Nostalgic games that were popular when we were kids
Don’t you think kids are truly geniuses at killing time?
During recess or after school, we played all kinds of games every day!
I bet you can instantly think of a few nostalgic games too, right?
In this article, we’ll introduce plenty of the games we used to play as kids!
We’ve rounded up nostalgic games that will take you right back to childhood the moment you see them and put a smile on your face.
I’m sure today’s kids would enjoy them too.
You can play together across generations, and we hope this helps you fondly remember those days!
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- [For Kids] Outdoor Recreation Games: Fun Outdoor Play
- Fun Indoor Games for Elementary School Kids Without Any Equipment
- [Elementary School] Quick and Easy! Indoor Recreational Activities Perfect for Lower Grades
- A special feature on nostalgic toys and the trends we craved as kids—loads of the things we wanted back then are here!
- Play ideas kids can enjoy from 1st to 6th grade [indoors & outdoors]
- [For Kids] Today's Recommended Recreation Idea Collection
- [Elementary School Rec] Recommended Games and Performances for a Fun Party
- [List] A roundup of games and recreational activities kids love
- Traditional Games: Fun Old-Time Play. Popular Activities Useful in Childcare
- [For Kids] Have Fun at After-School Day Service! A Special Feature on Indoor Game Ideas
- [Play Right Away!] Exciting Recreation Games Recommended for Elementary School Students
Nostalgic Games That Were Popular in Childhood (1–10)
kick the can
Kick the Can is a classic kids’ game.
You draw a circle on the ground and place an empty can in the center.
Someone kicks the can to start the game.
While “It” is putting the can back and counting, everyone else hides where they can’t be found.
“It” guards the can while searching for the hiders.
When “It” finds someone, they say “Found so-and-so!” and step on the can.
If “It” finds everyone, “It” wins.
But if someone who hasn’t been found manages to kick the can without being noticed by “It,” the caught players are freed and the game restarts.
Ruler War
Have you ever played this? I’m sure many men have tried it at least once.
So, what is “Ruler Wars”? It’s basically a tournament to decide the strongest ruler.
You place the ruler you believe is the strongest on the desk and flick it with a pen.
If it falls off the desk, you lose.
You might be thinking, “I don’t see what’s fun about that…,” but once you start, you’ll find yourself getting surprisingly serious about it.
Panpan Beam
This is a one-on-one game; I don’t know its official name, but I bet many people played it with friends when they were little.
After clapping your hands twice—pan, pan—you choose one of three moves: Beam, Charge, or Guard.
The basic rule is that if your opponent uses Beam while you’re Charging, you lose.
There’s also a rule where, after Charging a preset number of times, you can fire a Beam that breaks through a Guard and wins, so it’s actually a surprisingly strategic game! With moves like Beam and Guard, it’s a fun, very boyish kind of play.
Nostalgic games that were popular in our childhood (11–20)
kneaded eraser
Do you know “neri-keshi” (kneaded eraser)? In Japan, the first boom happened in the 1970s.
It’s an item shaped like a regular eraser; you chop it up into small pieces and knead it by pressing it between something flat like a ruler and your desk.
It takes patience to finish, but it’s quite rewarding when you do.
If you knead it thoroughly, you’ll get a stretchy, well-made kneaded eraser.
Just make sure you don’t make one during class by mistake…!
Facial parts in a free notebook
It’s a game where you hand-draw facial features on a sketchpad and have your friends pick one part at a time to complete a face.
Listing out all the facial parts takes quite a bit of time and patience, but coming up with different parts is surprisingly fun.
If you slip in a few odd or silly features, there will definitely be a friend who chooses them, so roaring laughter at the finished face is guaranteed.
Fruits Basket
In “Fruit Basket,” one person is chosen as “it,” and the other participants are each assigned the name of a specific fruit, then sit on chairs arranged in a circle.
The person who is “it” stands in the center and calls out a fruit name; anyone assigned that fruit must stand up and move to a different chair.
At this time, the “it” person also tries to sit in a chair.
It’s a game still beloved in kindergartens and nursery schools, and there are variations such as “Anything Basket.”
shrink plastic
I remember “shrinky plastic” crafts being held as weekend events at elementary school after-school programs.
Many of you may have made them with friends, too.
These days you can get all the materials at 100-yen shops, so they’re easy to make.
Think of your favorite motif and create it.
If you color and decorate it, you can make an even cuter shrinky plastic piece.