Playground fun: top 7 games to play with friends
Updated
As the new school year approaches, you’ll soon be reuniting with your friends in the playground, the perfect time to let loose and have fun. To help you make the most of these moments, we’ve gathered plenty of ideas for games to play with your buddies.
Vintage games making a comeback in the schoolyard
The playground is the ideal place to revive these little wonders from the past. Get ready for a trip down memory lane!
1. Scoubidou: the playground king
You probably remember those colorful braided bracelets everyone proudly wore a few years ago. Well, they’re making a big comeback in the schoolyard! Easy to make and endlessly customizable, scoubidou is the perfect accessory to express your creativity during breaks.
Here’s a quick tutorial to easily make your own scoubidou:
2. Jacks: a test of skill
This ancient game puts your dexterity and concentration to the test. Organize mini jacks tournaments in the playground to see who’s the most skilled in your group!
Rules for playing jacks:
- Equipment: five jacks (four of the same color and one “father” of a different color).
- Setup: throw all five jacks on the ground.
- Toss the father: throw the “father” jack in the air.
- Pick up the jacks: while the father is in the air, pick up one jack from the ground and catch the father. If successful, set the jack aside.
- Continue the game: toss the father again and pick up an additional jack each turn. Increase the number of jacks to pick up each round (1, 2, 3, then 4).
- Win the game: the player who successfully completes the fourth round without dropping the father wins the game.
3. Marbles: a timeless playground classic
Who hasn’t dreamed of becoming the marble champion of the schoolyard? Bring out your collection and challenge your friends to exciting games.
Rules for Tic (a popular marbles game):
- One player places their marble on the ground. The other players stand about 3 meters (3 big steps) away from the marble.
- Each player takes turns throwing their marble to hit the opponent’s marble. The first to hit the other’s marble wins the game and can keep the opponent’s marble.
⚠️ Watch out for “shooters,” those big marbles that can change everything! Never throw a marble or shooter towards someone’s face!
Collection fever in the schoolyard
The playground is also the perfect place to trade and compare your treasures. Here is a collection that’s all the rage:
4. Collectible trading cards
Whether it’s Pokémon cards, Magic, or any other series, collectible cards are still as popular as ever in the schoolyard. Organize trades or mini-tournaments to enjoy your breaks!
Games to get moving in the playground
The schoolyard is made for moving! Here are two must-play games to burn off some energy:
5. Hide and seek: the eternal playground favorite
A great classic that never goes out of style! The schoolyard offers plenty of potential hiding spots. Remember to establish clear rules so everyone can have fun safely.
6. Red light, green light
This simple but effective game still creates as much excitement in the playground as ever. Who will be the fastest and stealthiest to reach the wall without being spotted?
Truth or dare in the schoolyard
Truth or dare definitely deserves a spot in our top 7! This game is perfect for getting to know your friends better and creating fun memories in the schoolyard.
7. Truth or dare in the playground
Playing truth or dare is very simple: one player asks another “truth or dare?”, and the other has to either answer a question honestly or complete a challenge. To make it even easier, prepare a list of questions and dares with your friends beforehand, so you never run out of ideas during the break.
Dares and truths for all tastes
Whether you prefer slightly crazy dares (hop on one leg across the yard, speak in rhymes until the bell rings) or thought-provoking truths (what’s your most embarrassing memory from last year?), you’ll always find something to spice up your truth or dare games in the playground.
The important thing is to have fun together and create memories that will last long after the bell has rung.
So, which game will you try first in your schoolyard? ✨