The Games that Raised Us
I have a very vivid memory. Tell me if you have something similar. Cause I’ve got an idea.
I’m in the front row of a movie theater with my twin boy cousins. The red upholstery on the seats is scratchy, so we’re all sitting on the edge. We have candy hidden in our raincoats, and we can’t eat it until the lights turn off.
We’re waiting for the movie to start. So, naturally, we are playing ‘rock, paper scissors.’ But we need more than ‘paper covers rock.’ So, we start throwing out random weapons haphazardly.
Cherry Bomb - BOOM!
Oh, yeah - Nuclear Bomb- BOOM!
But wait - you can’t throw a nuclear bomb, because that beats everything!
Okay…
And thus, would begin the negotiation of the limited scope of when and how often you could use a nuclear bomb.
I have no idea what movie we saw that day. Honestly, it would take effort to remember what I had for lunch on Monday. But I vividly remember this negotiation.
Old school games.
Low stress.
No supplies.
I feel strongly these games are an important tool in growing scrappy kids.
I have an idea, and I could use your help.
Bring yourself back to your childhood. You knew better than to complain that you were bored. So, it was up to you to stay entertained. If you were lucky, your mom had a pen and an old receipt in her purse for your art. But more often than not, you were playing word games and hand games.
Are you there? Now:
You’re in the rear facing back seat of the station wagon. It’s hot. Your parents don’t care that you’re hot or bored.
What games are you playing to entertain yourself?
Here’s another one.
Your parents went to dinner with their friends. You’re at the kid’s table. What game are y’all playing while you wait for your food?
Where else do you remember playing games? Waiting rooms? Church pew? Yard?
I’m gathering as many of these games as I can to share on Wanderwing. I’d love your help growing this collection of old school games. Comment below. Thanks!
