Best Outdoor Games For Kids

Outdoor games are a staple of childhood and provide children with an excellent opportunity to engage in physical activity, develop social skills, and have fun with friends and family.

Not only do outdoor games provide a break from screens and indoor activities, but they also offer a chance for children to explore their natural surroundings, use their imaginations, and develop a love for the great outdoors.

Whether you’re a parent, teacher, or caregiver, encouraging children to play outdoor games is an excellent way to promote their overall well-being and create memories that will last a lifetime.

Here are some excellent outdoor gaming ideas for kids to try.

Hide and Seek 

The game revolves around one person being designated as “it,” who closes their eyes and counts to a predetermined number, such as ten, twenty, or one hundred, without peeking.

The other players’ goal is to hide and remain hidden until they are found by the person who is “it.

“There can be variations to the game, such as having a designated home base where players can run to and be considered “safe” or simply waiting to be discovered.

This game requires no equipment and is best played with at least three participants.

Colors and Shapes Game 

This is a fun and educational activity for toddlers to improve their motor skills while learning about colors and shapes.

Draw different colored grid patterns on a sidewalk or parking lot, and instruct the child to walk from one end of the area to the other by stepping only on the color or shape called out to them.

Points can be awarded for each correct step taken, making this a perfect turn-taking game for all participants.

Through this activity, toddlers will have a blast learning their colors and shapes.

Frozen Dinosaur Eggs

Impress your kids with a hidden nest in your garden or backyard with frozen dinosaur eggs.

As they explore the nest, watch their faces light up with excitement. To reveal the dinosaurs inside, have your child slowly pour warm water over the eggs using a bowl, jug, squeezy bottle, or meat basket.

The gradual melting of the ice casing will be a thrilling experience as they uncover the dinosaurs within.

This game is a great way to spark your child’s imagination and bring some prehistoric excitement to your home.

Tossing a Giant Bean Bag

To play this game, create the monsters out of cardboard, either by drawing them on large pieces and propping them up against a wall or by constructing a frame and using a long piece of wood to prop them up in the background.

These monster cutouts serve as fun photo backgrounds. During the game, children take turns trying to toss three bean bags into the mouth of the monster, with the goal of getting the most bean bags inside.

This game is a great way to encourage hand-eye coordination and friendly competition among children.

Building cubby houses 

This is a great outdoor activity for kids that provides a fun and imaginative outlet for creativity and teamwork.

Children enjoy the process of designing, constructing, and personalizing their own little homes, using materials such as cardboard boxes, sheets, blankets, or even sticks and leaves found in nature.

Playing in a cubby house can also spark the imagination and provide a space for imaginative play. Kids can act out stories, play with toys, or just relax and enjoy the cozy atmosphere of their little hideaway.

Building a cubby house also helps develop problem-solving skills and hand-eye coordination as kids work together to put the pieces together. Order cubby houses online today and allow your kids to have fun!

Kick the Croquet

This is another exciting outdoor game for kids that involves using hula hoops or pool noodles to create a croquet course.

First, cut up hula hoops into suitable lengths to form arches for the kids to kick their bouncing balls through.

Then, set up the croquet course by arranging the arches and securing them to the ground with garden stakes.

During the game, children take turns kicking their balls through the course, trying to pass through as many wickets as possible or be the first to complete the course.

Points can be awarded based on the number of wickets passed or for completing the course first.

This game provides a fun and active way for kids to enjoy the great outdoors and improve their coordination and kicking skills.

Duck-Duck Goose

To play, all participants sit in a circle, and one player is designated as the “tagger.”

The tagger walks around the circle, tapping each player’s head and saying either “duck” or “goose.”

If the tagger says “duck,” the player remains seated. But if the tagger says “goose,” the tagged player must quickly try to catch the tagger before they can return to their seat.

If the tagged player successfully tags the tagger, the tagger must then sit in the middle of the circle.

This game promotes physical activity, teamwork, and quick reflexes and is a great way to get kids up and moving while having fun.

Conclusion

Outdoor games are a valuable part of childhood and provide numerous benefits for children’s physical, social, and emotional development.

Encouraging children to play outdoor games is a great way to help them build memories, improve their physical fitness, and engage in imaginative play.

So, let’s encourage our children to get outside, engage in some physical activity, and enjoy the great outdoors!