HT Games
Tag
"Tag" is a classic game of chase. In the most basic game, one player is "It" and tries to catch the other players before they can reach "Base," which is a predetermined place agreed upon by all players. One of the most popular variations is "Freeze Tag," in which any player tagged by "It" must remain frozen on his spot until another player touches him again to "unfreeze" him.
Hide and Seek
Another outdoor game that doesn't need any equipment is "Hide and Seek." The player who is "It" closes her eyes and counts to a predetermined number while all the other players hide. When It is done counting, she tries to find all of the other players before they can reach home base.
Group Games
Those who like a little more structure in their children's games have a plethora from which to choose. For example, in "Duck Duck Goose," players sit on the ground in a circle, facing each other. One player who is "It" walks around the circle, patting the seated players on the head and calling each one "Duck." After several "Ducks," "It" will call one player "Goose" instead. When that player hears "Goose," he jumps up and chases "It" around the circle, trying to tag him before he can reach the now-vacant spot. If a player is tagged, he must sit in the middle of the circle until another player is tagged and takes his place. The player who did the tagging now becomes "It."
"Red Light, Green Light" and "Mother, May I?" are two games in which all players, except one who is "It," line up along one boundary and try to see who can reach the finish line first. In "Red Light, Green Light," "It" turns her back so she does not see the action. When she calls "Green Light," players start running. When she calls "Red Light" they must stop. Anyone who does not must return to the start. In "Mother, May I?" "It" addresses each player individually, saying what kind of step(s) to take toward the finish. ("Take five baby steps," "Take two giant steps," "Take three bunny hops," etc.) That player must ask "Mother may I?" before advancing, or else he must return to start.
"Red Rover" has all players divided into two lines facing each other some distance apart. Teams take turns calling players from the other side and challenging them to run and try to break through the team's joined hands. One team would call a child named John by yelling, "Red Rover, Red Rover, send John right over." If John breaks through the other line, he chooses a child to take back to his side, but if he does not break through, he must join this new team. One team wins when the opposing team is down to two players.
Ball Games
If a large rubber ball is available, game options expand even further.
"Four Square" can be played on a square grid divided into four squares with one player in each. Players bounce the ball from one square to another. The ball may bounce once in the square before a player hits it into another square. If the ball goes out of bounds, the player who hit it is eliminated. Likewise, if a player fails to hit the ball that comes into his square, he is eliminated. Waiting players may advance into vacated squares.
"Kickball" requires at least eight players divided into two teams. The game is played on a diamond, much like baseball, with a "pitcher" rolling the ball to player on Home Base, who tries to kick the ball and advance to one or more bases. Defensive players try to catch the ball and tag runners out. After three outs, defensive and offensive teams switch sides.
Messy Games
Most kids enjoy making a mess, and several games can help. An egg toss has pairs of players stand some distance apart and throw a raw egg from one to the other. If the players aren't careful, the egg could break on the ground or in someone's hands. (Be sure to wash up promptly with soap and water!) Water balloons can replace the eggs for watery fun on a hot day.