We used to play all sorts of practical jokes on adults. "Knocking down Ginger" - knocking on doors and running off was one of them. I tended to adopt a psychological approach - after knocking on the door, I'd run a short distance and then stroll along the road back towards the house. When an angry adult burst out, they'd ignore me and chase after my friends who were running off in the distance. Somtimes I'd even get asked "Was it those boys who knocked on my door ?", of course I could honestly answer "Yes, it was one of that gang".

Stretching a line or thread across the pavement (sidewalk) to trip people or knock hats off, was also quite fun. I found it much funnier doing it at dusk - without any line, but with myself and a friend pretending to be holding the ends of one. People would duck or even walk round us, and if anyone did take umbrage, you could say innocently "What string mister ?".