Child's Game: Elastics

Subject: RE: Child's Game: Elastics
From: GUEST,Judith
Date: 03 Nov 17 - 11:50 AM

I'm 59, grew up near Manchester airport.

Chant was 'in out in on, in out together in'

in - feet inside the elastic bands
out - feet outside
on - jump to place feet on top of elastic bands
Together - bring feet together (with a small jump) with the elastic between them.

We started with the elastics around two people's ankles, and increased the height after each sequence. I'm guessing I was about 8 years old. I only remember the girls playing, but we had segregated playgrounds, so I might not have noticed if the boys did it.

teh 'elastics' were always joined up elastic bands.

Subject: RE: Child's Game: Elastics
From: GUEST,CJB
Date: 03 Nov 17 - 03:42 AM

The question now is did the kids also do step dancing either separately or as an integral part of their 'elastics' jumping.

Subject: RE: Child's Game: Elastics
From: GUEST,CJB
Date: 03 Nov 17 - 03:09 AM

Sorry the link was broken anyway - it went to Mr. Dot Com's cloud site!!!

Thanks to John Archer at Kiwi Folk, he says:

That'll be Bauer's findings about elastics collected during their NZ children?s playground research. The pdf is still on the internet on the NZ Folksong website ...

****

http://folksong.org.nz/pdf_copies/Bauer_elastics.pdf

****

At Mangamahu School in the 1940s, we played only queenie seeny, brandy, and hide and seek in the pine plantation around the pony paddock - for 6 years.

John A

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Subject: RE: Child's Game: Elastics
From: Mrrzy
Date: 02 Nov 17 - 09:34 AM

No link, but it sounds interesting!

Subject: RE: Child's Game: Elastics
From: GUEST,CJB
Date: 02 Nov 17 - 04:15 AM

This PDF has been deleted!!!!!!

====

Subject: RE: Child's Game: Elastics
From: GUEST
Date: 07 Jun 15 - 01:50 AM

Hey I know this is an old thread but thought I would share the following .pdf document as it has taken information form the web to make it easier for the next person trying to find information on Elastics :)

I played this game in NZ in the 90's at intermediate and loved the game.
Web link: Elastics

====

Subject: RE: Child's Game: Elastics
From: GUEST
Date: 07 Jun 15 - 01:50 AM

Hey I know this is an old thread but thought I would share the following .pdf document as it has taken information form the web to make it easier for the next person trying to find information on Elastics :)

I played this game in NZ in the 90's at intermediate and loved the game.
Web link: Elastics

Subject: RE: Child's Game: Elastics
From: GUEST
Date: 17 Feb 14 - 08:02 PM

A bit off-thread, sorry: I looked at the links on clapping songs and there doesn't seem to be a thread for French clapping songs. Is one needed? There are two from Belgium in our family.

Subject: RE: Child's Game: Elastics
From: GUEST,Greer Watson, Toronto
Date: 17 Feb 14 - 07:50 AM

Another memory from someone who played this game in Toronto. I learned it in the fall of 1961, when we moved to a new subdivision. It was one of the most popular games at recess. You played it with a long length of elastic--the sort my mother used for our clothes. I remember once begging a length of it from her, and having great difficulty explaining what it was for. She'd never heard of the game, and kept thinking I just wanted an inch or two. However, when it was all explained, rules and all, she gave us about a whole package of it, about ten feet.

In the school yard, you needed two girls to take the ends; but, at home, we had a carport and fastened the elastic across the driveway, which meant no one had to wait out a turn. For convenience, the elastic always had a loop knotted at either end so you could put your finger through.

One girl had both ends, one in each hand. The other had the middle of the elastic. It was held so there were two sections running parallel between the them.

Initially, the elastic was held at "foot height", i.e. near the ground. Then ankle, knee, hip, waist, armpit, shoulder, neck (under the chin), ear height, top of the head, and as high up as your arm would stretch.

