As a kid, I loved to play games. Recess was always my favorite time of day, and I can remember sitting in class, counting down the milliseconds until the glorious ring of the bell freed me and my classmates from the prison cell that was our classroom. Rainy day recess was always the biggest bummer, but when the sun shone brightly there were endless possibilities for the fun that could be had on the playground. These are just a few of the greatest games of my childhood.

Red Rover

For all of you wussies out there who have had a “bad experience” with this game, I say man up. Of course the idea of flinging yourself uncontrollably through two linked arms of your peers could cause extreme pain, but like all great games, Red Rover calls for some serious strategy. For example, calling “Red Rover, Red Rover bring Biggie on over!” could (obviously) result in serious injury. Use some common sense, send over the weaklings and you will be injury free and victorious.

German Spotlight

Modeled after the Nazi approach of border patrol security, German Spotlight is, hands down, the best type of tag ever created. The object of the game, like any other kind of tag, is to not get caught by the Nazi, the kid with the flashlight. If tagged (by the flashlight), you must go to jail until someone free comes to the rescue. Ancient German stealth tactics such as hiding under a table inside the jail can come in quite handy and could probably have confused the moustache off of Hitler.

Cops and Robbers

Another role-playing game, this involves two teams: cops and robbers. Cops chase the robbers and take them to jail after they are caught. The popular game, Fugitive, is based on this concept, but instead of their legs, the “cops” use cars to hold the robbers hostage. Both Cops and Robbers and Fugitive are best played under the cover of nightfall. Just make sure your neighbors don’t confuse you for a bunch of up-to-no-good hooligans and call the real five-oh.

Corn Hole

Some of you Corn Hole n00bs might know this hillbilly pastime by its more civilized and logical name, Sack Toss. The official state game of Kentucky, Corn Hole is played with eight sacks (four per team), four people, and two boards lined up 30 feet apart with holes in the middle. The objective is to toss the sack (hence the name) through the hole. The tosser is awarded three points for a sack in the hole and one for a sack on the board. Conveniently, this grueling sport is only played with one hand leaving the other one free to hold a beverage. So great is this game that it even warranted its own youtube video/song. Check it out.

Four Square

Four squares, one ball, a million kajillion hours of fun. Countless recesses of my childhood were spent waiting in the four square line for my chance at that coveted number one square. The principle of the game is to bounce the ball (the rubber kickball kind) in another kid’s square in a way that makes it impossible for them to handle the ball, and therefore either let the ball out of bounds, bounce twice in their own square, or become completely flustered and attempt a bicycle kick of the ball, on the cement. I have seen it done before. Once someone with a lower square number than you (one is the best) is eliminated, everyone moves up a square and a new contender enters the game. He who stays in square one for the longest period of time is the champion.