Games to Play With Children Outside

Water Jump Rope

• For an outdoor water game, have two adults help children play a game of water jump rope. Two adults must swing the jump rope while the children jump. Each child receives a cup of water and at least two children must jump at a time. Fill each cup up with water and have the children hold the cups while they jump rope. At the end of two minutes, the child who has the most water left in her cup wins the game. If neither player has water, the player who kept water in her cup the longest wins the game.

Human Chain Tag

• Have one adult and one child be "it," and set boundaries using tape, trees or the backyard perimeter. The two "it" players must hold hands while trying to chase and tag other players. When the "its" tag a player, she must join hands with them. When the "its" have four players, they can split into two teams to try to catch the other players. The last two players caught are the "it" players for the next game.

Drag the Body

• Divide the children into two teams and have them line up at a starting line. Mark a finish line about 30 feet away from the starting line. Give each team a blanket. Have each team select a player to get on the blanket. Tell an adult to stand at the finish line and yell, "Go." Players must drag their teammate to the finish line. The first team to cross the finish line wins the game.

Tennis Ball Toss

• Give each child a tennis ball and have them practice throwing the ball straight up in the air as hard as they can. After the children practice for about five minutes, have an adult use a stopwatch to time how long each child can throw his tennis ball in the air. The child who throws the ball that stays in the air the longest amount of time wins the game. Another variation is to have two children stand beside each other and throw their tennis balls in the air. The child who tosses the ball that stays in the air the longest wins the game.