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7 Lagos Street Games Your Kids Will Never Play (But Should) – And Why We Need To Bring Them Back!

Before Fortnite and TikTok, Lagos kids were getting ripped, rich, and street-smart with these epic playground battles. Here’s why today’s iPad generation is missing out!”

Lagos used to be alive with laughter, barefoot races, and dusty street games. But today’s kids are glued to tablets, not the streets. Here are 7 forgotten Lagos street games that shaped childhood—and why they deserve a comeback. Eyes Of Lagos reports,

1. Suwe (Hopscotch, Nigerian Style)
With chalk or charcoal, kids drew boxes on the ground and hopped in turns. Balance, patience, and cheers from friends made it unforgettable.

2. Tinko Tinko

This clapping and singing game tested rhythm and memory. Girls often played it after school, turning it into a mini-concert on the street.

3. Police and Thief

A classic chase game! Kids acted as robbers and police, shouting “Ole! Ole!” (thief). It built teamwork and street-smart instincts.

4. Ten-Ten

A hand-and-foot tapping game where opponents mimicked each other’s moves. Sharp reflexes were key to winning.

5. Catcher (Tag)

One kid chased the others until everyone was caught. It taught speed, strategy, and endurance—and kept children active.

6. Who Is In The Garden?

A circle game with songs, laughter, and surprises when someone was picked to “enter the garden.” Perfect for social bonding.

7. Rubber Twist (Sandal Rope Jumping)

Using old rubber bands or slippers tied together, kids jumped in patterns that tested agility and balance.
Why We Need to Bring Them Back

They kept kids healthy & active (no gym needed).

They built friendships & social skills.

They were cheap fun—no gadgets required.

They taught Lagos street-smart survival from a young age.

Imagine your kids knowing more about Fortnite than suwe—a tragedy for childhood fun. Maybe it’s time to revive these games in schools and playgrounds.

https://eyesoflagos.com/7-lagos-street-games-your-kids-will-never-play-but-should-and-why-we-need-to-bring-them-back/

After round one
Monini monini
Boju boju
And many more.

what about monkey monkey monkey... monkey monkiki

Hmmm , time flies.. now our kids are glue to mobile phone, TikTok or , mobile games most especially [/b]Call of duty[b] abi wetin be that one name .. no more ten ten or tinko tinko and the rest ..

Mama and Papa no dey the list?
Mama and Papa no dey the list?

All of them are now chasing after danfo and okada, shouting owomi.da.

Lakanlaka
Talowan'uogbana
Bojuboju
Alo
Ati be be lo

Nigeria easily forgets her history, culture and tradition which ought to have been preserved. The self-styled Giant of Africa would rather allow itself to be assimilated and influenced by westernised traditions and culture.

Father, mother and children
War film, (commando)
Kunfu
Dice/ ludo
Card game
Button
Rubber bands etc

eyesoflagos:
7 Lagos Street Games Your Kids Will Never Play (But Should) – And Why We Need To Bring Them Back!


https://eyesoflagos.com/7-lagos-street-games-your-kids-will-never-play-but-should-and-why-we-need-to-bring-them-back/

Thank you so much for this
This game/sporting activities kept us active and mentally alert back then.
Obesity wasn’t rampant

Children still do tinko tinko tikonko tinko. For the after round one, original panadol extra, it's better these generation of children don't do it o. Their parents will interfere when their kids are returning home with hot red hands battered with supersonic slaps. I wonder why our parents didn't interfere back in those days, even though they are aware of the devil-manufactured gargantuan slaps we get to the back of our hands then.

The throwing of rubber band, I am thinking of making it a global sport, because it helps people learn how to throw things to targets. I dream of making it an international competition. I really miss it.

You forget to add kosso or canter match or back of matches box as whoat. Kyt e many jorr. Borris nkor

Demand the ball
To pass around
Demand it quickly and pass it around
And kenke (Street High jump)

Rolling of motor cycle or car tyre all around the street, am superb in that aspect eh .. Good old days..

It was back then.what a memory.....nairaland free me with your 40 more characters to go...

Flying of paper kites. I missed the good old days so much.

This I have seen.

How many people sabi play cashew seed game for here.
I go play am finished, carry my gains go sell 💪 chai

Call it salubata,what’s rubber twist..
Kids still do suwe tho,seen it a couple of times…







Moreover ,what’s life without proper bedmatics skills seff,I’m here to solve all your woes

That police catch thief, na me dey always be actor, then talk about football match with mineral cover and ball from radio cassette, then we use St Louis sugar pack as goal post.. I have really missed those days, kids of nowadays are all forming ajebo no much fun anymore 😁😅😂🤣

Games Yoruba play


Should be the head line



Dumbo


Dumb 😛😛😛


Op

Lagos Street game?



Games wey dem dey play for everywhere for naija that year.

Before kids these days are tagged GEN Z you think say na play play?

Check them out on TikTok showing breasts for likes and flowers.

@eyesoflagos.com you are a game changer, you've just brought something new and impactful to the forum.

These topics are front page materials and should be treated as such

You're a good observer and researcher.

More great and impactful topics are expected from you.

More ink to your pen.

OK they should bring back willi-willi don die now

nickxtra:
Nigeria easily forgets her history, culture and tradition which ought to have been preserved. The self-styled Giant of Africa would rather allow itself to be assimilated and influenced by westernised traditions and culture.

What is your solution to the above topic no be compliant will solve that,suggests a solution it might leads to way out simple as ABC.

Wow time can fly, all this thing my children don't know them they don't even go out to play if I am not with them, I will try and teach them some

Simongm:
How many people sabi play cashew seed game for here.
I go play am finished, carry my gains go sell 💪 chai

This was another form of gambling by minors then.

Na Daddy and Mummy play I like pass. Na there i learn a lot

Tik-tok has eaten deep in their brain, no more room for association again even brothers and sisters don't even have time for family discussion or playing again because of phones. Phones have severed bonds between families, friends e.t.c people are now turning into something else because of technology.

All that is left now is the memories of old to be remembered. Gen-z lacks humanity touch.

Remember to add Table Soccer and Highland ball to your list.... 🤔 How time flies