Top 7 Useful Outdoor Games for Kids Today

Liz April 24, 2023 | 00:17

You won't find more entertaining lawn games than these. From the most basic to the most massive of outdoor games, we have it all!

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Children Enhjoying Outdoor Games. Photo: Parentmap

Contents
1. Camouflage 2. Kick the Can 3. Chinese Jump Rope 4. Stop 5. Blind Man's Bluff 6. Johnny on the Pony 7. Steal the Bacon What to consider when shopping for outdoor games

It seems as though study after study promotes the idea that children should spend more time outside. According to the opinions of various experts, there is a link between having a better overall health, experiencing less anxiety, and having improved eyesight.

1. Camouflage

It's like a faster version of hide-and-seek. A designated "it" player will pick a spot in the yard to stand in. The rest of the group congregates in a ring around them.

The person who is "it" will call out "camouflage" and start counting down from 10. Everyone else does their best to stay out of sight during those crucial ten seconds. The seeker's next objective is to locate as many targets as possible without leaving their current position.

Once someone has been discovered, that's it for them. When the hunter gives up, the remaining evaders regroup for another go. The game is over when there is only one player still hiding. To continue, please swap out your seekers.

Number of player: More than 3

2. Kick the Can

This game is a variation of tag and hide & seek. One person or a team of people are designated as "it" and a can is placed in the middle of the playing area. The other people run off and hide while the "it" covers his or her eyes and counts to a certain number.

"It" then tries to find everyone. If a person is tagged by "it", they go into a holding pen for captured players. If one of the un-captured players manages to kick the can, the captured players are released. The game is over once all the non-"it" players are in the holding pen.

Number of Players: Ideally at least three

Equipment: A metal can

3. Chinese Jump Rope

You'll need three players for this game, or just one if you have two comfortable chairs. Assuming a solid floor, it's a breeze to do inside.

Like traditional jump rope, this game involves a lot of jumping. A lot. However, your skips follow a predictable rhythm. A third person jumps between two people (or chairs) who have their feet inside the rope and are standing far enough apart.

The third person, the "jumper," faces one of the rope-holders and jumps left, right, inside, outside, and even on the ropes in a specific pattern. You can use whatever pattern you like, but it's important that everyone plays by the same rules.

The rope is tied around the players' ankles to begin the game. When the jumper successfully completes the jump, the rope is raised to their calves. After that, move onto the lower legs. That's usually where it ends, though. If you strike out, the next player gets a shot.

Number of Players: Preferably three, but it can be done with one or two

Equipment: A stretchy-type rope or 5 to 6 meters of rubber bands tied together in a circle

4. Stop

It involves bursts of running like Camouflage but less so than games like tag. Here's how it goes down. One player will begin in the center while holding a ball. (A kickball, plastic ball, or even a beach ball would be preferable.) Everyone else seems to gravitate toward them. The person in the middle calls out a name and tosses the ball into the air.

Everyone else in the room dashes as fast as they can away from the ball except the one whose name was called.

A player must rush forward and catch the ball if his or her name is called. They'll grab the ball and then shout "STOP!" Everyone else should immediately come to a complete stop.

Next, whoever has possession of the ball must make an effort to strike a member of the circle with it. If they're successful, they'll move to the center for the next round of tosses. If they fail, they must begin the next round by calling a new name from the center.

Number of Players: Preferably more than three

Equipment: A ball

A favorite game in Tudor and Victorian England, this game is yet another variation on tag. The person who is "it" wears a blindfold and tries to tag the other players. Be sure to play this in an area safe from obstructions and other hazards.

Number of Players: A small group

Equipment: A blindfold

6. Johnny on the Pony

One team crouches in a line, with their arms locked around each other’s waists. Essentially forming a wall. The other team jumps on top of the line with the intent of staying on. If everyone makes it to the top, they win if they can shout “Johnny on a pony!” three times before the bottom team can shake them off.

Number of Players: Preferably more than three

7. Steal the Bacon

Each player on each team has been assigned a unique number. Each group stands on opposite sides of a shoe (or other easily-held object) in the middle. When their number is called, the players on each team race to retrieve the object and bring it back to their side of the field. A successful attempt earns you a point.

Number of Players: A small group

Equipment: A shoe or something easy to hold

What to consider when shopping for outdoor games

They should be age appropriate. In other words, if you have a toddler, make sure that whatever game you get your child isn’t too heavy, too big, or too dangerous for them.

Look for games that are more than just fun. Numerous playthings serve purposes beyond amusement. Some are geared toward improving your child's motor skills or hand-eye coordination, while others are more open-ended and serve to foster their imagination.

Don’t be afraid of simple. Sometimes the best games are those that allow your child to use their imagination.

Think about how many players you need. If you only have one kid this summer, for instance, you shouldn't spend the entire season playing second fiddle.

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