by When it’s rainy or snowy and school is cancelled, kids need some creative ways to keep themselves entertained. Indoor games that don’t require an expensive investment, such as a backyard corn hole set or a bean bag bucket toss, are great options.
Playing tag and red rover are also active outdoor games that can engage multiple players. For a fun twist, play I Spy, Cloud Edition.
1. Hide and Seek
Playing Hide and Seek indoors or outdoors is a great way to help kids develop their observation and survival skills. It also encourages them to practice counting in a fun and engaging way.
Children can play this game with friends or on their own. One player is the’seeker’ while the others are the ‘hiders.’ The seeker closes their eyes while the hider chooses a spot in the agreed-upon area to hide. Then the seeker counts out loud to 30 or lower for younger kids. The hider stays hidden until the seeker finds them.
Another variation of this game is to blindfold the players and spin them around. They then link arms with their friends & try to find them without bumping into each other. It’s a great exercise for gross motor skills and can be played on any flat surface (no trip hazards).
This game is an agile outdoor game that helps kids stay active and full of energy. It also promotes social & communication skills. It’s similar to Tag, where one person is ‘it’ & chases the other players. There is also a variation called Freeze Tag where if you are tagged, you freeze in place until a team member unfreezes you.
2. Corn Hole
The game of cornhole has gained in popularity over the years, and there are tournaments throughout the United States. The American Cornhole Association (ACA) even teams up with non-profit organizations to raise money for various causes.
The basics of this game are easy to set up and can be played indoors or outdoors on a flat surface. The equipment required includes a pair of boards, two sets of bags, and scoring system. The boards should be about 33 feet apart, with a hole drilled into each board. There should be a pitcher’s box on either side of the holes, as well as an imaginary line (or actually, an actual drawn line) extending from the bottom of each board in both the left and right direction. The area beyond this is considered a player foul line and players cannot step past this during play.
Legend has it that the game was invented by a carpenter who saw children playing a similar game with rocks. He replaced the rocks with sacks of corn so no one would get hurt. A more modern theory is that the game was inspired by a German carnival-style game called Dosenwerfen, which involves throwing objects at stacked cans.
3. Tug of War
Tug of War is a great indoor game for those times when it’s too hot, rainy, or cold to play outside. It can be played with one team or multiple teams, and it doesn’t require a lot of equipment.
There is a certain level of strategy to the game, which can add to its fun and excitement. Some teams also employ a “driver” to help guide their teammates and give them instructions on how to pull in order to maximize the force of the tug of war.
The sport has a long and ancient history, with most cultures having references to competitions of strength that involve pulling. It was a part of the Olympics from 1900 to 1920, and it continues to be a worldwide sport with a number of countries having set up national governing bodies for the game.
When playing tug of war, make sure you choose a level, dry playing surface. Avoid muddy or slippery terrain as this can affect the way you play and make it harder to win based on strength. Also, choose comfortable shoes for playing. Shoes with rubber cleats or no metal on the sole are ideal.
4. Geocaching
Whether it’s warm or cold outside, there are plenty of ways to have fun and get some exercise. Indoor and outdoor games spark kids’ imaginations while promoting gross motor & fine motor skills. Playing these games together can promote teamwork, communication & problem-solving abilities as well as boost children’s strength, balance & coordination.
Another fun way to spend time outdoors is by playing a game of hide-and-seek. This multiplayer game encourages players to use their listening & fine motor skills while working up a sweat. Make sure you have a safe area and set a “DO NOT CROSS” line that players stay behind during play. Also, always be respectful of your surroundings and don’t trample plants or damage property while searching for the hidden objects.
Another outdoor game that is a great way to spend time with the family is geocaching. This worldwide treasure hunt combines GPS technology with outdoor adventure, allowing people of all ages to explore new places. A good place to start is by downloading the free geocaching app and checking out your local parks, trails and other public spaces.
5. Ping Pong
Ping pong, also known as table tennis or ping-pong, is an exciting game that can be played indoors and outdoors. This family-friendly game is fun and challenging and can help kids develop a wide variety of skills, including hand-eye coordination, upper body strength, and balance.
To play ping pong, players use small bats to hit a lightweight hollow ball back and forth across a table divided by a net. The objective is to make the ball bounce on your opponent’s side of the table before they can return it. The game is fast and requires quick reactions. Even recreational players can become highly skilled. At the professional level, ping pong is truly amazing to watch.
If playing ping pong outside, the wind may present a challenge. Since ping pong balls are so light, wind can cause the ball to move left or right and up or down, which could negatively affect the game. To mitigate this issue, Killerspin offers heavier outdoor ping pong balls that are less affected by wind. These ping pong balls will be a better fit for your table and help improve your game.
