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Action Games for Boys 7 to 10

Whether you are hosting a boy's birthday party or are simply just eager to encourage your boys away from the TV screen and out into the great outdoors, action games are perfect. Seven- to 10-year-old boys enjoy competitive, physical activities, and action games help them channel their often boundless energy in a positive way. The trick is to find games with a rule set sophisticated enough to engage boys at this age range, and still have enough movement to be exciting for all players.

Traditional games have timeless appeal and require little in the way of props or preparation. Keep the rules simple and try to let the boys settle any disputes among themselves. However, it is worth staying close at hand in case intervention is needed.

Manhunt
- This game is perfect for boys of this age range, who may feel they are too grown up for a simple game of hide-and-seek. It works well when played out in the park or forest where there are lots of trees and bushes to hide in. Wear camouflage clothing to make it more difficult to be spotted. Have one person start by counting to 100 while the other players hide. When he spots a hider he tags them and they join him as "manhunters." The last person to be found is the winner.
Kick the Can
- Place a large can in the center of the yard and choose an area to act as "jail." One player is chosen as the finder and covers his eyes while counting to 100. The other players run and hide. The finder looks for the hiders. When he spots one he must call out the player's name then race him to the can to try and be the first to kick it. If the finder kicks the can first the player goes to "jail." If the hider kicks it first he can hide again. Any player can sneak up and kick the can at any time without the finder spotting him to free the others from jail. The last person to be caught wins and starts as the new finder. This game works well for this age group as boys younger than seven may not understand the rules of this game and boys older than ten may feel they have outgrown hiding games.
Ticking Timebomb
- 7 to 10 year old boys are frequently full of energy and this game should help to use some of it up. Use a beanbag to represent a ticking bomb. Have someone start as "it" and give him the beanbag. Everyone runs around trying to avoid the person with the "bomb." If a player is tagged he must take the "bomb" and become "it." Have a grown-up act as referee: without looking at the players, he must blow a whistle after an interval. At that point the player holding the "bomb" is "dead" and out of the game. Play continues until only one player is left.
British Bulldog
- This game suits boys of 7 to 10 as boys younger than seven may find this game too boisterous, and boys older than 10 might play too rough. Have everyone line up at one end of the yard. One player is chosen to be the "bulldog". He stands in the center of the yard and shouts "British Bulldog!" The other players then have to try and run to the other end of the yard without getting caught. If the "bulldog" catches someone he must hold on to him and call, "One, two, three, British Bulldog!" That player then joins him as a catcher. The last person to be caught is the winner, and he starts the next round as the "bulldog."

Kids Games