Being active outdoors is a top priority for me as well as my family. Competing with screen time can be frustrating. We have already discussed some of the health benefits of being outdoors in a previous post.
Today we are going to talk about some things to do outdoors with kids. Specifically, some family outdoor games that are great to get everyone outside and enjoying themselves. Finding kid friendly outdoor activities can sometimes be a challenge though. While I understand that there are a lot more outdoor activity ideas, we’re going to focus on the kids for now.
These are some of my favorites. We’ll try to update as we can find others or as you suggest in the comment section below. If you have comments on these listed, please let us know.
Our Favorites
Kan Jam – Fun for the beach, backyard, or camping spot. This exciting game consists of two-person teams with the objective of scoring exactly 21 points by hitting or deflecting the disc into the cans. This is a It was originally considered garbage can frisbee until the mid 90’s when they coined the term Kan Jam, but wasn’t patented until 2005 when they introduced the “Instant Win” feature. Instant Win can be achieved by ringing the can with deflection. Proudly made in the USA!
Bottle Bash Standard Outdoor Game Set – Great for endless fun for the whole family while tailgating, camping, the beach, and more. Enhances eye-hand coordination and motor skills. Activity with every throw of the disc. Great teamwork game. Set up takes less than one minute and can be played on 20’, 30’, or 40’ lengths depending on skill level.
GoSports Pro Grade Ladder Toss Indoor/Outdoor Game Set – This tailgate classic can now be enjoyed wherever your heart desires! Whether you’re already a fan of ladder toss or looking to find more enjoyment outdoors, you’ll appreciate the quality of this set which surpasses any other economy set available. It provides casual fun at a great price. Simplified assembly (less that 2 minutes), a backpack style carrying case and rules. Includes 2 targets with score trackers and 6 rubber bolos. Soft rubber bolos are kid friendly.
Spikeball Standard 3 Ball Kit – Great for he backyard, beach, campsite or park. – (As seen on Shark Tank) Four player action, as competitive as you want it to be and excellent to get you active outdoors. Rules similar to volleyball. – Folding legs make it more durable to withstand those expected falls and dives. They’re also a bonus when it comes to storage. Adjustable net allows you set for experience level of players. After 10 minutes, you’ll be a pro, or at least think so. 100% chance that this will get you moving!
GoSports Classic Cornhole Set – This classic is a favorite for friends and family in virtually any outdoor setting. It includes 8 all weather regulation (6″ x6″) bean bags, 2 premium 3ft x 2ft foldable cornhole boards, travel case and game rules. Multiple options available – Patriotic, Rustic American, Stars and Stripes, etc. All ages will enjoy this classic. You’ll also get tons of use with the sturdy MDF design.
Elite Sportz Ring Toss Games for Kids – Great outdoor game for family and friends. Easy to Set Up! You can entertain anyone with this on any occasion. Compact & Portable. Kit includes 3 sets of rings, wooden peg base, and a carry bag.
Franklin Sports Horseshoes Set – Classic Outdoor Game – Official size and weight. Set includes (2) blue horseshoes and (2) horseshoes made of forged steel to last. This set comes with (2) 20 inch solid forged steel stakes. Plant 9-10″ in the ground and you’re set. Horseshoes weigh 2.1 pounds and are designed to fly and rotate evenly.
GoSports Backyard Bocce Set with 8 Balls (3.54″ weighing 1lb 11oz ea), Pallino, Case and Measuring Rope – Choose between Classic Resin, Soft and Light Up LED Sets. Choose between hard resin balls or soft rubber balls! We recommend the Hard Classic balls for ages 12+ and for playing on bocce courts, grass and sand. We recommend the Soft Rubber balls for all ages and indoor/outdoor play on any surface!
Lawn Darts Game – Glow in The Dark Fun for the entire family. Improve aim & accuracy while having fun. Spend some quality with your children with this fun game of darts! Glow in the dark tips so you don’t have to stop the fun when the sun goes down. Darts are made with rubbery soft, plastic materials that are durable enough to last you for years to come!
Early Fun Swingball – All Surface Tether Tennis Game – Ages 3+ so everyone can have a great time. The All Surface Swingball is designed after the Classic. It is suitable for single or double play. Easy to carry and store. Includes: (1) all-surface base, (2) Little Hands Bats, and (1) foam ball and tether attached to the spiral head of a pole.
In The End
If you enjoy outdoor activities, want to spend more time outdoors, have kids or are a kid at heart, these are tried and true options to make your next adventure more exciting. These will create a more active lifestyle for you and your family, improve hand to eye coordination, and improve accuracy all while strengthening communication skills and relationship fundamentals. Hard to say no to that, right?
Feel free to leave a comment and let us know what your favorite game is, how you may play one of these differently, or how playing games outdoors has improved your life.
Spikeball seems to be a really fun game. I like it can be played by 4. In my family not everybody has the initiative to play. But once the game get rolling, most join in. Now that we are able to gather again as a family, there is plenty of rums for games in the backyard. Thanks for this suggestion.
Thank you, Ann! Yes, Spikeball is a really exciting game. I think you’d enjoy it! I too have those same family members who are hesitant about playing games or just being outdoors in general.
Engaging in outdoor activities is great both for the body and the mind, there is nothing like getting outdoors and getting involved in sports and other games that is of great benefits. There is nothing like being on the great outdoors with a change of scenery. This is both good for kids and adults, thanks so much for sharing.
Thanks Norman, I couldn’t agree more. Getting a little fresh air and being away from the stressors of everyday life is always enjoyable. I do enjoy a little friendly competition from time to time as well. Keeping a child’s attention is sometimes a struggle and I have found that these activities make that much easier.
Ah.. Good old Cornhole out in the wilderness with a few friends and some cold ones… Capital suggestions across the board, most of which i seemingly can not find in my pack! Horshoes and Bocce take me way back! Timeless game that make for an unlimited amount of fun anywhere! Thanks for re-opening my eyes to the world of enjoyment 😉 Cheers!
Thank you for your comment, Zach!
I am glad that these were some of your favorites as well. While they continue to come up with new activities, there are some that stand the test of time.
Good luck on your next game!
Hello!
This is an awesome article covering lots of fun ways to get children outside, moving around, and having a great time! You have some of the classics like ladder toss, corn hole, and horseshoes, then you even added some new activities that I have never heard of like Kan Jam and Bottle Bash! I really like the fact that you even added the glow in the dark Lawn Darts activity!
I really like your statement: “These will create a more active lifestyle for you and your family, improve hand to eye coordination, and improve accuracy all while strengthening communication skills and relationship fundamentals.” It is so
important to spend good, quality, FUN time with children, and by introducing these activities and being part of them yourself will definitely strengthen communication skills and create a much closer bond in general,
Personally, I absolutely love badminton, and I have recently purchased glow in the dark birdies to extend the fun time long into the night!!
Thanks for this great article, and also for your awesome ideas to get children of ALL AGES outside and having fun!!
Nettie
Thank you for your comment, Nettie!
I am glad that you enjoyed the article. I did try to keep some of the classics as well as add some of the new. I am really glad you brought up badminton. I will have to add that to my list of suggestions. I love that you have recently added glow in the dark birdies to your game play. It really makes things more interesting!
I have found as I get older that quality time is more important than time in general. The memories and relationships are what lasts as kids get older. The things they enjoy as children are more likely to be carried on with their families as well.
Again, thanks for your feedback.