For each height, all the free players took their turn, then we'd swap round so the girls holding the ends could have a go. Only when everyone had a turn was the elastic moved up to the next height. When you couldn't manage to lift your leg up high enough, you had to drop out. Only one or two would still be going by the end.

At the lower heights, you picked the near elastic up on your toe, and took it over the far side, back and forth, as you sang the song. By about hip height, you wrapped the elastic once round your foot so it wouldn't slip off as you did the routine. Above shoulder height, you were allowed to use one hand to lower the centre of the elastic so you could hook your foot over. People were always keeping an eye out to make sure you didn't pull it down too far--about shoulder height was okay.

The song was similar to the versions reported by other people from Toronto and thereabouts. I see there are differences between all the versions: whatever the original was, it clearly underwent a game of "telephone" as it passed from child to child.

Our version went:

Yogi on the Kaiser
Yogi on the A
Candy in the soda
Calloo! Callay!

In 1963, I went for one year to a different school for a gifted program; and no one there had heard of the game. However, when I went home each day after school, people there still played it. Nor had it been played at my previous school. All these schools were fairly close together geographically, which makes me wonder if the game was fairly new in Toronto at that time.

Subject: RE: Child's Game: Elastics
From: GUEST,Cathy Hope
Date: 02 Sep 13 - 10:22 PM

I've spent a most wonderful morning reading all the great memories of'the game 'Elastics''.Thankyou everyone.
I am the author of a book for children Élastics' (Author Cathy Hope) published by Pearson Education Australia 2004. It is available from Celebration Press in USA.

Subject: RE: Child's Game: Elastics
From: GUEST,SUE HOLT yorkshire
Date: 17 Jul 13 - 03:54 PM

I remember the skipping song.....

Down in the kitchen
doing a bit of stitchin
in came a bogie man
and pushed her out

Clapping song...

A sailor went to sea sea sea
to see what he could see see see
but all that he could see see see
was the bottom of the deep blue sea sea sea

Subject: RE: Child's Game: Elastics
From: GUEST,Toronto in the 60's
Date: 08 Apr 13 - 02:34 PM

We played it in Toronto as well and our version was to string up elastic (the kind you used in sewing, so very sturdy) between two posts and then we would hop on leg over, over and over thru the rhyme, then at the end jump over it, increasing the height each time. Here is the rhyme as I remember it and as I research this I see "German" jumping as a description, which may explain some of the lyrics, as well as yogi.

Yogi on the kaiser
Yogi audi eh
Cats in the syllable
Sidoo Sideah (this is where you jumped over both ways).

Totally nonsensical but I remember it clearly to this day (a few decades later)

Subject: RE: Child's Game: Elastics
From: GUEST
Date: 11 Jan 13 - 06:12 AM

I played it in NZ in the 80's. We simply called it "Elastics" I remember I also used to get mum's old stockings, tie them together, and put them around two barstools to play on my own.

I remember the "england wales" one, but we ended it with inside outside.

Some others I recall only certain words, or actions, but not the rhymes. Maybe they will prompt others to remember (or perhaps my friends and I just made them up lol).

One was "Mello Yello" something about centre spangle
I also remember one where you had to run around one of the elastic holders and jump back in.


Hmmm

Subject: RE: Child's Game: Elastics
From: GUEST,ELASTICS JUMP INTO IT
Date: 30 May 12 - 06:51 AM

TO ALL THE DIE HARD ELASTICS FANS THE GOOD NEWS IS 'ITS BACK' WITH FANTASTIC NEW GAMES AND A GROOVY RAINBOW COLOURED ELASTIC. THE OLD GAME HAS BEEN GIVEN NEW LIFE CHECK OUT THE KIDS PERFORING THE NEW ROUTINES AT WWW.ELASTICSJUMPINTOIT.COM.AU
elasticsjumpintoit.com.au

Subject: RE: Child's Game: Elastics
From: GUEST,Debbie
Date: 25 Oct 11 - 07:34 PM

W played "jumpsies" a lot in the seventies. A favourite memory for myself and my sister. Great exercise. I wish the schools would introduce more Playground games. We use to play "two balls" also with rhymes like

Snoopy under
snoopy over
snoopy skyball
snoopy drop

Snoopy under, over, skyball touch

Snoopy front
snoopy back
snoopy side
snoopy touch

Snoopy front, back side touch

Another Fav was

Shirley Temple is a Star, don't forget to drop the R... S.T.A.R

I kinda remember a ball game to where you threw the ball against a wall and had to jump it. There was a rhyme about donkey that went with it.

