13 Playground Games Kids Don’t Play Anymore

Recess used to be all about running, jumping, and inventing games that needed little more than chalk or a ball. Today’s playgrounds look a lot different, with many classic games slowly fading out of sight.

Tricia Quitales
October 28, 2025
5 min read

13 Playground Games Kids Don’t Play Anymore — Thirdman on Pexels

Playground games once defined childhood friendships, creative play, and schoolyard memories. Many of these activities thrived before screens and organized sports took over recess time. What was once the highlight of the day now lives mostly in nostalgia. These forgotten games show how much childhood fun has shifted over the years.

1. 1. Red Rover

Red Rover involved forming two human chains and calling someone to run through and try to break the line. It was intense, physical, and often ended with someone hitting the ground. Schools eventually banned it in many places due to safety concerns. Kids today are more likely to play structured games with less contact. The thrill of charging through a line of classmates is now a rare sight.

2. 2. Kick the Can

A mix of hide-and-seek and tag, this game required strategy and speed. One player guarded a can while the others tried to sneak up and kick it without being tagged. It was played across the entire schoolyard or neighborhood. Today, it feels too complex and time-consuming for modern recess. Simpler digital games have replaced this kind of open-ended fun.

3. 3. Four Square

Four Square was a staple on blacktops everywhere, using a bouncy ball and quick reflexes. The rules could get complicated with local variations like cherry bombs or double hits. Kids formed long lines just for a chance to join in. Now, the squares often go unused or are faded completely. Fast-paced digital games have replaced this hand-eye coordination classic.

4. 4. Hopscotch

Drawn with chalk and played with a small rock, hopscotch was once a go-to for quiet but fun competition. It encouraged balance and focus without needing any special gear. You could play it alone or with friends. These days, it’s rarely seen, partly because many schoolyards are paved or off-limits for chalk. It has quietly disappeared from most recess routines.

5. 5. Wall Ball

Wall Ball needed nothing more than a tennis ball and a flat surface. Players took turns bouncing the ball against the wall, trying to catch it or avoid getting out. The game required quick thinking and fast reactions. It was competitive but simple. Now, safety concerns and a lack of open space have made it nearly extinct in most schools.

6. 6. Marbles

Once a prized playground currency, marbles were traded, collected, and played with in countless ways. The objective often involved knocking opponents’ marbles out of a drawn circle. It required precision and patience. With tiny pieces and swallow risks, many schools eventually discouraged the game. Today, marbles are more often decorative than played with.

7. 7. Duck Duck Goose

In a circle, kids waited to be tapped as “it” ran around yelling “duck” until finally shouting “goose.” It was a favorite in early elementary grades, encouraging movement and laughter. The suspense of the chase made it exciting. Now, it’s mostly used for preschool settings or party games. Kids grow out of it earlier and often move on to screen-based play.

8. 8. Tetherball

Tetherball involved hitting a ball attached to a rope around a pole, trying to wrap it completely before your opponent. It required timing, strength, and strategy. Once a playground mainstay, it has fallen out of favor due to injuries and lack of interest. Few schools keep tetherball poles maintained anymore. Its decline is a sign of changing playground priorities.

9. 9. Jump Rope Rhymes

Jump rope wasn’t just exercise; it came with songs and group participation. Kids would chant rhymes and compete to see who could last the longest. Double Dutch was especially challenging and popular. Now, it is rarely seen during school breaks. Organized sports and free time on phones have edged it out.

10. 10. Freeze Tag

Freeze Tag brought all the fun of regular tag with an extra twist of teamwork. If tagged, players had to freeze in place until another teammate untagged them. It added a layer of strategy and suspense. The game needed no equipment and could involve dozens of players. Still, it has slowly faded in favor of more structured games or quiet time.

11. 11. Jacks

Played with a small rubber ball and metal or plastic jacks, this game was all about precision. The goal was to collect as many jacks as possible before the ball bounced twice. It was a quiet, skill-based game often played on smooth surfaces. Few kids today even know the rules. It has vanished from both playgrounds and toy aisles.

12. 12. Capture the Flag

Played in large groups, this game involved sneaking into enemy territory to steal a flag and bring it back to home base. It was full of excitement, teamwork, and risk. Some schools stopped allowing it due to running injuries and disputes. It also requires a lot of open space and supervision. Kids now rarely get the chance to play it at school.

13. 13. Simon Says

This simple game tested listening skills and quick reactions. Players only acted when the leader said “Simon says,” and mistakes led to elimination. It was a classroom favorite and often used as a transition activity. Now, it appears mostly in teaching exercises or online videos. The group play aspect is largely lost in today’s digital-focused environments.