I remember Red Rover. We used to play it in grade school.
Also Four Square - I loved it!
We also played Mother, May I and Simon Says.
And we loved jumping rope. We spent so many recesses doing that. I envied the girls who had the long, heavy ropes. I remember my third grade boyfriend wanted to jump rope with the girls. I wanted to keep him to myself and just teeter totter or swing. :D
Marbles were popular when I was in grade school, too. I had my special marble bag and favorite shooters.
We went through a phase where everyone played Cat's Cradle with twine.
We also played jacks and pick-up sticks. I had our old pick-up sticks for years, in fact, I just found the original container upstairs a few weeks ago. Unfortunately it was empty. I think my DGD's found them and dumped them out, then didn't pick up the sticks. :(
Hula hoops were popular for a while. Now they're back. My DGD's jump through them on the trampoline.
I'd forgotten about paint-by-number kits until someone mentioned them. I think everyone in our family tried them. I never finished any that I started.
We used to play a lot of Old Maid and Authors. Also checkers, Chinese checkers, and Life. We never played Monopoly, but I'm not sure why. I'd also forgotten about Tiddly Winks and Cootie. I don't think we had a Mr. Potato Head, but we enjoyed playing Cootie.
I also remember paddle balls, yo-yo's, and slinkys. Oh, and what were those things called - viewfinders? That doesn't sound right. I think I've got one of those old time toy catalogs; I'll have to look it up.
I loved paper dolls. I had a huge collection of them, probably because they were cheap. We rarely got toys except at Christmas or birthdays, but paper dolls were an exception. I was so patient and loved cutting out the clothes.
I loved to read. I remember the Christmas I received my first Bobbsey Twins book. After that I was often given Bobbsey Twins books for Christmas or birthdays or I saved my own money to buy them. I ended up with the entire collection and still have them. When I was a little older I became fascinated with Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys. And Trixie Belden. And a series about kids who lived on or near Lookout Mountain and rode horses. It seems like that series was a little darker than the others. I also really liked Cherry Ames, Student Nurse, and what was the other nurse series? Something Barton?
We made lots of potholders with those metal weaving thingies, too. We were SO proud of them.
Oh, and what about Oujia (sp?) boards? We had an old one that belonged to either my mom or aunt. It was a big hit at slumber parties.
This thread is bringing back a lot of good memories!