Top 12+ Playground Games from the ’60s That Got Banned for Being Too Wild

Boy, did we know how to have fun back in the ’60s! Before helicopter parenting and endless safety regulations, the school playground was our Wild West. Sure, some of these games might make today’s parents cringe, but they taught us resilience, built character, and gave us stories we’re still telling decades later. Let’s revisit some of those daring playground games that would never fly in today’s bubble-wrapped world.

1. Red Rover

Red Rover involved two lines of kids holding hands, daring someone to break through their human chain. The game was notorious for its roughness, leading to clothesline-style collisions and occasionally dislocated shoulders. While not officially banned, safety concerns led many schools to discourage its play. It was a badge of honor to be summoned to “come over.”

2. Crack the Whip

In Crack the Whip, kids would hold hands and run, with the leader making sharp turns that sent the kids at the end flying. Its potential for sending kids airborne or face-planting them into the dirt caused many schools to gradually phase it out due to safety concerns, though it remained popular throughout the decade.

3. Lawn Darts

Lawn Darts, or “Jarts,” involved tossing weighted metal darts at a target area and were officially banned in 1988 due to numerous injuries. However, many schools and parents recognized the risks long before and prohibited their use on playgrounds, making them a relic of a less safety-conscious era.

4. Kill the Man with the Ball

This chaotic game involved one kid with a ball being chased and tackled by everyone else. Known by various names, it was essentially an unstructured version of rugby. While it fostered a sense of camaraderie, the lack of rules and high risk of injury led many schools to discourage its play.

5. Steel Monkey Bars Over Concrete

Monkey bars in the ’60s were often set over bare concrete, making falls painful. While they weren’t banned, the advent of safety regulations in later decades saw them redesigned with softer landing surfaces, marking the end of an era when playgrounds were a test of resilience.

6. Giant Stride

The Giant Stride was a playground staple where kids would grab onto chains attached to a central pole and run, eventually lifting off the ground. Its high risk for injury, including broken bones and sprains, led to its removal from playgrounds by the early 1970s, replaced by safer alternatives.

7. Dodge Ball with Hard Balls

Initially played with hard rubber balls, dodgeball was a rite of passage that left more than a few bruises. Although it wasn’t banned outright, many schools transitioned to softer balls to reduce injuries, making the game less of a gladiator sport and more of a friendly competition.

8. Hot Wheels on Metal Slides

Using metal slides as racetracks for Hot Wheels was an inventive way to pass the time. While not officially banned, the potential for injury from flying cars led to teachers discouraging the activity. Still, it remained a favorite among the more adventurous kids.

9. Rock Fighting

Rock fighting wasn’t a formal game, but it was common in unsupervised areas. The inherent risk of injury from flying stones made it a target for vigilant teachers and principals. As playgrounds became more regulated, such impromptu and dangerous activities were strongly discouraged.

10. Tetherball Without Rules

Tetherball played without rules often resembled a full-contact sport. While the game itself wasn’t banned, introducing standardized rules and supervision helped curb its more aggressive tendencies, ensuring a safer experience for everyone involved.

11. Tree Branch Swinging

Improvised swings from tree branches were common and relied on the strength of the tree. While not officially banned, many schools removed low-hanging branches as playground safety standards improved, making way for purpose-built play equipment that better met safety guidelines.

12. Tackle Football Without Pads

Tackle football without pads was a rough-and-tumble affair played on any available surface. While not officially banned, concerns about injuries led many schools to favor touch or flag football, preserving the fun while making it safer for all participants.