When I was a kid one of my favorite things about summer was playing outdoor games with the kids in my neighborhood. There are so many fun outdoor games you can play in the summer. Below I have compiled a list of my favorite outdoor games from my youth plus some additional bonus games.
1. Sardines
Number of Players: A small group
Sardines is an extremely fun outdoor game. It can be played in the day, but is the most fun when you play it at night.
The way you play sardines is similar to Hide and Seek. You have one person go and hide. While the person is hiding the rest of the group counts. When the group is finished counting everyone splits up to go and find the person hiding. When someone finds the person that’s hiding they quietly hide with that person. This continues on until the last person finds the group all hiding together like “sardines”. The last person to find everyone is it for the next round.
2. Ghost In The Graveyard
Number of Players: A small group
Ghost in the graveyard is such an exciting game. This was always the go to game for me when I was a kid. My kids absolutely love this game. Just like Sardines you can play this game in the day or night (but night is the best).
To play you have one person go and hide. While the person is hiding the group counts chanting, “one o’clock, two o’clock, three o’clock rock, four o’clock, five o’clock, six o’clock rock, seven o’clock, eight o’clock, nine o’clock rock, ten o’clock, eleven o’clock, twelve o’clock MIDNIGHT!!!!!”. Then everyone heads out to search for the ghost.
When someone spots the ghost ( the person thats hiding), they yell out “Ghost in the Graveyard!!” Then everyone tries to run back to the spot where they counted. If you make it back to the spot where everyone counted then you are safe. Whoever the ghost tags first, before they make it back to base, is it and is the ghost for the next round.
Meant2Dad Tip: If you want to really scare your kids with this game follow this tip. Get a bluetooth speaker and hide it out somewhere when you are the ghost. When everyone is looking for you play some ghost sounds through the speaker. The first time I did this I had high school kids convinced that the yard was haunted.
3. Capture The Flag
Number of players: A small group
Capture the flag is a classic fun game. This is one of my families favorite games to play. Its fun for the whole family to. We’ve had everyone playing from grandparents on down to two year olds. To play you will need two objects to use as flags. You could use anything for this as long as each team knows what the other team is using for their flag. We normally just use some old hand towels for our flags.
Then you need to split up the area your are playing in. We normally do a front yard as one area and the backyard as the other area. Each team has their own area and hides their flag somewhere visible in their area without the other team seeing. Each team also comes up with an area where their jail will be. The object of the game is to retrieve the other teams flag and return it to your teams flag.
If you are in the other teams area and get tagged then you have to go to jail. You have to remain in jail until someone from your team tags you to set you free. Once one of the teams gets the opposing teams flag back to their own area the game is over. This is a great calorie burning game that will keep your kids entertained for hours.
4. Retrievo
Number of Players: A small group
Retrievo is an awesome game I played all the time as a kid. Looking online I haven’t been able to find it anywhere. The game play is similar to capture the flag except you only have one flag. Instead of splitting into two equal teams you have a team of one or two versus everyone else. The team of one or two have a flag or an object that they hide in their area. The object of the game is to try and retrieve the flag and return it back to your area without being tagged. Once you are tagged you don’t go to jail but instead you join the team of the person guarding the flag. The game ends when either the flag is retrieved and brought back to the neutral area. Or when the person guarding the flag has tagged everyone.
5. Hide And Seek
Number of Players: A small group (minimum of 2)
Don’t skip out on the classics. Hide and Seek is a lot of fun and will provide fun for kids of all ages. It’s simple enough to play that a two year will understand the game and exciting enough that teenagers will have fun to. To play hide and seek everyone goes and hides while one person counts. When the person counting gets done they try to find everyone thats hiding. The last person to be found is it.
6. Follow The Judge
Number of Players: A small group
Follow the judge is another game that can be played during the day or night, but is most fun played at night. It is similar to hide and seek where everyone hides while one person counts. The person that counts is the judge. Once the judge gets done counting they walk around trying to find everyone thats hiding.
When they find someone they just say follow the judge and the person has to walk behind them. Whoever is walking behind the judge can sneak away and hide again as long as they don’t get caught by the judge. The game ends when the judge has found everyone. The last person to get found is the judge for the next round.
7. Tag
Number of Players: Minimum of 2
Tag is a classic game that everyone already seems to know how to play. But just in case you don’t remember here is how its played. One person is “it” once they tag another person then that person is “it”. Most commonly tag is played with the rule of no touch backs. This means that the person that just got tagged can’t tag back the person that just tagged them. The game ends when everyone is out of breath.
