13 Forgotten Playground Games That Built Better Social Skills Than Modern Apps

We all miss the good old days. The bell rang for recess and we ran out to the playground, ready for some fun & games. It was a time before smartphones—and that meant playground games were the best! Sure, these games kept us active but they also taught us useful social skills that apps can’t. Here are thirteen playground classics that really schooled us in socializing. Who knew that having fun could also be so educational?

Featured Image Credit: AllaSerebrina /Depositphotos.com.

Four Square

Photo of people playing Four Square inside a gymnasium
Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons.

Four Square was a quick-thinking game and to play, you had a ball, a square on the ground & the goal to rule the court. It was fun and fair in the best ways. When the ball went flying, sometimes we’d argue about whether it was in or out. But those moments were important in teaching us how to figure things out together. We had to make sure everyone was cool with the decision. Of course, thinking about other people in this way is something we need in every aspect of life, even today.

Duck, Duck, Goose

Children playing Duck, Duck, Goose
Image Credit: Ragesoss/Wikimedia Commons.

During Duck, Duck, Goose, everyone got a kick out of sitting in a circle and feeling the suspense build with each “duck” call. Then finally, someone was hit with the “goose” and the chase was on! You had to share the fun around which meant that everyone got a turn in the spotlight. It taught us about patience—something we could certainly do with more of today.

Hopscotch

Girl, mid-jump, playing hopscotch in California. Behind her several more hopscotch courts can be seen.
Image Credit: Dave Parker/Wikimedia Commons.

Hopscotch turned any sidewalk into a playground. If you want to win, you need to have a good sense of balance and precision—but that’s not all. It’s those moments of waiting your turn and cheering on the next hopper that really made it special. While it’s a simple game, it brought us together by teaching us to celebrate the small victories and brush off the fails. This kind of optimism is something we absolutely need when we’re socializing.

Marbles

Close-up of several marbles on the floor
Image Credit: Pexels.

What really made marbles interesting was the stakes—sometimes betting your best marbles and feeling the tension rise. This was more than a mere game. It gave us a lesson in risk-taking and strategy, all while squatting down on the playground dirt! You couldn’t beat the feeling of getting the perfect shot. That sense of achievement was utterly incredible!

Double Dutch

People playing Double Dutch
Image Credit: Brandon Mongila/Wikimedia Commons.

You had to be good at teamwork to play Double Dutch because it involved jumping in at the right moment and syncing up with the rhythm of the ropes. Then, you had to keep that rhythm going together! The game taught us the importance of timing and cooperation, along with the joy of shared success. Watching people play Double Dutch was almost as fun as doing it yourself.

Simon Says

2 scared boy and girl. Kids / children. Watching TV.
Image Credit: NatashaFedorova /Depositphotos.com.

Simon Says tested our ability to listen & react—both of which are necessary social skills. You had to really pay attention to what the “Simon” said because they’d try to catch you off guard by giving a command without “Simon says.” Better yet, this game made sure we knew the importance of following directions. You had to stay sharp and listen!

Tetherball

Children playing Tetherball
Image Credit: chewonki/Wikimedia Commons.

Even though Tetherball has a simple premise, it requires a mix of strategy and agility for you to do well at it. You need to hit the ball just right so that it spins around the pole & out of reach of your opponent. From this, we learned to think like the other person. We had to put ourselves in the opponent’s shoes and work out where it’d be hardest for them to hit the ball. Today, these empathetic skills would certainly be useful!

Chinese Jump Rope

Children playing jump rope
Image Credit: Pexels.

In Chinese Jump Rope, the game became harder as we created more complex patterns to jump through. This pushed us to remember the sequence—and execute it flawlessly. As such, the game became a group effort with everyone taking turns to jump through the elastic band or hold it for others. If you didn’t play with other team members, you simply couldn’t win.

Wall Ball

Adults playing Wall Ball
Image Credit: Jensbn~commonswiki /Wikimedia Commons.

Wall Ball tested your reaction time as you threw the ball hard against the wall, then made sure you caught it on the rebound. The rules were simple—but the game was endlessly entertaining. You learned to plan ahead and think about what could happen next. Of course, these skills are rather useful in conversation.

Skully

Children playing Skully
Image Credit: Bain News Service/Wikimedia Commons.

Anyone who played Skully remembers hitting the pavement with our best flicks, aiming to conquer each box and claim victory. It was a game of skill yet it also tested your creativity. Plus, the game taught us to be patient and precise with whatever we were doing—not to mention, the sheer joy of playing together on the city streets.

Stickball

Children playing Stickball
Image Credit: EaglebrookSchool/Wikimedia Commons.

For Stickball, you could make your own rules using whatever you could find to play our version of baseball. You just had to hit that rubber ball as far as you could—then run like the wind! What made it so special was that it brought the neighborhood together. We learned to make do with what we had and create fun out of nothing with everyone involved.

Handball

Adults playing Beach handball
Image Credit: Marcus Cyron/Wikimedia Commons.

You don’t need much to have a good time and handball is proof of that. Just a ball, a wall & a challenger—that’s all. We learned to test ourselves and bond over the game. The game improved our reflexes & strategic thinking and these are useful skills when socializing. You also got to make new friends and challenge old ones when you played!

Horse

Father And Son Playing Basketball On Driveway At Home
Image Credit: monkeybusiness /Depositphotos.com.

While most people think winning Horse involved just making the most baskets, it was who could make the most creative shots that really won. The game pushed us to think outside the box by trying to outdo each other with increasingly elaborate attempts. Every game was a chance to be inventive and show off a bit. You never know what each round would bring!

Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.

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