Page 15 - Focus Artesia Fall 2020 | GAME ON!
P. 15
Backyard ackyard
B
G
Gamesames
BY MORGAN FOX
In years past,
Artesians spent their
Friday nights in a
sea of orange, filling
the Bulldog Bowl with
hometown spirit.
Flashlight Hide & Seek Tag
aturdays were for lugging lawn chairs EQUIPMENT: 1 FLASHLIGHT | PLAYERS: 2+
to the soccer fields, the smell of orange A wild group of boys came up with this fun and fast-
Swedges, grass, and Gatorade in the air. paced game in the dark. The rules of play combine two
There were hectic evenings of homework, games we all know: hide-and-seek and tag. The seeker
snacks, and hauling the kids to practice before is “it” and has a flashlight. After counting to 50 at the
dinner and bedtime. agreed-upon base, the seeker will look for the other
players. As “it” finds the other players, he/she will shine
The year 2020 has looked pretty different. the light and try to tag the players found. The last person
However, we have been given a gift...Time. to make it back to the base without being tagged by the
Families, neighbors, and communities have seeker is the winner.
banded together (in small, socially distanced
groups) to create entertainment. Reminiscent Marco Polo
of the “good old days,” kids are forming bike EQUIPMENT: NONE | PLAYERS: 2+
gangs, backyard book clubs, and pick-up
sports teams. Pool or no pool, this classic game is a fun way to get some
energy out before lights out. Named after the famous
Remember the treehouse that sat empty Italian explorer, Marco Polo has been played in American
because the kids were too busy to play? Dust pools and backyards since the 1960s. With eyes closed
out the cobwebs — their schedules have been or covered (we all have spare face masks at this point),
cleared. Family fun doesn’t require fancy “it” will shout “Marco,” and the other players will reply,
equipment. Here are some backyard games “Polo.” The person that is “it” relies on hearing to find and
to fill the many, many hours the kids aren’t at tag other players. The last person tagged is the winner or
school, football practice, Grandma’s house, the the first person tagged is the new “it.”
movies — you get the drift. Normal may be on Flip For more! — ›
hold, but backyard fun doesn’t have to be!
FALL 2020 | FOCUS ON ARTESIA 15
