Kids of all ages – even older ones who think they are too cool for playground games – enjoy classic outdoor activities, from hide-and-seek to ghost in the graveyard, that get their bodies moving while stimulating their minds and inspiring creativity.
Divide your children into two teams and form lines holding hands in front of each other, holding back until one team calls out “Red Rover!” when one player from each side runs over to try breaking through held hands on the opposite team.
1. Tic Tac Toe
Tic Tac Toe (commonly referred to as “noughts and crosses”) has long been considered an iconic board game. Not only can you have fun practicing your strategy skills while building problem-solving abilities and working memory capacity, but Tic Tac Toe can be used as an engaging means to practice building working memory capacity as well.
Though the game appears simple, there are various strategies and tricks players have discovered to ensure victory when two-player. For example, if both players play as Xs and Ys, one player can force a draw by placing themselves in the center position and forcing a tie by forcing an exchange in either direction.
Though traditional tic tac toe is great fun, we’ve come up with some creative variations on it to keep kids challenged in new ways and keep them engaged with playing time after time. Try playing these exciting variants of this timeless game with your friends or family; they are sure to build stronger bonds among all involved!
2. Hide and Seek
Hide and Seek is an age-old classic children’s game that promotes sensory play and offers something fun for players of all ages – it can even be played alone or with multiple players! When “it” (either alone or as part of a group), chooses their spot (which might prove challenging for older ones), closes their eyes, counts aloud to 100 or another number, then counts out loud to the number they chose before opening them again to reveal who it’s for!
Once the seeker reaches their number, they announce a player and the location where they’ve hidden. That player goes out searching for them; if found they go back into “jail” until another round begins.
Set clear boundaries for this game to ensure everyone’s safety, including no adults entering during times when children are hiding and seeking. Hide and Seek can also serve as an excellent opportunity to teach children separation/reunification concepts.
3. Tic Tac Toe with a Twist
Tic tac toe is an age-old classic game that provides both entertainment and mental stimulation. But why stop at just playing regular Tic Tac Toe? Why not add some creative variations that your family and you will adore!? Check out some innovative tic tac toe variations here that you will all enjoy!
How it Works: Players take turns placing tokens (X’s and O’s) onto the board, moving them forwards or backwards along any of four directions: horizontally, vertically or diagonally. The first player to achieve three-in-a-row wins!
This variation requires more movement and can be enjoyed indoors or out. Children can work together or compete to see who can create the longest lines; plus it helps practice making an “X” and an “O”. Perfect activity for solo play as well as siblings!
4. Hide and Seek with a Twist
Hide and Seek is an iconic game that promotes children’s social interactions, cognitive flexibility and reaction speed. Furthermore, it encourages sensory awareness as it allows children to explore their environment through touch.
This fun variation on the traditional game involves one child acting as the seeker who counts silently to locate other players hidden around their environment. Once found, they join up with the seeker until everyone has been located and play resumes until everyone has been found.
This game works best when there is plenty of room for children to hide and roam freely, or indoors if the weather is inclement, or on camping trips. To add another challenge for older children, time how long it takes you to locate each player – this can help build resilience and perseverance skills!
5. Red Rover
Red Rover is an energetic playground game that promotes teamwork and communication between teammates. Not only is Red Rover fun to play, it helps children develop strength, coordination, and balance at an early age.
To play Red Rover, players are divided into two teams and lined up about 20 feet (6.1 m) apart in lines facing each other. One team then calls out, “Red Rover! Red Rover! Send (player name) right over!” This prompts that player to leave their line and try to break through the opposing team’s link of arms by crossing over.
This game is perfectly safe for children of all ages to play, provided they remain aware of their surroundings and don’t use excessive force when trying to break through the chain. Setting ground rules ahead of time and playing on soft surfaces such as grass is ideal to ensure no one gets injured due to falls or colliding with another player’s arm during gameplay.
6. Hide and Seek with a Twist
Hide and seek is an easy outdoor game, suitable for playing by both individuals or large groups. Variations add plenty of spice to the fun!
Camouflage is a common variation, where players hide in places they believe the seeker won’t detect them, then when she opens her eyes she attempts to tag anyone who wasn’t hiding. Once caught, that player must immediately try and hide again or risk becoming visible again!
Kick the Can is another enjoyable variation on traditional hide and seek, using an empty can as jail. Players race to kick it before being captured by “it”, which may involve some strategic positioning by “it.” If successful in reaching it they are freed up and become seekers themselves for subsequent rounds – perfect way to foster teamwork and cooperation among participants!