25 Schoolyard Chants and Games That Have Been Banned for Being Inappropriate
Schoolyard chants and games are usually filled with feelings of camaraderie and fun. However, many of these games and chants contain inappropriate content or condone inappropriate and harmful behavior among children. Schools have rightfully prohibited such games and chants from their schoolyard. Here are 25 schoolyard chants and games that have been banned for being inappropriate:
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Ring Around the Rosie
As a classic schoolyard game, it would surprise many that this game has been deemed inappropriate. It is believed that “Ring Around the Rosie” is a game based on the bubonic plague, and its lyrics depict symptoms of the disease that once claimed many lives. Some lines of the innocent-seeming game also portray death, which has led many schools to ban this game to avoid any distress or discomfort caused in some children.
Red Rover
The game involves children linking their arms and players from opposing teams attempting to break through the chain. As a highly physical game, many children face injuries ranging from broken bones to sprains, leading many schools to ban the game. Educators believe the game has risks of causing serious harm and are looking for safer alternatives to games that promote teamwork without being dangerous for children.
Duck, Duck, Goose
“Duck, Duck, Goose” is a popular game where a player walks around a circle of other players, tapping each player on the head while calling out “duck.” This player selects another player from the group as a “goose,” who then chases the first player before they can sit in the player’s place in the circle. The game has come under scrutiny because of its potential to promote exclusion and teasing that arises from the selecting process of the “duck” and the “goose.”
Cowboys and Indians
“Cowboys and Indians” perpetuate harmful stereotypes of certain cultures while also glorifying violence through the way it is played. When playing the game, children either pretend to be cowboys or Native Americans, where the latter are the adversaries or targets of the former. This often reinforces a negative perception of Native Americans and can even tend to distort history, making it highly inappropriate to be played by children.
Cops and Robbers
The game involves children taking on the role of a “cop” who chases down those who take on the role of a “robber.” Many have deemed the game highly inappropriate for its stereotypical portrayal of law enforcement and criminal behavior and its normalization of aggression. Schools have banned the game because of the concerns it raises and how it could impact young and impressionable minds.
Smear and Queer
“Smear and Queer” is a schoolyard game that involves tackling the person who has a hold of the ball. However, its inclusion of offensive language, promotion of bullying, and perpetuation of homophobia have led to its rightful ban from being played in schools and playgrounds. The game also risks the promotion of harmful behavior towards other children who may be perceived as different or vulnerable.
Bloody Mary
“Bloody Mary” is a game that emerged from the legend of summoning a ghostly figure when the name “Bloody Mary” is chanted into a mirror three times. Although it may seem harmless to many, it is also associated with themes of horror and superstition, which can negatively affect the young and impressionable minds of children.
Butts Up
“Butts Up” is another violent game that involves through a ball at another player’s backside, who then becomes the next thrower if they are unable to catch the ball. Concerns have been raised by many due to the game’s potential ability to cause injury and promote bullying among children. The game also has many risks of accidents, which could lead to humiliation and exclusion among children.
Wall Ball
The game “Wall Ball” involves throwing a ball against a wall and catching it when it returns. Players are eliminated from the game if they cannot catch the ball or make other kinds of errors. Although the game does not seem inappropriate on the surface, it has faced a lot of criticism because it has caused injuries from collisions and disputes over the game’s rule.
Tug of War
Known as a classic game of teamwork, many schools have banned “Tug of War” because of the injuries caused when playing the game. The game is played by two opposing teams who stand at opposite ends of the rope. They then pull on the rope to get the opposing team to cross a designated line, leading to their defeat. The tugging and pulling of the rope has unfortunately caused injuries ranging from strains, sprains, and sometimes even more severe injuries, which has led schools to deem it an inappropriate game.
British Bulldog
A “British Bulldogs” game requires one or more players, called the “bulldogs,” to tag other players as they run from one designated safe zone to another. The highly physical nature of the game has led to collisions and falls, causing various kinds of injuries. To ensure the safety of the students, many schools have banned the game from being played in the schoolyard or playground.
