Games to Play Outside Trivia Quiz

Answer: Pepper

Skipping, also known as jump rope, had many variations and cute rhymes that we chanted to help keep in rhythm. Usually two people were the rope turners, either with a single long rope, or with two turned in opposite directions for the more difficult game of Double Dutch.

More than one person could jump at a time, depending on the game. If a rhyme included the words "red hot chili pepper" or simply "pepper", that was a signal for the turners to go faster, hoping to make the jumper miss a step and stop the rope.

Answer: Olly olly oxen free

Calling out "Olly olly oxen free" (or a variation) meant that anyone who hadn't been found could come in to the starting point without being caught. The game would have started with one person (It) covering their eyes and counting to one hundred whilst the others found safe places to hide. The player who was It would then try to find the hidden players.

The incorrect choices are either the names of other games, or based on those names.

Answer: London Bridge

There were several verses that could be sung, but the main idea for players was not to be under the arch when the song ended, as that was when the arch would drop and catch you. The song then might change to tell you "Off to prison you must go!" though that differed depending on the rules being used.

Answer: True

In this game, one player stood at one end of the playing area, with his or her back to all the others, who started from the far end. The other players could run toward the single player until he or she turned to look at them (or until "red light" was announced).

Then they would freeze like statues and not move until player one's back was turned again ("green light"). Anyone who moved would have to start over. Games like this one, with different names, have been played all over the world.

Answer: Follow the Leader

Follow the Leader was quite a simple game to play. One person was the leader and all the others followed along, doing whatever the leader did, however silly. Anyone who didn't follow was out of the game.

Answer: Only those starting "Simon says..."

One player was Simon and the others faced him (or her) in a row. If the instruction was "Simon says 'Jump up and down'" you all jumped up and down. If the instruction was "Jump up and down" you were supposed to stay still, because "Simon didn't say it!" - as your friends would cry if you followed the wrong instruction.

Answer: False

While Crack the Whip could be played in the summertime on grass, it was even more exciting to play on an outdoor skating rink (whether wearing skates or not). Players held hands in a long line, and the one at the head of the line would go faster and faster, so the 'tail' would whip around, eventually disconnecting those on the very end. If you were on skates you might then get a very quick trip into a snow bank!

Answer: Jacks

Jacks originated from an ancient game called Knucklebones, that used animal bones instead of metal (or plastic) jacks. The idea of the game was to bounce the ball, then pick up a required number of jacks before it hit the ground again. Speed and dexterity were required!

Alleys and aggies were types of marbles, which were made of glass (usually) and used in a variety of games that could be played both indoors and out.

Answer: Hula hoops

Hula hoops came in many sizes, with the larger ones being good for around the waist, and smaller ones more manageable on arms, legs, necks or heads. Really agile people could spin several at once. Contests were sometimes held, but the really nice thing about hula hoops was that you could play with them on your own if none of your friends were around to join you.

Answer: Hopscotch

The hopscotch grid consisted of ten numbered squares (1-10) set out in a one-two-one-two-one-two-one pattern. Players would throw their marker to each numbered square in turn, hop through the rest of the grid and back, pick up their marker (standing on one foot), then proceed to the next square. It was a good way to learn to balance, and a lot of fun as well.