The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

RED LIGHT--GREEN LIGHT

I REMEMBER PLAYING THIS GAME IN NEW YORK WHEN I WAS IN
GRADE SCHOOL CALLED "RED LIGHT--GREEN LIGHT." THE DEAL
WAS THAT ALL THE KIDS WOULD LINE UP IN ABOUT 3 OR 4
DIFFERENT LINES AND ONE KID WOULD BE FACED THE OTHER
WAY ABOUT A MEDIUM SIZED DRIVEWAY DISTANCE AWAY.
THE SINGLE KID WOULD CALL OUT "RED LIGHT" OR "GREEN
LIGHT." IF HE SAID RED LIGHT, THE PLAYERS COULD NOT MOVE.
IF HE SAID "GREEN LIGHT," THEY COULD PROCEED FORWARD
DOWN THE DRIVEWAY TOWARDS THIS KID. THE KID WHO WOULD
REACH THE SINGLE KID WOULD THEN BE THE NEXT CALLER OF
"RED LIGHT" OR "GREEN LIGHT."

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; NEW YORK ; ROSEVILLE

Date learned: 03-03-1970