10 Games You Played as a Kid That Were Actually Super Dangerous
The games we played as kids seemed like harmless fun, but looking back, some of them were basically an ER visit waiting to happen.
- Sophia Zapanta
- 4 min read
Childhood was all about adventure, but sometimes that adventure came with a side of danger. From makeshift obstacle courses to games that encouraged borderline reckless behavior, we unknowingly risked our safety for the sake of fun. Here are 10 classic childhood games that, in hindsight, were way more dangerous than we realized.
1. Red Rover
Kyra Malicse on Wikimedia Commons
This game was basically a test of who had the strongest arms and the weakest ribs. The goal was to run full speed at a human chain and hope you didn’t get clotheslined or sent flying backward. Kids got bruises, sprained wrists, and even broken bones—all in the name of “team spirit.” Schools eventually caught on, and now it’s mostly banned, which is probably for the best.
2. Dodgeball
Jeffness on Wikimedia Commons
The whole point of the game was to hit people as hard as possible with a rubber ball, and yet somehow, adults thought this was a good idea. Kids with good aim became mini warriors, while the unlucky ones got smacked in the face repeatedly. Bruises, bloody noses, and full-force impacts were just part of the experience. If you made it out unscathed, you were either really fast or really lucky.
3. Backyard Trampolining
Rene Terp on Pexels
Jumping on a trampoline seemed harmless until someone decided to do flips, double bounces, or launch a friend into orbit. Without nets or padding, kids often flew off and crash-landed in the worst ways possible. Sprained ankles, twisted knees, and even concussions were common injuries. Yet, somehow, we kept coming back for more aerial chaos.
4. Lawn Darts
/dave/null on Wikimedia Commons
Nothing says “fun for kids” like throwing heavy, spear-like projectiles into the air. Lawn darts were meant to land in a target ring, but more often than not, they ended up dangerously close to someone’s head. Kids (and sometimes clueless adults) underestimated how sharp and heavy they were, leading to serious injuries. Eventually, they were banned, which honestly makes perfect sense in hindsight.
5. Rope Swing Shenanigans
Regend 3 on Wikimedia Commons
A rope tied to a tree over a lake seemed like the perfect summer thrill, right? Wrong—because half the time, kids lost their grip, hit the water wrong, or slammed into the tree instead. Even worse, the rope would sometimes snap, sending someone straight into a rocky disaster. However, at least it made for a great story later.
6. BB Gun Fights
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Thanks to movies and bad ideas, some kids thought BB gun battles were the ultimate test of bravery. Instead of paper targets, they aimed at each other, often leading to painful welts and, in some cases, actual eye injuries. A protective gear was barely an afterthought. Parents eventually stepped in, but not before a few kids learned the hard way that BB guns weren’t toys.
7. Skateboarding Without Pads
Max Fischer on Pexels
Skateboarding itself wasn’t the problem—it was the fact that most kids refused to wear safety gear because it “looked lame.” One bad fall, and suddenly, you had road rash, a sprained wrist, or worse, a broken arm. The real daredevils tried tricks way beyond their skill level, resulting in some spectacular wipeouts. Helmets were for “nerds,” but hospital visits weren’t exactly cool either.
8. Slip ‘N Slide on Dry Grass
Kim Siever on Wikimedia Commons
A plastic sheet, a hose, and a downhill slope seemed like a recipe for fun. The problem? If the slide wasn’t wet enough, it basically turned into high-speed sandpaper. Kids got friction burns, bruised ribs, and in some cases, full-blown whiplash from stopping too suddenly. Still, nothing beat the thrill of that one perfect slide until you crashed into the bushes.
9. Climbing on (and Falling Off) the Monkey Bars
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Monkey bars were where kids tested their upper-body strength—and their pain tolerance. Falling from the top meant landing hard, and sometimes, that meant a broken wrist or a twisted ankle. Kids would race across, try tricks, or hang upside down, not realizing how little grip they actually had. The only thing more painful than the fall? That moment of hesitation before letting go.
10. Playing with Fireworks
Ihsan Adityawarman on Pexels
Every kid thought they could handle a sparkler, but eventually, someone got bold and started lighting actual fireworks. Misfires, burns, and close calls with Roman candles turned this into one of the most dangerous “games” of all. Some kids even held firecrackers in their hands, assuming they’d have time to throw them—spoiler alert: they didn’t. The Fourth of July was basically a test of survival.