Description
Book SynopsisA magnificent survey of over 85 games played by children, largely out of sight of adults, in the 1960s, in the street, playground and wasteland.
Trade Review'The Opies have compiled the most complete and the most sympathetic, also the most sensible account of what children prefer to do on their own.'
-- Country Life
'It is a work of serious anthropology and sociology ... but unlike most works concerned with these disciplines, it is consistently readable, always humane, and sometimes very funny.'
-- New Statesman
'A fascinating book, the product of many years' immensely detailed and original research, which is bound to become the standard work upon the history and modern practice of street games.'
-- New Society
'Fascinating research ... I hope that the publication of this book will revive the debate about the kinds of games our children play.'
-- David Lorimer, Scientific and Medical Network Review
Table of Contents5. Hunting games
Games in which there are no boundaries, in which both pursuers and pursued
generally operate in teams, and in which the pursued generally have to give
some assistance to their pursuers
HARE AND HOUNDS.
JACK, JACK, SHINE A LIGHT. WILL O' THE WISP.
TRACKING.
PAPER CHASE.
STALKING.
HOIST THE GREEN FLAG.
6. Racing games
Races, and chases over set courses, in which fleetness of foot is not necessarily
the decisive factor
TYPES OF RACES
HESITATION STARTS.
MAY I?
AUNTS AND UNCLES.
LETTERS.
COLOURS.
EGGS, BACON, MARMALADE, AND BREAD.
PEEP BEHIND THE CURTAIN.
BLACK MAGIC.
KERB OR WALL.
TIME.
DROP HANDKERCHIEF.
BUMP-ON-THE-BACK. WHACKEM.
STONEY.
PUSS IN THE CORNER.
HOT PEAS.
7. Duelling games
Games in which two players place themselves in direct conflict with each other
ELBOWS.
KNIFING. DIVIE DAGGER.
LIFTING.
COCK FIGHTING. EGGY PEGGY.
DANCE, FIGHT, OR WINDMILL.
BRANCH BOY.
BUCKING BRONCO.
PIGGYBACK FIGHTS.
DANGER RIDE.
SPLIT THE KIPPER.
TERRITORIES.
KNIFIE.
KNUCKLES.
FLAT JACK.
BOB AND SLAP.
SLAPPIES.
STINGING.
STAMPERS.
SOLDIERS.
LOLLY STICKS.
CONKERS.
8. Exerting games
Games in which the qualities of most account are physical strength and stamina
TUSSLES.
CHAIN SWING.
TUG OF WAR.
ADDERS' NEST.
BULL IN THE RING.
RED ROVER.
KING OF THE BARBAREES.
HONEY POTS.
STATUES.
LEAPFROG.
GENTLE JACK.
SPANISH LEAPFROG.
FOOT-AN-A-HALF.
JUMPING GAMES.
HI JIMMY KNACKER.
SKIN THE CUDDY.
9. Daring games
Games in which players incite each other to show their mettle
TRUTH, DARE, PROMISE, OR OPINION.
FOLLOW MY LEADER.
GET THE COWARD.
LAST ACROSS.
CHICKEN.
MISPLACED AUDACITY.
10. Guessing games
Games in which guessing is a necessary prelude or climax to physical action
FILM STARS. I SENT MY SON JOHN. SHOP WINDOWS. ANYTHING UNDER THE SUN.
CAPITAL LETTER, FULL STOP.
BIRDS, BEASTS, FISHES, OR FLOWERS.
AMERICAN TIMES.
THREE JOLLY WORKMEN.
FOOL, FOOL, COME TO SCHOOL. JAMS.
COLOURED BIRDS.
QUEENIE.
STROKE THE BABY.
HUSKY-BUM, FINGER OR THUMB?
HOW FAR TO LONDON?
11. Acting games
Games in which particular stories are enacted with set dialogue
OLD MAN IN THE WELL.
GHOSTIES IN THE GARRET.
OLD MOTHER GREY.
FOX AND CHICKENS.
JOHNNY LINGO.
MOTHER, THE CAKE IS BURNING.
12. Pretending games
Children make-believe they are other people, or in other situations, and extemporize
accordingly
MOTHERS AND FATHERS.
PLAYING SCHOOLS.
ROAD ACCIDENTS.
PLAYING HORSES.
STORYBOOK WORLD.
WAR GAMES.
COPS AND ROBBERS.
FAIRIES AND WITCHES.