Chink, Chink, Chap
“Chink, Chink. Chap” is a game played like “Duck, Duck, Goose” where a player runs around a circle calling out “Chink” while tapping on the head of the other players and choosing someone as “Chap” who proceeds to chase the caller. The game’s use of racially offensive and derogatory terms has been deemed to be highly inappropriate in education settings, leading to its ban in many schools.
Dirty Sally
The “Dirty Sally” game involves chants where players call out a range of names before arriving at a predetermined selection. The game is usually accompanied by derogatory language and teasing, which leads to children being laughed at. Using the term “dirty” in the game is demeaning and disrespectful and could potentially hurt the feelings of other players.
Johnny Johnny
Participants who play “Johnny Johnny” repeatedly call out different name variations until they arrive at the selected one. Usually, the names that are called out are accompanied by laughter and mockery of a singled-out player of the game. Some of the many reasons that have led to its ban in schoolyards include teasing, social exclusion among peers, and disrespect of the school environment that aims to be supportive and inclusive.
Simon Says
Another classic game that some schools have banned is “Simon Says,” a game that involves an individual taking on the role of “Simon” and giving out a range of instructions to other players who are required to follow the instructions only if they are preceded with the phrase “Simon Says.” Some schools are concerned that the game can lead to children being singled out or embarrassed because of the instructions given and have therefore decided to ban the game from being played in schools.
Skipping Rhymes
Jump rope is usually accompanied by a range of recited rhymes, making the activity more enjoyable for everyone involved. However, it has been observed that many of the rhymes that accompany skipping revolve around inappropriate themes and languages that are often offensive and highly unsuitable for children.
The Name Game
Another game that promotes teasing and exclusion of other students is “The Name Game,” which involves manipulating someone else’s name into a potentially embarrassing rhyme. Although the game is intended to be light-hearted, it can cause harm to players’ feelings or make them feel targeted with rhymes filled with mockery and even derogatory nuances.
Seven Up
“Seven Up” is a game usually played in the classroom to pass the time. It involves selected students closing their eyes and having their classmates touch their thumbs. The game aims to help the students guess who touched them. However, the game’s intended fun and promotion of honesty may be compromised by students who resort to peeking and cheating, which are highly discouraged qualities in the classroom.
Telephone
“Telephone” is a game that promotes communication and tests the players’ memory. Players whisper and pass on a message from person to person, leading to the final message often being distorted or changed from the original. Schools have decided to ban this popular game due to concerns that it promotes spreading rumors and misinformation. The game also has the potential to lead to misunderstandings.
Bloody Knuckles
A “Bloody Knuckles” game involves flipping a coin at someone’s knuckle until they bleed. This highly violent game has been banned from schools for various reasons. It promotes violence and causes physical harm for amusement, and it can cause participants mental distress in addition to physical harm.
Cherry Bomb
Another game that intends to create a fun environment for participants but has raised various concerns is “Cherry Bomb.” In this game, participants must recite a chant while performing some physical activity like jumping off structures or platforms to have the final action synchronize with the final word of the chant. The risky nature of the game and its potential to lead to accidents like falls or collisions have led many schools to ban the game.
Three-legged Race
Although it is a popular and beloved game, the “Three-Legged” race has the potential to cause a range of injuries. The game requires pairs of participants to have one of their legs tied together and race against other pairs of players. It has a high potential for injuries caused by falls or unforeseen accidents.
Crack the Whip
“Crack the Whip” is a game where players join hands and run in a line. The players at the front of the line turn sharply so that the players at the back of the line can be whipped around forcefully. The forceful and abrupt movements involved in the game may throw players off balance, causing them to fall over, collide with each other, and, at extreme levels, even cause whiplash. This often leads to some kinds of injuries like sprains, concussions, bruises, etc.
Dead Man, Dead Man, Come Alive
“Dead man, dead man, come alive” is a chant that children say while standing in a circle around a player who pretends to be “dead” and who suddenly “comes alive” to chase after other players. The spooky game is surrounded by themes of death and resurrection, which is highly inappropriate and unsettling for children. Schools have banned this game to prevent children from feeling fear or anxiety while playing games.
King of the Hill
Participants in “King of the Hill” are required to stand atop a mound or hill and defend their position while preventing other players from reaching the top. This highly competitive game may promote feelings of aggression among the players, leading to resentful and exclusionary behavior and even bullying.
