15 Playground Games That Would Be Banned Today
These once-popular playground games wouldn’t pass safety rules in modern schools.
- Chris Graciano
- 3 min read
Playgrounds used to be wilder. Many childhood favorites from the past are now considered too dangerous, too rough, or just plain unsafe. Here’s a nostalgic look at 15 playground games that would almost certainly be banned in today’s risk-averse schoolyards.
1. Dodgeball with Hard Rubber Balls
Wan San Yip on Unsplash
Back in the day, the heavy red balls left stings and bruises after a solid hit. Now, schools favor foam versions or skip the game entirely to prevent injuries.
2. Red Rover
Kyra Malicse on Wikimedia Commons
This game involved forming human chains and trying to break through them at full speed. The result? Lots of bruised arms, falls, and even broken bones.
3. Smear the Queer
Pixabay on Pexels
This full-contact game was essentially a free-for-all tackle match. Aside from the obvious safety hazards, the outdated name alone makes it unacceptable today.
4. British Bulldog
Clément Proust on Pexels
Players sprinted across a field trying to avoid being tackled to the ground. It was chaotic, intense, and often painful. Today, it’s seen as too aggressive for school settings.
5. Crack the Whip
Gandalf’s Gallery on Flickr
Kids formed a line, held hands, and spun until someone at the end went flying. Injuries were almost guaranteed when players lost their grip.
6. Monkey Bar Challenges
Se. Tsuchiya on Unspalsh
These weren’t just about climbing; they often involved pushing, hanging upside down, or skipping rungs. The risk of falls and fractures was high.
7. Wall Ball with Bare Hands
Black Hour on Flickr
Throwing and catching fast-moving balls against a wall seemed harmless until fingers got jammed or faces got smacked. Today, many schools require softer balls or ban the game outright.
8. King of the Hill
Vikas Gurjar on Unsplash
One kid claimed the top of a mound, and everyone else tried to knock them off. It led to shoving matches and plenty of scraped knees.
9. Keep Away with Personal Items
Mikhail Nilov on Pexels
Chasing after stolen hats, gloves, or backpacks might have been thrilling, but it caused plenty of fights. Today, taking someone’s belongings for fun is considered bullying.
10. Tug-of-War on Concrete
Anna Samoylova on Unsplash
The classic rope-pulling contest became dangerous when played on hard surfaces. Falls could mean serious scrapes or worse.
11. Tag Variations with Pushing
Jordan Whitt on Unsplash
Some tag games allowed tagging by shoving, which often ended in collisions. Modern tag rules ban physical force beyond a gentle touch.
12. Marbles in the Dirt
The Ian on Unsplash
This once-popular game had kids kneeling on rough, uneven surfaces for long stretches. Aside from scraped hands, it sometimes sparked arguments over lost marbles.
13. Climbing the Big Slide from the Wrong Side
Adarsh Madrecha on Unsplash
Scaling the slide’s steep front seemed daring but was a recipe for falls and collisions. Now, climbing equipment against its intended use is a strict safety violation.
14. Freeze Tag Without Boundaries
Quang Huy Nguyễn on Unsplash
Without designated play areas, kids often ran into dangerous zones like parking lots or near fences. Today, clear boundaries are enforced for all outdoor games.
15. Jumping Off the Swing at Full Speed
wsilver on Wikimedia Commons
Leaping mid-swing for extra thrills sometimes led to sprains or worse. Modern playground rules forbid it to avoid unnecessary injuries.