Playing games, whether inside home or outside helps kids develop skills that will help them a lot in future. Outdoor play has unmatched health benefits. All it takes is some outdoor activities for kids to have a great time. We have put together a list of enjoyable outdoor games for kids that parents can use to encourage independent outdoor activities.
29 Fun and Physical Outdoor Activities for Kids
- Colour and shape game
Toddlers can improve their motor skills and learn about shapes and colours by playing this game. Create different grid patterns in various colours on the sidewalk or parking space. Instruct your child to walk across the room by stepping on the colour or shape you mention. Give points for each correct step. This game encourages everyone to join in and helps toddlers have fun while learning shapes and colours.
- Discover and hatch dinosaur eggs
You can create frozen dinosaur eggs and excite your children with this activity. Your kid will be delighted when they search for the eggs in your yard or backyard. Once they find the eggs, they can enjoy pouring warm water over them from a bowl or jug or squirting warm water from a squeezy bottle or meat basket, slowly melting the ice and revealing the dinosaurs inside.
- Tossing a giant bean bag
Make cardboard monsters for a toss game backdrop! Draw them on big cardboard pieces and prop them against a wall, or frame them and prop them up with a long piece of wood. Kids throw bean bags into the monster’s mouth to see who gets the most in.
- Ballon tennis
Blow up a balloon and teach your child to balance it in the air by hitting it above without letting it fall on the ground. See how long you can keep the balloon in the air. You can also use your clothesline as a net. If your child gets really into the game, you could even make rackets from cardboard or use a badminton racket.
- Kick the croquet
Create a croquet game using pool noodles or hula hoops. Have the children kick balls through the hoops. Cut the hula hoops into different colours and make sure they are long enough to form an arch for the kids to kick the balls through. Set up the arches to make the croquet route and secure them to the ground with garden stakes. Instruct the children to kick their balls through the course and award points for passing through the arches or for completing the course first.
- Kick the can
You only need an empty can and a group of people for this game. Put the can in a big open space. Choose one person to be “It” and count to 50 while the others hide. The “It” tries to find and tag all the other players. If someone is tagged, they go to the “jail” area near the can.
Any player who hasn’t been tagged can try to “kick the can” to free all the players in jail. When “It” has all the players in jail, they win. The person in jail the longest becomes the new “It” and a new game begins.
- Duck-duck-goose
People form a circle. One person walks around, tapping heads and saying “duck” or “goose.” If they say “duck,” nothing happens. If they say “goose,” the tagged person must chase them before they return to their spot. If the tagger gets caught, they sit in the centre of the circle.
- Catch me if you can
This game can be played by more than two players. One player needs to catch the others, and once caught, that player becomes the catcher and tries to catch the rest, similar to a game of cats and mice.
- Marble pond
Fill a big container with water and marbles. The kid who can grab the most marbles in less than a minute wins!
- The dod and a bone
Two groups of kids need to stand two meters apart, facing each other. Put an object in the middle. One player from each team tries to grab the object. The first one to get it wins. The team with the most winners is the champion.
- Sponge tennis
To play this game, gather a balloon and a sponge on a stick. You can create your own by using a large sponge, a painter’s stick or ruler, and tape to wrap around the handle. Alternatively, you can buy a sponge on a stick for convenience.
Kids can hit the balloon back and forth like tennis or try to keep it in the air together. For added enjoyment, go outside and dip the sponges in a bucket of water to play with wet sponges!
- Tug of war
Divide the kids into two teams. Each team tries to tug a long rope towards them from opposite ends. This activity helps children learn about teamwork and cooperation as they work together to pull the rope.
- Water cup races
Grab two plastic cups and make a hole in the bottom centre of each. Attach a string to a secure spot, thread the string through the cup, and tie the other end to another secure spot (like a tree branch or chair). Bring both cups to the end of their respective strings and give each child a filled water gun. Let the children shoot the water into the cups to move the cups along the string. See who can get their cup to the end of the string first!
- Jump the rope
Find a jump rope and pick a spot with a solid surface. Avoid slippery areas. Jump in groups of two or three while two people hold the ends and swing it around. Take turns jumping and have fun.
