The Best Backyard Games for kids!
School is out, and it’s finally summertime, that magical season full of warm weather, long days, family barbecues and, of course, backyard games. Dust off those hula hoops and squirt guns, and get to the backyard for these fun, active outdoor games!
If you have a big group of kids (and grown-ups), why not put together a festive summer Olympic-style competition? You can keep it simple and just divide everyone into teams, or go all out and make matching T-shirts and team flags for each “country.” For more inspiration, check out Scholastic’s Olympic blog post.
If you have a big group of kids (and grown-ups), why not put together a festive summer Olympic-style competition? You can keep score on your Frecklebox clipboard!
Games for Not-Too-Hot Days
Gymnastics: Hit the grass (or a soft tumbling mat) and do your best cartwheels or dance routines.
Bean bag toss/Cornhole: This is a safer, kid-friendly alternative to horsehoes, where you toss corn-filled bags into holes cut in a wooden box or raised platform. Learn the official rules.
Hula hooping: Spend a few dollars on a bunch of hula hoops and get those hips moving! Whoever can keep it going the longest wins.
Games for Scorchers
Water balloon toss: Win or lose, this is a great game for hot summer days. Split the participants into pairs and have each team stand facing each other. Toss full water balloons back and forth, moving teams farther apart with each round. If your water balloon breaks, you’re out, but you may be a lot more refreshed.
Squirt gun fight: Keep this one simple– fill up a bunch of water guns, have a blast and cool off!
Water relay race: Get creative with different water-related relay events, using everything from cups and sponges to ice cubes and T-shirts. Find easy inspiration for water games.
Pool games: If you are lucky enough to have a pool in your backyard, it will be hard to keep the kids on dry land. Marco Polo, Colors and Treasure Hunt (diving to retrieve different objects on the bottom of the pool) are always crowd favorites.
What are your favorite summer backyard games?
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