Brits reveal ‘favourite playground games' of all time including skipping ropes, hude & seek and British Bulldog

The Irish Sun

10-06-2025

THE BEST playground games of all time are hide and seek, tag – and skipping ropes.
A study of 2,000 adults explored dozens of kids' crazes from previous years and revealed which ones have stood the test of time.
Advertisement
1
Brits have revealed their favourite playground games
Credit: Getty
Classics like marbles, British Bulldog, conkers and 'What's the Time, Mr Wolf?'
While other popular games include football cards, yo-yos, 'Cat's Cradle' and hopscotch.
Gillian McMahon, executive director of international charity Right To Play UK, which strives to transform the lives of millions of children every year through play, said: 'Playground games are loved across the UK and many have remained kids' favourites for generations.
'But for many children around the world, the opportunity to play is out of reach.
Advertisement
Read more news
'Play is a deep-rooted part of childhood in the UK – however, millions of children globally are unable to claim this basic right.
'Extreme challenges such as conflict, poverty, child labour and early marriage are depriving many vulnerable children of the childhood they deserve.'
The research went on to find 55 per cent spent time outside playing games every single day, when they were at school.
And 90 per cent believe these in-person interactions were helpful when it came to making friends.
Advertisement
Most read in The Sun
Live Blog
With nearly three quarters (72 per cent) regarding these play sessions with pals as some of their fondest childhood memories.
Other beloved games included Duck, Duck, Goose, Swingball and Top Trumps.
Lilidorei is the biggest adventure playground in the UK
But while 17 per cent of Gen Z loved Stuck in the Mud, only two per cent of Baby Boomers played it – preferring Cat's Cradle or Elastics.
Younger respondents were also far more likely to be fans of 'The Floor is Lava' than any other age group, according to the OnePoll figures.
Advertisement
The research was released to coincide with International Day of Play, taking place on 11 June.
This annual UN-recognised day raises awareness about the vital importance of play for children and highlights play as a fundamental right.
The study showed nearly two-thirds of adults (63 per cent) were unaware that play is recognised as a basic right for children under international law.
However, 67 per cent believe every child should have a right to play, with physical exercise, making friends and building social skills such as empathy and cooperation seen as among the main benefits.
Advertisement
Gillian McMahon added: 'Every child should have access to the life-changing benefits of play. It is essential to children's learning, development and well-being.
'Yet, many children are denied the chance to just be kids.
'We are working to change this situation. Through our global programmes, we are reaching more than 4.7 million vulnerable children each year in some of the most difficult places on earth.
"Using the power of play, we are helping children to stay in school, resist exploitation, overcome prejudice and heal from the trauma of war and displacement.'
Advertisement