There was also a rhyme about The Old Lady who lived in a shoe but I can't remember it.

We had lots of skipping rhymes too\\

Ahhh memories those were the best days!!

Subject: RE: Child's Game: Elastics
From: GUEST,Emma (now in NC, USA)
Date: 20 Aug 11 - 03:31 PM

I played this as French skipping in Cheshire UK and then in Singapore in the 70's! Have wanted to introduce my daughters to it but could never remember the order of the moves, thanks so much for the info and memories!

Subject: RE: Child's Game: Elastics
From: GUEST,aura
Date: 26 Mar 11 - 03:46 AM

does anyone remember the elastics game that says   "england ireland scotland wales" etc. that is all I can remember. can anyone help on this rhyme???

Subject: RE: Child's Game: Elastics
From: GUEST
Date: 25 Mar 11 - 05:36 AM

how long is the elastic?

Subject: RE: Child's Game: Elastics
From: GUEST,hottie gurl
Date: 23 Feb 11 - 11:15 PM

yes i luv this game tho i was looking for a game called high jump which is played by the kids in my old neighbor hood can anyone help me out?

Subject: RE: Child's Game: Elastics
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 10 Feb 11 - 10:45 AM

My daughter played this game at her primary school in Loughton, Essex, in the mid to late 80s.

Subject: RE: Child's Game: Elastics
From: GUEST,Patsy
Date: 10 Feb 11 - 09:59 AM

In Bristol we played 'Elastics' with the rules that Guest described 11 Sep 09 we called it French Skipping. Skipping or jumprope was as popular as anywhere else for girls but if you were invited to play French Skipping you knew that you were 'in' with the popular girls. I vaguely remember there was something else too. It was a solitary game a length of elastic or string was tied around an ankle with a weight and the girl would jump over it with the opposite leg as she spun it around. But I am not sure if there was a rhyme or rules to this.

Subject: RE: Child's Game: Elastics
From: GUEST,BRidgett
Date: 09 Feb 11 - 04:07 PM

Played this in the mid-80s in St. Louis Missouri USA. We played to the song: In Out Side Side On In Out ("out" meaning straddling the elastic). We called it Chinese Jumprope and did not have special songs, just the directions. But we had different "levels" like skinnies and eyes-shut and typewriter and diamonds. It seemed like it had been handed down as Gospel Truth when I was in 3rd grade...but many of the levels were probably made up to keep the game going!

Subject: RE: Child's Game: Elastics
From: GUEST,Elizabeth
Date: 11 Dec 10 - 02:01 AM

I want to get the words of the elastic jumping rhyme: Ingle, angle, silver bangle.

Subject: RE: Child's Game: Elastics
From: GUEST,Rachel
Date: 01 Oct 10 - 02:49 PM

Hi all,

This is weird, I was talking to my husband about this game this week, and he had never heard of it (NC where I now live), but I grew up in Nottingham, England, and I remember playing it in the early/mid 80's.

I remember calling it simply 'Chinese', and we used knicker elastic, and our chant was extremely boring, but it completely explained what we did;

'In, Out, In, Out, In, On, In and away!

Thanks for letting me reminisce!

Subject: RE: Child's Game: Elastics
From: GUEST,Guest
Date: 20 Jul 10 - 07:28 AM

Recently stayed in a Tibetan Colony in India - kids there were playing elastics just like I use to (NZ). No idea what the chant was though!