8. Kick The Can
Number of Players: A small group
Kick the Can a great game that is similar to Hide and Seek. To play you get a metal can and place it in the middle of the playing area. The person that is “it” counts while everyone else hides. The person thats “it” then attempts to find everyone. When they do find someone they have to tag them to send them to jail.
Once the person is tagged they head to a predetermined holding area that is used as a jail. The rest of the people that are hiding can run out and kick the can to free everyone from the jail. They have to do this without getting tagged by whoever is “it”. The game is over when all the players are in jail.
9. Dodgeball
“If you can dodge a wrench, you can dodge a ball”
-Patches O’Houlihan
Number of Players: A small group
Dodgeball is not only a classic comedy it is also a fun outdoor game to play with your kids. To play you need some dodge balls, preferably not wrenches, and an area that you can split into two equal sides. On the middle line between the two sides you evenly line up six dodgeballs three on one side and three on the other side. Both teams line up on the back end of their area.
When the game starts both teams rush towards the center to get the dodgeballs. Each team can only grab the balls to their right on the initial rush. Then each team starts throwing balls at each other. If a ball is thrown and the player catches the ball then the person that threw the ball is out. If the person that throws the hits a person on the opposing team then the person they hit is out. If the person is holding a ball in their hand they can hit the ball away and neither player is out. The game is played until every player from one team is out. Remember no face or groin shots.
10. Medic
Number of Players: A small group
Medic is a variation of Dodgeball. It is played the same way as dodgeball with one twist. Each team has a medic that can heal players that have been hit. When a player gets out they just sit down wherever they got out at. The medic can then run out and tag the person that got out.
Once the medic gets hit then they are out. The medic can’t pick up any dodgeballs but they can catch balls that are thrown at them. If they do catch the ball then the player that threw the ball is out. The game ends when everyone from one team is out.
11. Marco Pollo
Number of Players: Minimum of 2
Marco Pollo is played in a swimming pool. Its a great way to spend some time in the pool on a hot summer day. To play one person closes their eyes and counts to whatever number everyone comes up with. After they’re done counting the person says, “Marco” while still keeping their eyes closed. Everyone then has to reply, “Pollo”. When the person that’s “it” tags someone then that person becomes it.
12. Freeze Tag
Number of Players: Minimum of 3
Freeze tag is a variation of normal tag. To play one person is “it” and tries to tag everyone. When a person gets tagged they have to freeze in that spot. They aren’t allowed to unfreeze until someone else that’s not “it” touches them. The game ends when everyone is frozen.
13. Red Rover
Number of Players: A small group
In Red Rover everyone is divided up equally into two teams. Each team holds hands and faces each other about twenty feet apart. Then whichever team goes first chants, “Red Rover, Red Rover, let “persons name” come over!”
That person then leaves their line and runs towards the other line as fast as they can and tries to break through the line. If they break through the line, then they get to take someone from the other team back with them. If they don’t break through the line, then they have to join the other team. The game continues until one of the teams is out of players.
14. Monkey In The Middle
Number of Players: Minimum of 3
To play monkey in the middle you have one person in the middle and the other players stand around them. A ball is then thrown back and forth to the players on the outside. The monkey in the middle tries to get the ball. Once the monkey in the middle catches the ball, the player that threw the ball becomes the monkey. The game keeps going until everyone decides to quit.
15. Sharks And Minnows
Number of Players: A small group
Sharks and minnows is a lot of fun and can really help develop a child’s agility. To play one person is the “shark” and the other players are the “minnows”. You need to set up boundaries for the play area. All of the minnows line up on one side of the play area and try to run to the other side of the play area without getting tagged by the shark. Whoever the shark tags then become sharks. The game ends when there are no minnows left.
If you want to add a twist to sharks and minnows you can use flags on the minnows that the shark has to pull off to make them a shark. Here are some flags on Amazon that you could use.
16. Three Leg Race
Number of Players: A small group
A three leg race is a great outdoor game to play with kids. Perfect for birthday parties or family reunions. First you need to set up a race area, I would use about 50 yards for the area. Then you take two people and tie two of their legs together so it’s like they only have three legs. Have everyone that’s racing line up on the starting line and the first one to the finish line only using three legs wins.
17. 500
Number of Players: Minimum of 3
500 is a a great game that I spent hours playing as a child. We always played it with a football but you could use really any type of ball or even a frisbee. The object of the game is to get to 500 points first.
To play one person stands in front of the group and throws the ball. Prior to throwing the ball they shout out directions for the play. They could say, “100” and throw the ball. If someone catches the ball then they get 100 points. If they shout, “100 dead” then you can’t catch the ball in the air but must wait for the ball to hit the ground and then grab it to get points. The person throwing the ball can also call out, “100 dead or alive”. That would mean you could catch the ball in the air or ground and still get points.
