There are many classic games, toys, rhymes and creations that we knew about when we were in elementary school. Now our kids are bringing home these same Children’s Games like Bubblegum in a dish, Coconut Crack, Fortune Tellers and Say Say Little Playmate.

Classic Children’s Games

My kids are constantly bringing home the newest, latest, coolest things they have learned at school. This last week, my daughter told me she loved sitting with her friends and playing “Bubblegum, bubblegum in a dish”. When I completed the rhyme before she could say it, she was shocked. How could Mom know about bubblegum? There are many classic games, toys, rhymes and creations that we knew about when we were in elementary school. Now our kids are bringing home these same timeless games. We need to up our ‘cool factor’ and remember them (or learn them ourselves).

Another time she came home telling me about how one of her classmates had made this “Fortune Teller” out of paper, I had to admit that all my friends used to make them, but that I was never cool enough to figure it out myself.

1. Fortune Teller

2. Thumb Wrestling

One, two, three, four, I declare a thumb-a-war! Did you know that there is actually a Thumb Wrestling Championship? I’ve been known to have a thumb wrestling match with my kids when we are waiting at the doctors office to keep off the boredom. Maybe there is hope for kids to become professionals at this great pass time.

3. Paper Airplanes

4. Say Say Little Playmate

5. Shadow Puppets

I was never one of those cool kids who could make shadow puppets when the teacher would break out the overhead projector in class. But maybe my kids can learn from youtube and learn how to make some amazing animals and creatures!

6. Rock, Paper, Scissors

Rules according to About.com Who would have thought this actually has rules? Hmm….

7. Coconut, coconut, crack your nut!

Each time the rhyme ends and the counter says the word ‘nut’, the person whose hand was hit does the next step in the game. The steps are:

• Hold out both hands folded together
• Separate hands into two fists with thumbs on top (splitting the coconut)
• Spread fingers of one hand with palm facing downwards. (the milk spilling out)
• Spread fingers of the other hand with palm facing downwards.
• Put one hand behind the back. (This hand is ‘out’.)
• Put the other hand behind the back. (This player is ‘out’.)

What’s your favorite childhood game, rhyme or paper creation? I’d love to hear from you!