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Fun Outdoor Games

Outdoor games provide healthy exercise and enjoyment. In seasons where the weather cooperates, kids of all ages make a beeline for the outdoors. An abundance of outdoor activities ensures that everyone will find something exciting and challenging to do. Not all games require skill or competition, but many do. Some games need large groups to play and are ideal for family reunions, scout organizations, churches and company picnics for families.

Classic Kids Games
- Dodgeball games bring squeals of laughter.
  
  Kids learn many outdoor games on the playground while in grammar school. Games like Red Rover, Red Light, Green Light, Simon Says and Mother May I do not need any kind of equipment. For other games, a playground ball is all that's needed, as with dodgeball or kickball. Tetherball uses a special pole with a ball attached with a length of rope. Ice skaters play Crack-the-Whip in which a line of skaters join hands and follow the serpentine movements of the leader. The object is to increase the momentum and shake loose those on the end.
Team Games
- Tug of War gets hilarious results.
  
  When large groups get together, team games work well. Choose sides, and enjoy a few innings of baseball or softball. Equipment can be simple for these games, with just the bat and balls and bases made from cardboard. More elaborate facilities might offer manicured ball fields, embedded bases and dugouts, but they are not really necessary for a great game. Flag football just needs markers for goals and two colors of tags to indicate which team a player is on. Basketball is another game that needs multiple players, as is volleyball. Tennis sometimes requires teams when players choose to play doubles. Tug of War pits one group against another, and if they are lucky, they will find a mud puddle to place in the middle.
Pretend and Role-Playing Games
- Mark your opponents with balls of paint in games of Paintball.
  
  From impromptu King of the Mountain to highly structured paintball games, role playing comes naturally for many children and adults. Kids of all ages love to play pretend. If you give younger ones tin-foil swords or giant boxes with which to make pretend forts, they will have a great time outside for hours. Treehouses and playhouses intrigue children because they have enough imagination to make their pretend feel very real. Paintball, on the other hand, is not for the younger set. Adults have made paintball a popular sport, one where balls of washable paint are shot from markers under pressure. The presence of paint on a players clothing is an indication that he has been tagged, or shot. Strategy and stealth are what make this game enjoyable.
Outdoor Games for 55+
- Horseshoes is a great game of skill.
  
  The more energetic outdoor games can be taxing to those who are retirement age. Still, it's important to get outside at every opportunity and socialize, and playing games is the perfect time to do so. Retirement villages, senior centers and vacation resorts for the 55+ demographic all know how important it is to stay active. Many places that cater to senior activities include shuffleboard courts and horseshoes among their amenities. Bocce is another favorite, as is croquet. These games are not limited to the older citizen but are compatible with their physical needs.

Party Games