There are many fun outdoor games for kids that are seemingly timeless. Below, you will find some of those common classic outdoor games that are hard to forget, as well as some favorite outdoor games that you may have never heard of. Either way, these games are perfect for any outdoor activity or to keep the youngsters occupied while having a get together with friends.
There is no doubt at all that kids benefit from playing outdoors. Whether they are jumping rope or playing hide and seek, these activities will help them to develop both physically and socially. Some games are more educational than others, where as some only require speed and physical abilities. Outdoor games come in such a variety that they are able to fit any child, from small to large, from active or not.
Enjoy these fun outdoor games for kids, and if you’re feeling froggy, get out there and play with them!
STEAL THE BACON
Steal the Bacon is a classic outdoor game that is easy to play for any age group, from six-year-olds to adults. Two teams will face off with one another to attempt to steal the bacon from the middle of the groups and bring it to their own team without getting tagged by anyone on the other team. If a player is tagged by an opposing team member, then they are out! The first person to get across the line with the bacon, keeps the bacon.
Since each player is assigned a number, the game leaves room for variation by adding math skills, such as addition or multiplication to the game.
This game allows for more independent outdoor play with only one adult needed to supervise a group of children without things getting out of hand, but it also allows for the kids to enjoy themselves outside, regardless of the time of year. Steal the Bacon is perfect for those back yard barbecues to keep the kids occupied.
SQUIRRELS AND ACORNS
Squirrels and Acorns is a fun outdoor game that perfectly intertwines mathematical practice with outdoor activity. As the children act as “squirrels”, storing their acorns for winter, they will challenge each other to store more acorns than their competitors. After rolling some dice, the player will either add or multiply the number, depending on their skill level, and jump rope to score their acorns. This game is one of the best outdoor games to play with younger kids, as it can be altered depending on age range.
The answer that they get is the number of jumps that they have to take in the jump rope without missing before they are permitted to collect their acorn from the stack. Acorns may be balls, toys, or even tasty treats. Us whatever will keep the children motivated. Don’t forget, if you miss a jump or answer incorrectly, then no acorn for you!
RED LIGHT, GREEN LIGHT
The classic outdoor game, Red Light, Green Light will challenge your kids in every way possible. They will have to play close attention to the commands, just like a traffic light, ensuring that they obey them carefully, while also staying on their toes to act quickly. If they are caught bending the rules, then they have to go back to the beginning, behind all other players. This game requires
The first person will act as the Stop Light. When their back is turned, they will yell “Green Light!” to the group, and everyone will attempt to get as close to the Stop Light as possible before they turn around. When the Stop Light turns around and yells “Red Light!”, then everyone must stop in their track. If anyone is caught moving forward, then they must go back to the starting line! Who will get the closest?
CAPTURE THE FLAG
Capture the Flag is a classic outdoor game that never seems to get old. It influences children to work in a team, think things through, and plan ahead. It also allows for tons of creativity and imagination for any age group. As players break off into two teams, they have to choose their base for the course of the game.
The teams will then hide their flags at their base, but they must be visible when you are at the base. Once everyone has chosen their spot, the opposing team will steal the flags from their enemies, bringing them back to their own base, and scoring points. If you are tagged, then to jail you go! The only way you can be helped is by one of your teammates. It is a great game for at least four children to play, because all the children play together to make it work!
CORNHOLE
Cornhole is a outdoor game that is great for any age group, including older kids, regardless of the occasion. Players can play on two teams or as individuals, whichever works best for the group. Colored bean bags are tossed at the cornhole boards with the goal of getting them onto the board or into the hole found on the board.
The number of points that the player scores depends on the location of their bags at the end of a round. This game is perfect for allowing kids to work on their aim and their math skills at the same time! The bean bags aren’t too heavy for smaller children, and the game can be altered for any age group by moving the boards closer for younger groups and further apart for older groups, making it perfect for everyone. The team with the most points wins the game.
Is it raining outside, cornhole is an easy game to move indoors as well! After purchasing a cornhole kit from any of your big box stores, you are able to play anytime, rain or shine!
FLAG FOOTBALL
Flag football is an outdoor game that is ideal for wearing the kids out after being inside all day! Flag football takes the dangers out of tackle football by not allowing the players to tackle one another, but instead they must steal a player’s flag in order for them to be considered “tackled”. This limits the stress of having to supervise the kids while enjoying your outdoor party.
Players will follow typical rules of football, minus the tackling aspect. If you have the football, but you do not have the flags, then it is easy to DIY some flags at home. Simply use an old shirt, old socks, or even an old bedsheet. Cut it into strips and have the kids tuck two, one on each side, into their waist band. They will be playing flag football like pros in no time.
FREEZE DANCE
Freeze Dance is the perfect game to keep the all the kids moving for a long time! With a constant change in music, it will keep them busy and happy for the whole course of the game. One adult will have to be involved if none of the kids want to play DJ.
While the music is playing, everyone has to be busting a move! There are no rules here, and any dance will do, but the crazier the dance, the more fun the game. When the music stops, then everyone must freeze, not moving at all until the music starts again. If you are caught moving, then out of the game you go!
GHOST IN THE GRAVEYARD
Ghost in the Graveyard is similar to the classic game Hide and Go Seek, except in this game, only one person is hiding, and all of the players are looking for them! This game is best played at night in a safe area for the kids. As they search, they will use flashlights to look for the ghost that is hiding in their graveyard.
Once the players find the ghost, they will yell out “Ghost in the Graveyard” to alert all of the other players that they found the player who was hiding. Whoever finds the player takes the next role as the ghost, and the game continues! This outdoor game is great for building team building skills as the players must work together in order to find the ghost.
PICKLEBALL
Pickleball is a high energy outdoor game that is perfect for a smaller group of children. It is a mix between tennis and badminton, and the difficulty of the game depends on the age group involved. This game allows kids to work on their developmental skills, all while enjoying a fun game.
With pickleball, the players are able to work on their balance, their agility, their hand-eye coordination, and their quick reflexes without the strain of a typical high-impact sport. This game allows anyone with limitations to play at their own pace while also still enjoying the action of the game.
If you do not have access to pickleball balls, then you may use ping pong balls to play this playground ball game. Once it begins, play continues until your team or the other team scores the allotted number of points, then the game ends.
SPIDER WEB
Spider Web is a fun outdoor game that requires very little adult supervision once it starts. To play, all that you need to provide is a ball of yarn and orient the kids in a circle. They will then pass the yarn, ensuring that they keep hold of every piece they touch. They should not only pass it side to side, but also throwing it across the circle to make an intricate web. This game is an easy outdoor game to incorporate to keep younger kids entertained.
Once the web is made, everyone will sit them down at the same time. This game is similar to jump rope, in the way that the kids should not ever touch the web, and if they do, they are out for that round. The kids also are not allowed to walk, they must jump everywhere they go. The only way to win the game is to jump in every section without touching the web.
If this seems to easy, use chairs or stakes to tie the yarn up a little higher, making it more difficult to jump over!
CONCLUSION
Kids are full of energy, and they want to be productive with that energy. After all, if they are not productive, then they will be destructive. These 10 Classic Outdoor Games are perfect to use when you are having an outdoor event to keep the kiddos occupied and out from under your feet. Any once of these games are an example of a fun outdoor game to help get the kids out of the house!
Not only do these games keep them occupied, they also give opportunities to grow their team building skills, their math skills, and their ability to strategize. Make the best of events, for both the adults and the children, and implement some of these classic outdoor games into the day! Implement any of these games for kids into your get together and make memories with your favorite outdoor game.
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