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Cool Games for Kids to Play Outside

When the weather is nice, it's time to get the kids outside to get some exercise and play. Children's outdoor games can be played in your backyard, or at large gatherings such as family reunions, block parties and birthday parties. Outdoor games can be designed for teams to play against each other, or for individual competition among the children.

Ball Naming Game
- Children can play a game that tests their physical abilities and ability to think quickly at the same time. Choose a category such as names of Disney characters. Bounce the ball back and forth to different players in the circle. The player has 10 seconds to name something in the category and then pass the ball to another player. If the player misses the ball, fails to name an item in the category within 10 seconds or repeats the same answer as someone else, he is out. The last player remaining is the winner.
Blanket Body Race
- The children divide into two teams, each with a blanket placed on the ground. One of the players on the team lays on the blanket. The rest of the team holds the edges of the blanket. The two teams start from the same location, carrying their teammates on the blanket to the finish line. The first team to cross the finish line wins. If their teammate falls off the blanket, the team must start over again at the starting line.
Bean Bag Bottle Toss
- Place empty plastic bottles at various distances away from a designated throwing line in the yard. These bottles should each have point values written on them, with more difficult targets having higher point values. The children line up and each player gets to throw between five and 10 bean bags to throw. The player receives points for each of the bottles that he/she knocks over. This can also be played as teams, with each player's total added up for a team total.
Water Balloon Toss
- Players must pair up for the water balloon toss game. Players start facing their partners, with a distance of three feet between them. One member of each team is given a water balloon. When a whistle is blown, each player must throw her water balloon to her partner. If the water balloon lands on the ground and breaks, that team is eliminated. If it lands on the ground, but does not break, the team remains in the game. After any players are eliminated, one partner from each team steps back one foot. This is repeated until only one team remains.

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