In this post, I’m going to share some wonderful outdoor games for kids ages 6 to 15+. Playing outside is truly a lost art form, but it has many benefits, including physical activity, and the opportunity to spend quality time with the little ones. So grab some snacks, water, and your kids and head outside to try some of these fun and active games!
Four Square
Four square is a fun game for kids of all ages. It involves bouncing, running and jumping, so it gets the kids moving. Kids can play it outside or inside, depending on the weather.
To play, you need four or more players, a ball, and a court with four sides. You can make the court by drawing a square in the grass, or you can use chalk. Within the square, draw a square in each corner. The squares are where players stand, and can be drawn or marked with cones or other markers.
Each player gets a turn bouncing the ball into one of the squares. If the ball goes in, that player gets to take another turn, either by bouncing into a square or throwing the ball over the top of the squares. Players must call out “four square” to claim the square.
A player has three chances to get the ball into a square before they are out. They are out if they miss all three times, or if they bounce the ball outside the court. The game is over when all players are out.
Dodgeball
Dodgeball is a classic game that gets kids running and moving. It’s also the perfect game to get parents moving! Kids of all ages can play this game, but they should all be able to throw a ball.
To play, you need at least eight players (more is better) and a ball. To make a court, you can use cones or draw one. You can tailor the court size to the number of players.
Players divide up into two teams. You can choose teams based on the number of players, or you can randomly pick players. The goal of the game is for each team to get all players on their team out while keeping their own players in.
To get a player out, you have to hit them with the ball. If they catch the ball, they get to throw it back. If they don’t, they are out. Play continues until all players are out.
Tag
Tag is a classic game of chase. It’s a game that kids of all ages can play, especially if they are smaller.
To play, you need at least two players. If you have more, you can play in teams. Make sure everyone has a safe space to run to.
One player is “it” and tries to tag the other player. The other player tries to get to a safe spot. The player who is it has to call out “you’re it” when they tag a player or when a player returns to their safe spot.
Volleyball
Volleyball is a fun game that kids of all ages can play. You’ll need a net and a volleyball, but these can be bought for a reasonable price.
To play, you need at least four players, but more is better. One person on the team serves the ball by tossing it high into the air over the net. The other players then hit the ball back and forth over the net. Players can hit the ball with any part of their body except their hands.
A point is scored when the ball hits the ground on the other side of the net. The team that scores gets to serve the ball next.
Hide and Seek
Hide and seek is a classic game that just about everyone has played. It’s a game that will keep kids moving, and it’s a great way to spend time with the little ones.
To play, all players hide. Once everyone is hidden, one person counts to a certain number. Once they finish the count, they say “ready or not, here I come.” The person who is hiding has to be completely still and silent. The person who is looking for the hiders call out their name, or they can just say “where are you?”
The person looking for the hiders has to find all of the players. The person who is found first is “it” for the next hiding.
Red Rover
Red Rover is a classic game that is basically tag, but with a twist.
To play, you need a lot of people. I like to start with as many people as I can. Once I have a large group of players, I choose teams and give one team the name “Red” and the other team the name “Rover”.
I then choose a line between the two teams. The team that is “Red” has to get all the players on the other team to cross the line. To do this, they try to tag the players on the other team. When a player is tagged, they have to run across the line and join the team that is “Red”.
The team that is “Red” can only tag the players on the other team when they are in the middle. They can’t tag them from the side. Once a player has crossed over, the team that is “Red” has to choose another player to tag.
The game continues until all players are on the other team, or until the person who is “Red” runs across the line. In that case, the person who is “Red” goes to the other team, and the game starts again.
Duck Duck Goose
Duck duck goose is a fun game that can be played just about anywhere. It’s great for younger kids, and it gets them moving.
To play, you need at least four players. Children sit in a circle. One of the children who is “it” walks around saying “duck, duck, duck” until they find a player. When they do, they say “goose!” The “goose” has to get up and chase the player around the circle. If the player sits down before they’re touched, they win.
Whoever is it then continues around the circle, saying “duck, duck, duck” until they find a new player. The game continues until all players have been “goose”.
Capture the Flag
Capture the flag is a classic outdoor game that gets kids moving and thinking. It’s a great game for any age, but it’s best for older kids who can run and hide. Younger kids can play it too, but they should play in a smaller area.
To play, you need at least eight players, and a lot of space. Draw a court on the grass or on the sidewalk. Divide up into two teams and give each team a flag. Play starts with one player from each team at the middle of their court. The players then run to the other team’s court to grab their flag. The players then run back to their own court with their flag. The first team to get their flag to their flagpole wins.
Fun Games for the Summer
Summer is a great time to get outdoors and get active. Sunlight is a great source of Vitamin D and fresh air is good for the body, mind, and spirit. It is also a great time to introduce your children to some classic games that they can play with their friends and family.
