I was thinking back to when I was a child, and how we played outside all the time. Whatever the season, we were outdoors and moving. I was having a conversation with a friend, and we started talking about the fun we had playing simple games like hide and seek, red rover, hopscotch, ice skating, roller blading, etc. All of those kept us running and active for hours. We certainly weren’t on technology, sitting idle, playing video games. No, we were always moving. We also talked about how we attended outings for the companies our dads worked for. We talked and laughed about the games we played, and we both said how much fun it was. If the kids tried these fun games and activities today, after understanding what they are, they would have just as much fun as we did. The contests usually consisted of water balloons, potato sack races, egg tosses, wheel barrel races, three legged races, etc. The kids, today, would not know what these games are, but again, if demonstrated, they would have a blast playing them.
Here are reminders about games that bring about some great memories.
The water balloon contest. The balloons are filled with water. You and your partner stand about five to ten feet apart and you toss the balloon back and forth. Each team tosses at the same time. The last team standing, without the broken balloon wins.
The potato sack race. You stand in this big, cloth bag, (all the bags are the same in size and height) and you all start at a starting line. You hop on both feet, holding the bag until you reach the finish line. First one to reach wins! You can also vary the rules, i.e., if you fall, you are automatically out, etc.
The egg toss. Each team has an egg, you stand three to five feet apart. You toss the egg, underhand, back and forth. Each team tosses the egg at the same time. The last team without a broken egg wins.
The wheelbarrow race. One person starts in a plank position on their hands. The partner stands behind them, holding their feet in the air. You all start on a starting line, and walk across on your hands, until someone reaches the finish line. Three-legged race. This was always one of my favorite races. The left leg of one runner is strapped to the right leg of the partner. You start at the starting line, and you keep the strapped legs in sync, while you run to the finish line.
These are such simple, low- cost activities, but they are so much fun, and they keep you moving.
If we weren’t playing a game outside, we were walking somewhere. We walked or biked everywhere. To a friend’s house, to the candy store, to the ice-cream or lemonade stand, every and anywhere, just to be outside. It was a much simpler time, but it didn’t seem simple then. We had fun, all while getting our exercise, without knowing we were exercising. It just didn’t seem like exercise because we were playing and enjoying it.
The world today is so attached to technology. Unless you go to a gym, or are involved in a sport or activity, you are not moving. The obesity rate is so high in young children, and I believe it is because everything is at our fingertips. No one has to move for anything. Social Media has taken over, especially for the youth. They not only sit, using their technology all day, it has become part of the mental crisis the world is in. These children are all trying to be the next big thing. How famous can they be? What do they have to do or expose to become famous? Then, if they are insulted or ridiculed, some may turn to drugs and even suicide.
Technology has done much good in the world, but it has also made some things worse. If we could only go back to hopscotch, riding bikes, hide and seek, kickball, etc., I believe, not only would the children be getting exercise, they would be happier.
Healthy is not just a word for your body composition, healthy is as mentally important as the physical. I’m not sure what it is going to take to slow the world down. I’m not sure what it is going to take for people to realize what’s truly important. I’m not sure what it is going to take for people to get off their technology and communicate as humans, but I really hope something changes. We are sliding down a slippery slope.
Quotes:
“Purity and simplicity are the two wings with which man soars above the earth and all temporary nature.”
“Our life is frittered away by detail… Simplify, simplify”
Susan Gazerro
