Pioneer Games
Shadow Tag
“It” tries to step on other players shadows. Shadows can be hidden inside another object’s shadow (such as a tree), but can only stay hidden for ten seconds before they have to leave the safety of the object’s shadow. The last player who’s shadow is tagged wins.
Chain Tag
Two people are “it”. They clasp hands and begin chasing the others. When someone is tagged they link hands extending the length of the chain. The winner is the last one tagged.
Last Couple Out
“It” is the leader. Everyone else choses a partner and lines up side by side behind “it”. When “it” yells “last couple out” the last couple lined up must separate-one running forward along the right side of the line and the other along the left side. They try to clasp hands again before “it” tags either of them. If one is tagged, they become partners with “it” and take their place at the front of the line behind the new “it”.
Dare Base
Two team captains are chosen. Each determines a team base (i.e. the handcart, a tree, etc). Team members are dared to run completely around the opposite team’s “base” without getting caught. If successful they get to chose a member of the opposing team to join their team. If they are caught, they have to join the opposing team.
Dragon Tails
Each player puts their handkerchief in their back pocket/skirt. The object is to remove each person’s handkerchief as quickly as possible. The last one with a handkerchief in their back pocket/skirt wins.
The Bucket Game
A bucket is placed in the center of a circle. Those playing join hands and make a circle around the bucket. The object of the game is to force those in the circle to touch the bucket and therefore are forced to sit “out”. If you break hands you are out as well. The winner is the last one remaining who hasn’t touched the bucket and/or broken hands with the circle.
Jackstraws
Hold the bundle of straws perpendicular to the ground (the straws point straight up) about 1 foot off the ground. Drop the straws, letting them land in a messy pile. Players take turns trying to remove one straw at a time from the pile. You can only move the straw you are trying to pick up. If any other straws wiggle or fall, your turn is over. The player who has the most straws wins.
Marbles
To play a game of marbles, draw a large circle in the dirt. Draw a smaller circle inside the larger one, and place the marbles inside it. One at a time, players crouch outside the large circle and aim their shooters at the marbles, trying to knock one out of the small ring. He keeps any marble he knocks out. A player’s turn goes on until he fails to hit a marble or sends his shooter out of the larger circle. The player with the most marbles at the end of the game wins.
Ducks Fly
Players face the leader, who says what to do. Then they copy the actions of the leader. The leader will say “ducks fly” and flap his arms. The players also flap their arms. The leader continues with other actions like “cats meow”, “dogs bark”, etc. But the leader also tries to trick others by saying “sheep oink”. The players must remain quiet until the leader says it correctly.
Poor Doggie
“It” is the doggie who must try to make someone laugh. The players sit in a circle and Doggie goes to each player and barks, whines and imitates a dog. The players have to pet Doggie and say “Poor Doggie, Poor Doggie, Poor Doggie!” The player must not smile while saying this or he/she will become the next Doggie.
Blind Man’s Bluff
To play Blind Man’s Bluff, pick one person to be “it”. That person is blindfolded, turned around a few times, and stands in the middle of the circle. The other players dart around It, who tries to tag them. They try to get as close as possible to “it” without being caught. When the player who is “it” catches another player, he tries to guess who it is by touching their face and hair. If he doesn’t guess on the first try, other players can give hints. When he guesses their name, that person becomes the new “it”
Hunt the Shoe
All the players take off their shoes and put them in the middle of the circle. The “it” person selects a shoe from the pile and closes their eyes while the other players pick out a shoe. They keep the shoes behind their backs. After moving the shoes around the circle all at one time, the person that is “it” says “Hunt the Shoe”. Now the “it” person has to find the match to the shoe they have selected by guessing.