Stuck on Make-Believe Games

I was definitely feeling some serious nostalgia after our class discussion today about make-believe and childhood imagination games. It truly is sad how little we participate in funny games of “pretend” after we grow up. Other than the occasional times when playing with/babysitting kids, these awesome opportunities to make your life anything that you want it to be, fade into the background of our harshly realistic, busy, work-filled adolescent years. I do not think that our imaginations come to a halt after childhood, they simply become more restrained and focused as opposed to free and limitless. So, as a reminder of some of the limitless games I am sure we all used to play, I compiled a list of my top 5 favorite make-believe activities. Feel free to try them out and enjoy!

1. Dress-up

One of my personal favorites. The rules of this game basically just consisted of raiding your parent’s closet (or dress up box if you were cool enough to have one) and changing your personality according to the random articles of clothing you put on. In my childhood version, the plot usually suffered slightly because I would have everyone change outfits as much as humanely possible.

2. Hot lava

Another of my all time favorite pretend games. The only rule is that the ground is covered with burning hot lava and if you touch it with any body part...you die. This game usually ended up with a destroyed living room in my household because we would tear couch cushions off, use newspaper and jump everywhere to avoid the lava. The best part is that it can last for as long as you desire and the lava can extend to as many rooms, floors, and yards that you want it to.

3. Imaginary friends

A classic childhood game. Home alone? No one to play with? Nowhere to go? No worries. Imaginary friends saved us all. Even though it might sound a little sad and pathetic now, this activity was completely standard and you are lying if you deny having one of these trustworthy friends at some point in your childhood. The best part was that they were always somehow up for whatever you wanted to do. Also, they were definitely not limited to just other human imaginary friends, for example my imaginary friend was a talking rainbow iguana named Iggy. 

4. Kings and Slaves

I do not know if other people played this, but I mentioned it today in class because it was such a prominent part of my childhood. The sad thing is that I remember actually enjoying this make-believe game even though I was always the slave, and Andrew was always the king.  We would talk in funny old English and the rules of this game basically consisted of me running around the house doing chores. Maybe not imagination at its finest, but still fun.

5. Cops and Robbers

One of the most classic make-believe games. Endless chasing, yelling, and imaginary gunshots made this game a guaranteed good time. The many versions added increased creativity because you could add multiple jails, use cap guns, and make teams. Also, I remember incorporating some change of scenery in this game as we added a sort of “teleportation” spin and suddenly would have the cops and robbers in crazy jungles etc. The best part was that anything was allowed.

I think we should all look back and remember our favorite make-believe activities and focus on getting in touch with that uninhibited creativity again. 
Maybe we should have all have an AP English party and play some of these great games.