We all love a great game to play while spending our time outdoors. After all, just being outside has its own health benefits. Unfortunately, a lot of the best outdoor lawn games played these days require many pieces and can get frustrating trying to pack up to take on your next adventure. But what do you do when you forget or choose not to bring your games, you know the ones with equipment? We’ll be looking at some of the best outdoor games for children that don’t require equipment.
With the games below, you are sure to have a great time while spending time in the backyard or at the campsite. There is no assembly required so you can spend your time laughing and enjoying each others company while playing these family outdoor games. Who knows, if you are like our family, you may even make up a few new ones while you are at it!
Also, check out our 10 Outdoor Games Without Equipment for Adults!
1. Red Light Green Light
One person is chosen to be the traffic light. They stand a good distance away from the other players with their back to them. The other players stand in a line facing It.
When they call ‘Green Light,’ the other players move forward until the light spins around, calling ‘Red Light.’ When they hear the red light command the other players must freeze on the spot.
Any child seen moving must return to the starting line. The children must remain frozen until the next ‘Green Light’ command is given.
Play continues until someone reaches and tags the light. The tagger becomes the new traffic light and the game begins again.
2. Crack The Whip
Players get in a line, each holding the next. The more people the better.
The leader will begin to run for a distance until the leader veers suddenly in a new direction, causing the rest of the line to swing around rapidly.
The players at the end of the line will begin to lose their balance or to let go of the other players. The caboose (last person) tries as hard as they can not to let go.
This can get pretty excited the faster you go and the sharper turns taken. Be sure the kids have on play clothes.
3. Sharks and Minnows
Another variation of tag. One person is the shark and the rest are minnows. Designate the area to be played in.
The minnows start on one side and the opposite is base. As all minnows start walking toward the shark and at any point, the shark can yell out “Shark Attack”.
The minnows can run to the base while trying to avoid getting caught. If a minnow is caught, they are now the shark.
4. Poison Frog
All the kids will form a circle. One child is picked to be the poison frog and another child will be the detective.
The detective will sit in the middle.
The poison frog, also sitting in the circle, starts “killing” off the players by sticking their tongue out at them.
The kids can really get creative when being killed off. This will also attract the to the dying frog instead of the poison frog.
Once identified, a new poison frog and detective are picked.
5. Follow The Leader
The leader is chosen. Everyone else lines up behind the leader.
The leader moves around the area doing various actions (flapping arms, marching, spinning, etc…).
Everyone must copy the leader. Anyone who doesn’t is out.
The last player to remain is leader for the next round.
6. Simon Says
One child gets picked to be Simon. They must tell the other player what to do.
They shout commands such as “touch your nose” or “jump on one foot”.
The commands can begin with “Simon says” or not. If they do the other player must obey, but if they do not say “Simon says”, the other player(s) should not do the action.
If they obey without “Simon says”, they are out. It is then their turn to be “Simon”.
This game is for larger groups, but can be played with less.
7. Duck Duck Goose
This classic is great for everyone.
Have everyone sit in a circle, with one player to be “it”.
This person walks around the outside of the circle touching each player on the top of the head. They call out either duck or goose to each player.
If you are a duck, you stay seated. If you get called goose, you have to get up and chase the person who is “it”. Goose must tag the person before they get back to your open seat in the circle.
If the goose tags them, they can rejoin the circle. If not, they are now “it”.
8. Cops and Robbers
Divide the group as evenly as possible into two teams; cops and robbers.
Designate where the jail will be and the play area.
The cops chase the robbers. If tagged, they have to go to “jail”.
Robbers that have not been tagged can release their partners by sneaking to the jail and tagging them. Players can run around and hide to avoid being tagged.
The game is over when the cops get all the robbers in jail.
9. Sardines
Sardines is Hide-N-Seek in reverse. In this game, ‘it’ hides and all the other players try to find ‘it.’ Once a player finds ‘it,’ they silently hide together until everyone is hiding and only one person remains.
Last player standing becomes ‘it’ in the next round of play!
10. Racing
Set up a course with a start and finish line.
After each race, select a different style for them to do. Be creative with the different styles of racing to keep them interested.
You can count each individual race or a collective amount wins at the end to determine winner.
Tips For Children Playing Outdoor Games
As we are talking about children in this post, some of the kids may not have played these games in the past. Some may play differently at school during recess. It is important to have patience whether teaching how to play or listening to their suggestions or ideas.
Game Choice: As mentioned with a couple of the games already, it is important to spread teams out evenly. We want all kids to enjoy themselves. It is equally important that they have a chance to win and that they can understand how the game is to be played. Don’t play above their knowledge and/or skill level.
Location: Look at where you will be playing, Is it grassy or are there rocks? Do you have a lot of room or is it confined? If the location isn’t ideal, you may want to find a better spot.
Hydration: Keeping kids hydrated while playing is sometimes a chore. When they are having fun, they’ll play sick, tired and even dehydrated. Set aside break times for juice or water to ensure they keep fluids coming in. The time of year and temperature is another factor to consider. Stay safe!
Wrapping Up
No matter the age or the location, we can always find exciting things to do while outdoors. While we have listed our top 10, there are tons of other games and/or variations out there to get children moving. The best part, you don’t need equipment for any of these. Most importantly, have fun with your children. Make memories that will last a lifetime, that’s what matters. Remember our goal at Winning Outdoors is to create a passion for the outdoors. That starts with our kids.
Do you have a favorite outdoor game for children? Leave it in the comments and let us know! If you’re interested in more activities, please subscribe to our weekly newsletter!
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