Playground Fads: Mini Games

To conclude our playground fads week we will discuss several games that were played during recess in the nineties. There are tons of games that were played on the playground and we will go over several (Dutch) games. The first popular game is of course the classic hide and seek game. This a game in which a number of players conceal themselves in the environment, to be found by one or more seekers. The game is played by one player (designated as being "it") counting to a predetermined number while the other players hide. After reaching the number, the player who is "it" tries to find the other players. After the player designated as "it" finds another player, the found player must run to base, before he is tagged by "it”. There are several variations to this game such as sardines; where only one person hides and the other players have to find him/her. A familiar Dutch hide and seek game is “10 Tellen in de Rimboe” where one person counts down from ten and the others have to hide.

Another well-known game is tag (also known as tip, tick, tig, tiggy, dobby, it, chasey and many other names). This playground game is played worldwide and involves one or more players chasing other players in an attempt to tag or touch them, usually with their fingers. There are many variations, such as British Bulldogs, Busted, Freeze Tag, Cops & Robbers and the Dutch Shaduwtikkertje. Most forms of tag have no teams, scores, or equipment.

Not sure if they're playing tag or beating the kid up...

Some of the more familiar Dutch chanting games (in combination with clapping or crossing a certain area) are: Annamaria Koekkoek, Schipper Mag Ik Overvaren, Charlie Chaplin Ging Naar De Disco, Pepsi Cola and Er Is Een Vrouw Vermoord. The lyrics of the songs can vary between different parts of the country or even between schools.

This was all on playground fads, we hoped you’ve enjoyed it, even if you haven’t played any of these ;)

Next week we will talk about 90’s Collectibles!