15 Neighborhood Games All Midwest Kids Know How To Play

"Ready or not, here I come!"

1. Kick The Can

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With the ability to play during the day or night, in a backyard or the street, "Kick The Can" was a summertime staple.

2. Ghost In The Graveyard

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"That big tree over there is home base."

- Which one?

"The big one."

- Got it.

3. Capture The Flag

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There are two types of people: Those who guard the flag and those who go capture it.

4. Flashlight Tag

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If you don't say their name when you shine the light on them, it doesn't count.

5. Running Bases

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Honestly, the best part was tagging people out. Bonus points for adding a slip 'n slide to the mix.

6. Sardines

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A great way to get a dozen kids to hide in the neighbor's bushes.

7. Manhunt

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There's truly nothing like the high of being the last kid standing.

8. Red Rover

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Not being able to break the chain is one of the most humbling defeats in life.

9. 500/Jackpot

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"MYSTERY BOX! Dead or alive!"

10. Freeze Tag

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The only true way to unfreeze people is to crawl under their legs.

11. Marco Polo

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God bless the friend with a pool. You the real MVP.

12. Spud/Ball Tag

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Freeze tag + dodgeball + no boundaries = spud.

13. King of the Mountain/Hill/Castle

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The best mountains are the ones the snow plows make at the end of a street.

14. Red Light, Green Light

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"Red light! YOU MOVED!"

15. Hide-And-Seek

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The O.G. of neighborhood games. Also, shout-out to anyone who utilized a big basement.