The bell rings, the gates swing, and suddenly it’s a world of Bulldog sprints, Tig debates, and the kind of slap that stings your pride more than your cheek. We rewind to the 80s and 90s schoolyard to unpack the games that shaped our reactions, our friendships, and our appetite for chaotic fun. From the disputed rules of British Bulldog to the gentler but no less intense What’s the Time, Mr Wolf?, we compare versions, call out the bans, and laugh at how every school invented its own lawbook.
We get tactical with Tig: no tig back stalemates, Tiggy Lamppost rescues, and the nostalgia lightning bolt that is Tiggy Bob Down. Then it’s football spin-offs: the glory and grief of Wembley singles and doubles, Spot battles with “dog’s life” revivals, and heads and volleys with house rules that bordered on combat. Conkers bring the lore—stringing techniques, legendary “20-ers,” and the surprising scale of world championships—while skipping and Double Dutch remind us how rhythm and teamwork brought crowds even without a ball.
There’s the soft power of paper fortune tellers, the collecting craze of Pogs and Top Trumps, and the pain Olympics of Slaps and Peanuts. And yes, we plant a flag for Kirby: two kerbs, one ball, perfect timing, and street diplomacy as cars interrupt your hot streak. Through it all, we swap stories—some daft, some painful, all vivid—about the unrefereed education those games delivered: bluffing, courage, fairness, and knowing when to argue and when to run.
If rough-and-ready playground culture shaped your childhood, you’ll recognise the rules, the rows, and the joy baked into every bell. Listen, reminisce, then tell us your house rules and banned classics. If you laughed or shouted “that’s not how we played it,” follow, share with a mate, and leave a quick review—what game ruled your break time?
