According to a 1999 Kids and Media study by the Kaiser Family Foundation, the typical American child over age 2 spends more than 38 hours a week being “electronically entertained.” Why not go outside for some great family playtime instead?

What’s the value of trading television, computer and video entertainment for the old-fashioned, time-honored games?

“The classic games are fabulous,” says Rosie Peterson, director and games expert at Covenant Pines Bible Camp in McGregor, Minn. “When you play these games, you listen, you observe, you’re imaginative in your strategy. You play to have fun, not to win. Everyone’s involved; everyone can play. These games are great equalizers.”

It’s an inventive undertaking to create hours of fun out of three cans and a chalk circle. But playing these simple games together creates laughter, closeness, camaraderie and memories (and usually an irresistible desire for ice cream when the game’s over).

We play as a family; we invite others to play with our family; we play with other families. We get exercise (more or less), fresh air, high fives and wide-eyed admiration from our children who just didn’t know their parents were so talented, clever and fun. We get to cheer, “Wow, what a good sport you are!” and “Way to go! Great effort!” as we teach our children the joy of pure, unplugged outdoor fun.

My neighbor Greg is the father who plays more Kick the Can with the kids than anyone. He wonders what other neighbors think when they drive home some nights and see him hiding behind their trashcan. “But it’s fun for the kids,” he says. “It’s fun for me, too!”

Rosie said it best. “When we really play together with children, there’s a wonderful bond that forms. And these kinds of games are magic.”

Play:

• Kick the Can
• Sardines
• Freeze Tag
• Marco Polo
• Capture the Flag