There are lots of things children don't do today. Maybe there is a really good reason.
"King of the Hill !"
Requirements: A pile of dirt or gravel, or a naturally steep hill. More than one person. The more the better.
Rules: There was one main rule...get to the top and stay there. I suppose punching, kicking, scratching, etc. was frowned upon, but I don't remember anybody doing those things.
October 1976...It was the Hickerson Station Fall Festival. All the kids in the community of Mt. Vernon went to Hickerson. I was in 5th grade. Inside there were games like cake walks, ring toss, goodie bags, bingo, raffles, and a chili supper. Outside, there was a big pile of dirt, and some bored kids.
Side note...By this point in the evening, we had already found and smoked the rest of a cigar placed by the entrance door. We found out later the cigar belonged to Mr. Broadrick, the father of my friend Chuck. We also repurposed some toilet paper to roll Paige Millaway's yard about a half mile away. I still have scars on my leg from the barbed wire fence, but that's another story.
The big dirt hill in the front yard of the school was there for a construction project. The bored kids were there because we didn't have money for the inside games, and it wasn't time to go home yet. Plus, kids are always bored. Somebody yelled, " King of the Hill !"
I remember running up the dirt hill to take the top spot, only to be pushed backwards, and sliding back down on my backside and shoulders. Once there was a "King," the game was just getting started good. In the darkness, dust, and sweat, alliances had to be made. Unlikely friendships were forged, even if just for a little while. Whispers just out of earshot of the king promised loyalty and cooperation. The "King" might face an advance of three or more people. Pushing, or grabbing somebody by the arm or leg and dragging them off the hill was perfectly acceptable. Once those three people claimed the hill, others advanced, and promises were broken, until the hill was finally claimed again by one person. Sometimes it was right back to the original "King." New alliances, new friendships, and new deals were made as the game continued.
The game ended when everyone got tired, got hurt, or couldn't get the "King" off the hill.
A person could argue that while playing King of the Hill, survival skills and relationships were developed. Maybe so, but at the time, it was just some bored kids and a big pile of dirt.