Subject: RE: Child's Game: Elastics
From: GUEST,Melody
Date: 20 Jul 10 - 02:44 AM

I was in primary school in Australia in the 80's and we used to sing England, ireland, scotland , wales, inside, outside, donkeys, tails...i am now in the middle of teaching my 2 young children who to play and they think its great. However im stuck i used to play it with elestic round ankles and then slowly working the way up the body till the neck. Then you go back to your ankles but only have it around 1 ankle per person making it "SKINNIES", then go all the way up to neck, then back to ankles for "WIDES". I know there was more after this but i cant remember...anyone have any ideas?

Subject: RE: Child's Game: Elastics
From: GUEST,Julie in Hamilton, On, Canada
Date: 02 Jul 10 - 08:47 PM

I'm glad I found this site! I was trying to remember all the words to the chant we used to play with the ball in the nylon. Here is how I remember it (although it took some of the words I found here to put it all together again!)

Hello hello hello sir      
meet you at the show sir
no sir
why sir
'cause I caught a cold sir
Where'd you get your cold sir?
From the North Pole sir,
What were you doing there sir?
Catching Polar Bears sir
how many did you catch sir?
one, sir
two, sir
three, sir
that's enough for me, sir
how about a drink sir,
no, sir
why, Sir
cause I'm gonna die, sir
when you gonna die, sir
middle of July, sir
why, sir
goodbye goodbye goodbye, sir!

Subject: RE: Child's Game: Elastics
From: GUEST,Jenine
Date: 27 Jun 10 - 09:08 AM

So great to see so many people remembering this great game! I've decided to give Elastics some new life. You can get sets with instructions, rhymes etc at www.skippingpebbles.com.au if that's helpful.

[e-mail]

Subject: RE: Child's Game: Elastics
From: GUEST,Canadian Mom, Montreal
Date: 14 Mar 10 - 05:30 PM

Just to keep this almost decade long thread going, I have a bit of information to add about the "levels" Of course you start from the ground up but the names were...

- feetsies (string around the "hookers'" feet)
- calfsies (string around the calves)
- kneesies (string around the knees)
- thighsies (string around the thighs)

Now, I don't think we got as high as hipsies but kids try all sorts of daring things! This was played in the multicultural Montreal elementary school I went to in the 80s.

After accidentally breaking my daughter's imported Cat's Cradle string (don't ask), I figured Elastics (created with a "knickers string" from a local sewing/crafting store) would be a peace offering!

Cost = $5 for 3 meters of string (That's about 10' for our US friends). It was the perfect length!

I don't know how I remembered the length to get but I pulled the knickers string to run along the width of my outstretched arms from fingertip to fingertip, then I measured half that length (which, again, came up to 3 meters of uninterrupted string in my case). Then I tied the two ends together and got to jumping!

I do remember us kids, back in the day, using the colored rubber bands which we found raiding our parents' offices or picking up elastics from the clothing stores our mom's dragged us to over the weekend.

I introduced her to B-I-N-G-O which is the only one I remembered. Hence the quest for this site...

Unlike Cat's Cradle, there's no books or DVDs that can be readily found on this game. This thread is quite helpful! Hope it goes the full 10 years...and more!

Subject: RE: Child's Game: Elastics
From: GUEST,Kerry Brisbane, Australia
Date: 09 Jan 10 - 08:47 AM

I just bought sets of elastics for my girls, this forum has been very helpful for reuniting another generations with a great old fasioned past time.

Our chant used to have the ENGLAND IRELAND....but also went on to BOSTON.....

Not sure if anyone remember that bit.

PS the elastics dont come with INSTRUCTIONS... Arghhh

Subject: RE: Child's Game: Elastics
From: GUEST
Date: 19 Nov 09 - 03:22 PM

Well in my neck of the woods, we played a game with linked elastic bands but it was nothing like what is recorded here. We would like tham together making one long strand. Then standing apart, the two 'ends' (those holding the elastics) would put it at different levels for the others to jump. Starting at ground, then ankle, knee, hip, waist, underarm, shoulder, ear, top of head and high sky. You could as the 'yogi' (what we called the band) touch it and bring it down some, but you had to run at the line and jump, not stand and bring it down. When you couldn't get over, you bacame the end and not the jumpsey.

