Gym class. For the athletes, it was a place to shine. However, for the not-so-athletic (like me), it was a time to pray you didn't get picked last, try not to fail the Presidential Fitness challenge (curse that Sit and Reach!), and duck. A lot. But, there was a time in all our lives, way back before high school, when gym class wasn't all about sports; it was about games. Games that anyone, even the athletically challenged, could have fun playing. Here are a few games we all loved back in the days of elementary school gym class:
1. Octopus Tag
There was always that kid who would be bitter after getting "out" and would try to trip everyone by grabbing their ankles. And then there were the people who would let their friends get them out so they could sit next to each other and talk instead of running back and forth. Lazy or genius? You decide.
2. Acid River
Trying to get across the gym or field with nothing but a random assortment of items (like a scooter, two jump ropes, and a hockey stick) was no easy feat. Creativity was the key skill, so this was a game where the uncoordinated but clever students could thrive.
3. Snowball Fight
A.k.a. dodgeball, but with fluffy "snowballs" that wouldn't hurt you if they were pelted at your head.
4. Capture the Flag
Crossing the line with the enemy flag in hand made you an actual hero.
Bonus: Sometimes, they switched things up and called it "Capture the Chicken," and these were used instead of flags:
5. Jackpot
Some of the most dramatic dives for balls were made during this game when someone screamed the magic word. You'd push your best friend to the ground as though you were actually going to win a million bucks if you caught the "Jackpot" ball.
6. Four Square
Whenever someone yelled "Cherry Bomb" you knew it was about to get real. You either ducked or dove for the ball like your life depended on it.
7. Crab Soccer
Getting hit in the face with one of those giant balls was like running full speed into a fat man's stomach. Kids would emerge from this game with their glasses askew, or with sore arms and shoulders. It's not as easy at it looks!
8. Scooter Tag
The kids who were "it" were given bright pinnies. The goal was to avoid them and getting your fingers run over (one of the most painful elementary gym class injuries ever). One day, you discovered how much faster you could go laying down on you stomach than you could sitting up. That day, you became Superman.
9. Line Tag
Like regular tag, except you had to stay on the lines of the gym floor. There was nothing worse than that sinking feeling you got when you realized you were trapped in the corner.
10. Parachute
This isn't a game, but there were definitely a lot of games played with the famous parachute. But of course nothing beat creating a giant tent/bubble out of it.
11. Tug Of War
There were four types of kids during this game: 1) The Mr. Incredible Wannabe: determined to prove he's the strongest in the class. Usually ends up turning bright red and/or purple from exertion. 2) The slacker: pretends to be pulling, but is secretly letting everyone else do all the work 3) The short kid: ends up getting lifted off the ground, feet dangling in the air. 4) The Faller(s): they land on top of the kids behind them, starting a chain reaction until there's a pile of children on the losing team's side.
