Recreation

Recreation in The City

Recreation sounds fancy or expensive, but it surely doesn't have to be. Really all it involves is whatever you do to have fun. And who said having fun and getting fit can't go together? Certainly not us.

Recreation Centers

Recreation Centers are a great place to get active in the local community. They can be found in every part of the city, and often have group classes, pools, and workout facilities. There are lots of new things to try. Dance, yoga, swimming, gymnastics, classes just for older adults- you name it, and Philly probably has a place for it! Prices and classes may be different for each program or location, so be sure to check the websites to learn more. For more help, find the contact information for your closest location listed below, find what interests you, give them a call, and get moving! Just choose the neighborhood closest to you (or most convenient for you!) then click it to find what's being offered in your area.

West Philadelphia 

Southwest Philadelphia

South Philadelphia

Center City

Lower North Philadelphia

Upper North Philadelphia

Bridesburg- Kensington-Richmond

Roxborough- Manayunk

Germantown- Chestnut Hill

Olney- Oak Lane

Near Northeast Philadelphia (Torresdale Area)

Far Northeast Philadelphia (Roosevelt Blvd Area)

Fun Outdoor Games

You don't always have to spend money to have some fun! You hardly have to leave your front step, these days! These games below are easy to play, fun for all ages, and cost nearly nothing to enjoy! They might seem ridiculous, but when you get a few friends together and play, it’ll be great.

Kick the Can: 
This game is very similar to Tag or Hide & Seek. One person or a team of people are designated as “it” and a can is placed in the middle of the playing area. The other people run off and hide while the “it” covers his or her eyes and counts to a certain number. “It” then tries to find everyone. If a person is tagged by “it”, they go into a holding pen for captured players. If one of the un-captured players manages to kick the can, the captured players are released. The game is over once all the non-”it” players are in the holding pen.

Number of Players: Ideally at least three.

Equipment: A metal can.

Capture the Flag: 
This game is most fun when played with a large group. Split the group into two teams, each team having a flag or other marker at the team’s base. The object of the game is to run into the other team’s territory, capture their flag and make it safely back to your own territory. You can tag “enemy” players in your territory, sending them to your jail. They can be sprung from jail by a member of their own team running into your territory, tagging them and running back, with one freed person allowed per jail break. It is sometimes played that all the people in jail could hold hands and make a chain back toward their own territory, making it easier for members of their team to tag them. We also played a similar game called Steal the Sticks. It had almost the same rules, but several sticks were used instead of one flag.

Number of Players: A large group.

Equipment: Two flags or other markers.

Spud: 
This outdoor game is a lot of fun. Every player gets a number and crowds around the person who is “it” for that round. “It” then tosses the ball straight up and the other players run away. As the ball reaches the top of its toss, “it” calls out the number of one of the other players and then runs away also. The player whose number was called must run back and catch the ball (or chase after it if it is bouncing around). Once that person has the ball, they yell, “Spud!” Then everyone else must freeze. The person with the ball must try to hit one of the players with the ball. If they do, that new person gets a letter (first S, then P, then U, then D) and is now “it.” If they miss, the person who threw the ball is “it” for the next round.

Number of Players: A small group.

Equipment: Playground ball.

Crack the Whip: 
Though often played on ice while wearing skates in the winter, this game is much safer, though possibly less fun, when played on grass. All the players hold hands in a line. The person at one end of the line skates or runs around, changing directions quickly. The tail of the “whip” of players tends to get moved around with a lot more force than players closer to the front. The longer the tail, the harder it is to hold on. If the players at the end fall off the end of the tail, they can attempt to get back on, perhaps in a position closer to the front.

Number of Players: A small group.

Equipment: None.