Considering the Covid confinement of the past, well, let’s just say too long, there’s never been a better summer to relish outdoor recreation time with the grandkids. Why not seize the opportunity to share some old-fashioned fun with the youngsters by way of teaching them a few classic games of our youth.

To get you started, here’s a sampling of old-time games that marked many a summer day way back when—including the rules for those of us who may not have played said games since way back when.

Kick the Can

Players: four or more players
Materials: an empty can and a designated “jail” area

The can is placed in the jail area. One player is chosen as “It” and another to kick the can. The kicker kicks the from the jail area. “It” must retrieve the can, place it back in the jail area, then cover his or her eyes and count out loud to a predetermined number while the other players run and hide. Once “It” completes counting, he or she seeks the other players. When “It” sees another player, he or she races to the can, picks it up, taps it three times and calls out the spotted player’s name and location. If “It” correctly names a player and location, that player must move to the jail area and stay there until “It” catches all the players in the same manner. Once all players are caught, the first one caught becomes “It” in the next round.

Goal: To not be caught.

Sardines

Players: Three or more
Materials: none

One player is designated as the first sardine. Just like in hide-and-seek, this player hides — while all the other players close their eyes and count to a predetermined number. When those seeking are done counting, they search for the “sardine.” As each player finds the sardine, he or she quietly joins the original sardine, packing themselves together into even the tightest of spaces. (Hence the “Sardines” name.) The last player to find the hiding sardines is the first to hide on the next round.

Goal: To not be the last sardine… or the one giggling so loudly the hiding spot is revealed.

Red Light Green Light

Players: three or more
Materials: none

One player is chosen as the “stoplight” and stands with his or her back to the other players. Other players line up side-by-side (arm’s length between) about 10 feet behind the stoplight. The stoplight can say two phrases at his or her whim: “green light” or “red light.” When he or she shouts “green light,” the other players move as quickly as they can toward the stoplight. When the stoplight shouts “red light,” other players must immediately stop as the stoplight turns around to catch those in motion. When players are caught moving during a “red light,” they must return to the starting line.

Goal: Be the first player to tag the stoplight to become the stoplight in the next round.

Capture the Flag

Players: 10 or more
Materials: two flags; chalk or other markers to designate team boundaries and joint “jail” area

Play area is divided into two even territories (say, back yard and front yard or inside and outside) and players divided into two even teams. Each team hides their flag somewhere in their territory. “Spies” from each team can spy in “enemy” territory for intel on where the flags are hidden, but if captured, they must go to “jail” and are freed only when tagged by a teammate. After the predetermined “flag hiding” time is up, players line up and one designated leader announces “Go!” All players then search for the opposing team’s flag. If an opposing team member tags players in the “enemy” territory, those tagged must go to jail and are freed only when tagged by a teammate.

Goal: Capturing the opposing team’s flag and bringing it to own team’s territory.