Outdoor games: many ideas to entertain children during the summer
Children will love the outdoor games that we will present to you in this article. These are simple ideas to effectively entertain your children and from them the possibility of confronting themselves with the simple rules that the game imposes. At the base, in fact, there is always a fundamental educational side to contribute to the growth and correct development of the little ones. Before proceeding, see how to make a game for children in 3 minutes.
Outdoor games: the great classics with the ball
A great classic among outdoor games is the ball: all children have at least one, they love to chase it, pass it, play with their feet or hands. This type of game is perfect to play in the park to avoid damage at home. , read below and amaze your children.
- Ball in a circle
All the children arrange themselves in a circle, but one of them is positioned in the center.
You start throwing the ball and whoever is in the center must catch it or at least touch it, trying to do it between one throw and the other, or when a child holds it in his hand. If he manages to touch the ball, he will leave the central place to the child who has thrown the ball or who had it in his hand and will position himself in the circle.
- Call ball
A child throws the ball with force trying to make it bounce as much as possible and shouts the name of another child who will have to try to catch it.If successful, the game restarts, otherwise the child loses one point
è will throw the ball with the aim of hitting another player: if he hits him, the affected child loses one point and he will throw the ball. If he fails to hit any child, he loses another point.
When a player loses four points he is eliminated from the game.
- The bomb
With a piece of chalk or other objects you will first have to delimit the playing field.
A child with the ball in hand will position himself outside the playing area, while all the others will be in the center of the area. The child has to throw the ball, trying to hit the others: when someone is hit he is eliminated and must go out. The last child who manages not to be hit wins. The winner will take the place outside the area and it will be up to him to throw the ball, thus starting a new game.
- Wounded, dying, dead
The children arrange themselves in a circle; one of the children is holding the ball.
The child with the ball quickly throws it at another player of his choice, and so on.
If a player drops the ball he becomes "injured" and continues the game on one foot. If he drops the ball a second time he becomes "dying" and has to get down on his knees.
If he falls a third time he becomes "dead" and has to lie down. Dummy is eliminated from the game.
Outdoor games to play as a team
Outdoor team games will be perfect especially if there are many children: in this way the teams will be very thick and they will have even more fun. Playing outdoors will also be a perfect way to get the kids to get moving. Here are what ideas to replicate immediately.
- Capture the Flag
Get a handkerchief and divide the children into 2 teams. Number the children for each team.
The animator, who can be an adult, will call a number and the two players marked with that number of both teams will have to run to take the handkerchief that the adult will hold in his hand. Whoever grabs it first brings points to their team. The team with the most points in the end wins.
- Scarecrow
The boys will be divided into 2 teams and each team will elect a child who will be the scarecrow.
After selecting a series of garments (shirts, caps, scarves, etc.), one is made to wear one for each child on the team. Now, in turn, all the children will run towards the scarecrow putting the chosen garment into it. The team that first manages to dress up their own scarecrow wins.
- Shooting
A series of concentric circles are made on the asphalt and each circle is assigned a score: lower for the outer circles, as it grows in the innermost circles. Each team is given a stone that must be thrown in turn by the various components The team who, by throwing stones towards the circles with the highest score, accumulates the most points in total, wins.
- The caterpillar
Two or more teams are formed, depending on the number of children available.
The contestants line up in single file, rather close but not touching.
The first child in the row will be the head of the caterpillar and will invent all the movements of the caterpillar and all the other children will follow suit. Here are some examples: walking, running, turning left or right, walking backwards, walking on one foot, etc. The team whose members will be able to perform all the moves better without losing any of them wins.
- The snake
The children, divided into two or more teams, line up in single file and kneel. Each player must grab the child's ankles in front of him. At the start the snakes must reach the finish line, without ever detaching. If the snake splits, all competitors must run to the starting line and start all over again. The team that reaches the finish line first wins.
- Treasure hunt
Treasure hunt is one of the most classic games but always very popular when offered to children. It is good to make it clear from the outset that this is a game that requires preparation before you can start. You will have to prepare the clues and the treasure and hide them in different points within the chosen location. Each clue is presented as an enigma: a rebus, a riddle, a puzzle to be composed. Attention: the difficulty of the clues must take into account the " average age of players. The outdoor treasure hunt allows children to immerse themselves in nature.
- Head - tail
The children line up in single file with their hands on the hips of their partner in front of them.
The first in the row is the "head" and the last in the row is the "tail".
The game consists of "preventing the head from reaching the tail, but without letting anyone come off.
The more children there are, the more the line will squirm and writhe.
Outdoor games with water perfect at the sea or in the pool
In the summer, outdoor games with water are fun for children and teenagers: playing with water is fun and also helps to cool off in case of very hot days.
- Ball dance
Fill water balloons and distribute one for each pair of children. All couples will have to dance to the music while holding the balloon with a part of the body, hands excluded. The couple who manage not to drop the balloon and not to burst it wins.
- Water carriers
Place a bucket full of water and distribute a plastic cup for each child. Also place an empty bottle opposite the bucket. Each child will have to go to the bucket holding the glass with their mouth, fill it with water and then run to the bottle to pour the contents.
The team that fills the bottle with more water wins.
- The balloons in the bucket
For this game you need two buckets or containers for each team and an equal number of water balloons. Children have to carry the balloons from bucket to bucket, holding them between their knees.
The team that manages to carry the most balloons without making them explode or fall wins.
- The battle of the water balls
Fill a large number of balloons with water. Divide the children into two teams and establish a headquarters for each team. At the start the teams must throw the water balloons.
Whenever a child is hit and the balloon bursts, the player exits the game. If the balloon doesn't pop, it stays in play. The team that manages to eliminate all opponents wins.
- The mat race
Tie two mats together to form a long one to be placed in the sea or pool. At least 2 children will get on each mattress. Players can either lie down or straddle. When the game starts each player starts rowing with their hands so as to move the mat in their direction. The child or the team who manages to move the mattress a few meters on their side wins.
- Round dance in the water
The players are in the water, submerged to their waists, holding hands in a circle. A light ball should be placed in the center of the circle. The players will start to move left and right, back and forth in a sprawling manner so as to make the ball sway. Whoever hits the ball is eliminated. The child who stays to the end wins.
