Street Games

Requiring little more than sneakers and a desire to participate, these seemingly youthful neighborhood diversions include widespread and well known activities such as Stickball, Double Dutch, Hopscotch, Basketball and Chess, as well as games specific to the geography of Brick City like Skelsies, Butts Up and Handball. With little monetary barriers to entry, strategy, a combination of cooperation and competition, and a keen awareness of the urban environment meant the difference between a scrub and a street legend. From the lower east side to Spanish Harlem, Brooklyn Heights to Queens, from the Bronx to Yonkers, New York City street games developed over generations as the recreational traditions of a distinct American culture and locale that thrives on a spirit of pride in play.