If you want to get real fun with it then you could use mystery boxes as well. Mystery boxes could be sticky glue (meaning you can’t move for one turn), negative points, but they could also be a jackpot as well. When someone gets over 500 they get to throw the ball and everyone goes back to zero points. The game ends when everyone is tired of playing it.
18. Beach Ball Toss
Number of Players: Any Size
Beach ball toss is a fun easy game. The object of the game is to see how long you can keep a beach ball in the air without hitting the ground. Each player can only hit the ball once until another player hits the ball up in the air. Its a ton of fun if you use a huge beach ball like the one found here on Amazon.
19. Potato Sack Race
Number of Players: Minimum of 2
I’m from Idaho so I would be disowned if I left out potato sack race from my list. The first thing you need to do is establish a race area. I would use about a 50 yard stretch for the track. Everyone lines up on the starting line inside their potato sacks. When someone yells go everyone starts hoping in their sacks towards the finish line. Whoever hops across the finish line first, while staying in the potato sack, wins the race. If you don’t have any potato sacks here are some on Amazon you can use. To save some money you could also use pillow cases instead of burlap sacks.
20. Egg And Spoon Race
Number of Players: Minimum of 2
An egg and spoon race is a great outdoor game and also works perfect for birthday parties or family reunions. I would recommend using about a 20 yard stretch for the race area. To play you give each racer a spoon and an egg. Each racer holds the spoon in their mouth by putting the handle of the spoon in their mouth. Then they balance the egg on the spoon and line up on the starting line. The first person to make it to the finish line with the egg still on the spoon is the winner. If you want to add another twist to the egg and spoon race, you can place a bucket at the end of the track. Then have the racers go around the bucket and back to the starting line to finish.
21. Orange Race
Number of Players: Minimum of 2
An orange race is another outdoor activity that is perfect for a birthday party or family reunion. To play each person racing needs an orange to place between their thighs. They have to complete the orange race while holding the orange between their thighs. This game will be sure to create a lot of laughs.
22. Scavenger Hunt
Number of Players: Any Size
A scavenger hunt is a great game to play while outdoors with your kids. Below is a link for a nature scavenger hunt. To play each person will go around and draw pictures that describe each item on the list. This is a great way to burn off some energy with your kids and get some fresh air.
23. 9 Square In The Air
Number of Players: Minimum of 9
9 Square in the Air is a fun addicting game that is perfect for large gatherings. To play you must have a 9 Square in the Air set that can be found here on Amazon. The set is pretty pricey at over $800.00 but the game will provide years of fun. If the cost of the set is to pricey and you are a DIYer like me then here is a link to some instructions on how to build your own out of PVC pipe.
After you have everything set up, the structure is 18 ft X 18 ft. There are 9 squares, thus the name, and each person gets in a square. The person in the middle square is the king and serves the ball into one of the other squares. That person then hits the ball up into another square. If the ball hits the ground then whosever square it hit the ground in is out. If the ball is hit out of the structure then whoever touched the ball last is out. If the ball hits the structure at any time then whoever hit the ball is out.
When someone gets out they go to the back of the line and everyone rotates positions working their way toward the middle. This game is simple to play and fun for all ages. You will have kids on up to grandparents wanting in on the action.
24. Bumper Ball
Number of Players: Minimum of 2
Bumper Balls are these inflatable balls that you can get inside and bash into other people wearing bumper balls. There are all sorts of games you could play with these. Most commonly people play bumper soccer. This is where you play a normal game of soccer with a twist. You can bump, roll, and dive while playing the game.
You can also have one on one duels with them, or you can do a last man standing kind of a thing. This is a fun safe way to allow your kids to go wild. Here is a link to Amazon where you can purchase a set.
25. Angry Birds
Number of Players: Any Size
Angry Birds is a newer game that I found online. I haven’t played it yet with my kids, but I plan to. It looks like a lot of fun and you can get really elaborate with it. I’m sure most everyone has played Angry Birds on their phone. But just to make sure everyone is on the same page. Angry Birds is a game that you can get on your smart phone where you launch birds from a sling shot at objects to try and get these pigs.
How people are playing it in real life varies. Some stack up boxes and throw balls at them to try and get them to fall down. Others build elaborate giant sling shots to launch balls out of. Here is a link with instructions on how to build your own.
