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Look away Gen Z, here are 21 outdoor games millennials enjoyed as children

Look away Gen Z, here are 21 outdoor games millennials enjoyed as children

Growing up as a millennial, there were limited games we played compared to now. What made those games so special was they were all outdoors, though some could be played indoors.

In those days, security was better, there were rare reported cases of kidnap, meaning that children were allowed to play outside even without adult supervision. Times have changed now as many parents, most of who are millennials will not allow their kids to play outside due to the growing insecurity in the country.

But let us not digress.

You see, growing up as a millennial child was fun. It is important to remember those times when video games and cartoons were not the only things that entertained kids. Therefore, let us delve into the top 21 games that millennials enjoyed as children in Nigeria.

21 outdoor games millennials enjoyed as children

1. Suwe

Suwe
Photo credit: Scorum.com

Suwe is arguably the most popular game for millennial children in Nigeria. The game is simple – a rectangular shaped diagram is drawn on the floor, with numbered grids drawn within the diagram. Then a player throws a stone on one of the grids and hops in those grids on one foot. The rule is to avoid the stone and the lines and try to “buy a house” as you hop.

2. Ten ten

Ten ten

Ten ten is mostly played by girls. It involves rhythmic clapping and leg movements, with two players standing  opposite each other. A test  of reflexes and rhythm, the rule is to avoid lifting the same leg as your opponent otherwise they win a point.

3. Police and thief

Police and thief

This is just a Nigerian version of tag and it involves many players. The players are divided into teams. One team is the “police” while the other is the “thief.” The police tries to ‘tag’ the thief who is hiding somewhere. The first team to tag all the thieves wins.

4. Rope skipping

Rope skipping
Photo credit: Amorn Suriyan via Getty Images

Rope skipping is a classic game that millennial children played not just in Nigeria, but globally. Children would take turns skipping rope, often to the rhythm of popular songs or chants while they show their skills through stunts. It is a very fun game that would test your endurance and creativity.

5. Who is in the garden?

Who is in the garden?
Photo credit: TheWill Downtown

“Who is in the garden?” is another classic game played by millennial children. It is another form of tag which is played by a group of children forming a circle while a person stands in the middle. Then they sing the song:

Leader: Who is in the garden?

Others: a little fine boy/girl

Leader: Can I come and see her/him?

Others: No no no no, if you have a baby, you can come and see her,

Leader: Oya, follow me a little girl.

After the song, the person in the middle runs around the circle and tags another person who stands in the middle and so on.

6. Tinko tinko

Tinko tinko
Photo credit: Zikoko

Tinko tinko is another game that was popular among girls. The game involves two people or a group of people facing each other, clapping and interchanging palms and slamming the hands of their partners in a rhythmic pattern while they sing the theme song: Tinko! Tinko!! Tinkoko Tinko!

7. In and Out

In and Out
Photo credit: Dreamstime

”In and Out” is another game where children form a group. Each child chooses an acronym like NGR. Then the leader calls out an acronym like this:

Leader: In and out

Others: Center

Leader: I call On

Others: Yessss

Leader: I call On USA

The person with the acronym runs around the circle formed by the group. Whoever is caught is out.

8. Ayo

Ayo
Photo credit: Culture Days

Ayo is a traditional board game that is popular in Nigeria and beyond. The game is played in a wooden board and seeds and requires strategy and foresight. It can be played by children and adults alike. In fact, Ayo is a game that creates a special bond among families which is why it is so popular in many Nigerian households.

9. After Round One

After Round One

This is one game that always ends in tears, but millennial children loved to play it for some reason. “After Round One” involves slapping an opponents hands. The game begins with participants choosing their respective numbers. Then every player uses their fingers to play a number on the table simultaneously. After counting the fingers, the person with the corresponding number has to present their hands to be slapped viciously.

10. Boju Boju

Boju Boju

This is the Nigerian version of the hide and seek game. It involves everyone going into hiding while the seeker tries to find where they are hiding, singing the iconic song “Boju boju o, boju boju…”

11. Name, Animal, Food, Place, Thing

Name, Animal, Food, Place, Thing
Photo credit: YouTube

This game tests your intellect and how quick you can think on your feet. In the game, someone yells out an alphabet and all participants have to quickly write down the names of the nouns. When the caller yells stop, everyone stops and the caller begins scoring.

12. Willie Willie Wille Willie Right

In this game, players stand in a circle and hold hands. The leader sings a song which goes like this:

Leader: Willie Willie Wille Willie righT

Others: Pa pa pa

Leader: Mummy in the kitchen cooking rice

Others: Pa pa pa

Leader: Daddy in the parlour watching film

Others: Pa pa pa

Leader: Children in the garden playing ball

Others: E gooooo

Leader: Change your style, Another style, be like that no shaking no talking

The players sway back and forth. If a player falls, shakes or talks, they are out. The game continues until the last player standing wins.

13. Soke

Soke is a game played with rubber bands. Here, players form a circle and throw their rubber bands into a pile. The player with most rubber bands in the pile wins.

14. I Call On…

This game involves participants forming a circle. The first person in the circle calls out an alias and everyone runs until the person with alias yells stop. Then the person who yelled will count their steps to the person with the shortest distance between them.

15. Another rubber band game

Just like the name implies, this game involves rubber bands where two or more players arrange their rubber band inside a circle. If a particular player’s rubber land on another player’s own he goes to the front and packs all and just leaves one behind. This game usually ends in a fight but it is still fun.

16. My name is Chikoko!

This game involves closing your eyes, and someone whispers the name they were given into your ears. Then you try to guess who whispered the name while others chant “my name is Chikoko!” to confuse you.

17. Bread and butter

Bread and butter
Photo Credit: Kuulpeeps

This is the Nigerian name for tug of war. The only difference is there is no rope. Everyone claps with each other while singing “Bread And Butter, baskelebe, ma jẹ ki o gbona, ma jẹ ki ó tutu. Ọmọdé, ki ló mu? (loosely translated as don’t let it get hot, don’t let it get cold. This child, which do you pick?)

Then players pick sides while the leader of each side decides if they want to be “bread” or “butter.” Then a team hold each other by their waist while they try to pull the other team down.

18. Tyre game

This is usually played with a tire and a stick which you will ride down the hill or any plain surface.

19. Ludo

Ludo

Ludo is a board game that is still popular today. All you need to do is choose any of the four colourful corners, roll the dice and move your pieces up the column according to the number that you rolled on the dice.

20. Mummy and daddy

This game was where boys married a lot of girls. It is just a classic case of a boy and a girl playing parents to little dolls.

21. Mocking “Monkey” post (Street football)

Mocking "Monkey" post (Street football)

This piece cannot end without the classic street football, popularly called Monkey post, which is very common. You do not need any fancy gear, only your  passion. Just play in between makeshift goals from stones or shoes, from morning till night or when your mom yells at you to come home.

ALSO READ: Power of gratitude: 24 things to be thankful for in 2024

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Nonye is a Thespian, screenwriter, creative writer and an unapologetic lover of books, great movies and sports. She has over 10 years experience in content writing on entertainment, movies, sports and lifestyle. Nonye is currently a content writer at Blackdot Media and founder of litafrik.com
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