Playground nostalgia
Revealed: the nation’s favourite playground games
Playground nostalgia
Revealed: the nation’s favourite playground games
From Hopscotch to Hide & Seek, school playground games have been a staple part of British culture for centuries. We uncover Britain’s favourite school playground games and explore what makes them so popular.
Plus, our childrenswear buying team have tailored recommendations on how best to dress your children for outdoor play. Let the games begin…
Hide & Seek
It’s no surprise that Hide & Seek is the nation’s favourite game overall, with 70% of adults saying they recall playing it regularly throughout their childhoods.
“In order to play this popular playground game, kids will need to be in comfy clothes for sitting still in sneaky spots,” advises M&S’s childrenswear buying team. “Opt for a non-iron, stain-resistant shirt or blouse and leather school shoes. Elasticated shorts and trousers will give kids the freedom to crouch, hide and crawl to their heart’s content, while parents won’t have to worry about creases, stained shirts or scuffed school shoes.”
Red Rover
Red Rover, with its running element, is a great way to get kids moving while having fun with their friends.
“For a high-energy game like Red Rover, we’d suggest dressing your children in school uniform that has breathable fabric that’s easy to move in,” say the kidswear buyers. “Sports shorts and skorts are ideal for this type of play – our sports shorts have StayNew technology that reduces bobbling and colour loss, so clothes stay looking fresh for longer, and skorts give children the freedom to let loose without worrying about flashing their underwear. Try sweet Mary Jane-style shoes too: the slip-resistant, non-marking outsoles will mean the shoes stay looking as good as new.”
What Time is it, Mr Wolf?
Our research found that more than 50% of adults remember playing this game as children and it is still popular today, with 30% of children under the age of 11 having played it. What Time is it, Mr Wolf? is most popular in the city of Liverpool.
“A staple pair of weatherproof shorts with an adjustable waist is a great option for kids wanting to play this game,” say the buyers. “Crease resistant and stain resistant, regular-length shorts offer a roomy fit around the leg, meaning that children can run around without feeling restricted. Novelty school shoes, such as those featuring Frozen or Spider-Man, add another element of fun to the outfit.”
Tag
Tag is the fourth most popular game in the UK and the second most popular game for those under 11 years old. Almost 50% of adults recall playing it in their youth.
As another game that involves high activity, Tag is great for encouraging exercise at a young age.
“With games like Tag, it’s important for children to enjoy the game without worrying about sweat stains or tough dirt marks,” advise the buyers. “We recommend functional clothing, like a short-sleeved stain-resistant polo shirt paired with some comfy shorts and black or white trainers.”
Hopscotch
Hopscotch is the UK’s fifth most popular game and the second most remembered game, with 60% of adults recalling playing it.
“No parent likes scrubbing out chalk stains, so be sure to dress your kids in stain-resistant and weatherproof clothes, if possible,” say the M&S childrenswear buyers. “We’d recommend our gingham school playsuit or skorts and shorts. Stylish and practical, these pieces will give your children the freedom to hop to their highest heights, and you can rest assured any creases will drop out with ease. Try light-up leather shoes for extra fun, too.”
The UK’s favourite playground games by city
Wondering which game is most popular in your hometown? Our map shows how attitudes towards school playground games vary across the nation. The city of Liverpool enjoys playing What Time is it, Mr Wolf? the most. As for the north east of England, Red Rover is the number one game choice in Newcastle, with the south claiming Hide & Seek as its favourite in both Southampton and London.
Time to play
Join in the fun with our simple instructions and top tips for playing some of the UK’s favourite playground games. Simply take a screenshot of our digital playground cards and keep the kids entertained while you’re out and about.
