5 of the Best Classic Outdoor Games for Kids

A major difference between this generation’s childhood and that of the previous generation is the amount of time that is spent indoors.

There are many reasons for this trend, including the time spent on electronic devices, schedules of activities and achievements, sun exposure concerns, and, for many families, the lack of safe outdoor play areas. Children are not the only ones spending less time outdoors; adults are as well.

Conversely, outdoor games can improve children’s mental and physical health. It can also help children develop important social skills and shape their personalities through exposure to outdoor play. It’s a great way for them to develop life skills!

Continue reading this article to learn more about how playing outdoor games can benefit your children.

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Children who play together outdoors and spend time outdoors have a better chance of interacting with one another than children who remain indoors and are isolated from one another.

It is important to urge your child, especially if they spend a lot of time indoors, to go out and play with other children.

Without realizing it, children acquire and improve their social and communication skills as they make new friends and play without adult supervision. This skill will be helpful to them in the future.

Additionally, outdoor games can improve children’s attention spans. Outdoor games improve your child’s concentration, observational skills, and reasoning abilities. Playing outdoors can even benefit children with ADHD – it can improve their attention spans.

The list of benefits of playing outdoor games will go on and on, so let us just stop here and talk about a few classic options we have when it comes to playing such games.

Though for your convenience, we have compiled a list of outdoor games you can play as a family, you can always go and research on your own.

Additionally, if you are looking for some fun indoor games for when the weather refuses to cooperate, we highly recommend you check out our indoor fun ideas. And if you’re looking for some game ideas to be used during your kid’s screen time, you should check out our article about ad-free online games. Of course, you will need a reliable internet connection such as Spectrum to play those particular games.

But back to the point of this particular article.

Here are some of our top picks for outdoor games for your kids.

Classic Outdoor Games for Kids

SPUD

This is a fun outdoor game for kids and adults alike. Playing this game requires agility, strategy, and a great deal of laughter. It is a straightforward game: avoid getting tagged by the ball while tagging others. In this game, you will need quick thinking, reflexes, and the capability to dodge and weave. 

This is an active game aimed at promoting coordination and physical activity. Playing the game helps kids develop their gross motor skills, like running, jumping, and dodging. The importance of regular physical activity for children’s health and growth cannot be overstated.

Spud also requires players to be aware of their surroundings and judge distances and trajectories quickly. In this way, children develop spatial awareness and an understanding of the positions and movements of objects and people relative to them. 

Sidewalk Chalk

Chalk has been used to draw pictures and play games on sidewalks since ancient times. Despite this, sidewalk chalk did not become widely available and affordable until the 20th century. Various sidewalk games, including hopscotch, four square, and others, have been created with chalk since then.

Chalk allows kids to recognize colors, sort things, and match them. Also, children can learn shapes, numbers, and letters using chalk.

Help your child label their head, foot, arm, and leg by having them copy the letters or even trace their bodies. Playing with sidewalk chalk can be a great introduction to coloring and writing for your child. By doing so, they are able to develop their fine motor skills and learn how to grip a pencil properly.

Kickball

To play kickball with kids, start by dividing them into two teams. Set up the playing area by marking a home plate, first base, second base, and third base. The pitcher should stand on the pitcher’s mound and roll the ball toward the batter at home plate.

The batter tries to kick the ball and run to first base. The fielders on the opposing team try to catch the ball and tag the runners out by touching them with the ball. If a player successfully reaches a base without being tagged, they are safe and can advance to the next base when the next batter kicks the ball.

The game continues until all players have had a chance to kick and run the bases. The team with the most runs at the end of the game wins.

The game offers numerous health benefits as well as a fun and engaging experience. Cardiovascular health is one of the most important kickball benefits. The cardiovascular system is healthier when individuals participate in this energetic sport since their heart rate is increased and blood circulation is enhanced. 

Badminton

This one is a familiar one. The whole body is involved in this excellent exercise. It involves a lot of running, jumping, and swinging, so all the major muscle groups are active. It can improve metabolism and build stamina if played regularly. For those who are interested in playing badminton, the equipment required is quite minimal. Shuttlecocks and racquets are all you need.

Although badminton courts are necessary for a proper game, many kids play it anywhere there is some open space, sometimes even without a net. The game of badminton can be found everywhere, including on terraces, parking lots, and even inside the house.

Four square 

It is a ball game played between four players on a quadrant-shaped court. The goal of four square is to eliminate the other players to reach the highest rank on the court, which is accomplished by bouncing the ball from quadrant to quadrant. Players are eliminated when they cannot touch the ball into another player’s quadrant after a ball bounces in their quadrant. Play lasts only a few minutes, requires little equipment, and doesn’t require a lot of setup.

The game of Four Square helps kids improve their concentration and hand-eye coordination. Catching a ball and/or hitting one with a bat helps kids develop this ability, which has far-reaching benefits. When your child serves and bounces the ball and moves about their square, they stretch and flex their muscles. As a result, they become less susceptible to injuries on the playground and develop good posture.

Wrapping Up

So, you can see playing outdoor games is not just a fun activity you can arrange for your kids in your free time, but they have numerous mental and physical health benefits.

This brings us to the end of this post. We hope you find it helpful and have got a few gaming ideas for your kids and family. Let us know if you would like to add something to this game list!