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Outside Games for Children at Camp

Whether you are planning activities for a church, day or summer camp, be sure to include several outdoor games for children of all ages. These games work as icebreakers for unfamiliar faces, get children outdoors, build self-esteem and engage children in a social environment. With your imagination and a few supplies, you can create games these camp children will remember for years to come.

Nature Scavenger Hunt
- Divide the children into two teams and give each team a scavenger list. Put 15 of the same items on each list and include outdoor items, such as a leaf, a stick, a rock and a piece of tree bark. When you say, "Go," the children must run with their team to find the items on their list. The first team back with all 15 items on the list wins the game.
Water Balloon Race
- You need two five-galloon buckets per team and several pre-filled water balloons. Divide the players up into teams of four or five players. Mark a starting line and a finish line about 20 feet apart. Place one five-galloon bucket at the starting line for each team. Fill each bucket with the same amount of water balloons. Place an empty bucket for each team at the finish line. When you say, "Go," the first player in each team line must grab a balloon using only his teeth and take it to the team bucket. The player must carefully place the balloon in the bucket so it does not pop. If the balloon pops along the way or while it is in the bucket, it does not count. At the end of the game, the team who has the most filled balloons in their team bucket wins the game.
Flour Tag
- Have the children divide into two teams. Give one team dark-blue T-shirts and one team black T-shirts to wear. Fill several socks with flour and tie a string around the end. Place the flour socks in the middle of the play area. When you say, "Go," the children must run and grab the flour socks. Each team must try to toss the flour socks at the opposite team. If a flour sock hits someone, she is out of the game. At the end of five minutes, the team with the most players left wins the game.
Snowman Building Contest
- The children must get into groups of five or six players. Give each team three polystyrene foam balls, two cans of shaving cream, a piece of cardboard, wiggly eyes, a hat and fabric. The teams must use the shaving cream, foam balls and cardboard to build a snowman. The teams can use the accessories in the bag, as well as accessories found outdoors. Award prizes for the funniest, silliest, scariest and best snowman.

Kids Games