Participation in physical activities is a must for every child. Outdoor games and activities are not only seen good for the body, but also for the healthy mental growth of the child. They are great stress busters, that also contribute immensely to a child's socialization. While participating in outdoor activities, a child learns to compete, interact, and become comfortable in the company of his peers.
It can sometimes be difficult to get the kids motivated to get these to play outside, but not if you have several games in mind. Make it funny, exciting, active and hilarious with different races, relays, ball and water games. Playing together is extremely important and a good lesson in social skills and being active and outdoors can also be very healthy.
Blindfolded Race
To play this game, divide the children into pairs and blindfold one person from every pair. Make the blindfolded child stand at a starting line, while the other one stands in a finish line. As soon as you whistle, the blindfolded kids start walking/running for the finish line. There are obstacles held in the path in form of gravel which the blindfolded children cannot step on. Their partner has to provide instructions like 'take a long step', 'go left', or 'go right', every time they are available near a stone. When the blindfolded kid steps on any of the stones, he has to begin the race all over again. The child you reaches the conclusion line the fastest, is the winner.
Jump Rope Challenge
Give each player a plastic cup full of water. Start spinning a large jump rope. One at a time, each child must make an effort to enter the rope and jump 3 times, all while spilling very little water as possible. The child with the most water left in the cup wins the game.
Nature Treasure Hunt
The perfect location for this game is the countryside or perhaps a picnic spot. To play this game, divide the children into groups of five or more. Next, give each group papers, pencils, and colours. Give them a list of things that they need to either get or draw on their papers. Their email list can include items such as a yellow leaf, pink flower, a feather, the most heavy object around, a smooth stone, any sort of bird, etc. The group which will come back with all these things the fastest is the winner.
Balloon Burst
Divide the children into two teams. You'll need balloons of two different colors with this outdoor game. Assign one color to each team. Next, having a ribbon, tie four balloons, two on each arm, of every child. Two of the balloons ought to be of his own team color, while two should be of the opposite team. Play some music that the children dance to. When the music is stopped, the children need to burst balloons tied on other children's hands, simultaneously, save their own. The team using the maximum balloons after a minute, wins.
Hole In The Bucket
Fill up a large trashcan with water and put two empty trashcans about 40 feet away. Split kids into two teams and provide each team an empty milk carton with Ten to twelve holes in the bottom. When you say "go," the first player from each team fills her carton with water, then places it on her behalf head while she walks or runs to her team's empty trashcan. She empties the rest of the water into the trashcan, then runs back, passing the carton to another player. The first team to fill its trashcan with water wins the game.
Footwear Fun
This can be a fun game that can be played at parties. To play this game, instruct the kids to consider off their footwear. Have them make two piles of shoes, using their left footwear in one and also the right ones in the other. Mark a starting line around fifty feet from these piles, and ask the kids to face there. Meanwhile, mix the piles of shoes. Whenever you whistle, the kids have to run towards both piles, find their shoes, wear them and are available back to the starting line. The one who reaches the starting line first is the winner.