But then I went back to my elementary school days and remembered one game we used to play for hours on the playground - Red Rover. Remember that one, where the object was to line up with your team of kids, wait for your name to be called, then run with all your might, and throw your body into the link of waiting arms in hopes of breaking through without ripping another kid's arm off? And if you broke through, you got to steal one of their kids?
Haha...that always felt so naughty, especially because I attended a Catholic elementary school.
The only elements needed to play the game were a good number of kids--at least 10, and open space, preferably on soft ground like grass. Playing on asphalt usually led to someone bleeding, which sent the nuns at my Catholic elementary school into a tirade and ended recess early.
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What's your take on the subject? Did you play Red Rover as a kid?
Yes, I remember that game too. You're making me feel a little less old that you know it too. Great choice.
ReplyDeleteI played that game. Oh, the memories of elementary school.
ReplyDeleteEven in England we played the game. My daughter was playing it the other day in brownies, except her and her friend were never picked, which made them feel bad, and the leaders didn't care (from what I saw when I showed up). No wonder the two girls don't like going. No wonder they don't want to register for next year.
ReplyDeleteYeah. Society has created too much paranoia. There's just too many lawyers.
ReplyDeleteI would try to duck under the arms and get clothes-lined across the neck. Needless to say, I was not very good at that game...
ReplyDeleteMy elementary schooled played this in gym class but we didn't form the link. It was a game of tag instead and multiple people tried to cross without getting tagged. That was fun, but I see what you are saying about going overboard with the safety issue.
ReplyDeleteI played that game! *sigh* I played a long time ago. I say let the kids be kids, for crying out loud! Egad. What is this world coming to? Since I homeschool, our kids have always played it.
ReplyDeleteWriters are taking me down memory lane today. It's wonderful! :-)
Great trip down Memory Lane! Yes, I played Red Rover, but on the grass as my country school was an old pasture. It's fun, but having said that, I taught school too long not to mention parents who talk the talk about kids being kids, but, oy, let one of 'em come home with a bruise and they man the battle stations. *shakes head*
ReplyDeleteSadly, I never much liked Red Rover. I was pretty quiet and shy as a little kid, especially in school, so I was often overlooked. I hardly ever got called to run. Sniff. And when I did, I was always knocked down and usually ended up with an aching throat and winded. Poor me.
ReplyDeleteBut I agree--so many restrictions now. I'm sure we'll be ordered soon to bubble wrap our children before we send them to school.
yes! I totally remember that game. And it really is sad that so many classic games and activities are disappearing.
ReplyDeleteNah, I played it with my students the last few years. It's fun. LOL.
ReplyDeleteOh, absolutely! That and Kick the Can. Hours spent in the front yard with a gang of kids. You've brought back some very nostalgic moments, Sheri!
ReplyDeleteMust be a Catholic school thing because yes, I played Red Rover many, many times!
ReplyDeleteOh, yes I remember that. I was a skinny little twig and dreaded they would call my name because I rarely busted through. I miss kids playing outside and running around the neighborhood.
ReplyDeleteKids aren't allowed to play that game anymore? That's a little extreme.
ReplyDeleteRound of applause!
DeleteKids aren't allowed to play 'dangerous' games in the playground any more. All part of the compensation culture we have today - schools are too concerned about being sued. What happened to the 'rough-and-tumble' of childhood? Today's kids are missing out on so much.
ReplyDeleteI used to play that too. It probably isn't allowed on our school playground. But that doesn't mean we can't introduce it to our kids for family or neighborhood get togethers!
ReplyDeleteVery true!! I didn't think of that.
DeleteI remember that game! And Capture the Flag and Foursquare. And I love whitewater rafting!
ReplyDeleteYes, I remember playing that game when I was younger. I think I loved that game when I was playing. This is a nice post.
ReplyDeletewww.modernworld4.blogspot.com
I did play Red Rover as a child, and I think my kids have played it, too. We have some wonderful neighbors with kids very close in age to my kids' ages, and when they were younger they played all sorts of old-fashioned games I remembered from my own childhood. I feel so blessed my kids got to have that experience.
ReplyDeleteNope, I didn't play red rover as a kid. I did play other rough games though.. like standing in front of a wall while trying to avoid a tennis ball when the other kids threw it at you. lol. The bruises were cool ;)
ReplyDeleteI'm glad I didn't know about Red Rover. That would freak me out!
ReplyDeleteRed rover, dodge ball, tag, marco polo, etc... Many outside games that we thought to be so much fun, have fallen into obscurity because we can't pry kids away from televisions and computers these days. When I was a kid, nobody wanted to be stuck in the house.
ReplyDelete