Outside Games to Play With Teenage Kids

'Capture the Flag'

• One of the most competitive outdoor games for teens is "Capture the Flag." This game requires great team strategy and a lot of exercise. Set up a large game area with string tied around the perimeter of the game area to indicate the boundaries. Divide the teens into two different teams, the red and the blue. Give each player a small piece of colored cloth to stick in their pockets. Place a colored flag at each end of the gaming area and a small bench in the center. Each flag is a team "fort" and the bench is the team "jail." Players must capture the other team's flag and bring it to their flag to win the game. Players go to "jail" if the colored cloth is pulled out of their pocket. Players can be sprung out of jail by their teammates, but cannot participate in game play until they are brought back to the fort and given another piece of colored cloth. Teams can also win by capturing all the players on the opposing team.

'Balloon Dare'

• This game can be played indoors. However, playing it outside gives your teens more free area to perform wilder dares. Place small pieces of paper in several dozen balloons and blow up the balloons. The pieces of paper should have a "dare" written on them such as "I dare you to kiss so and so" or "I dare you to stand on your head." None of the dares should be offensive or dangerous. Place the balloons in a couple large containers. Each teen should grab a balloon and pop it with a pin. They then take turns doing their dares. If a teen doesn't want to do a dare, they get a strike. Three strikes and they are out. The teen who performs every dare wins. When it is down to the last two teens and one teen doesn't perform his dare, the last teen standing must perform his dare to win. If he does not perform his dare, the second teen is back in the game and they both get a new dare.

'Egg Toss'

• Teens are often involved in sports. They also like getting messy and making messes. This messy sport game will have your teens trying out their throwing arms and also get a bit messy. Buy several dozen eggs and boil them. However, they don't have to be boiled, but boiling them will keep the mess down to a minimal level. Pair up each teen. Line your teens up in a row and have their partners line up across from them at about ten feet. The object is to throw the egg to your partner without breaking it. Each team should throw their eggs at the same time. Once every egg has been thrown, players will step back 5 feet. Any team with a broken egg is out for the round. Keep moving the teams back until only one team is left. This team wins the round. Play multiple rounds so the teens have a chance to get nice and messy. The team that wins the most rounds should be declared the egg toss champ and win a small reward.