with someone on the ground, but we bounced right back!
3. Four Square
The simplicity of Four Square was its genius. Just a rubber ball and a square divided into four quadrants was all you needed. The goal? To work your way up to the “king” position and stay there as long as possible. The competition got fierce, especially when someone introduced new “rules” like cherry bombs or double taps. It was the ultimate test of coordination and quick reflexes.
4. Kickball
Kickball was like baseball’s fun-loving cousin. A big rubber ball and some makeshift bases were all you needed to get a game going. You’d wait for the perfect pitch, wind up, and kick that ball as far as you could, hoping to score a home run. It was a game that anyone could jump into, no special skills required, just a sense of fun and a pair of fast feet.
5. Tetherball
There was something so satisfying about smacking that tetherball around the pole, trying to wrap it up before your opponent could stop it. The trick was to time your hits just right so the ball would fly past the other player, speeding up with each round. It was simple, intense, and oh-so-addictive.
6. Hopscotch
All you needed was a piece of chalk and a good pair of sneakers. Drawing out the hopscotch grid was half the fun, and tossing that marker into the squares took precision. But the real challenge was hopping on one foot and back again without losing your balance. It’s funny how something so simple could keep us entertained for hours.
7. Marbles
A good game of marbles turned the schoolyard into a battleground of tiny, colorful orbs. Kids carried their prized marbles in pouches, always ready for a challenge. The goal? To knock your opponent’s marbles out of the circle while protecting your own. Some marbles were just too special to put on the line—like those prized “cat’s eyes.”
8. Freeze Tag
Freeze Tag turned every playground into an instant race for survival. One kid was “it,” and once they tagged you, you had to freeze in place until a friend came to unfreeze you. The thrill was in the chase—and in the relief when someone tapped you just before “it” was about to tag you.
9. Jump Rope
Whether it was single rope or double dutch, jump rope was a classic. Kids would take turns jumping while others swung the rope, chanting rhymes like “Cinderella, dressed in yella…” The challenge was all in the timing, trying to hop in without tripping up. And if you were really good, you could do all kinds of fancy moves while jumping.
10. Wall Ball
Sometimes the simplest games were the most fun. Wall Ball was just a rubber ball and a big wall. You’d throw the ball against the wall and try to catch it on the rebound, but the rules could get creative—like having to catch the ball after one bounce or none at all. The more friends, the more chaotic—and competitive—it got.
11. Red Light, Green Light
Red Light, Green Light was all about speed and stillness. One person stood at the front calling out “green light” to make the group move and “red light” to stop them in their tracks. If you got caught moving, you had to go back to the start. It was always a mix of excitement and anticipation as you tried to inch forward without getting caught.
12. Duck, Duck, Goose
This one never failed to get hearts racing. You’d sit in a circle, and one person would walk around, tapping each head with a “duck, duck, duck…” until suddenly, they’d call “goose!” Then it was a mad dash around the circle to avoid getting tagged before you could steal their spot. Simple? Yes. But thrilling every single time.
13. Simon Says
Simon Says was the ultimate test of listening skills. “Simon says” do this, “Simon says” do that, but if the leader left out “Simon says,” and you still followed the command? You were out! It was simple but kept everyone on their toes, trying not to get tricked by the leader’s quick commands.
14. Mother May I?
This one had a similar vibe to Simon Says, but with a twist. You had to ask “Mother, may I?” before every move—whether it was taking baby steps, giant steps, or even “umbrella steps.” Forgetting to ask meant you had to go all the way back to the start, and the anticipation of what kind of step “Mother” would allow kept things interesting.
15. Clapping Games
Hand clapping games like “Miss Mary Mack” or “Pat-a-cake” were playground gold. You’d sit with a friend, clapping in rhythm to the chant. The faster and more complicated the clap, the better. And sometimes, it felt like you and your best friend were totally in sync, making up your own rules as you went along.
16. Ring Around the Rosie
Okay, we might’ve been a little too old for this one by the 70s, but for younger kids, “Ring Around the Rosie” was a go-to. Holding hands in a circle and falling down at the end of the rhyme—it was pure fun, even if we didn’t realize how odd the lyrics were until later.
The schoolyard was like our playground kingdom, where every game brought friends together in laughter, competition, and sometimes a bit of mischief. There were no screens or apps—just a ball, a rope, and a whole lot of imagination. Looking back, it’s easy to see why these games are so fondly remembered. They were a part of growing up, of being free and full of energy. And while the games might have changed, the memories? Those are forever.
