The twenty games we used to play outside
When I skipped out the door this morning in my flowy springdress and the neighbor kids thundered down the stairs next to me, I was overwhelmed by nostalgia for my own childhood. That first time going to school without a coat, finally those knees back in the fresh air (which were already scraped that same day) and the scarf that could go back in the closet. But mostly I long for the time that was spent in the hours outside of school. The endless hours of playing in the playground. Playing outside, when it was my favorite thing in the world. And as much as I yearn for those good old days, it turns out kids nowadays hardly play outside anymore. Such a shame. I would still love to bounce on a hippity hop or walk on stilts, and there are so many more nostalgic classics that I definitely haven't forgotten. Which game made you late for the dinner?
Stand in the basket
‘Stand in the basket and the ball is for…’ and then hope that the ball was for you. Lucky you, as a ball thrower you could take three big steps before throwing the ball through someone’s gate. Thank goodness you had a few lives if you stood with your legs wide apart.
Curbs
And not in the wide street where Sofietje lived. You only did that if you were really good.
I declare war on…
I wonder if the game still exists. Back then it was very normal, but it sounds a bit strange in 2018. Yelling ‘stop’ as quickly as possible and aiming. Hit? Then that person declared war on you again.
Jump rope
It was even more fun with three people. Taking turns jumping into the rope and for the real diehards with two ropes.
Walking on stilts or cans
As fast as possible, you get that.
Boys grab the girls and girls grab the boys
Unabashedly running after that handsome blonde from the class. And catching him, especially that. Can you picture it, later, after six, on the terrace?
Someone is ‘him‘, no one is ‘him’
Perfect time-killing during the lunch break. You were king if you caught the ball. A soft ball, that is.
Elastics
‘Elastics, elastics, in, out, in, on, out, turn JUMP!’ The elastic kept getting higher. MY ABSOLUTE FAVORITE.
Firecracker
A variant of the old-fashioned hide and seek, learned from my brothers. I could only join in if I could recite the rules in my sleep...
Marbles
Turtlegreen with orange or yellow. Or Neptune's transparent blue with white streaks. And only wanting to go home when you had a bag full of marbles.
Skating
The story behind my scraped knees and elbows...
Annemaria cuckoo
The ‘Annemaria cuckoo-caller’ checked if you were capable. If you weren't, you could go back to the sidelines.
Bell ringing
At that grumpy Sjaak on the corner. If you had guts, you would stick a pin in it and the misery would keep ringing.
Catching ladybugs
Collecting the red bugs and setting up a jam jar as a house with grass and holes in the lid. Poor little creatures...
Making smurf snot
A plastic bag, soap bubbles, and water. That was all you needed to entertain yourself for hours. Preferably in poison green or neon pink.
Clapping hands
‘A woman has been murdered, behind the curtain cord. I saw it myself, it was at number 10.’ ‘Parrot, are you still alive, iejadeja.’ Those were good times.
Tag
Tag with freeze, family tag, hiding tag... Which one did you play? I prefer kiss tag.
Loafing around
Thank goodness I was always the tallest of the bunch.
Boatman, may I cross?
‘Boatman, may I cross, yes or no?’ The boatman then agreed. ‘How then?’ you all shouted in unison. And then hopping or crawling across the street.
Collecting flippo's
And it ultimately came down to who had the thickest stack. But you had to eat a hundred bags of Nibbits first for that. Where has that good old time gone?
