Home >> Games & Cards >> Kids Games

Outside Sports Games for Children Ages 5 - 11

If you're concerned that your children are not getting enough outdoor exercise, you're not alone. A study conducted by the Early Learning Centre, a U.K. toy retailer, found that a mere 11 percent of children play outside during the weekend for up to two hours. While your kids may not be enthusiastic initially, once you get them playing sports games outside, they will probably enjoy it. Exercise is good for the mind as well as the body. Once the exercise-stimulated endorphins kick in, the kids may not want to come back inside.

Piggy-in-the-Middle
- This is a game for three players using a small- to medium-size ball. One player stands between two others, who have control of the ball. The two outer players throw the ball to each other over the head of the "piggy-in-the-middle," who tries to catch it each time. All three players can scramble for the ball if it is dropped. When the "piggy" catches the ball, he takes the place of the player who threw the ball. That player now becomes the "piggy" instead.
Red Rover
- Two equal teams of children stand opposite each other in a line, holding hands. Each team takes turns to shout, "Red Rover, Red Rover, send [Susan] right over," randomly selecting and naming a player from the opposite team. Susan then runs from her line and tries to break through the opposing team's line. If Susan succeeds she can take one person from the opposing team back with her to her own team. If she doesn't succeed, she has to join the opposing team's line instead. One side will end up with all the players at the end of the game.
Tug-of-War
- All you need for this sports game is a rope with a knot in the middle and three lines marked in the grass. Two equal teams of children each take one end of the rope. The knot in the middle must be over the middle of the three lines in the grass at the start of the game. The other two lines are marked a few feet away, on either side of the center line. The teams should be behind the outer lines at the beginning of the game. At the starter's order, both teams pull, digging their feet into the ground and tugging as hard as they can. When one team manages to pull the central knot over the line in the grass nearest to them, they win.
S-P-U-D Dodge Ball
- The children stand in a circle. One player who is "it," stands in the middle. Using a soccer ball or kickball, "it" throws the ball high into the air and shouts a player's name, Jason, for example. Jason rushes to catch the ball while the others scatter. When the ball comes down and Jason catches it (or failing that, picks it up) he shouts, "SPUD!" The other players freeze and Jason takes two large steps toward one of them and throws the ball at them. The target player can move her body to avoid the ball, but not her feet. If Jason misses, or the "target" catches the ball, he gets an "S" and becomes "it" next. Otherwise the "target" gets those penalties. When players have the four letters, "S-P-U-D," they are eliminated.

Kids Games