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Beach & Outdoor Games

The outdoors are a great place to get together. All sorts of holidays and celebrations, such as the Fourth of July, Memorial Day and Labor Day, are naturally linked to the outdoors. Summer and spring call to us to go outside, to go to the beach, a park for a picnic, or just out to our own backyards. Outdoor games are a great way to burn some calories, stay in shape and have some fun.

Tug of War
- Tug of war is a classic outdoor game. All you need is a rope with a kerchief tied to mark the center. If at the beach, you can draw lines in the sand to indicate the middle ground. Or you might find a finger of water jutting into the beach and can have the tug over that, attempting to pull the opposing team into the wash. If you're playing in a backyard, especially one that has a muddy patch, you can use the mud as the war ground. Otherwise, lay out sticks or stretch out an old sheet to serve as the middle ground. Teams form up on either side, taking hold of the rope and then both sides pull. Use a comfortable rope to avoid rope burns.
Sports
- If you have the room, sports make popular outdoor games. Play flag football or Frisbee football. Set up a volleyball net or play badminton. Even soccer and baseball (or softball) can be played as easily at the beach as in a back yard. Tetherball is another classic sport to play both on the beach or in a yard. The games do not have to have the traditional number of team members for fun in the sun. And for those people who want to participate but not actually play, let them be cheerleaders.
Other Games
- Classic outdoor games include horseshoes and croquet, both easily set up. Or create a ring and play hacky sack. Pick sides and play games of toss, such as water balloon toss, where the winner is the last pair to keep their balloon flying without popping. Organize races, from basic relay races to races in which contestants must carry an egg in a spoon without dropping it. At the beach, each runner must complete the course with a seashell balanced on his head. Organize a scavenger hunt, either searching for real things, such as shells, or for digital pictures of things, such as a woman wearing a flowery hat.
Cautions
- Before playing any games outdoors, check the ground for rocks, holes or anything else that someone may trip over or fall in. Always exercise caution before engaging in physical activities. And drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration and sunstroke.

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