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Games for Little Kids to Stay Active

Active games provide many benefits for young children. Being active helps with their gross motor development. Games that require physical activity are not only enjoyable, they help them run off excess energy. Games encourage fairness, teamwork and good sportsmanship. Most of the games may be played indoors or out. Adults may also join in on the fun while enjoying quality time with youngsters.

Capture the Flag
- This is a game for two teams in which the object is to find the other team's flag without getting caught. Divide the play space into to fairly equal sections. Mark the dividing line with a rope or chalk line. Each team secretly hides a flag in their respective territories. Members of each team proceed into the opposing team's region to find the hidden flag. Team members tag the opposing team members when they invade their area to find the flag. A tagged member is "caught" and sent to jail. They sit out of the game until an uncaptured team member tags them and releases them out of jail. The first team to find the flag wins.
Reg Light, Green Light
- Ask children to line up in any order on one end of the play area. Select one child to be the "stop light." The child who is playing the "stop light" should begin with his back to the others. He yells, "Green Light!" The rest of the children will begin walking forward. The stop light will decide when to yell, "Red Light" and then quickly turn to face the others. The rest of the children must stop moving on the "red light." If the "stop light" sees someone moving during the "red light" that person is "out" and remains out for the rest of the game. The object of the game is to continue moving forward on the "green lights" and to tag the "stop light" without the "stop light" noticing. The first person to reach him becomes the "stop light" for the next round.
Blob Tag
- Blob tag is a variation on a standard game of tag. Select one person to be "it." This person must run around and try to tag someone. Whomever is tagged must link one arm with "it." This forms the beginning of the blob. Next, the blob runs around trying to tag someone else. The tagged person must link up with the blob. The game continues until one person is left who has not been tagged.
Snickers and Hoots
- Ask players to find a partner and stand back to back. Select one child to be the caller. The caller shouts out a body part such as "hands to hands." The partners turn to face each other and press their hands together. The caller continues to call out body parts such as "shoulder to shoulder" or "knee to knee." When the caller shouts "Snickers and Hoots," the players must find a new partner. The caller must also find a new partner. The child without a partner becomes the caller for the next round.

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