Do you have a problem entertaining your kids? Even if there are countless toys around them, it seems there is not one to keep them amused. That’s when fun outdoor games for kids step in!
Luckily, there are numerous different activities for outside play. From the ones that will challenge their imagination and creativity to the ones that will make them competitive.
We crafted a list of the 6 most entertaining games you can easily prepare or even play with your kids! All you need to do is check them!
Contents
Importance of Outdoor Games for Kids
Playing outside has so many advantages that it’s even hard to begin with. But let’s try to put it shortly. When kids play outside, they receive that necessary Vitamin D, socialize, learn about nature and how to respect it, stimulate all of their five senses, and improve their mental and physical development.
However, these are just some benefits of outdoor play since letting kids explore the world around them without constant parental supervision is what playing is all about.
Now, let’s check those games. We divided them into three categories so you can easily manage to find the ones you are most interested in!
Outdoor Games for Kids for Physical Dexterity
#1 Four Square
Four square is a great game that encourages kids to be more agile and nimble. To realize this game, you will need:
- Large flat area
- A piece of chalk
- A ball
- At least four players
Use chalk to draw four squares. The number of squares depends on the number of players. Label each square with numbers starting from the top left square, or use names like King, Queen, Jack, and Baby.
Each kid should be assigned a square randomly. The players will attempt to move into higher squares as the game progresses. If the number 1 is out or the King, the kid who was there must start over at the number 4/Baby or wait in line to get back in, depending on the number of players.
The no. 4, or Baby, starts with serving the ball into another player’s square. After only a bounce, the next player must serve it into the next player’s square. To continue playing, players must bounce the ball from square to square. Players are out if they hit it out of bounds or cannot pass it before it bounces.
You can do some variations of this game and spice it up a little. You play the game by passing the ball clockwise. The one who has the ball can call reverse before hitting the ball to pass it counterclockwise.
Also, you can add things like categories into the game. For instance, the King can choose a category, like colors, food, brands, sport shoes etc. Every time a player hits the ball, they must name an item in the category without repeating what was said previously. If they repeat it, they are out.
What is this game good for? This game is good for developing agility, speed, and coordination of limbs and body movements. It’s also an entertaining game, especially if you add additional rules when they need to use their brain to think and do physical activity. Also, kids learn how to develop healthy competition and even lose, which is totally a normal thing!
#2 Capture the flag
Playing this game with a large group of kids is the most fun. Divide the group into two teams, where each one will have its own flag or another marker at its base. The game’s goal is to run into the opposing team’s territory, take their flag, and return safely to your territory.
You can tag “enemy” players in your territory and send them to your jail. Only one player can be released from jail each time by a member of their team sneaking into your zone, tagging them, and then going back to their territory.
It A game might involve everyone in jail holding hands and forming a chain toward their territory, so their team members can tag them more easily.
What is this game good for? This game is suitable for learning how to be organized, resourceful, and learn to work in a team. Even though each person plays individually, you all play as a team. Kids think this way, make strategies, are active, and are learning how to be cooperate and be good friends.
Outdoor Games for Kids that Foster Imagination and Creativity
#1 I Spy
I spy is a very old yet entertaining game. Kids can learn to play it at a young age, which can last for hours and still be fun! The best place to play this game is outside, where kids can explore nature while playing and even learn something new.
This game can include only two players or even several kids playing together. Kids can sit outside and observe the things around them. One kid needs to come up with one thing they see around it. The subject they think of needs to be in their line of sight. For example, – clouds. Then the kid says, “I spy with my little eye something that starts with the letter C.” Other kids need to observe the things surrounding them and guess the word that one of the players came up with. The first one to guess wins.
To make this game more interesting, you can limit the number of guessing.
What is this game good for? – This game can be very educational. Kids can come up with all sorts of things they see, like objects, items, animals, and anything in their sight. They can learn new things from each other, encourage one another, have good laughs, and have fun.
#2 Guessing game
This game is very open and has minimal rules. It can be played between two people or as many kids as you want. Depending on what you agreed upon, one person needs to think of a famous person or profession.
For instance, a kid thinks of Nikola Tesla. Other kids need to guess it by asking questions. However, questions can only be in yes/no form. For example, was that person a female? No. Was that person a scientist? Yes. Each time the kid gets the answer wrong, another kid has the chance to ask. If the question has a positive response, it can ask another question until they miss it. The kid who guesses the person is the one to come up with the next person.
This game has many variations. It doesn’t have to be limited to people only. You can think of professions, like doctors, teachers, dentists, or maybe animals, cartoon characters, etc. Basically, it would be best for kids to come up with whatever they want and let their imagination run wild.
The additional rule can be that other players can only ask one question, whether it’s a positive or negative answer.
What is this game good for? – Kids can learn many things from this game, especially if there’s an age gap between toddlers. They can be very imaginative, come up with different names and professions, learn from one another and stimulate their brain with deep thinking.
Outdoor Games for Kids for Stimulating Thinking
#1 Sidewalk Chalk Simon
Simon game is very well popular among both older and younger generations. However, for this game, we do not need an electronic device. We need some fresh air, no rain, and chalk. This game can be played with only one kid and a parent and with a few kids as well.
First, you want to create a Simon game board with chalk. The original Simon game has only four colors: yellow, red, blue, and green. However, if you want to make this game a bit complicated, you can add some additional colors to it. Form a bigger circle and sections of colors.
The kid needs to stand in the middle of the board. Then another kid or parent needs to call out a color and let the kid jump into the section, repeat it, and then jump into the center again. Each time you tell a color, say the first color and a new color, and let the kid repeat the jumping sequence. Add more colors until your kid is unable to recall the order. If there is a group of friends, they can play together and the one who remembers the most wins.
To spice the game a little, you can use some letters, numbers, letters, or even draw pictures in the sections.
What is this game good for? Aside from kids being creative with chalk and drawings, this game is excellent for exercising your memory. Kids strive to win, and they love colors, so combine these two, and you can get great activity. Repeating funny names, numbers, pictures, and colors can be an excellent job of exercising kids’ memory.
#2 Cat’s cradle
Probably one of the oldest games ever, including marbles. Cat’s cradle is one of the outdoor games for kids that is very cheap, so you do not have any special equipment. It can be played everywhere (preferred outside) and requires a lot of thinking! However, the most significant advantage of this game is that the kid can play it alone, or they can play with a group of friends as well!
This game involves creating different string figures with your fingers, on your own, or with another player. If your kid is alone, it can make different string shapes with its own hands. If there are a few kids, then they can make it a bit of a game. They need to transfer the shapes back and forth and then create new ones. Usually, parents know this, but if you don’t, do not worry. There are a lot of books and videos on this subject so that you can learn it together! Here is a quick video of how to do cat’s cradle with two players!
However, the most exciting part of this game is that you can make it very complicated yet fun when playing with your feet rather than your fingers. All your kid needs is a big elastic rope and a backyard.
Usually, the two players would hold the elastic onto their ankles while the third kid jumps between and onto the elastics. Each time the player successfully jumps, the elastic rises from ankle to calf to knee and to thigh height. The most skilled kid will pass all the levels!
As usual, to make the game more interesting, while jumping a rope, kids can sing:
“England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales… inside, outside, inside, scales. “
What is this game good for? – This game is great for kids’ development especially for stimulating kids’ coordination. However, it’s not just that. Before each jump, kids can think about the next move and make sure they sing the song right! It is perfect for practicing balance, speed, steps, and their brain!