Subject: RE: Child's Game: Elastics
From: GUEST
Date: 11 Sep 09 - 07:19 AM

I remember a version without rhymes.

There are different moves from 1-10. ONce you complete the moves the elastic goes highter (from ankesl to knees, to thights to waist.)

1) Jump over rope (onsies)
2) Jump in with your feet straddling one of the "tramlines" jump again so you are straddling the other tramline. (twosiese)
3) oo | |   (left foot, right foot, elastic) Start in this positions.
Jump hooking the left tramline with your right foot and jump over the right tramline. You will end up straddling the right tramline with the left hooked over to create a triangle. You then jump and twist 3 times making sure you maintain the triangle shape with the elastic.
4) Jump on so both feet are on the tramlines. Jump in, jump on, jump in. Then out.


I've fotgotten the rest. Can anybody fill me in?

Subject: RE: Child's Game: Elastics
From: GUEST,Mitch
Date: 05 Sep 09 - 11:39 PM

I was just talking to my son about the game of Elastics. Im in Australia & I remember it well. Though much easier to get a long piece of elastic these days & stitch the 2 ends together. I just found this website so if you go to the bottom of the page you will find Elastics the game & 1 chant for it. You will find other things on that page too.

Im pleased I am not the only person that remembers this life long game of fun & exercise.. Have fun

http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/files/pafc_tip_indoorgames_f.pdf

Regards Mitch

Subject: RE: Child's Game: Elastics
From: GUEST,Holly
Date: 28 Jul 09 - 07:52 PM

Emma (above) is my sister and we were having a conversation about this the other night and I'm the same as her - can't remember how we used to do Twisties. When we moved to Australia (I was 9) I was disappointed to see that my new school friends just sort of scissor-kicked over the elastics without even chanting a rhyme or anything. They still did the ankles, knees, waists etc and when it got up too high you were allowed to use your little finger to pull the elastic down so you could kick your leg over. Boring! The UK version was way more fun!

Subject: RE: Child's Game: Elastics
From: GUEST,Emma
Date: 27 Jul 09 - 08:38 AM

Thank you everyone. This has been very helpful.
Having grown up in Wales in the 70s and 80s, I played elastics just about every day, and now I want to teach it to my students in Melbourne, Australia. I remember the England, Ireland..chant, and a chant of 'Supercalifrajilisticexpialidocious', and agree with most people's interpretation of the moves.
However, I know there was a round where the 'posts' (the girls holding the elastics) had the elastic round one ankle only, and then sort of twisted the long part around their legs again, making one long tight elastic to work with. This was called 'twisties' I think. When you got to this stage, there was a new way of jumping to the chant, involving picking up the elastic with your toes and sort of separating it. Can't quite remember, and it's infuriating!
Also would appreciate help with the order...I think it's:
1. ankles (shoulder width)
2. shins (shoulder width)
3. kneesies (shoulder width)
4. thighsies (shoulder width)
1 - 4 repeated ('skinnies' - feet together)
1 - 4 repeated ('onesies' - one foot only)
1 - 4 repeated ('twisties' - one foot, and twisted elastics)
1 - 4 repeated ('splitsies' - feet very wide apart)

Finally, I kind of remember 'triangles' too. Vaguely.
Thanks everyone for your help.

Subject: RE: Child's Game: Elastics
From: GUEST,heather
Date: 19 Jul 09 - 11:28 AM

i was born on the west coast of scotland in 1970. we played elastics using the chant:
scotland, england, ireland, wales
inside, outside, monkeys' tails.

the 'playmate' chant was used for clapping games:
see, see my playmate
come out and play with me
and bring your dolly too
we'll climb the apple tree
over a rainbow
into a magic land
and we'll be best of friends
forever more.

