The Top Five Outdoor Yard Games for kids require no equipment other than children and space for outdoor play. Here are the basic rules for some outdoor fun.
Surely one of the oldest and most popular outdoor yard games! Choose a person to be "It" and to stand at home-base, cover his eyes and slowly count to 100. Everyone else must hide within the previously determined boundaries of the game. When "It" finishes counting, he must go and seek the hidden players, who will try to sneak back to home-base without being spotted and tagged by "It." The first player tagged becomes "It" in the next round.
Another outdoor play favorite; "It" stands at home-base, while the other players line up in a row, far across the yard and equal distance from home. "It" turns her back on the players and calls out "Green Light!" and the players run forward. "It" calls "Red Light!" and turns quickly, trying to spot a player who is still running. If any player is spotted moving after "Red Light" has been called, that player must return to the start line. Then "It" turns away again to call another "Green Light!" The first player to reach home-base is the winner and gets to be the next "It."
In this outdoor yard game, "Mother" stands at home-base, while the other players line up in a row, far across the yard and equal distance from home. "Mother" calls players by name, and directs them to move forward in various creative manners, such as "John, take 3 giant leaps" or "Jayne, take 6 butterfly twirls." The player, before making his move, must ask "Mother, may I?" to which "Mother" responds "Yes, you may." Should the player forget to ask permission before moving forward, "Mother" sends that player back to the start-line. The first player to reach "Mother" at home-base is the winner and gets to be "Mother" in the next round.
All players are divided into two teams, and hold hands in a line. Team One calls to Team Two "Red Rover, Red Rover, send Jackie right over." Jackie (or the requested player) runs toward the opposing team, trying to break through the line. If Jackie is unable to break through, she must join Team One. If Jackie does break through, she chooses a team player from Team One to return with her to her original team. Play continues with alternating turns until the winning team has succeeded in capturing all but one of the original team members.
There are many variations of Tag, but basically one person is chosen to be "It" while the other players try to return to home-base without being tagged by "It." "It" may count to three or call out a designated phrase, which requires all players to leave the safety of base. The first person tagged becomes "It" for the next round.
These outdoor yard games are a great way to coax children outside and away from the television or computer. Outdoor play fosters creativity, forges friendships, and provides exercise. In addition, outdoor games for kids are just plain fun!
All the wonderful memories of growing up. Love them.
Seems these yard games are all but forgotten by everyone except us older peeps. Loved playing all these as a kid, even now I'm up for a good game or two, long as the kids take it easy on me. :)
I remember all these games. Congratulations on front page.
How nostalgic can you possibly get? Wow, all us old folks remember the fun times after dark, playing by the light of the moon. HI5
I loved playing these games as a child. H5
Ive played a few, some I havent heard of - great list and congrats on front pg!
Great list of games and I played them all. Congrats!
Congrats on front page. Excellent list.
You hit it right times 5. Congratulations on the front page spot!h5
Awesome list of games to play!
select one here...