One of the first things kids love to do after school is to play outside. As parents, this can be quite a hassle since it’s hard to keep an eye on them all the time. That’s why you need to find some activities that will help your children stay active and healthy while still having fun. Here are some ideas for getting started.
Trampoline
Trampolines are a great way to get your kids outside and moving while also letting them have fun. You can make it simple by just having everyone jump around on the trampoline together, or you could add some rules like no double-bouncing, only bouncing one foot at a time, or no standing on the trampoline. According to https://mommyhood101.com/best-and-safest-toddler-big-kid-trampolines, trampolining is a fun activity kids can enjoy with friends or family in the backyard during summer and indoors during winter. They are also beneficial for kids. They promote balance and coordination, improve strength and endurance, and help with weight loss. So if you’re looking for a new way to get your kids active, consider investing in a trampoline.
Sack Races
One of the easiest ways to get kids interested in your backyard is with a game. One classic backyard game that works well for all ages and takes minimal effort is sack races. All you need are some old pillowcases, jumbo socks, or large garbage bags to go inside each bag and something heavy like rocks or even shoes if they fit nice and tight. Fill the sacks up with whatever you’ve chosen as “weight,” then line everyone up at one end of your yard, mark off where the finish line will be, give them an equal start distance behind it and let them rip. You can make this more challenging by adding rules like no stepping on lines etc., have fun with it.
Kids love races of any kind. If you have a few more items lying around, like empty boxes or pool noodles, try setting up some races for them to compete in.
Scavenger Hunt
This is another excellent game you can tailor to any age group. It’s also a perfect way to get kids outside and explore your backyard. The basic idea is to give each child or team a list of items to find or take pictures of and see who can gather the most things in the shortest time. Depending on what kind of scavenger hunt you’re going for, you can make it as simple or complex as you want. For example, if you have younger kids, you might want them to look for things like leaves, flowers, and bugs. But if you have older kids or teens, you could add something like taking a picture of someone’s shoes or finding a specific type of rock.
The best part about a scavenger hunt is that you can tailor it to any theme. If your kids love pirates, for example, they could try hunting down as many different types of shells as possible.
Duck Duck Goose
Have everyone sit in a circle with one person designated as “it.” The rest will tap their heads like a bill, then say either “duck” or “goose,” depending on what hand they’re tapping with right if they’re saying “goose.” When someone says “duck” while touching their left hand, whoever sits next to them has to switch places quickly. If they say “goose,” the person who said it has to do a silly dance for about ten seconds.
Simon Says
It is another good one for younger kids because everybody knows how to play Simon Says. It’s not as fun if you make up your own rules, so stick with the classic version and try having everyone sit in a circle again. The leader will call out commands like “Simon says point at your nose!” or “Simon says jump on two legs” then everybody should follow along unless they don’t say “Simon says.” In that case, all players must freeze until somebody else calls out a command without Simon Says first.
Hula Hooping
It is an activity all ages can enjoy and doesn’t require much preparation. All you need is a hoop, preferably made from lightweight plastic and some space to move around in. You can either have everyone take turns hula hooping or see who can keep theirs going the longest. It is also a good exercise for kids. They’ll love showing off their skills in front of friends and family.
If you don’t have any hoops lying around, you could always try making your own out of PVC pipe or even just wrapping some tape around a sturdy branch.
In conclusion, there are plenty of fun backyard games and activities both kids and adults can enjoy. Whether you’re looking for something to keep the little ones busy or want to add a new challenge to an old favorite, these ideas should give you some inspiration. So get outside and have some fun.