Does anyone remmeber this chant which was used for ball games?:
six white horses in a stable pick one out and call it mabel
mabel butter, mabel cheese
mable fell and skint her knees

i remember the tunes too. i use these when i teach english to children in austria.

Subject: RE: Child's Game: Elastics
From: paula t
Date: 17 Jun 09 - 03:09 PM

In Lancashire we called it "French Skipping".We had a set sequence of moves which started from different "predicaments" These moves were:
1)
"In (both feet inside the elastics)
Out (both feet out- one either side)
In
Out
In
On(Land with both feet on the elastic-one on each side)
Out
Together(drag elastic sides together with feet)
In"

2)We then moved to "triangles"(pick up the elastic on one side with one foot, drag that foot over the opposite side, still with the elastic on the foot and drag the opposite side back with the heel. Then stand on the point of the triangle you have made.This was then the starting point for ".Back" (Jump backwards off the elastic)
"on" (landing with both feet on nearest elastic)
"in"
"on"(one foot on each elastic)
"Over"(jump over and land with both feet on elastic on opposite side)

Variations of the moves mentioned above were then performed in sequence,from other starting points such as:

Diamonds...(start off as a triangle, but then stretch out the other side to make a diamond, one foot on each elastic)

"Twirly" (start off by trapping the elastics between your feet, then turn round to face the other way , still trapping the elastic.This was generally recognised as an "expert " move, because it was difficult to jump up , release your feet from the wrapped round elastic and then land in the specified positions!)

The final move was "Scissors" (Start with one foot on each elastic , then jump up and land with the feet swapped to their opposite side.

As each person completed the whole sequence they then moved on to do it all again but with the elastic next on shins, then knees then thighs. The games could last for hours!

I introduced this to a primary school I was working in. The craze lasted for months.

Lovely memories!

Subject: RE: Child's Game: Elastics
From: Azizi
Date: 16 Jun 09 - 10:19 PM

Hello, GUEST,Alex 16 Jun 09 - 06:22 PM. Thanks for sharing your memories of elastics with us.

I've never heard of an elastic chant about the television show "Dynasty".

If you remember it (or some of it), please post it.

Thanks again,

Ms. Azizi

Subject: RE: Child's Game: Elastics
From: GUEST,Alex
Date: 16 Jun 09 - 06:22 PM

I was born in 1981 in Serbia, and elastics was a very popular game there from the early 60s until mid 90s. There were different versions, one where an elastic hoop is placed between two gills standing opposite each other, around the legs, and the other one where it was held by fingers, first 4, than reduced to 3,2 and one finger, between two girls and the third one had to jump through it in a rhythm of a chant. There was a chant about the popular American show Dynasty.

Subject: RE: Child's Game: Elastics
From: GUEST,Sue
Date: 10 Apr 09 - 09:43 AM

I played 'American Skippy' or 'elastics' at Osborne Park Primary school in Western Asutralia in 1960s. Also played game with sticks called fly and two balls against a wall. I stumbled across this sie while looking for two ball rhymes to teach my granddaughter. I rmember throwing blls a gainst the wall and singing; One two buckle my shoe and we'd have to touch our shoe before we caught the ball, three four close the door and make the action of closing a door etc.
Thanks for the memories.

Subject: RE: Child's Game: Elastics
From: GUEST,Sherry Nye Guest
Date: 25 Jan 09 - 09:14 PM

Elastic rope games, Wow, a chineese jump rope is what we knew them as. They started with two people putting them around their anckles and standing far apart, the third person would jump in a certain way, like this.
They would jump(In, Out, etc.)of the rope and say out loud at the same time;

In
Out
Side
Side
Step
In
Out

The next set was you had to click your feet each time together and do it again.
Next was spin around and so on, I'm sure you get the idea.
I Loved that game.

Subject: RE: Child's Game: Elastics
From: GUEST,sydney_Australia
Date: 04 Dec 08 - 07:12 AM

I remember this game. It was brilliant! I recently saw them sell the "elastics" thingo in one of the stores here. It brought back so many memories!

