CHILDREN’S GAMES—BUCKETHEAD. A game our children invented as toddlers was buckethead. The child simply puts a paper bag or—apparently better—a plastic pail over his head and runs around as fast as possible (and running into as many things as possible). Apparently an even better game is Doubles Buckethead—two heads, one container. Gales of happy laughter.
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A variant on those – only to be used with the big paper bags of course – was Earthworm, where you inch along the floor like a cartoonish worm with one of those over your head.
How was it that sometimes I was so easily amused, and other times nothing in the world could get the job done?
I loved Buckethead and I remember loving Buckethead, but I can’t put my finger on why. I think the disorientation was exhilarating. It was also kind of like a helmet, which children tend to like. I had a proud moment when I witnessed two-year-old Elizabeth putting a clear plastic canister over her head and saying, “Boo!” delightedly at her grandfather for many minutes.
Curiously I don’t remember Doubles Buckethead (do you, Nick?) but I do remember Earthworm very well. I think one time we even burrowed under the living room carpet (RIP) to simulate tunneling through the soil. The carpet felt really heavy.
Nick, I love your question at the end. It baffles me too.
I remember Doubles Buckethead, which required a lot of coordination by the players and involved even more giggling than usual.