Old school games are timeless and encourage thinking and imagination. Whether you are seeking a non-tech game for your children to play, need something to pass the time, or just want an inexpensive activity, check out this list created by Bright Horizons® early childhood education experts.  

As parents, we’ve all heard that complaint, “There’s nothing to do. I’m bored!” These days, technology is often our default solution to boredom, but it hasn’t always been so. Previously, children were generally expected to entertain themselves; play was their answer. 

Play is a universal human activity, dating back thousands of years. Play may seem trivial, but through it, children learn critical life skills and conquer fears, furthering childhood development. Play, for both adults and children, allows its participants a temporary respite from daily life. 

Play can also be a valuable bridge for relationships. What child doesn’t adore a parent or grandparent who is willing to suspend adulthood for a classic game of Hide and Go Seek or Go Fish? Playing with children is a deeply intimate activity that strengthens bonds while transferring our culture and values. Think back to your favorite childhood games or the games your parents played — games like Kick the Can, Tag, Sardines, or Red Light, Green Light. 

At Bright Horizons, we wholeheartedly believe in the  value of play for families . In this article, we offer a roundup of old fashioned games to play with children that are worth reviving. 

Old-school games for your toddler/preschooler (2 years and up)

Old School Pretend Play

Children have always used pretend play to make sense of their world, but as technology becomes more advanced, pretend play seems to be a less popular form of entertainment. Bring imagination play back by paying attention to your children’s interests. You could narrate simple tales such as “The Three Billy Goats Gruff ” or “The Three Little Pigs” using puppets or have older children develop their own story plot with creative materials.  

Young children love dramatic play with adult roles. A child who loves animals might transform dishtowels into bandages and set up a stuffed animal veterinary office, for example. You could even gather old clothes, shoes, and hats to create a costume box. With the right clothing and some imagination, your children—and even you—can have endless fun. 

Old school I-spy

Though now sold as a board game, I Spy can still be played with anyone, anywhere, and is just as fun as ever. I Spy is a game that encourages young children to take turns, develop new vocabulary, strengthen visual discrimination and working memory. Kick off the game by saying “I spy with my little eye...”,  and describe something in the vicinity by color, or other characteristic ( ie; “I spy with my little eye....something red!”).  Allow your child the opportunity to look about their surroundings and try to find what you’ve spied!  Next, allow your child a turn to find and describe something for you to find.  Keep this going for as long as it’s entertaining!

Old-school games for your kindergartener (5 years and up)

Grandma's house

A game that requires nothing but the imagination is Grandma’s House.  One person starts by saying the phrase, “I’m going to Grandma’s House and I’m taking an...” and finishes the sentence with an item that starts with the letter A. The next person repeats the phrase and finishes the sentence with an item that begins with a B. The pattern continues with the rest of the alphabet. This letter-based game flexes the creative thinking muscle and develops collaboration through a group game.

The telephone game

In this classic game, one player thinks of a word or phrase and whispers it to another player, who whispers it to the next person. The game continues until the word has been shared with everyone. The last person says the word, which is usually quite different than the original one, and often generates a lot of laughs. A simple game of telephone can foster active listening, clear communication, in the moment thinking, and working in a group. 

Old-school games for your tween (9 years and up)

The celebrity game

One child thinks of a famous character from a book or movie. The other players must ask questions about the character, such as “Where does this character live?” or “What does this character enjoy doing?” until the players can guess the celebrity’s identity. As children generate the questions to ask, they  use their critical thinking and creativity, memory retention, and problem-solving skills.  

Animal, vegetable, mineral

Further develop language, thinking and vocabulary skills with this old school game. The game starts with somebody thinking of an animal, a vegetable, or a mineral. The other players then must ask questions that allow for only a yes or no answer. If nobody has guessed correctly after 20 questions, play one last round of guesses. Afterwards, the next person restarts the game with a new animal, vegetable, or mineral. 

Old-school active games for kids

Silly, active games offer a physical release to children, while teaching them skills like taking turns and following directions. During mild weather, head outside for some family outdoor activities. Start a rousing game of Tag or Red Light, Green Light. Teach your child jump rope rhymes and games or use sidewalk chalk to make a hopscotch court. 

When it is raining or too cold to go outdoors, play timeless indoor games like Charades, Hide and Go Seek, or Sardines. Other great kid’s games to play inside include jacks, marbles, and the feather game, where children blow a feather to try to keep it in the air. 

Keep a few of these old-school, classic games to play with children in your parenting toolbox. The next time you hear the familiar refrain, “I’m bored,” you will be prepared with simple, fun activities the whole family will enjoy. 

Teach. Play. Love. Episode 57: Having fun with your kids

Listen to this episode of Teach. Play. Love., to learn why play is one of the most important things a child can do each day and get advice on how to have fun playing with your kids. Having Fun Playing With Your Kids – Teach. Play. Love. Episode 57 | Bright Horizons®