Fifty childhood games that are becoming a thing of the past, from cribbage to grandma’s footsteps

The extent to which children’s play has transformed over the past half a century has been revealed by new research, which pinpoints 50 childhood games of yesteryear that may soon be consigned permanently to history.

The one that’s the biggest mystery for today’s children is cribbage, with four in ten (38 per cent) having never heard of it, according to parents of children still living at home.

Second on the list is grandma’s footsteps, with 36 per cent of today’s children not being familiar with it.

In the game, one player is ‘grandma’ and stands with their back to the rest who start to creep up on her, freezing when she turns around. Anyone caught moving by grandma is sent back to the start.

The study, a poll of 2,000 adults commissioned by Argos, found more than a third of children had never heard of Sardines (35 per cent), cat’s cradle (34 per cent) and Yahtzee (35 per cent), where players score points by rolling five dice to make certain combinations.

The game that’s the biggest mystery for today’s children is cribbage, with four in ten (38 per cent) having never heard of it, according to a study of parents with children still living at home

Strategic warfare board game Risk (32 per cent), and capture the flag (31 per cent) also made the list of lost games as did building a treehouse, which has not been done by a third of today’s kids (32 per cent), according to the survey.

Around one in three (30 per cent) did not know how to play British bulldog, while a further 30 per cent have never played Trivial Pursuit, Game of Life, or blind man’s bluff.

Chess (27 per cent), Cluedo (25 per cent), conkers (24 per cent), Monopoly (22 per cent), charades (24 per cent), leapfrog (19 per cent), and doctors and nurses (17 per cent) are also a mystery to many of today’s children, along with making mud pies (23 per cent), Twister (19 per cent), and hopscotch (16 per cent).

Other games on the list are flying a kite, pat-a-cake, piggy in the middle, Hungry Hippos, climbing trees, scavenger hunts, and putting on a play in the living room – which all sound alien to 18 per cent of children today.

Researchers found the nation’s children spend much of their time playing with technology (one hour and 21 minutes a day), which eats into the time they spend outside (one hour and 15 minutes a day).

It comes in response to almost half (48 per cent) of parents confessing they would like their children to play more traditional games as they help spark children’s imaginations (64 per cent).

While 56 per cent have tried to engage them in the games they used to play as a child.

Other interesting findings from the study are that parents hear the words ‘I’m bored’ an average of seven times a week.

A quarter (23 per cent) admit that their children don’t use their imagination as much as they themselves did when they were young.

And a sixth (17 per cent) say that their youngsters’ attention span is too short for some of the games they used to play as a child.

Meanwhile, eight in ten Brits (78 per cent) stated they have circled and bought a toy from Argos in their lifetime – the equivalent of 52million toys. 

The research, commissioned by Argos, found more than a third of children had never heard of Sardines (35 per cent), cat’s cradle (34 per cent, above), or Yahtzee (35 per cent)

Creative toys such as sewing or painting kits (29 per cent), role-play toys such as doctors and nurses kits (25 per cent) and sports equipment (22 per cent) all sparked lifelong passions or interests.

Four in ten (43 per cent) say their child spends less time playing outdoors than they did at the same age.

While a further 79 per cent admit they would like their child to spend more time playing with other children like they did when they were young. One in three (29 per cent) believe they got more fresh air when they were little. 

One in three (31 per cent) say their child prefers playing with technology, so much so that 34 per cent limit the amount of time their youngsters spend using devices and watching TV (28 per cent).

Despite this, four in ten (41 per cent) agree that technology has a place in children’s lives and can be a positive influence.

More than half (56 per cent) of parents have tried to encourage their children to play the games they played as a child, as they believe their kids are missing out on the fun that traditional children’s toys and games can bring (52 per cent).

Four in ten (44 per cent) love playing games with their children because it is how they bond as a family (34 per cent). Ten years old is the age that parents believe children stop playing with traditional toys and games such as dolls, action figures and toy cars. 

Chess (27 per cent), Cluedo (25 per cent, above), conkers (24 per cent), Monopoly (22 per cent), charades (24 per cent), leapfrog (19 per cent), and doctors and nurses (17 per cent) are a mystery to many of today’s children

Commenting on the study, Psychologist Dr Elizabeth Kilbey said: ‘As a parent and specialist in child development, I cannot state the importance of play enough.

‘It can help children hone their imagination skills, has been proven to develop social skills, and promotes independence. 

‘I hope this research makes us reminisce back to our childhoods and how play was a key part of our every day and, in some cases, has gone on to influence our present day via our choice of hobbies and even our careers.’

Fay Williams, Head of Toy Buying for Argos, said: ‘Argos has been passionate about play since we opened our first store in 1973. Fifty years later, our ambition to champion the power of play remains just as strong, with a new toy sold on average every two seconds. 

‘Being at the forefront of children’s toys for 50 years has shown us that the way we play as kids has a big impact on our adult life.

‘It’s wonderful to know that role-playing doctors and nurses using one of our playsets or cooking up a storm in a toy kitchen might spark a passion that lasts a lifetime.’

Strategic warfare board game Risk (32 per cent), and capture the flag (31 per cent) made the list of lost games as did building a treehouse, which has not been done by a third of today’s kids (32 per cent), according to the survey

Harry Judd attributes his love of music and his career since 2003 to playing with musical toys

Argos has teamed up with McFly drummer Harry Judd to help promote the importance of playtime.

He attributes his love of music and his career since 2003 to playing with musical toys.

Harry said: ‘I distinctly remember some of the first toys I was given as a child being musical toys and I absolutely loved them. Simple instruments like tambourines and shakers, they made this amazing sound and sparked my love of music – as I grew up the toys just got bigger.

‘Obviously as you get older, play takes a back seat – but I remember spending hours and hours playing games with my siblings and friends, back in the 1990s when we were young. It’s great that having my own children has brought back that sense of play and imagination. I’m pretty active, so like playing cricket and catch in the garden and my eldest son is massively into drums and guitars, so it’s lovely to be able to connect with them, whilst watching them learn and grow.’