The Way We Used To Play ... {100 Days of Play Blog Hop}

As children we played out.

Just about all day every day - unless it was really pouring - with all the other children on the street.

I remember being out there from as little as 2 or 3 - tagging along with my big sister and the older kids, but slowly absorbing the most glorious heritage of games passed on by generations of children.

It was different then of course.

Very few mums worked and so perhaps more secure in their attention we relied for entertainment far more on each other than on our mums.

Now in the midst of childcare and play dates there is a danger the wonderful ways we used to play are being lost.

As little ones no longer learn these ways from a gaggle of other children on the street, we need as mothers to pass them on ... if for no other reason than they are the most wonderful fun :-)

We have had the most brilliant time - in the garden, the park, the house & on the beach - over the last few months with impromptu games of three of my absolute favourites ...

Tick / Tag / Dob ...

Goes by many names but needs no introduction. Even very small children grasp and adore the idea of tagging someone and running off as quickly as their little legs will go. And it's a wonderful way of getting reluctant walkers to hurry along a little in the park.

Tincanalley / Kick the Can / Relieve You ...

We loved this combination of Hide & Seek and Tag as children and now my 3 year old is entranced. Particularly when not just mum but the whole family joined in, in the sand dunes.

Rather than wait to be found, you must sneak your way back to base without being tagged.

Mother May I

Another one we played for hours.

Whoever is "it" gives instructions to each of the other players in turn e.g. take 2 giant steps, 10 fairy steps. The player has to remember to say "May I" before following the instruction. If they forget they go back to the beginning. The first player to make it over to "it" wins.

... I have been trying to remember all the other ways we used to play in the hope of passing them on ... I would love to hear your favourites, do add them to the list ...

Games We Used to Play

This post is part of the 100 Days of Play Blog Hop - do check out all the other wonderful ideas for simple daily ways to play with our children.

100 Days of Play Blog Hop
Sharing simple ideas on how to connect with your children through play!
New ideas shared each day from 4/1 - 7/20.