Fun outdoor games kids will love

Are you looking for fun outdoor games kids will enjoy this summer?

Last week I wrote about 10 fun learning activities to do in your own backyard. Today I wanted to share a list of 10 games kids can play outdoors – that involve no preparation ahead of time and no props (other than what you can find naturally in any outdoor environment).

1. Scavenger Hunt

Make a quick list for kids (or make up each item as you go) of items for them to find. You can do this by category or by item.

By Category:

• Groups of items by color (green, brown, yellow, etc.)
• Groups of items by types (5 rocks, 3 pinecones, etc.)
• Groups of items by size (3 things as large as your hand, fingernail, etc.)
• Groups of items by use (1 thing that can be used to gently move a ladybug, 2 things that can be planted and grow into something, etc.)

By Item:

• 1 leaf each from 5 different types of trees or bushes
• 4 different size sticks
• 1 ant
• 1 spider
• 2 flowers that have fallen to the ground
• etc.

You can easily adapt these to the level of your children – a 2 year old will be delighted that he can find a green piece of grass 😉 while a 7 year old may be proud to find a branch in the shape of a “t.”

Click this link or the image below for a free pdf version of your own Outdoor Scavenger Hunt.

2. What’s Missing?

Gather 5-10 random objects and lay them out on a clear spot on the ground. Tell everyone to look closely at the items, then ask them to close their eyes (or run away and hide for a minute, if they have extra wiggles). Take away one item then see who can tell what item is now missing. You can easily adapt the challenge level here by adding or subtracting items to the group, or taking away more than one item at a time, or switching around the order of the remaining items.

3. Follow the Leader

Each child takes turns being the leader, and the others follow in the leader’s footsteps, doing whatever the leader does. Again, this can easily be adapted to work for a group of different aged kids, since each leader gets to choose their own actions, and the followers can just do their best to imitate.

4. Freeze Dance Competition

Play music (or just sing!) while everyone dances/wiggles/jumps/moves. When the music or singing stops, everyone has to freeze in the position they are in.

You can turn this into a competition by playing it in rounds with different criteria for winning each time. Whoever freezes in the position that best matches the category wins that round. For instance, you can do a round for each of the following categories:

• Scariest looking
• Most peaceful looking
• Craziest looking
• Happiest looking
• Frozen in the strangest position

5. Move Like a Superhero

Shout out “orders” to help little superheroes practice their superhero skills. They can practice running in circles, hopping on one foot, jumping really high, walking along a tightrope (a line in the sand), etc.

6. Long Jumps

Use a stick to make a starting line or draw a line in the dirt. Have kids line up behind it and then jump like a frog as far as they can. Mark the place where their furthest heel lands. They can compete against themselves or each other, practicing different techniques to see if they can improve their long jump strategy. (Hint: Try bending down really low then jumping off, or try taking a running start before you jump – but don’t step over the starting line!)

7. Race challenges

This one works great for small or large groups of kids. Have them all line up behind a starting line (give certain kids a starting advantage as needed), then have them race to a given destination (a certain tree or sidewalk crack or something predefined). Change up each round by giving them different challenges. Here’s some examples:

• Do a crabwalk.
• Hop on one foot.
• Run sideways.
• Run with hands clasped behind your back.
• Run backwards.
• Do somersaults.

8. Hide-And-Seek

This is a timeless classic, but only works in safe places. (I don’t let my kids play hide-and-seek in a crowded playground with no clear boundaries, for instance.) One person will count to 20 while the others run and hide. The “seeker” will come looking for all the “hiders.”

Variations:

• “Hiders” can run between hiding spots as long as the “seeker” doesn’t notice them.
• The “hiders” can lose either when they are seen or when they are tagged.

9. Tag

With our kids, almost every game devolves into a game of tag, no matter what creative pretense it started out as. 🙂 If little kids are getting hurt or discouraged, help them learn to establish ground rules, like:

• one-finger tags only (no pushing!)
• establish a safe place (base)
• encourage older kids to play nicely with the little ones – they’ll usually slow down and be more patient 😉
• Communicate clearly to your friends that you’re done playing if you want to stop playing (and help other kids learn to listen and respect their words).

10. Make daisy chains

This one is more of an activity than a game, but for those who prefer to sit calmly in the field than run around and chase others, you can introduce the timeless art of making daisy chains. You can actually use any flower or weed with long (preferably thick) stems.

Pick a pile of flowers, then use your fingernail to pierce a hole in the end of each stem. Thread another stem through the hole until it catches on the head of the flower. Repeat as many times as you would like.

You can spice this up by picking ferns, other flowers, etc. and winding them around into a crown or wreath. I’ve seen some really creative nature wreaths made this way!

I’d love to hear about other fun outdoor games kids enjoy. If you liked these or have any other ideas to add, leave a comment below!

You may also be interested in:

• 10 Fun Learning Activities you can do in your own backyard: Math and Art