Subject: RE: Child's Game: Elastics
From: GUEST,Guest
Date: 21 Nov 08 - 04:46 AM

We have been trying to introduce traditional rhymes into our playground too - we called this German elastics here in Northern Ireland and we used coloured elastics which were joined together

Subject: RE: Child's Game: Elastics
From: GUEST,guest
Date: 19 Nov 08 - 05:54 AM

say say my playmate
come out and play with me
and bring your dolly too
under the apple tree

oh no my playmate
how can i possibly
come and play with you
under the apple tree
my dolly's got the flu - achoo!

and does anyone remeber this:

blondie and dagwood went to town
blondie bought a dressing gown
dagwood bought the evening paper
and this is what it said
close your eyes and count to ten
if your out you'll hold an end
one two three (to ten doing pepper)

Subject: RE: Child's Game: Elastics
From: GUEST
Date: 04 Oct 08 - 03:00 PM

I went to a chinese resteraunt to buy a loaf of bread, bread, bread. They asked me what my name was and this is what i said, said, said,,,,my names is choo-choo trolley, i know karate, punch you in the stomach oops im sorry! gonna tell my mama, gonna tell my dad, no your not freeze!

Subject: RE: Child's Game: Elastics
From: GUEST,Jane
Date: 03 Sep 08 - 11:24 PM

I payed Chinese Jump Rope in the late 60's and early 70's in Jamaica, West Indies.
Now my 9 y/o daughter who has only been in her new elementary school one week has started a new trend showing the kids how to play.
I am trying to remember the chants but I think we used MISSISSIPPI and ENGLAND, IRELAND, SCOTLAND FRANCE, INSIDE, OUTSIDE, MONKEY PANTS
ENGLAND, IRELAND, SCOTLAND WALES, INSIDE, OUTSIDE, MONKEY TAILS.
Thanks for the memories!

Subject: RE: Child's Game: Elastics
From: GUEST,Tracy
Date: 07 Jul 08 - 09:39 AM

I hadn't even thought of this game in years! I grew up on the south shore of Montreal in the 60's and we used to hound the mailman endlessly for elastics, seeing as they were by far the best kind. I do agree, though, that they used to tear at the wee hairs on our legs, but we couldn't afford the "knicker elastic.":) It was such a great game and I actually wouldn't mind trying it again.

Thanks all!

Subject: RE: Child's Game: Elastics
From: Polite Guest
Date: 16 Jun 08 - 10:13 AM

"Yeah, we used knickers elastics too, and it went from ankles, to knees, under-bums, hips, armpits then necks...."

Goodness, and I thought my knickers were big! ;-)

Subject: RE: Child's Game: Elastics
From: lady penelope
Date: 16 Jun 08 - 09:59 AM

Crumbs...

Mid 70's in north London we called it French Skipping. I can't remember rhymes, but we did have names for the moves (not that I can remember them!!!) It was more like playing cat's cradle than skipping. We also had a thing where you either used two elastic ropes or a really long one that you'd double up to do all the moves on "tramlines".

The knicker elastic ropes were always waaay better than the elastic band ones, the elastic bands used to tear the hairs off you legs!

Subject: RE: Child's Game: Elastics
From: GUEST,Janet
Date: 16 Jun 08 - 09:47 AM

Re: 2 balls against the wall, used to have hours of fun with that in the 70s and 80s.

I can only remember 1 rhyme and it was
Jimmy Giraffe
Made me Laugh
Walking down the garden path

On the Giraffe, Laugh and Path you did different variations each time, throw the ball at the wall over arm or let it bounce before catching, throw it under 1 leg at the wall, tun around and catch it, do it and then do it all again 1 handed.

Subject: RE: Child's Game: Elastics
From: GUEST,Haylee Howard
Date: 16 Jun 08 - 04:29 AM

I know one we are doing at school. It goes England Ireland Scotland wales. Inside outside inside ON!! Pretty easy but I am looking for more on this site. Biring it on!