Summer break as a kid felt like it lasted forever, full of sunshine and no alarm clocks. This One Gotta Go card brings back four classic summer memories: running through sprinklers, the ice cream truck every afternoon, pool days with everyone and summer camp friendships.
Three memories stay in your summers forever, and one fades away. Think about the sounds and smells that bring you back, the moments you still talk about and the one you could let go of without much sadness. Then make your pick and share your best summer story with the group.
The 4 choices on this card
A. Running through sprinklers
Running through sprinklers was the simplest summer fun, needing nothing but a hose and a sunny day. It was free and joyful. It is also the most basic memory on this card, and it was over the moment someone turned off the water.
Keep it if: You can still feel the cold water on a hot day and hear the sprinkler clicking across the lawn.
B. Ice cream truck every afternoon
The ice cream truck song sent kids running for change every afternoon. It was pure excitement. The downside was the chase and the times you did not have money, which made the truck as stressful as it was sweet for some kids.
Keep it if: You still get excited when you hear that song and remember your favorite treat from the truck.
C. Pool days with everyone
Pool days meant cannonballs, Marco Polo and staying in the water until your fingers wrinkled. They were the center of summer for many kids. Sunburns and crowded pools were part of the deal, which makes them a possible cut.
Keep it if: You spent every summer day at the pool and still think cannonball contests are the best game ever.
D. Summer camp friendships
Summer camp friendships were intense and special, even if they only lasted a few weeks each year. They felt like magic. Not everyone went to camp, though, which makes this the easiest memory to cut for many people.
Keep it if: You still remember your camp friends, the songs and the sad goodbyes at the end of the session.
Our take
We would cut summer camp friendships, only because not everyone got to go, while sprinklers, the ice cream truck and pool days were part of almost every kid's summer. The most fun debate usually comes down to the ice cream truck against pool days, since both are summer favorites with loyal fans. Ask everyone to describe their perfect childhood summer day from morning to night. Then plan one grown-up summer day that brings back the best parts.
How to play this card with friends
- Read the four choices out loud.
- Everyone picks the one they'd eliminate at the same time.
- Explain your pick. This is where the fun starts.
- Use the follow-up questions below to keep it going.
Follow-up questions to keep the debate going
- Which summer memory gives you the most bittersweet feeling?
- What was your favorite ice cream truck treat?
- Did you go to summer camp, and what was it like?
- What summer break memory would you add to this card?
Want more debates like this? Get the One Gotta Go card game for game night, family dinners and road trips. Shop the decks.
Summer Break Things: quick answers
What songs do ice cream trucks play?
Ice cream trucks often play familiar tunes like Turkey in the Straw, Pop Goes the Weasel and The Entertainer. The songs are played by a small music box and help kids hear the truck coming from blocks away. Some trucks now play newer songs too, but the classics remain the favorites for many families.
How do you play Marco Polo?
In Marco Polo, one player closes their eyes and calls out Marco, and the other players answer Polo. The player tries to tag someone by following their voices. It is a classic pool game for kids and can be played with any number of friends.
