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Outside Games for a Group of Children

Children yearn for time outside and can often entertain themselves for hours on end without any guidance. However, play often becomes more structured when a group of children gathers together. You can organize and play many outside games with a group of children. These games take only slight preparation if any at all.

Relay Races
- Seemingly endless ideas come to mind when hearing of relay races or relay games. Relay races involve members of two equal teams taking turns to complete a task as quickly as possible. With children involved this could involve events such as racing to move an egg or marbles on a spoon to the finish line or moving water from one location to another without spilling any along the way. Relay games and races teach team work and encourage exercise while having fun.
Tag
- Tag gets children moving.
  
  Many variations of tag exist, so you can mix it up to challenge the children. Always explain the importance of not shoving during tag, as injuries can occur if tag gets too rough. You can easily organize and play freeze tag with a group of kids. Children play this by having one or more child designated as "it". Other children run around as the "it" child tries to tag them. When those children get tagged, they freeze until another child comes to tag and unfreeze them. Children love the chase and high-energy excitement involved in tag games.
Ball Games
- Various balls can make planning activities much easier.
  
  Having a variety of balls on hand can go a long way when trying to plan organized games with a group of children. Groups of children enjoy games such as kickball, four square, basketball, softball, soccer or flag football. Even though these games seem common, don't assume that all children know the rules. Take a moment to explain the objective and the rules of the game. Ball games teach strategy and teamwork.
Hula Hoop Games
- Hula hoops provide inexpensive and fun entertainment.
  
  Hula hoops also have a surprising number of uses when planning outdoor games. A simple game of bean bag toss can come together with a number of hula hoops and several bean bags. Children can also play a game of pass the hula hoop while holding hands. In this game the children form a line or circle and hold hands. They must then figure out how to move the hula hoop down the line without letting go of each other's hand.

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