The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

RED LIGHT, GREEN LIGHT

THIS IS A TYPE OF TAG GAME. ONE PLAYER IS IT AND STANDS
THE LENGTH OF THE YARD, ROOM OR PLAY AREA FROM THE
OTHER PLAYERS. WHEN HIS BACK IS TURNED TO THE OTHER
PLAYERS, THIS IS THE GREEN LIGHT SIGNAL, AND THE PLAYERS
CAN TAKE STEPS TOWARDS THE "IT" PLAYER. WHEN THE "IT"
PLAYER TURNS AROUND, THIS IS THE RED LIGHT SIGNAL AND
NO PLAYER IS SUPPOSED TO MOVE. THE OBJECT OF THE GAME
IS FOR THE PLAYERS TO APPROACH THE "IT" PLAYER WITHOUT
BEING SEEN MOVING, TAG HIM, AND RETURN TO THE STARTING
PLACE. THE PERSON TO TAG THE "IT" PLAYER IS THE NEW
"IT" PLAYER.

Where learned: MICHIGAN

Date learned: 10-02-1965