Guides & Cheats
The fact is that there are a lot of benefits for children being outside and enjoying outdoor games. Active, screen-free fun is essential for your children’s physical, mental, and social development.
The whole idea behind getting children outside to play is to keep them occupied without any of today’s modern technology.
Now, to make that possible, you’ll need some fresh ideas every time you want to get them outside. Luckily, there are so many outdoor games for kids to keep your young ones active all day long.
This write-up discusses 15 fun yard games for kids to help keep your young ones engaged whenever they step into the great outdoors. All the games can be played with friends. Without waiting, let’s start our count of the best outdoor games for kids.
List of Best Outdoor Games for Kids
1. Hide and Seek
Hide and Seek is a classic outdoor game that doesn’t require equipment to play. The game requires one player to count up to a specific number, such as 10 or 20, while others hide.
The seeker must then find everyone before they sneak back to “base home.” This yard game requires a space with good hiding spots to make it interesting.
2. Red Light, Green Light
Red Light, Green Light can be tailored to any number of players. It involves choosing one player to be the “Traffic Light.”
The “Traffic Light” then stands facing away from other participants as they line up side-by-side, ready to race toward the finish line.
The “Traffic Light” calls out “red light” (requiring players to freeze) or “green light” (requiring players to move). Anyone caught moving during the “red light” call is required to go back to the starting line. The player who reaches and tags the “Traffic Light” first assumes the role of the caller in the next round.
3. Tag
Tag is another exciting outdoor game perfect for kids who love running around. Simply get a few players and a safe open yard.
Choose one kid to be “it”. The chosen kid will be required to chase and tag the other participants. So, other players must run to avoid getting tagged. If a participant gets tagged (touched), they become the new “it,” and the game continues.
4. Capture the Flag
Capture the Flag is an adventurous game that involves two teams. It requires six players or more.
To play, split the participants into two teams and give each time a flag (different color). Allocate each group a court in the playing yard.
Each team places their Flag near the back of their court. So, a player from each side must dash into the enemy’s court and steal the enemy’s Flag. They must bring the Flag without being tagged to win the game.
5. Duck, Duck, Goose
Duck, Duck, Goose is a classic children’s game suitable for kids aged 3+ years. Participants sit in a circle, and one of the players becomes the “it.” “It” goes around that circle, tapping heads, saying “duck” until they surprisingly choose a “goose.”
The “goose” must chase the “it” (tapper) around the circle, trying to tag (touch) them before they sit down in the now empty spot. If “it” sits down without the “goose” tagging them, the latter becomes the new “it.” If the tapper (it) is tagged before they sit, they remain “it” for the next round.
This yard game is suitable for enhancing attention and quick reaction among children.
6. Kick the Can
Essentially, Kick the Can combines the elements of Hide and Seek, tag, and a race against time. To play, gather four participants and designate one as “it.” Place an empty can in the yard, where the “it” will be required to guard that can while other players hide.
“It” must close their eyes and count up to a certain number (20 or 50) as other players run to hide. After the count, “it” opens their eyes and shouts, “Ready or not, here I come.” “It” then searches for other players in the yard and tries to tag them before they can reach the can.
So, if a hider succeeds in kicking the can before being tagged, the game ends, and the captured players are set free. For “it” to win the game, they must successfully capture all players.
7. Dodgeball
Dodgeball is a team sports game involving two sides. The goal is to eliminate opposing players by throwing a ball at them while trying to avoid being hit with the ball themselves.
To get started, choose a spacious yard and equally divide it into two. Place soft dodgeballs on the centerline. Players must run to get the balls when the starting whistle is blown.
Each time a player is hit, or they throw the ball and it’s caught by a player from the opposing team, they get eliminated. The team that eliminates all players wins the game.
Depending on the variation of Dodgeball you are playing, you can have a timer to help you know which side has the most players standing after each round. You can also decide that if a player successfully catches a ball, they get to bring back one of the eliminated teammates.
8. Nature Scavenger Hunt
Nature Scavenger Hunt involves players searching for hidden objects. So, you’ll need to make a list of the things players will be required to find. This could be:
- Leaves
- Smooth rocks
- Pinecones
- Yellow or red flowers
- Bird feather
You can hide these items in the playing area before the game starts.
From there, give each kid a copy of the list. Set rules to make the game more interesting.
For instance, set a boundary and let them know how much time they have to locate the items, e.g., 30 minutes.
For any of the participants to be declared the winner, they must find the most items within the set time.
