Several things make us long for the days of our youth: Wiffle ball, 4-square, cartoons and the lunch lady with the hairy mole above her lip.

May the longing cease.

The Student Recreation and Wellness Center is providing students a chance to be kids again with “Return to Recess.”

The event, which is free to Kent State students, will be held tonight from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. at the rec center.

Students can participate in pick-up games of dodge ball, basketball, Wiffle ball, cornhole, 4-square and other childhood activities.

“We wanted to give students something fun to look back on their childhood,” event marketing assistant Becky Fortune said. “And it’s a chance to relax before finals.

“She said the atmosphere will be “from when we were little,” with music from the early ’90s and cafeteria-style food served by “cafeteria ladies.”

The menu includes grilled cheese sandwiches, tomato soup, pizza, macaroni and cheese, veggie sticks and milk.

Other activities include card and board games, jump rope, hula hoops, limbo and Twister.

The idea of getting to participate in recess again appeals to some students.

“I think it’ll be fun,” said Katie Kiser, sophomore early childhood education major. “Everyone has fun at recess. It brings out the kid in you.”

Kiser said she still remembers her favorite recess activity.

“I was a 4-square girl,” she said. “I’m not gonna lie.”

“Return to Recess” is the third and final event in a series of late night activities sponsored by the rec center. Other activities included a “dive-in” movie and a version of Nickelodeon’s former game show, “GUTS.”

Each participant will be entered into a drawing for a chance to win an iPod nano. Student who have already pre-registered will have a chance to win a digital camera.

Prizes will also be awarded to the top three winners of select games.

Students can view a complete schedule of all the night’s events at the rec center’s Web site, www.recservices.kent.edu.

Contact recreation and wellness reporter Sean Daugherty at [email protected].