8 Unique Outdoor Games for Kids. Although much anticipated, summer break can seem like an eternity for kids. Below is a list of fun ideas to keep your little one occupied all summer long. And remember: summertime or weekend activities don’t have to be elaborate. Penny Warner’s book Kids’ Outdoor Parties contains a multitude of great ways to get your child outside and active.
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Big Foot Relay
This game requires two shoeboxes (per child), tape and scissors. Have your child tape the lids onto the boxes. Then, cut a one-inch wide and four-inch long slit on both tops. Have the participants slip their feet into the slits and race.
Batty Bowling
Have your child find a number of zany or silly items that can be easily knocked over by a ball, such as cups, action figures, books, cereal boxes, and a bathroom trash can. Line them up like you would bowling pins and let your child try to knock them over with a beach ball, tennis ball or golf ball.
Name-It Ball
Have all of the participants make a circle and give one player a rubber bouncy ball. Let one of the players pick a category like “breakfast cereals.” The kids will start passing the ball to other members of the circle. When a child receives the ball, they must name off a breakfast cereal (Rice Krispies, Captain Crunch, Cookie Crisp, Lucky Charms, etc.) If a member of the circle receives the ball but cannot name off a breakfast cereal, they are out of that round. They are also “out” if they hold the ball for too long or repeat an item that another player has said already. Be sure to remind them that they have a million chances to win with other categories, like candy bars, board games and pop stars.
Frisbee Tower
Get together a bunch of small Frisbees and put them in a pile in the middle of the yard. Have the participants divide up the Frisbees until they all have an even amount. The game starts with the first player putting his or her Frisbee on the ground. The next player will place his or her Frisbee on top of the first and so on and so forth. This continues until the tower gets too heavy and falls over.
Blind Walk
This game requires a bandana or something to make a blindfold with, as well as a variety of objects to make the obstacle course. Make an obstacle course with any household or outdoor items (garden hose, watering can, buckets, etc.) from one end of the yard to the other. Allow the children to scan the obstacle course for a few seconds and have them walk blindfolded through the course, one by one.
Pick Pocket Tag
This game, also known as “flag tag,” requires several strips of cloth. Have each child stick a strip of cloth in their back pockets. The players should try to collect as many cloth strips from other players as they can. The player with the most strips at the end of the game wins.
Kill the Cockroach
Split the participants up into two teams and have each team form a line. Place an odd object – sock, empty can, plastic cup, etc. – in front of both starting players. They should kick the object all the way across the yard until they reach the finish line. The person who gets there first scores a point for his or her team.
Drag the Body
This game isn’t as sinister as it sounds. Divide the participants up into two teams, providing each team with a blanket. Instruct a player from each team to lie down on the blanket. The teams will drag the person on the blanket to one end of the yard, trying to beat the other team to the finish line.
