Play isn’t just for kids. In fact, all around the country grown-ups are revisiting their favorite playground games from childhood.
Life feeling a little stagnant? Maybe it’s time to gather your friends, coworkers and neighbors to revive a game and play full-out in your adult bodies! Try these five steps to get your game going:
1, Pick a game, any game. Is your favorite childhood game one that you and others would still find interesting as adults? Choose a familiar playground game and capitalize on the nostalgia factor. Adjust the game for grown-ups, and solidify a set of rules for your specific group so everyone is on the same page before you start.
2. Location, location, location. Where are you going to play your game? The gym? A local park? A parking lot? Find a space that fits your needs and see if you can play there. Does it cost money to rent? You might want to form a low-priced league and fees can go towards expenses. Private property? It can’t hurt to ask the owner to see if you can use their space and maybe they’ll want to play too! Public space? Play at a time when it won’t inconvenience non-players and won’t freak out the authorities. Always remember to RESPECT THE SPACE! If you mess it up, people won’t like you or your game.
3. Equip yourself. What materials does your game require? Balls, tape, cones, brooms, chalk? People like to be helpful, so ask players if they can bring needed supplies. Since playground games are typically simple, the equipment will probably be inexpensive. If you front the money to purchase new items, put out a collection jar and have your generous participants help recoup your investments.
4. Schedule it. Most grown-ups have some sort of schedule that they have to work around. Set your game up to happen on a regular basis and stick to it! This will give people who want to play a chance to get involved even if they can’t make the game the first time it happens. This also allows for people to start moving their schedules around so they can join the fun.
5. Good hustle. Before you promote your game, consider the following: how many people can play your game? How much time and capital do you have? For most games, social media is a great tool to spread the word, and it gives interested parties a landing space on the internet to reference. Posting on websites like Craigslist works magic. Leave fliers around town and hand them out to participants to encourage them to come back. For more exposure, consider playing at local festivals, parades or events. To reach larger audiences, pitch a story on your game to local news, blogs or radio stations.
Now that you’ve got the steps, what game are you going to play?
Guest blogger Sam Mende-Wong is the founder of 4 Square of the East Bay and serves as Lead Facilator and Creative Director. 4SEB meets every Thursday night from 9pm to midnight and has received many positive reviews on Yelp. Sam works a day job as the national Grants Administrator for Playworks where he has taped off a four square court in the office.