9. Tug of War
In essence, Tug of War is all about teamwork, strength, and laughter. To get started with this timeless game, get a strong rope and choose two equally strong teams.
Mark the center on the playing field using chalk and position each team on opposite sides. The team that pulls the opponent across the line wins the game.
This game is simple and easy and instills a sense of team spirit among children.
10. Jump Rope
Jump Rope is another timeless game that makes exercise feel like fun. Generally, the rope should match the height of the participants.
It involves one player (or more than one, depending on the variation) standing in the middle of the rope. Rope handlers stand opposite each other, holding each end of the rope, and start swinging the rope in a steady rhythm.
As the rope comes down, the player in the middle must jump over it with both feet. They should not get caught by the rope.
Ideally, those swinging the rope should reach up to their armpits to allow the rope to go over the head of the player in the middle. Participants can line up and jump a certain number of times before hopping out. The player who gets caught up by the rope goes to replace one of the swingers.
You can keep increasing the number of jumps on each turn or the swinging pace to make it more challenging and interesting.
11. Sack Race
Sack Race is a thrilling game that will get your kids bouncing, racing, and laughing at the same. As the name suggests, this hilarious game involves kids hopping inside burlap sacks and trying to race to the finish line.
Just like in regular races, mark the start and finish lines with chalk. Line up the kids and signal them to start. Ideally, the kid who hops at the finish line first while keeping both feet inside their sack wins the game.
12. Obstacle Course
Obstacle Course is the game that’ll turn your backyard into a thrilling adventure for your kids. Particularly ideal for family olympics, this game involves using the supplies at hand to create a set of obstacles just the right size for your children. Below are the challenges you can come up with:
- Hopping through hula hoops
- Crawling under ropes
- Running around cones
- Jumping over small hurdles
- Balancing on a beam
- Tossing a ball into a bucket
Simply arrange the obstacles in a clear path and explain the rules to the participants. Ideally, the kids must finish each challenge to proceed to the next one. You can use a timer to make it more fun.
13. Water Balloon Toss
Water Balloon Toss is particularly fun during hot, sunny days when children can enjoy friendly competitions and lots of splashes. Simply have four or more kids so you can form teams of two.
Depending on the number of participants, fill a sufficient number of balloons with water. The players will be required to gently toss the filled balloon to their partner, who must successfully catch it without popping it.
Each time they record a successful toss, they move a step back to increase the distance. They play until the balloon breaks on the ground. The pair left with an unbroken balloon becomes the winner.
14. Sardines
Sardines adds a twist to the classic Hide and Seek game. Instead of the rest of the participants hiding and one person for everyone, Sardine involves everyone else searching for one hider.
Just like in Hide and Seek, one player is chosen, and the rest of the participants must close their eyes and count to a certain number as the chosen one tries to hide.
After the count is complete, they spread out to find the hider. If one player finds the hider, they hide together with them in the hiding spot instead of revealing where they are. The last person to find the hiding group loses the game and becomes the first to hide in the next round.
15. Hopscotch
Hopscotch is the ideal solitary game for kids around five years old. The game can also be played by more than one kid.
Using chalk, draw a hopscotch grid of 10 squares arranged in a straight and side-by-side pattern. Fourth, fifth, seventh, and eighth squares are the only ones you’d draw side-by-side in two pairs.
Ensure you allocate a number to each square. From there, each player will need a marker. This could be a bean bag, coin, or stone.
Participants are required to toss the marker into one of the squares while trying to prevent it from getting out or touching the lines. After a successful toss, the player must hop through the course and back again without stepping into the square with the marker.
Note that they must use one foot to hop on single squares and two feet for side-by-side squares. The most challenging part is when the player is on their way back. They must stop at the square with the marker and, balancing on one foot, lean down to pick up the marker. Ideally, they must pick it up without stepping outside the lines.
So, to win, a player must be the first one to successfully toss and retrieve the marker on each square on the grid. This outdoor game teaches your kid something about combining balance, strategy, and agility to win.
Final Thought
The fact is that the technology we have today can be extremely addictive to your kiddos. It’s becoming harder to pull children away from the screens.
In that case, try these best outdoor games for kids discussed above to enhance your child’s physical development, mental well-being, and problem-solving skills. Actively get involved to make the games fun and interesting for the kids.
Be sure to check out our article on the best CBC games for kids to keep your young ones mentally sharp. Also, join us on Facebook and Instagram for more outdoor activity tips.
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