Playground games provide an opportunity for children to stay active while interacting with their peers. Playground games typically require minimal setup and equipment. Relive your own childhood by playing these playground games with your children or students.
Tetherball
Many playgrounds have tetherball courts. This simple court consists of a vertical pole with a rope attached to the top and a volleyball attached to the end of the rope. Most tetherball courts have a circle drawn around the pole with a line dividing the circle into two halves. One player stands in each half of the circle. One player serves the ball by hitting it in one direction so that it begins to wrap around the pole. The other player must defend by hitting the ball back in the other direction. Players win rounds by wrapping the ball all the way around the pole in their direction. Players take turns serving one round at a time until one player reaches a previously decided upon number of rounds to win the match.
Four Square
Many playgrounds have four square courts painted onto the pavement. You can also draw your own four square court using sidewalk chalk. Four square courts typically measure 16 feet by 16 feet, with four equal squares drawn inside. You can play four square with two to four players. If more children want to play, they can line up next to the court. One new player can enter the court each time another player gets eliminated. Designate one square as square one and the others as squares two, three and four. The player who occupies square one gets to serve. To serve, bounce the ball in your own square and then hit it with both hands into another square. Players then keep the ball in play by hitting it into their opponents' squares. If you hit the ball to one of the inside lines of the court or hit it out of bounds, you commit a foul. After two fouls, you must move to a box with a higher number. For example, if you commit two fouls from square one, you switch places with the player in square two and that player gets to serve next. If you commit two fouls from square four, you leave the court and another player gets to enter the game. Players can only win points in square one.
The Blob
The blob game requires no equipment and can accommodate a larger group of children than many other playground games. This variation on classic tag encourages children to collaborate and work as a team. One player begins the game as the blob, similar to the "it" player in other versions of tag. The blob must tag as many other players as she can. Each time the blob tags a player, that player must join hands with the blob. The blob will grow larger and larger until it has tagged all but one of the players. The last player to evade capture by the blob gets to start the next round as the blob.
