Hide and Seek
This classic children’s game is playable indoors or outside. This game requires at least two players but is more challenging with a large group. One child is designated as “it.” The “it” person must count aloud while the other children hide in different locations. After the countdown is finished, the “it” child searches for the hiding children, tagging them before they reach “home base” or the “safe zone.”
Tag
Before starting this game, determine which outdoor areas are the start and finish zones. For optimum play, create a tag field with two lines sprayed on the ground with spray paint. The area in between is where the “it” or “tagger” child stands. All the children, with the exception of “it” gather behind the start line. When the “tagger” calls “Go!” the children run from the start to the finish line. The first one tagged by the “tagger” becomes the new “tagger.” The game starts over until you are ready to quit.
Duck, Duck, Goose
Children should sit in a circle in the grass or on the floor in a large, uncluttered room. Pick a child to be the “goose.” As the “goose” walks around the outside of the circle, he taps the heads of the seating children, gently saying, “duck, duck” until he comes to the child he wants to race. When the “goose” taps another child’s head and calls him “goose,” the second child jumps up and chases the first “goose” around the circle. The object is to grab the vacant seat without receiving a tap by the first “goose.” This game continues until all children have had the opportunity to play the “goose.”
Simon Says
Playing Simon Says is like playing Follow the Leader. Pick a child to be “Simon” or the leader of the game. The other children must stand and obey any commands given that are preceded by “Simon says.” Anyone who responds to a command without “Simon says” preceding it is out of the game. Play the game until you have one player left.