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Fun Older Games

Before the age of computers, children used to be sent out to play in the neighborhood, returning only for the lunch or dinner bell. Younger children learned the rules from older children, and these rules were enforced so effectively that the games passed down with few changes from generation to generation. Games like pick-up sticks, jacks, and rock-paper-scissors were popular during rest breaks between more active games. Board games and puzzles were usually reserved for rainy days or to play after dinner.

Pick-Up Sticks
- Pick-Up Sticks can be homemade from skewers with both ends cut off.
  
  Homemade or store-bought pick-up stick sets consist of 30 colored sticks: one black, used as a pick-up tool; seven red sticks, each worth 10 points; seven blue sticks, each worth five points; eight green sticks, each worth two points; and seven yellow sticks, each worth one point. Hold all sticks except the black one vertically on the ground and release. The first player uses the black stick or her fingers to pick up sticks one at a time without moving the others. She is counted out if she moves a stick. Her points are counted and she passes the black stick to the next player. The game is usually played to 200 points.
Freeze Tag
- Tag is a game with many variations.
  
  Freeze tag is a combination of tag and hide and seek. It is an outdoor game best played by three or more people. The child who is "it" counts slowly to 10 while other players hide. When he reaches 10, he runs to find and tag the other players. They run away to avoid being tagged. Players must freeze if tagged, standing in place with their legs wide open. They can only move again if another player manages to crawl through their legs without being tagged. The game ends when all players are frozen. The next "it" player is the last one tagged.
Red Light Green Light
- The goal of this outdoor game is for players to touch the child designated as the red light before they are counted out. One child stands 15 to 20 feet away from the other players with his back turned to them. He shouts "Green light!" and all the players run towards him. A few seconds later he shouts "Red light," and then turns around quickly to look. The players that are still in motion or wobbling for balance are counted out. If there's a winner, she takes the place of the red-light player. If not, the same red light plays again.
Capture the Flag
- This exciting game is for at least four players divided into two teams. Divide an outdoor area into two territories. The two team "flags" should be brightly colored, soft objects like beanbags or balls. Each team takes five minutes to hide their "flag" somewhere in their territory while the other team is blindfolded. At a shouted signal, both teams run into the opposition's territory to find the opposing flag without getting tagged. To win a point, they must capture the flag and run back to their own territory without getting tagged. Tagged players go to "jail" and can be freed by a player from their own team during the next round if neither of them are tagged.

Kids Games