Ah, the ’70s—when recess was the Wild West of childhood fun. Kids played hard, fast, and without a second thought about helmets, liability, or what might get them called to the principal’s office. Today, many of these beloved schoolyard games would raise eyebrows or even spark suspension-worthy concerns. Let’s revisit the risky, rowdy fun of yesteryear and see how much things have changed.
1. Butts Up
This game was simple: miss catching the ball, and you had to stand against a wall while someone hurled the ball at your backside. It was all fun and games until someone got hit too hard, and then it turned into a mini war. Today, this would likely land everyone in a conflict-resolution seminar.
2. Slap Boxing
Not quite a game, but it was common to see boys squaring off to test their reflexes with open-hand sparring matches. Back then, it was seen as harmless bravado. Today, any form of physical fighting would likely result in immediate suspension.
3. Red Rover
“Red Rover, Red Rover, send someone right over!” Sound familiar? The goal was to break through linked arms with sheer force. Unfortunately, this game often ended with kids getting yanked off their feet or leaving with bruises. Schools now see it as too dangerous for fragile little bones.
4. Marble Wars
This wasn’t your ordinary game of marbles. Kids often played “winner takes all,” and the stakes were high. Arguments over prized shooters or accusations of cheating frequently turned into playground brawls. These days, competitive games with high emotional stakes are discouraged, especially when they involve potential fights.
5. Jarts (Lawn Darts)
While technically more of a backyard game, Jarts made their way into some schoolyards. These sharp-tipped darts were lobbed into the air toward targets—or sometimes toward unsuspecting friends. By the ’80s, they were banned for being a literal safety hazard, but not before a few close calls.
6. Tackle Football
Who needed flags? We played the full-contact version, even without pads or helmets. Tackling someone into the dirt was the highlight, though it often led to bloody noses or sprained wrists. Now, schools have no tolerance for this level of roughhousing.
7. Crack the Whip
A recess classic, kids formed a long line and swung the “whip” around, sending whoever was at the end flying. It was all fun until someone landed on their face—or worse, got whipped into a tree or a pole. These days, it’s too much of a liability.
8. Chicken Fights
Usually played on monkey bars or during pool parties, chicken fights involved one kid riding piggyback on another and trying to knock down other teams. On solid ground, this was a recipe for scraped knees, bruises, and tears. Schools wouldn’t dream of allowing this now.
9. Dodgeball
This wasn’t the nerfed version you see today. Back then, we played with those red rubber balls that could leave a welt—and half the fun was nailing someone as hard as you could. It was an adrenaline rush for some and a nightmare for others, but these days, dodgeball is more likely to be banned for its “targeted aggression.”
10. Swing Launching
Remember pumping your legs on the swing set until you got as high as possible—then launching yourself into the air? It was exhilarating, though a poor landing could knock the wind out of you. Nowadays, even the thought of unsupervised swing jumping would make a teacher panic.
11. Bloody Knuckles
This was the ultimate test of pain tolerance. Kids took turns smashing their fists against a coin or each other’s knuckles until someone gave up. The bloodier, the better. Schools today prioritize anti-violence policies, so this “game” is a hard no.
12. King of the Hill
The goal was to claim the top of a hill and shove everyone else down. Whether it was a pile of snow or a grassy mound, this game was as rough as it was fun. Nowadays, schools prefer conflict-free games—and shoving kids down hills doesn’t fit the bill.
Ah, the glory days of unsupervised chaos! These games may be relics of the past, but they shaped our memories—and maybe toughened us up a bit. What other games do you remember playing that would raise eyebrows today?
