Outdoor Games for Kids

Kids Bubbling over with Energy? These Games could be the Answer.

© Lesley Munnichs

Dec 11, 2008

A little preparation and some equipment is needed for these games.

99

This game is best played on a softer surface, say a lawn, rather than a paved or cemented area. All that is needed is a ball (it doesn't matter what size).

• one player is the Thrower. All the other players are the Catchers
• the thrower and the catchers stand on opposite sides of an open, clear area
• the thrower tosses the ball in the direction of the catchers and while it is still in the air loudly says a number between 1 and 99. This number is the points a player will earn for catching it, or lose if they try to catch the ball but miss
• you may need a referee to keep track of everyone's score
• the first catcher to 99 points is the new thrower.

Wall to Wall Coins

You'll need a start line and a finish line. Two walls about 10 metres apart would be great, depending on how challenging you want to make the game. If that's not possible set up the two lines using chairs and string. It is best not to do this on a lawned or grassed area, however, because it may be too hard to find the coins during the race.

You will also need a coin (the same size for everyone) for each player.

• players line up at the start line or wall
• they put a coin on their forehead and put their heads back far enough so the the coin will stay in place without using their hands
• players then race to the finish line or opposite wall (no hands allowed to keep the coin in place)
• if the coin falls off the player must stop, pick it up, balance it again and resume the race
• the first player passed the finished line wins.

Through the Hoop

You'll need two large hoops for this race.

• players divide into two teams (you could do this by drawing names out of a bowl) and line up single file on opposite sides of an open space
• team members join hands
• the player on one end of each line is given a hoop
• the race begins
• at the blow of a whistle the team passes the hoop from one end to the other without letting go of anyone's hands. This means that players will need to step and wiggle through the hoop to get it to the next player. Players can handle the hoop but they must not let go of their neighbour's hands. So if it falls, for example, the player can bend down and pick it up, but his neighbours will probably have to bend down too.
• The first team to get the hoop to the other end of the line is the winner.

For more ideas try Games for the Outdoors.

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