26. Badminton
Number of Players: Minimum of 2
Badminton is a ton of fun. My family plays this every summer on the weekends. The great part about it is you don’t have to be super athletic to play. It’s pretty easy for most older kids to pick it up and be competitive. To play you first need a Badminton set. You can find a great one here on Amazon. Badminton is normally played with one or two players on each team. We play it with how ever many people want to play.
To play one team serves first by hitting the “birdie” over the net to the opposing team. The opposing team then hits the birdie back over the net. During a volley each person may only hit the birdie one time. If the same person hits the birdie twice then the opposing team gets a point. The serving side gets 7 serves and then it switches to the other team to serve. If the birdie hits the net then whichever team didn’t hit the net gets a point. The game ends when one of the teams gets to 21.
27. 3 Hole Washers
Number of Players: 2 – 4 Players
3 Hole Washers is not a real mainstream game but it is a ton of fun. I don’t know where the game was thought up. My aunt first introduced my family to it years ago and we have been playing it ever since.
Basically you have two piece of plywood wrapped in carpet with 3 holes in them that are approximately 4 in. in diameter. You also have 6 washers that are 3 in. in diameter. The sheets of plywood have 2 x 4’s underneath them to prop them up in the air. Then you space the two washer boards about 4 feet apart.
To play each team gets a set of washers (they should be painted different colors). If you are playing with four players then two competitors stand behind one washer board and two competitors stand behind the opposite washer board. The side that goes first can walk up to the end of their washer board, without sticking their feet passed the edge of the washer board.
They then throw their washers trying to get them in the holes. The closest hole is 1 point and the next hole is 2 points and the third hole is 3 points. The goal is to get to 21 points. If the first player makes points by getting washers in the hole then the second player can cancel them out by putting their washer in the same hole.
So let’s say the first player threw washers in the 2 point and the 3 point holes and missed on their third washer. The second person gets it in the 1 point and 2 point hole. Both teams would then have 3 points because the second player cancelled out the first players 2 points.
The other kicker to this game is you have to get 21 right on the money. If you happen to go over 21 then you go back down to 11. Also if the opposing team knocks another teams washer in thats laying on the washer board, that washer counts as points for the team that wasn’t throwing. This game is a lot of fun and will create a lot of laughter and friendly competition. Here is a link where you can purchase a set off of Amazon. Here is a link with instructions on how to build your own.
28. Spike Ball
Number of Players: Minimum of 2
Spikeball is fun for the whole family from young kids on up to grandparents. This is a great game to get your blood flowing and get your kids moving. You will be sure to break a sweat by the end of this game and have a great time doing it.
To play the game you have a circular net with legs that’s on the ground (a lot like those little exercise trampolines that no one ever uses) and a ball. You play with two on two. The first team serves the ball by hitting it down onto the net. The receiving team can contact the ball three times before they have to hit it back onto the net. This volley can go back and forth until the ball hits the ground, hits the bar on the net, or bounces more than once on the net. Most games are played to 21 but you can really pick whatever score you want.
Another fun aspect of Spikeball is teams can rotate 360 degrees around the net. You aren’t tied to one side of the net like you are in volley ball. The other great thing about Spikeball is you can play it in your backyard, basement, at the beach, or on a camping trip. You can pretty much set up the game quickly any where you’re at and are guaranteed to get some great exercise and have a lot of laughs getting it. If your interested in Spikeball you can find it here on Amazon.
29. Ultimate Frisbee
Number of Players: A small group
Ultimate Frisbee is a no contact team sport that is played with a frisbee. It is normally played with two teams of 7 but can be played with fewer people as well. The play area should be around 70 yards long and 40 yards wide with end zones on each end.
To play each team lines up along their end zone. One of the teams will throw the frisbee towards the receiving team. Whoever has the frisbee cannot move until they throw the frisbee. The person holding the frisbee has 10 seconds to throw it. The frisbee can be thrown forward or backward. When a throw is not completed the opposing team takes possession of the frisbee at the dropped location. Players must try to avoid physical contact during gameplay as well.
30. Horse Shoes
Number of Players: 2 – 4 Players
If your looking for a nostalgic outdoor game for your kids then look no further than horse shoes. To play you will need a horse shoe set that will include two metal stakes and four horse shoes. You can find one here on Amazon.
To play you place the stakes about 40 yards apart. If four players are playing then the two opposing players stand on each end of the field. To play the first player throws their horse shoe trying to get it around the metal stake. If they get the horse shoe around the metal stake it’s called a ringer and is worth 3 points. To count as a ringer you have to be able to touch straight across both points on the horse shoe without hitting the metal stake.
