The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

CHILDREN'S GAMES, RED LIGHT, GREEN LIGHT

ONE PERSON IS THE LEADER. THE REST OF THE CHILDREN FORM A LINE AT
THE OTHER END OF THE PLAYING AREA AND THE OBJECT IS TO GET TO THE
OTHER SIDE WITHOUT BEING SEEN MOVING BY THE LEADER. THE LEADER
STARTS HIS GAME WITH HIS BACK TO THE PARTICIPANTS. HE SHOUTS
GREEN LIGHT. AT THIS SIGNAL THE CHILDREN ADVANCE AS FAR AS THEY
DARE. WHEN THE LEADER SHOUTS RED LIGHT, THE CHILDREN MUST STOP,
BECAUSE WHEN THE LEADER TURNS AROUND, ANYONE WHO IS STILL MOVING
IS OUT OF THE GAME. WHEN SOME CHILDREN GET TO THE OTHER SIDE OF
THE AREA OF PLAY, THE LEADER GOES TO THE OTHER SIDE. THE GAME
CONTINUES UNTIL ONLY ONE PLAYER IS NOT CAUGHT AND HE BECOMES
THE LEADER IN THE NEXT GAME.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Date learned: 00001950'S