It’s handy to have a few outdoor activity ideas ready when you’re grouping up with kids for a birthday party or an outdoor play date.
Outdoor games and activities for kids don’t have to be complicated; just anything fun that keeps them engaged will work.
Make sure whatever the games are, they are easy to understand. To help you out with a few options, here is a list of some fun games for kids:
Bubble Blast
Bubble Blast is a fun game for toddlers and preschoolers as children love to play with soap bubbles.
All you need to do is get a bubble machine, which can dispense lots of bubbles at once, and the rest the kids will do on their own. Seeing so many bubbles will excite them, and they will start to catch them and burst them.
Treasure hunt
Treasure hunts are especially fun for school-age kids who can read the clues on their own, but sometimes they need help. It is a great way to understand how far they can imagine and think.
Make a map for kids for the treasure hunt and include only backyard places. You can hide the treasure anywhere, but remember that it should not be too difficult for them to find it as they might lose interest. For example, you can hide it in a cubby house if you have one; if you don’t, you can get a cubby house online. It is a good place for children to hunt for treasure and makes your backyard more playful for children.
Tug of war
Divide the children into two groups. Each team attempts to pull a long rope towards them from both ends.
This game teaches players a lot about team spirit and hard work.
Hula Hoop
Everyone is familiar with the hula hoop; it is a big ring that you keep around your waist and then move in a circular motion without letting it fall on the ground.
Ask all the children to start hula hooping at the same time, and one who can continue hula hooping till the end without dropping the ring wins.
Hopscotch
Chalk drawing of a traditional hopscotch grid on the floor. Number each cell from 1 to 10. Say the number and help the child to count and jump to space.
This is a fun game for preschoolers. However, toddlers can also enjoy jumping forward on both feet.
Limbo
If you are looking for party games, add Limbo to your list. Ask any two adults to hold the limbo stick while music is playing.
Then encourage children to walk under the stick without touching them. If they hit him, the child will sit down.
When everyone’s turn is over, lower the cane and repeat until only one child is left.
Freeze Dance
Choose a music chief. When the music starts, everyone dances. The crazier, the better. When the music stops, the dancer should freeze in that position.
Those who are caught after that are out. The game continues until only one person is left, the winner.
Color and shape games
Draw different grid patterns in multiple colors on sidewalks and parking lots. Then, tell your child to walk across the room by stepping on the color or shape you call out. This game will not only keep kids entertained but will also enhance their understanding of colors and shapes.
Give points for each correct color or shape the child steps on. This train-switching game is for everyone and is great for toddlers to learn their shapes and colors.
Water Games
On a hot day, this is a favorite family activity. Outdoor games with water aim to cool the players.
You can use a hose or bucket filled with water. Water guns are useful and fun at parties too.
Make sure you have plenty of towels ready to dry yourself and your children after you are done playing.
Paper Airplane
Preschoolers love to play with paper airplanes. This requires children to fold their planes, which is fun and enhances their creativity. Hand out colored paper and show them how to make it.
Then line up for the kids. Finally, each child launches their creation into the air. Whoever flies the farthest or makes the most circles wins.
Conclusion
There are many things that children can gain through active play that uses the whole body. Not only does active play promote fitness and physical development, but whole-body play also promotes cognitive development.
