Outdoor Game Ideas for Kids & Families

Not too cold, not too hot–when the weather is perfect outside and the family is all together, there’s nothing better than getting together to play some games outdoors and bond! There’s plenty of sunshine and laughter to be had, so let’s get into all of the classic, creative, and downright wacky games you guys can play together. Vamanos! 

Classic Outdoor Games for Kids

Let’s start easy, with some super classic games that are a classic for a reason–anyone and everyone can enjoy them!

Tag Games

We actually think kids might be born knowing how to play tag–it’s second nature to tap your friend on the shoulder, scream “TAG!” at the top of your lungs, and start running for your life! Despite how common this game is, it’s a great option for families to bond and hey, if you slow down so the kiddos can win a round or two, that secret is between us. Here are two super fun variations of the game that can spice things up on the playground. 

Freeze Tag: an Unlikely Teamwork Game

The rules of freeze tag:

1. Set a timer for 3-5 min.
2. Pick two players in your group to be “it” and to work together to “freeze” the other players.
3. When the timer starts, the chase begins!
4. The players who are “it” must tap the other players on the shoulder and yell “FREEZE!”
5. The goal for the players who are “it” is to freeze all the players.
6. Other players can “unfreeze” the frozen players by tapping them on the shoulder and yelling “UNFREEZE!”
7. The players who are “it” win if they freeze all the players, and they lose when 3 min have run out and at least one other player is still unfrozen.

Blob Tag: Beware the Blob!

The rules of Blob Tag:

1. Draw a starting line and a blob zone. All tagged players must stay within this zone.
2. One player starts off as “it”, and they must run around tagging people and turning them into “blobs”.
3. When a player is tagged, they must enter the blob zone, where they can’t move until another player tags them and sets them free
4. The last player to be tagged is the winner!

Hide and Seek Variations

If you’re in a home or playground with lots of nooks and crannies, hide and seek is the perfect game to play with children. You’d be surprised by how creative they get! But it can get a little boring always playing the same game, or using up all the good hiding spots, so if you want to level up your hiding and seeking skills, check out these fun twists on the old classic. 

Sardines: It’s time to get close!

The rules of Sardines:

1. One player goes to find a perfect hiding spot.
2. The rest of the group counts down from 30, and then splits up and goes looking for the hidden player. 
3. When a player finds the hidden person, the player must join them in the hiding place.
4. The game is over once everyone is cramped into the hiding spot (just like sardines!)
5. The first person to find the hider will become the hider in the next round.

Kick the Can: Action packed Hide and Seek

The rules of Kick the Can:

1. Determine a player who is the Seeker
2. Find a can/bottle, and set it up near a designated “jail” area.
3. The game kicks off when the Seeker kicks the can, and closes their eyes to count to 50 as the other players run and hide.
4. When the Seeker finds a hidden player, they tag them on the shoulder, and the two players race to kick the can.
5. If the Seeker kicks the can first, the Hider must go to “jail”. If the Hider kicks the can first, all the other Hiders in jail are freed, and the game starts again.
6. Other players can kick the can to free jailed players, but the secret is to not be seen!

Ball Games

Have a ball? Then you’ve got the key for a thousand different ball games, all of which are great for families and kids! From tossing around a ball and playing catch to something a little more advanced, ball games are a tried and true method for having a great time outdoors. 

Dodgeball: Dodge or get Dodged!

The rules of Dodgeball:

1. Start with 6 bouncy balls on the center line.
2. Divide the group into two equal teams. One team on one side of the line, and the other team on the other.
3. When the whistle blows, players rush up and try to get a ball before their opposing team does.
4. The objective of the game is to eliminate the opposition players by getting them “out”
5. You are out if you get hit by a ball, or if you throw a ball but it is caught by your target.
6. A ball is dead and cannot get you out if it hits the ground, or it hits another player first. 
7. If you get “out”, stand in the sideline. If a teammate catches a ball, you can return to the court. 
8. Last team member standing wins the victory for their team!

Spud: Run for your life, SPUD!

The rules of Spud:

1. The leader gives everyone a number. They include extra numbers in the game, such as 21 through 25 when the game has 20 players.
2. The leader throws the ball in the air and shouts one of the numbers.
3. Everyone whose number wasn’t called starts to run.
4. The player with the assigned number catches the ball and yells “Spud!”
5. Everyone freezes in place when they hear this.
6. The player takes three large steps toward any of the other players, then throws the ball at them.
7. The other player can move any part of their body except their feet. If they catch or dodge the ball, the thrower gets the letter “S.” If the thrower hits the player, the player gets the letter.
8. This player becomes the next thrower. They toss the ball and call out another number.
9. Each player can get four letters: “S,” “P,” “U” and “D.” Once they get all four letters, they’re out of the game!
10. The winner is the last teammate who didn’t get benched. For an extra challenge, players can perform a task, such as running laps, that allows them to rejoin the game.

