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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Nostalgic games that were popular in our childhood (21–30)
High Tag
It’s similar to tag, but in taka-oni (high tag), if you climb to a high place while running from the “it,” they can’t touch you.
It’s best played in places like parks with playground equipment.
Elementary school kids used to play this a lot.
Brings back memories.
It’s less fun if you just stay on a high spot, so it’s a good idea to set a time limit for how many seconds you can remain in one place.
Chopstick Game
The “waribashi game” is a pastime everyone used to play during school breaks.
You face each other with only your index fingers extended on both hands, and tap your opponent’s finger with your own—tap! The person who gets tapped increases the number of fingers they’re holding out by the number of fingers the tapper has extended.
Since everyone starts with one finger, the person who’s tapped then extends their middle finger too, making two.
After you’re down to one hand, if you clap both hands together—clap!—you can split the number of fingers from one hand across both hands.
It’s a simple, fun game you can play anywhere.
Making mud dumplings
Making mud dumplings was something every kid loved, right? Finding a more clay-like layer in the park was cause for celebration.
You’d carefully adjust the amount of water, then roll it smoothly and firmly into a sphere.
Once you settled on the size and shape, you’d let it dry a little, then sprinkle on fine, evenly sized sand and polish it endlessly.
I think that’s as far as we got as kids, but apparently the advanced makers go on to polish with a cloth, too.
The finish is so good you can hardly believe it’s a mud ball.
Building a secret base
Didn’t you ever dream of having a secret hideout when you were a kid? There’s something special about spending time in a place no one else knows about—just by yourself or only with friends who share the secret.
Even as adults, some people still long for a secret base; I think boys especially do.
Laying planks up in a tree, or blocking off the entrance to a hole you stumbled upon so it won’t be found—there are many ways to build a secret hideout.
If you’ve never made one, you should try it at least once.
S-ken (traditional Japanese playground game)
This is a game where you advance toward the treasure located in the opponent’s territory.
Battles in enemy territory are one-on-one hand-pushing sumo while hopping on one foot.
If both hands touch the ground or you step out of the territory, you’re out.
Players who are hopping can escape to islands set up in advance.
Don’t push one person with multiple players or shove from behind, as it can cause injuries.
It’s one of those games kids can get totally absorbed in.
Traditional playground games techniques
Kendama and spinning tops may seem difficult at first, but when you keep trying and finally succeed, you’ll feel a real sense of “I did it!” As you practice, you steadily develop fine finger movements, body balance, and hand-eye timing—that’s a key benefit.
Focusing while you play also nurtures perseverance and a never-give-up attitude.
If you practice and show off your tricks with friends or family, their “That’s awesome!” will give you courage and confidence.
These toys help both mind and body grow while having fun, so give them a try!
Tonton Sumo
The first one to topple after tapping the ring loses! Known as paper sumo, Ton-ton Sumo has long been a beloved game among Japanese children.
You can enjoy it with wrestlers made by drawing on construction paper or cardstock and folding them in half, but making them with origami is also recommended! After creasing along the diagonals, fold each corner to the center, then fold the corners in to the center again.
Flip it over and continue folding; finally, fold it vertically in half and adjust so it stands—your origami wrestler is complete.
Let’s tap and play inside a ring made from cardboard or within a taped-off square on a table using masking tape!