- Sponge tag
Simple to prepare and very enjoyable, you just need a bucket of water and a big car wash sponge for this game. Pick a child to start the game. They take the sponge, dip it in the bucket, and then try to tag the other players with the wet sponge. The first person tagged becomes the new tagger and fills up the sponge.
- Take the flag
Kids can learn about teamwork in this traditional outdoor game. Divide at least six players into two teams. Designate a playing area and a home base for each team with a “flag.” The goal is for each team to grab the flag from the enemy’s side and bring it back safely.
If you get tagged by an opponent, you’re frozen and can’t help your team. For younger kids, use a smaller space, while older kids can play in the dark with obstacles and hiding spots.
- Ball pit search
Create an affordable ball pit with a kiddie pool and ball pit balls. Hide small toys or stuffed animals in the balls. Have your child find the toys in the ball pit. Make it a game by timing who can find the most toys quickly. Hide the toys again and play again.
- Scavenger hunt in nature
Kids need to finish the scavenger hunt by locating all the items on their list. Create a list of items for the hunt. Provide them with reusable bags to gather their finds and let them play in groups or alone.
Determine who can collect natural items like leaves, round objects, seeds, trash, and treasures the fastest. The beauty of a nature scavenger hunt is that you can change it according to the seasons, giving children the chance to enjoy it repeatedly.
- Sidewalk chalk simon
Draw a Simon game board using chalk. Divide it into coloured sections in a circle. Ask your child to stand in the middle. Shout out a colour, and have your child jump into that section, then back to the centre. Repeat this process. Add more colours gradually until your child can’t remember the sequence. You can also mix it up by using numbers, letters, or pictures in the sections.
- Splat bucket
This basic dunking game is perfect for hot days. Create one by connecting a target to a bucket of water. If the target is hit, the person sitting below will get wet. Many people can join in on this fun summer activity.
- Red rover
Divide kids into two groups. This basic dunking game is perfect for hot days. Create one by connecting a target to a bucket of water. If the target is hit, the person sitting below will get wet. Many people can join in on this fun summer activity.
- Quarter bounce
You only need a quarter and a bouncy ball for this easy game. Put the quarter in a crack on the sidewalk. Then, have one kid stand on each square and try to bounce the ball to knock the quarter out. The first kid to do it wins.
- Bowling in the backyard
Motivate your kids to create a DIY bowling lane using cans or bottles. Let them take turns rolling a ball towards the pins.
- Do not drop the ball
Encourage your child to walk or run with a ball or balloon between their legs. If they can skip or hop without dropping it, they get a prize. But if they drop the ball, they lose.
- Red light, green light
Choose a player to be the “Traffic Light” and have the others line up 20 feet away. When the Traffic Light turns away, they say “green light” and the others can move closer. The Traffic Light can say “red light” and turn around at any time. If anyone moves during a red light, they have to go back to the starting line. Tag the Traffic Light to win.
- Squirt the sight word
Have your child search for a certain word and then use a water gun to spray that word! They will be thrilled to participate in this game! You might have to include more words on the list because they enjoy it a lot!
- Water limbo
You only need a hose for this water game. An adult should hold the hose high with water coming out. Kids can take turns going under the stream. After each turn, the adult should lower the hose. If a child can’t make it under the stream, they’ll get wet and be out! The last one limboing wins!
- Bicycle ride
Riding a bike is a fun outdoor activity. Have your kids play a game using chalk. Draw a line on the ground and challenge them to ride without stopping or touching the ground. You can also set up cones or cans as obstacles for them to manoeuvre around.
- Colour Hop
This fun activity is perfect for young children. Adding movement to learning helps them remember better. Have them hop to a certain colour, say the colour, and then hop to the next one. To improve hopping skills, suggest hopping with both feet together like a bunny.
Engaging in sports can have a positive influence on children and enhance their overall health. Mother’s Pet Kindergarten encourages your child to join sports as it will surely be advantageous for them. We ensure that the outdoor games and activities will promote learning critical thinking and focus.
Parents must dedicate quality time to bonding with their children amidst their hectic routines. Mother’s Pet Kindergarten is aware of how outdoor activities can improve mental health, and boost cognitive development in children. This not only brings enjoyment to their relationship but also builds lasting memories.
