This is a great variation on a traditional game of tag. If played with a group willing to make some noise, it can be a lot of fun, especially if the players can perfect their goose honks before play begins. Number of players: 4+ Ages: 4+ Space: Outside or gym. One of the players is chosen as the goose. An adult supervising the game can pick the first player chosen by determining who does the best goose calls. Mark off an area at the end of the playing field that belongs exclusively to the goose. To begin play, the other … Continue reading →

I played this game on a long trip a little while ago with my three daughters. One of them can’t spell yet, so we had to change it a little bit. It kept everybody occupied, often laughing, for quite a few miles. Number of players: 4+ Ages: Depending on skills used. There are a number of variations for this game that can be suited to the type of players participating. The main idea of the game is that each player follows the suggestion of the player preceding him. In the first variation, the first player spells a word. The second … Continue reading →

This is a classic dramatic and active game. There are a few simple rules that make it great for young children, and anyone who can cluck like a chicken is able to get in on the fun. Number of Players: 5+ Ages: 3+ Space: A big indoor room, or anywhere outdoors. To begin play, one player is chosen to be the market owner and another a shopper; the rest of the players simply pretend to be chickens by stooping down in a row and clasping their hands under their knees. The buyer approaches the market owner and says, “Have you … Continue reading →

This is an old Scottish game, which came out of the popularity of smuggling. It became popular in the American colonies, since the colonists considered smuggling to be a noble trade. The “geg” is a small treasure, an object that’s easily handled such as a key, a marble or something similar. Number of players: 8+ Ages: 5+ Space: playground or campground with good places to hide To begin play, divide the players into two teams, one called the “outs” and the other the “Ins.” Mark a four by six foot den on the ground near the center of the playing … Continue reading →

This game has an interesting history. It’s called “Widow” or “widower” in the Scotch or Swedish forms. The catcher in the game takes the part of the bereaved one who is trying to get a mate. Some research shows that it may be descended from the time when marriages were arranged by capture. Number of players: 7+ Ages: 5+ Space: Outdoors or playground This game requires an odd number of players. One player is the catcher, who stands at one end of the playing field with her back to the other players. The other players stand in couples in a … Continue reading →

This is a great game to play with a group of young children at a party or a large group. It’s especially great for dog lovers, although it can be adapted for any kind of fierce animal the children might want to imitate. Number of players 8+ Ages: 4-8 Space: a good-sized room. To begin, all the players sit in a circle, except for one child who is chosen as the “Watchdog.” This player sits in a chair in the center of the ring, and either closes her eyes or his blindfolded. A “bone” is placed under the watchdog’s chair. … Continue reading →

Number of players: 6+ Ages: 4+ Space: a whole house (preferably with a lot of rooms) or playground. The other night my daughter suggested we play sardines. At first I thought she said, “Eat sardines” and I was shocked. At the ripe old age of 40, I’d never heard of the game sardines before. My daughter then proceeded to teach me this game that’s been around for generations. She’s a chip off the old block. Sardines is a game of hide and seek that reverses some of the usual methods of playing the game. Instead of covering his eyes and … Continue reading →