The next player then throws their horse shoes at the metal stake. If they get a ringer then it cancels out the first players ringer and they get 3 points. Whoever has the closet horse shoe to the metal stake gets an additional point. The players on the opposite side when then throw the horse shoes back in the opposite direction. The game goes to 21.
31. Marshmallow Wars
Marshmallow wars are a lot of fun. To play you need a PVC marshmallow blaster. You can buy one on Amazon here, or you can build one yourself by watching the video below. These little blasters are a ton of fun and safe way to have a battle with your kids.
32. Ladder Ball
Number of Players: 2 – 4 Players
Ladder Ball is similar to 3 Hole Washers. The game play is the same in the sense that you play to 21 and each rung on the ladder ball set is worth 1, 2, or 3 points. It is a lot of fun and a great way to spend an afternoon. Here is a link to Amazon to get a Ladder Ball set.
33. Red Light, Green Light
Number of Players: Any Size
Red Light, Green Light is a great game for younger kids. To play you have one person be the stop light and the rest of the players line up about twenty yards away from the traffic light. When the person playing the traffic light says, “green light” everyone starts running toward the traffic light. When the person says, “red light” everyone has to stop in place. If they don’t stop then they have to go back to the beginning. The first person to get to the traffic light wins that round and becomes the traffic light for the next round.
34. Ring Toss
Number of Players: 2 – 4 Players
Ring Toss is a fun traditional kids toy that will never grow old. You will be able to spend hours playing this fun game with your kids. To play you need a ring toss game that can be found here on Amazon. You can play up to four players. Each player takes a turn trying to toss a ring onto the target with the most points. Whoever has the most points at the end wins.
35. Hot Potato
Number of Players: Any Size
Heres another Idaho Classic. This is a fun simple game that kids love. To play you need a famous Idaho Russet potato. You can use another type of potato, but it won’t be as much fun as it would with a famous Idaho potato. Everyone sits in a circle and tosses the potato back and forth. You can’t hold the potato in your hand. You have to treat it like its a hot potato. If someone drops the potato they’re out. If someone makes a bad throw then they’re out. Or if someone holds on to the potato then they are out. The game is played until it’s down to one person.
36. Duck, Duck, Goose
Number of Players: Minimum of 3
Duck, Duck, Goose is a classic kids game that is sure to generate a lot of laughter. To play everyone sits in a circle. One player that is “it” walks around the circle placing their hand on the top of everyones head saying, “duck” each time they place their hand on top of someones head. When they say, “goose” whoever they just touch jumps up and tries to catch the person thats it.
The person thats it has to run around the circle of people and sit back down in the “gooses” spot before they get tagged. If the goose tags them then they are still it. If they make it around the circle and get sat down without getting tagged then they are safe and the goose becomes it.
37. Kick Ball
Number of Players: A small group
Kick Ball is played like baseball, but instead of using baseballs and bats a kick ball is used. To play you need three bases and a home plate. You can purchase baseball plates or you could just use anything to mark the bases. We use tree roots that are sticking out of the grass and old bags as the bases when we play.
When you get all set up to play the first team thats up to kick sits off to the side and the kicker comes up to the plate. The pitcher then rolls the ball toward the kicker and the kicker attempts to kick the ball. The kicker gets 3 strikes just like in base ball. Another variation with kick ball is that you can throw the ball at the runner and if you hit them they are out. The base running and scoring is just like in baseball. Once the first team gets 3 outs then they take the field and the people in the field go up to kick the ball.
38. Water Fight
Number of Players: Any number
You cannot beat the classics. Some of my most fond memories of family get togethers ended in water fights. You can use anything for this like 5 gallon buckets full of water, super soakers, and water balloons. Here are some links to super soakers and self sealing water balloons that would be perfect for your water fight.
39. Water Balloon Toss
Number of Players: Any number
A water balloon toss is great fun and someone is sure to get wet before its over. What you do is everyone thats playing stands close together and tosses the water ballon back and forth. With each catch everyone takes one step back. You keep going until someone missing the trow and gets wet. Then you start over close and work your way back again.
40. Water Balloon Volleyball
Number of Players: 4 Players
Water ballon volleyball another really fun game where people are going to get wet. What you do is get two beach towels and a volleyball net. Two players are on each side of the net holding each end of the beach towel so they can catch the water balloon. The team that serves places the water balloon down inside the towel.
To serve the balloon they each pull the towel towards themselves to tighten it up. This causes the water balloon to go flying through the air. The receiving team then attempts to catch the balloon in the towel without popping it. Once the receiving team catches the water balloon they then serve it back over. The game is played until everyone is wet and tired.
Summer is a great time of year to spend with your kids! Get outdoors and play some of these fun memory making games with them!