As kids, we didn’t always have the best judgement, especially on the playground.
While we were just having fun, some of our actions might not have been as harmless as we thought. Here are a few things you probably did when you were playing outside as a kid that, looking back, weren’t the greatest ideas —and might even make you cringe a little now. Consider them a rite of passage!
1. Cutting in the queue for the slide
It seemed like no big deal at the time — just a quick, sneaky step ahead of someone else so you didn’t have to wait. But cutting in line taught a subtle “me first” attitude that probably annoyed everyone behind you. Waiting your turn was definitely the better move, even if it felt like it took forever.
2. Hogging the swings for way too long
The swings were playground gold, and once you got on, you weren’t about to let go anytime soon. But staying on while other everyone else waited, giving no thought to sharing, probably caused more than a few frustrated sighs. Looking back, a quick turn would’ve made you the playground hero.
3. “Saving” spots for your friends
Whether it was on the jungle gym or a coveted spot on the seesaw, “saving” spaces excluded other kids from joining in. While it seemed harmless at the time, it sent the message that only certain people were allowed in your circle, leaving everyone else out in the cold.
4. Laughing at someone who fell
Kids falling on the playground wasn’t unusual, and sometimes it seemed funny at the time. But now, it’s clear how embarrassing and upsetting it must’ve been for the person who tripped. Compassion would’ve been a better choice, but hey, kids and their giggles don’t always think that way.
5. Starting a game of “keep away”
“Keep away” was a playground classic—but let’s face it, it was often just about keeping something away from the kid who wanted it. Whether it was a ball, a hat, or a toy, it probably wasn’t as fun for the person stuck chasing it. Not exactly playground fairness at its finest.
6. Taking “tag” way too seriously
Everyone loved a good game of tag, but sometimes the competition got a little too intense. If you ever tagged someone extra hard or made the game more about winning than having fun, it likely crossed into “not-so-great” territory. Kids can be surprisingly ruthless when it comes to playground glory.
7. Leaving someone out of your group
Whether intentional or not, excluding someone from a game or group was one of the harsher playground moves. At the time, it might not have felt like a big deal, but for the kid left out, it stung. Inclusivity wasn’t always a kid’s strong suit, but it should’ve been.
8. Climbing things you weren’t supposed to
There’s always that one kid who climbs the outside of the slide or scales the top of the monkey bars—and it was probably you at least once. While it felt adventurous, it wasn’t exactly safe for you or anyone else who got nervous just watching you dangle up there.
9. Taking someone’s seat in the middle of a game
Remember musical chairs or other games where seats were involved? Sometimes, it was all too tempting to grab someone else’s spot when they weren’t looking. It might’ve felt clever in the moment, but looking back, it wasn’t exactly fair play.
10. Arguing over the rules of a game
Whether it was tag, dodgeball, or a made-up game, playground arguments over rules were inevitable. Everyone wanted things to go their way, and the debates could get heated. In hindsight, the energy spent arguing could’ve just been used to actually play the game instead.
11. Ignoring someone who wanted to join in
If someone shyly asked to join your game, and you shrugged them off or pretended not to hear, it probably didn’t seem like a big deal at the time. But looking back, it was a quick way to make someone feel invisible—and that’s never cool.
12. Running too fast and knocking people over
Whether you were playing tag or just excited to get to the swings, running full speed through a crowded playground wasn’t the best idea. Bumping into someone or knocking them over might’ve seemed funny at the time, but now it’s clear it wasn’t great for anyone involved.
13. Dominating the sandbox and calling all the shots
If you were the self-appointed sandbox ruler, deciding who could build what and where, you might’ve come off a bit bossy. While it felt like harmless leadership at the time, it probably annoyed everyone who just wanted to dig and play without strict sandbox rules.
