Kick the Can Game

Teach the kids to "kick it" old-school!

Submitted by
Brea

Looking for a way to spend some carefree family time on a summer afternoon? Why not challenge your kids to a game of Kick the Can? You loved playing it when you were 11. Why should marriage, a mortgage, a job and two kids change anything?

Can: An empty soda can works best, but you can also play with a ball or a small gift box. In fact, why don't you tell Daddy that the game requires a small gift box and see if he gets the hint? Kick the Tiffany box, anyone?
Can master: a.k.a., the person who guards the can. Let's just call him It, shall we?
Players: Grab Dad or a sibling for this one. You'll need at least three players (including It).
Playing field: Or gym, rec room, etc. A grassy area is ideal because players may end up leaping and sliding and will want to protect their knees.
Hiding places: Safe spots for the players to take cover, i.e., behind a tree, under a bench, etc.
Jail: A blanket or old sheet will do.
Dark clothing: If you wear bright orange, you'll be easy to spot. So break out the camouflage tees!

Have the kids get the can (or ball, box, etc.).
Trek out to the playing field. You'll need a good deal of space (about 20 yards, or 1/5 of a football field) so you may want to head over to a local park.
Place the can in the middle of the playing area.
Have your children pick a spot to be the "jail," somewhere close to the can, but not so close that it obstructs access to the can. You can lay down a blanket or old sheet to identify the jail space.
Decide who is going to be It.
It covers his eyes and counts to 50 while the other players hide.
It opens his eyes and searches for the hidden players. Whenever he spots one, he calls out the player's name and hiding place. Example: "Dad, behind the lamppost." (He didn't really think that pole was going to hide him, did he? Can you say pot belly?)
The outted player then goes directly to jail.
As It looks about for other victims, he must remember to guard the can. If another player manages to kick the can, all of the prisoners go free.
If It sees a player making a dash for the can, he's got to race toward it, step on it and call out that player's name. The player then goes to jail.
When everyone is captured and sitting in jail—à la today's Hollywood starlets—the game is over and It wins!
Play again and designate the first one captured in the last game as It.