Hobbies And Interests
Ball Games
Ball games are those that require the use of some sort of ball to play. It should be noted that if you are playing with smaller children, replace any hard balls that may hurt with softer, squishier balls. Some of the ball games you can play with children are flag football or ultimate Frisbee, dodge ball and kick ball.
Flag football is a very good game to play with kids. Football seems like a tough sport, but flags take the place of tackling. If you have a hard time finding a ball for the kids (Nerf footballs or other small squishy balls can be substituted), ultimate Frisbee may be a good substitute game. You play with a Frisbee and run from one goal to another, similar to football. The only difference is there is no snapping the Frisbee and you must continuously throw the Frisbee to score a goal.
Dodge ball is a very good open gym team game to play with kids. The team numbers can be big or small and the risk for injury can be limited if you use small squishy balls. Also, dodge ball is a very chaotic game to begin with, so kids can have fun with it.
Kick ball is a good substitute for baseball that anyone can play. Instead of pitching a small baseball to kids, a big, soft, hollow, soccer sized ball is rolled to kickers and must be kicked. Game rules are very similar to baseball with bases, scoring, running and outs.
General Games
For general games, the use of a ball or object is not necessary, just bodies and an understanding of rules. Good examples of games like this are Red Rover and cops and robbers.
Red Rover is a very good, tiring game, as it involves a lot of running. Kids are lined up, arms locked together. One team calls a player from the other side over to break their chain. If successful, that player takes one of the players whose arms he broke through back with him to join his original team. But if the player fails to break through, he must remain on the other team.
Cops and robbers is a team version of tag or hide and seek. Many variations can be used, but the game is simple. Robbers must escape capture cops for a period of time or steal a predetermined item from the cops to win. This game is also a very good running around game for kids.
Object Games
These games involve the use of an item to play the game. Good examples of object games are capture the flag and steal the bacon.
Capture the flag is a very common video game option, but kids can play it in the school yard as well. A large area is split into two even areas. One team places a flag hidden or guarded someone in their area. The goal is to capture the other team̵7;s flag and bring it back to yours before the other team can. This is a very good running game for kids.
Steal the bacon involves trying to psych another player out. Teams are split and each player assigned a number. An umpire calls out one to three numbers, and those players are brought to the middle where an object is being held. The object is to get the item back to your side before the other team's player can tag you.