15 ’90s Classroom Games That Have Disappeared
Before smartphones and smartboards, these low-tech games ruled the classroom — and now, they’re nearly extinct.
- Chris Graciano
- 3 min read
Classrooms in the ’90s were also filled with fun and laughter, not just quizzes. These games turned classrooms into mini playgrounds. Today’s kids may never experience them, but they hold a special place in the memories of those who grew up during the decade.
1. Heads Up, Seven Up
RDNE Stock project on Pexels
With heads down and thumbs up, this guessing game was the go-to during indoor recess. It required zero supplies but delivered maximum suspense.
2. Silent Ball
Black Hour on Flickr
No talking. No laughing. Just tossing a squishy ball around the room while standing on your desk or near your seat. It was a quiet teacher’s dream — and a student’s balance challenge.
3. Around the World (Math Game)
Yan Krukau on Pexels
This fast-paced flashcard competition had students circling the classroom one answer at a time. Answer first, and you move on. Lose, and you sit down.
4. Four Corners
Pavel Danilyuk on Pexels
Students ran to one of four designated corners, hoping not to be called out by the person with their eyes closed. It blended luck and movement into one thrilling game.
5. M.A.S.H.
Jamie on Flickr
Short for Mansion, Apartment, Shack, House — this game decided your future with just paper and doodles. It predicted who you’d marry, what you’d drive, and where you’d live.
6. Eraser Tag
Mikhail Nilov on Pexels
Armed with whiteboard erasers, kids would sneak around and “tag” classmates on the back. It usually ended with smudged shirts and a few scoldings.
7. Sparkle (Spelling Game)
Mikhail Nilov on Pexels
A word was spoken, and students took turns spelling it letter by letter. Miss a letter? You’re out. Yell “Sparkle” to knock out the next person — it was cutthroat spelling at its finest.
8. Telephone
Uncletomwood on Wikimedia Commons
A whispered sentence made its way around the circle, only to emerge hilariously twisted at the end. It taught listening skills and how fast things can get lost in translation.
9. Hangman on the Chalkboard
Mark Hillary on Flickr
One mystery word, one slowly drawn stick figure. Guess wrong too many times, and the poor guy meets his doom. This simple spelling game made vocabulary surprisingly intense.
10. Bingo with Chips or Paper Slips
Max Fischer on Pexels
From math problems to vocabulary words, Bingo was the go-to reward game. Each square was tied to learning, but the anticipation of yelling “BINGO!” was the real thrill.
11. Paper Football
Jimboyte on Wikimedia Commons
The triangular paper flicked across desks became an all-out battle of aim and finesse. Folded just right, it could glide like a champ or skid off the table in shame.
12. Red Rover (Played Sparingly Indoors)
Kyra Malicse on Wikimedia Commons
Although mainly a playground game, rainy days meant adapting this physical challenge indoors, usually with a lot of teacher warnings. It was part strategy, part strength.
13. Guess the Animal (20 Questions Style)
Pavel Danilyuk on Pexels
A student picked a mystery animal, and the class had 20 questions to figure it out. It tested logic, memory, and sometimes your best poker face.
14. Simon Says
Artem Podrez on Pexels
Follow instructions only when “Simon says” — fail to listen and you’re out. It was deceptively simple but taught attention to detail.
15. Chalkboard Pictionary
Ksenia Chernaya on Pexels
One student draws, the rest guess — easy, chaotic, and fun. Categories ranged from science terms to cartoon characters. It brought out surprising artistic talent and even more surprising guesses.