Top 5 Classic Childhood Games

When we were kids we rode bikes without a helmet, talked to strangers, ran with scissors, and stayed outside until dark. It was awesome. Do I allow my kids do any of those things? Not a chance. But, will I share a piece of that carefree childhood with my children? Absolutely!

Here are the top-five classic games you simply must pass down to your children:

Seven Up

The object of this game is to bounce a rubber ball against the wall a set number of times while performing a skill between bounces. The skills are as follows:

Sevensies: Bounce the ball off the wall and catch seven times.
Sixies: Bounce the ball against the wall, allowing it to bounce on the ground once before you catch it six times.
Fivesies: Bounce the ball on the ground five times.
Foursies: Bounce the ball from the ground to the wall and then back to you four times.
Threesies: Bounce the ball on the ground first, then use your palm to bat the ball against the wall, then catch it before it bounces on the ground again three times.
Twosies: Toss the ball under your leg and bounce off the wall, then catch two times.
Onesies: Throw the ball against the wall, spin around 360 degrees and catch the ball before it bounces.

If you fumble, you must start over at Sevensies. Round Two, add in a clap of the hands between each throw/bounce. Round Three, add two claps, etc.

*FYI, this would make an excellent drinking game for adults. Every time the ball is fumbled, the player must do a shot. Good luck EVER getting to “Onesies” after four Broken Down Golf Carts!

KnockDown

Trading cards are leaned up against a wall and then players flick cards at the wall in an attempt to knock down the cards to take possession of them. Wagering and PG–rated trash talk is encouraged.

Jacks

Low-tech and portable fun! All you need is a set of ten Jacks and a rubber ball. Player one throws the Jacks in a nice even spread on a flat surface. Then, they bounce the ball and before it bounces a second time, scoop up one Jack. The next turn, scoop up two and so on until all ten are collected. If a mistake is made, the player misses his or her turn while the opponent plays. Player one must resume from where he left off, see the full jacks rules and versions.

Sardines

In this game, one person hides while the rest of the players seek. Once somebody discovers the hiding spot, they join the hider. Players squeeze in together like Sardines in a can until only one seeker remains. This is not to be confused with “Sardines Knick-Knocking.” This cheeky version is better suited for bachelor parties or a GNO gone wild!

Four Square

Draw a large square at least six-feet wide and divide into four equally-sized small squares numbered 1(Ace) 2 (King) 3 (Queen) to 4 (Joker). Each player stands in one of the four squares. The king serves the ball by bouncing it in their square once and then hitting it towards one of the other squares. The receiving player hits the ball to any other player in one of the other squares. The ball must bounce in another player's square, and they must hit it to another player before it bounces a second time.

If a player hits the ball outside another player's square, or fails to hit the ball before the second bounce after it has landed in their square, they are "out" and the other players move up to take their place, and that player moves to the last square, or to the end of the line if others are waiting to join. The object of the game is to move up to and hold the Ace position.

Game on everyone! Remember, play hard, laugh harder.