Hobbies And Interests
Hunt Games
Create a candy hunt for the kids indoors or outdoors. Hide wrapped candy all over the play area and give each kid a small plastic bag. The kids must find as many pieces of candy as they can. Award a large prize to the player who finds the most pieces of candy. Of course, all the kids can keep the candy they find to take home. For treasure hunt, hide plastic gold coins. Create a hunt at night by hiding plastic glow-in-the-dark toys for the kids to find.
Balloon Games
Have the first player stand in the middle of the room or outside in the yard. Hand him two balloons and tell him to hit the balloons in the air. Every five seconds, add another balloon to his balloons. Once a balloon hits the ground, his game is over. Give each player one chance and the player who can keep the most balloons in the air wins the game. For another variation, play this in teams. Divide the kids into two groups and have each team stand in a circle. Keep tossing a balloon in each circle until a balloon hits the floor. The first team to allow a balloon to hit the floor loses the game.
Obstacle Games
Make two identical obstacle courses outside (side by side) and divide the players into two teams. Use water hoses, wood blocks, old tires, pool inflatables and chairs to create the courses. Arrange the items so players have to go over and under items each time. Have the teams race to see who can finish the obstacle course first. For another idea, make one large obstacle course. Time each player; the player with the fastest time wins the game.
Water Games
Mark a starting line and a run-to line 25 feet apart. Place two identical buckets on the run-to line (one for each team). Put a large bucket of water at the starting line with several sponges in the water. Divide the players into two teams and have them stand at the starting line. When you say "Race," the first player in each team line must grab a sponge and run to her team bucket. She must squeeze the water from the sponge into the bucket and run back to her team. Each player in line must do the same thing. The first team to fill its team bucket all the way up wins the game. In a variation, let the kids play the game individually by giving each player her own bucket.