Four Square: Fast, fun, and Finicky

The rules of Four Square:

1. Draw a four square on the ground, and have 4 players stand in each box. All other players will wait in a “cheering” line to root for their friends and wait for their turn to play. 
2. The game starts when the server bounced the ball once into their square, and then hits it into a different square.
3. The ball can only bounce once in any square.
4. Each player needs to hit the ball into another player’s square after it has bounced once in their own square.
5. If the ball lands on a line, or goes out of bounds before it bounces, the player who hit the ball needs to return to the waiting/cheering line for another try. If a player hits the ball and it bounces again in their square, they also need to return to the waiting line.
6. If a player catches or holds the ball, or if the ball bounces more than once or not at all, that player needs to return to the waiting line.
7. This game can theoretically go on forever, with everyone swapping in, until everyone’s had their fun!

Creative Outdoor Games

Wanna get creative? These games will require a little bit more elbow grease from the adults, but we promise–the kids will love it, and remember them for a long time! The best thing about these more creative outdoor games is that you can customize them for your unique kiddo. 

Obstacle Courses

When it comes to obstacle courses, the question is: how creative can you get with the tools that you have? Here is some inspiration on how you can build a super fun obstacle course without spending much money at all!

1. Pool noodles: These are great for kid-sized obstacle courses. Make a rainbow arch kids have to crawl through, or line them up and make them jump one footed through the path!
2. Blankets+Sheets: Make a fabric tunnel, or build a chair tent/pillow fort for a soft place for kids to cause chaos in. You can also be active with a blanket race to keep the fun going!
3. Stools: Use these short platforms to make an agility test! Let kids jump on them, or navigate their way around them.
4. Balloons: These make a great balancing game–you could have them use a spoon to carefully transport a balloon from one place to another, or bounce them in the air.
5. Bean bags: Soft, squishy, and easy to throw, bean bags are the perfect thing to challenge your kids with. Have them toss them into a bucket, or slowly balance them to build a beanbag tower!

These are just a few examples of household items used creatively to get kids up and playing. Don’t be afraid to get creative!

Scavenger Hunts/Nature Scavenger Hunt

A nature scavenger hunt is an amazing way to get kids to interact with the world around them, and look for/pay attention to the little things. You can really make a scavenger hunt for just about anything, but here are a few tips and tricks to elevate your scavenger hunt game–and make sure everyone has a great time doing it!

1. Pick a theme: a good scavenger hunt always comes with a fun theme, whether it’s a garden party, a nature walk, or even a color hunt!
2. Use all 5 senses: When thinking of topics for your hunt, try to include things that require kids to use their senses. What are they smelling? Hearing? Feeling? You can encourage them to discover a heart-shaped rock or pet a fuzzy caterpillar to get them interacting with the world around them.
3. Don’t forget the pencils: A small detail like a pen or pencil to write with can make or break a good hunt. Pack extras!
4. Leave no trace: remember, this is for the good of your kids and of nature! Don’t encourage collecting souvenirs–instead, focus on just finding these things (or snapping a pic)!

Water-Based Outdoor Games

If you can’t beat the heat, there’s one easy solution–just hose the little ones down! We’re only partially kidding, but a good water game outside on a hot day is just about as perfect a day as it gets. 

Water Balloon Toss

Water balloons and shrieking laughter usually go hand in hand, and by finding some unique ways to play with them, you can totally create a new core memory for the kids. Plus, you can even enlist them to make some water balloons with you! After, you can play water balloon toss. Stand in a circle, and with each toss, everyone needs to take a step back. Play till the eventual loser gets soaked in cold water, and start it all over again! 

Slip ‘n Slide

The iconic slip ‘n slide is pretty much synonymous with summer. If you want to go the store-bought route, there are plenty of options out there that make it super easy for you and your fam to enjoy! However, if you want to DIY a simple slip ‘n slide, you’re gonna have to get some supplies. Most importantly is a long plastic tarp/sheet, and a water source at the top to keep everything flowing smoothly. Remember, a slip ‘n slide is something the kids will for sure love, and can get a little too excited about! Remind them to be safe, because the last thing we want is someone getting hurt!

Whether you roll your sleeves up and DIY an entire outdoor obstacle course, or are keeping it simple with a fun game of sardines, we hope you and your family have the best time outdoors this summer! There’s nothing sweeter than working up a sweat playing games with your friends, just like there’s nothing better than a GoGo squeeZ® Fruit Blend Snack to keep the fun going this summer. Made from 100%l fruit, you can grab one to go anytime, anywhere–and we’ll see you out there!